Possibilianism: Step Two

May 30, 2016May 30, 2016Leave a comment

Recovery is certainly a journey in personal growth and open-mindedness. It asks us to be open, to be honest, and to evaluate our beliefs. Step Two and the “power greater than ourselves” attempts a basis on a spiritual level. This step is widely considered to be an important part of the foundation of the Twelve Steps. It therefore became essential that I amend this step so that it could be built upon in a way that would work for my own program. I do not believe in a higher power. I tend to call myself an atheist, because it is usually the most effective way to answer the question I know the person is really asking: “Do you believe in God?” I do not. However, I do not consider myself an atheist at heart. I am a Possibilian.

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AA Without a Higher Power

May 5, 2016May 10, 20161 Comment

As an atheist, my first foray into AA’s rooms was not one of interest, but one of desperation. After exploring avenues of virtual support, I decided I needed some face-to-face accountability. Politics about AA aside, I was interested in facing the difficult questions I would have to ask myself as a result of the steps. I was hopeful, but also skeptical. AA’s program is heavily built upon a “higher power”, and this was one aspect I was entirely uninterested in.

AA has, undoubtedly, become the most prominent source of help and support for alcoholics all over the world. So what happens when your own beliefs don’t fit in with the “higher power” mantra? Is it worth it? Can the program work if you don’t believe in god? Continue reading →