I also find that surprizing and disturbing. In many of my group therapy sessions we focus on how we feel spiritually, as an important aspect of our recovery.

In my groups, the talk about spirituality is very open ended. One can get into trouble talking about specific religions, people can get uncomfortable and misunderstand suggestions. I myself was raised Jewish but I don't practice, yet I find a very strong sense of non-religious spirituality very important to my life.

In my sessions we talk about spirituality as open to interpretation but DO NOT downplay those in the group who define it in terms of a specific religion. People talk about returning to church as helpful to relieving their depression and sense of connection to something larger. The therapists make sure that the discussion doesn't become one of suggesting to others that they must do the same, but also to have respect for one anothers beliefs as a healing aid, and confirmation that it does play an important role for people, religious or not.