Robert McClellan
Robert McClellan
Real Sobriety Ep. 42
Real Sobriety Ep. 42
Real Sobriety Ep. 42
Thursday 10th November 2016
Robert McClellan explores if Alcoholics Anonymous' Christian roots are excluding non-religious members. Tune in for a critical discussion on inclusivity in recovery.
5 minutes
Thought-provoking
Informative
Raw
Non-judgmental
Engaging
About this podcast
Author:
Robert McClellan
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Navigating Challenges in Recovery
Creative Recovery Journeys
Financial Health in Recovery
Sexual Empowerment & Identity
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Get the buttons here!Religion and Recovery: The AA Debate on Inclusivity
My opinion and experience is this: the exclusionary traditions and deeply Christian roots of alcoholics anonymous will be its undoing.
Ever wondered if Alcoholics Anonymous is more about religion than recovery? In this thought-provoking episode of the Real Sobriety Podcast, Robert McClellan tackles a hot-button issue: the intersection of AA's Christian roots and its impact on non-religious members. The episode centers around Larry, an AA member from Toronto, who founded the Beyond Belief group to offer a secular approach to the twelve steps. This group aimed to make AA more accessible to Toronto's diverse population by removing traditional religious references.
However, Larry's efforts hit a roadblock when the Toronto Inner Group removed Beyond Belief from its listings and literature, effectively ostracizing it from the AA community. Larry's appeal to AA's world headquarters in New York was met with silence, leading him to take his case to the human rights tribunal of Ontario. He argues that AA's actions discriminate against members who hold different or no religious beliefs.
Robert shares his own experiences attending AA meetings in North Florida, where the Christian influence is unmistakable. He describes meetings filled with overt references to Jesus as the savior, which can be alienating for those who don't share those beliefs. The episode delves into the broader implications of AA's religious traditions, particularly how they might deter younger, secular individuals from seeking help through the organization.
With a mix of personal anecdotes and broader insights, this episode sheds light on a critical issue facing AA today: can it remain inclusive and relevant in an increasingly secular world? Tune in to hear Robert's candid thoughts and join the conversation on how to make recovery accessible for everyone.