[PLUG-TALK] Addiction, Religion, and MR
Richard Powell
plug at hackhawk.net
Wed Oct 28 17:24:31 UTC 2009
For those wondering *why* I would send this message to the entire list.
And I apologize for the intrusion into your inbox while you're trying
to avoid MR posts.
** Step 12 **
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we
tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these
principles in all our affairs.
The messages and beliefs from MR are counterproductive to helping others
get sober.
Somehow I believe MR is on a religious step 12 mission of his own. But
I disagree with his methods entirely.
Richard
Richard Powell wrote:
> I know this will probably fall on deaf ears as far as MR is concerned,
> but I'm going to say it anyway.
>
> About 22 years ago, when I moved from Alaska to Hollywood California to
> pursue music, I moved in with a devout Christian. At the time there was
> a famous Christian musician who had been shot. My roommate explained
> that in his belief this "Christian" musician must have had a fallen out
> with God for this to happen to him.
>
> Over the couple of years that followed, I encountered various people
> with views similar to this, as well as views similar to Michael
> Robinson. MR is like an echo of those ideas and thoughts I was exposed
> to back in the late 80's.
>
> The result of that exposure was that I shunned religion entirely for
> more than 2 decades of my life. I stepped into Church only twice on a
> Sunday over those two decades, and for a couple of weddings. Both
> Sunday experiences were difficult and uncomfortable for me.
>
> For 2 decades of my life I was unable to say the words "God Bless You",
> or to even hear the words spoken from the heart of my friends without
> cringing or feeling uneasy.
>
> For 2 decades of my life, I was aware of Alcoholic Anonymous. I had been
> to meetings with my Mom, and was very aware of the 12 steps. I believed
> with all my heart that if/when I ever chose to face my problem with
> Alcohol that I would need to follow the steps of that program.
>
> Step 3 "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care
> of God as we understood Him." was always a sticking point for me.
>
> What's odd, is that I've always been a spiritual person. I believe in a
> universal consciousness. So following step 3 really wouldn't be a
> stretch for me. But continually, I had this uneasy feeling when I'd
> hear AA members say "God Bless You". There was just FAR too much
> negative history associated with the words.
>
> Ultimately I accept full responsibility for my actions and decisions in
> life. I do not blame those false profits of my late teens and early
> twenties for this negativity in my life. It was entirely in my heart to
> forgive them and move on with what I believe God to be.
>
> It sure does take a lot of energy to stay angry and to not forgive. It
> has probably taken years off of my life. The alcohol probably didn't
> help either. :)
>
> I have recently embraced my religion again this year. I drank my last
> alcoholic drink on January 6th 2009, went to AA on January 7th and have
> never looked back. It's like a bit in my head switched from zero to one
> overnight.
>
> I'm going through the nastiest divorce of anyone I've ever heard of
> going through. Yet I've managed to stay sober, and I'm generally a
> happy person through it all.
>
> I want to tell you Michael Robinson. You are not doing anyone any
> favors with the religious drool that comes out of your mouth/keyboard.
> If anything, you drive away with extreme force those younger and more
> influential minds that you may come into contact with. You drive them
> away from religion.
>
> With all my heart, I pray to God that you will find peace in your life.
> I pray that you will not create negative feelings in other young minds
> out there. I pray that you will not drive young minds away from
> religion, and away from peace, and happiness in their lives.
>
> Wow! I can actually say "Pray to God" without cringing or feeling
> awkward. I have come a long way in just one year.
>
> God Bless You
> Richard
>
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