Finding Humility: An Atheist's Take on Step Seven and Tradition Seven in AA
The seventh step is where we make the change in our attitude which permits us, with humility as our guide, to move from ourselves towards others and toward god.
Humility is often a challenging concept, especially in the context of recovery. In this episode of 'An Atheist Reads the Big Book of AA', Josh C dives into Step Seven and Tradition Seven from the 12 x 12 of Alcoholics Anonymous. Josh, an atheist navigating his own journey through sobriety, offers a fresh perspective on these steps, making them accessible for those who might struggle with the religious aspects of AA.
Step Seven, which involves humbly asking a higher power to remove shortcomings, can be particularly tricky for atheists. Josh breaks down how he interprets this step without the traditional 'god stuff', focusing instead on the essence of humility and its role in personal growth. He discusses how embracing humility can shift our attitudes towards ourselves and others, fostering a sense of community and support that's crucial for recovery. Tradition Seven emphasizes the importance of self-support within AA groups.
Josh explores this principle from a secular viewpoint, discussing how it encourages responsibility and independence among members. This episode is a thoughtful examination of how humility and self-support intertwine in the journey to sobriety, offering insights that resonate regardless of one's belief system.