End of story because it is patently absurd to consider NA a religion? I don't think so. In fact if someone is considering NA I think it be best that they be prepared for an environment that many people are going to find to be quite religion oriented. I'm not saying this to reopen or further the perennial debate, but because people considering NA/AA as an option for themselves are likely to feel cheated if they are sold the imo false premise that AA/NA is not at all like religion. I'll repeat my assertion from post #48 under wraps, as to my thinking that AA/NA can not easily be called non-religious. I think most often when people assert that AA/NA is not religious they are actually saying it is not the rigid, uncomfortable religion they grew up with rather than saying AA/NA lacks any traits of a religion. If one is going to give the AA/NA way a try they ought be prepared for prayer, ritual, and lots of dialogue about spirituality. Selling any other way is dishonest imo and likely to lead to resentments and and perhaps additional reservations about trying different approaches to cope with their addictions.
Nah, it isn't
absurd to consider NA a religion. I think its a matter of verbiage. Many things in day-to-day life have 'traits' of religion, especially when a variety of individuals are placed in a group setting.
Prayer, for me, is simply concentrated thought or meditation generally focused on something positive.
Ritual, is simply a structured manner of doing something. Structure is necessary whenever a group of individuals comes together to achieve a common goal. Ritual also promotes unity among those of differing ages, races, sexual identities, economic status, religions, etc.
Spirituality or 'Spiritual Principles', more specifically (honesty, open-mindedness, willingness, tolerance, patience, humility, acceptance, faith, trust, commitment, courage, perseverance, compassion, love, forgiveness, self-discipline, integrity) can be called 'traits of good/decent character'. Why the term 'spiritual principles' is used? I really don't know.
These traits can be pursued, obtained, developed and practiced by anyone, regardless of affiliation/lack of affiliation with Allah, Jesus, Yahweh, Jah, Isis, Thor, Nature or even the Cookie Monster making the possibility of getting clean more all-inclusive and available to anyone.
Now, I had to look up the definition of 'scripture' as you referred to it in your post. The most all-encompassing definition I came across was:
A sacred writing or book; An authoritative statement
en.wiktionary.org/wiki/scripture
According to the second part of this definition, than yes, there is scripture involved in the form of the literature
I also needed to look up the definition of the word 'tenet':
An opinion, belief, or principle held to be true by someone or especially an organization
en.wiktionary.org/wiki/tenet
Yes, 12 Step programs do have 'tenets'.
Sorry so long but, for me, religion is a four letter word. Especially Jesus based religions. I'm not trying to promote 12 Step programs but I do feel compelled to defend misconceptions. Whatever process, group, individual endeavor or even religion that helps someone achieve a positive goal should be considered and pursued. Getting clean is a difficult thing to do. There are many tools to help achieve this goal. 12 Step programs are merely one of these tools available.
