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Originally Posted by Mygrandjourney
There is a chapter in the Big Book called, "We Agnostics". I think you can read it online if you don't have a copy handy. It's worth reading.
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May I ask, did you read that chapter as an agnostic or atheist? I'm asking only because I found it (and still do) to be incredibly condescending. Now my take on it is not the only one of course, but most of those who I've found recommending it have been believers. So again, it's just curiosity.
While the chapter does speak about 'spiritual experiences' which in a broad sense does not necessarily require a God, it goes on to make very clear that the spiritual experience is dependent upon a God. i.e.
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We had to find a power by which we could live, and it had to be Power greater than ourselves. Obviously. But where and how were we to find this Power? Well, that’s exactly what this book is about. It main object is to enable you to find a Power greater than yourself which will solve your problem. That means we have written a book which we believe to be spiritual as well as moral. And it means, of course, that we are going to talk about God.
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In today's post-modernist world, this includes folks like myself who are Buddhist and get to be spiritual without "of course, talking about God", but the chapter itself equates a 'Power greater than yourself' with 'God' period.
The final words in the chapter say it all, "Even so has God restored us all to our right minds...But He has come to all who have honestly sought Him. When we drew near to Him He disclosed Himself to us."
To too many of us, the box is simply too small and this chapter feels much like the classic bait and switch. I'd recommend to anyone interested an article by Bill W in Grapevine article back in 1961 called, The Dilemma of No Faith.
The Dilemma of No Faith, By Bill W.