Celebrating it's one-year anniversary this month is Recovering Pagans, a group that meets each month at Sticks and Stones in Fairfax, VA. The meetings follow a traditional Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program. "This is a group of Pagans and non-Christians that get together for an hour meeting. We will share our experience, strength and hope but without the "God our Father" connections." From, the Alcoholics Anonymous website, the 12 steps use language that do have a Christian focus, such as Step 3, "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him." And, recognizing that not everyone may connect with that language, members of Recovering Pagans change the wording to be true for themselves. I asked the organizer of Recovering Pagans a few questions:
1. Why did you start Recovering Pagans?
1. Why did you start Recovering Pagans?
I have gone to Alcoholic Anonymous (A.A.) meetings and all meetings end in the Lord's Prayer. I am a Pagan and my beliefs do not agree with the guilt and self punishment that sometimes go with Christianity. I believe that anyone can stay sober when they become mindful to where they are putting their energy. Open sharing within the power of the circle brings a natural healing.
2 How is this group different than a traditional recovery program?
We follow the A.A. twelve steps but with wording changed to be true to each individual.
3. What can new folks expect when attending their first meeting or event?
Similar to regular A.A. but completely open to all paths. This is an open recovery system. Our meetings are held in a open discussion format.
4. Is the group meeting your expectations for growth and personal development?
I enjoy meeting other pagans on this path as our unity and strength help all of us.
5. What do you hope for the group in the future?
I would like to see us beginning to have weekly meetings. This way we can help each other and be free to follow a format in union with our beliefs.
6. Is there anything else we should know?
Being sober and clear of mind is the only way to advance in our spirituality. Our meetup group can be found at: http://www.meetup.com/Pagans-in-Recovery/
2 How is this group different than a traditional recovery program?
We follow the A.A. twelve steps but with wording changed to be true to each individual.
3. What can new folks expect when attending their first meeting or event?
Similar to regular A.A. but completely open to all paths. This is an open recovery system. Our meetings are held in a open discussion format.
4. Is the group meeting your expectations for growth and personal development?
I enjoy meeting other pagans on this path as our unity and strength help all of us.
5. What do you hope for the group in the future?
I would like to see us beginning to have weekly meetings. This way we can help each other and be free to follow a format in union with our beliefs.
6. Is there anything else we should know?
Being sober and clear of mind is the only way to advance in our spirituality. Our meetup group can be found at: http://www.meetup.com/Pagans-in-Recovery/
Thanks so much for sharing this very important group. Perhaps it may be worth adding to a list of community resources.
ReplyDelete-Kat
Co-Organizer, Central Maryland Pagans