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From: Gayle H.<[email protected]>
Category: Category 1
Date: 11 Jan 1999
Time: 12:46:14
Remote Name: host-209-214-83-104.ath.bellsouth.net
This is an interesting item for discussion for many reasons. Firstly, there is no "official NA opinion" on this subject, mainly because the discussion over using secular prayers is most definitely an outside issue as defined by the Tenth Tradition.
My personal experience was that the group I joined when getting clean used this prayer. For me, even with years of attending church and trying to do the right thing and because of that, saying the Lord's Prayer at the end of the meeting was highly uncomfortable. I chose to join the circle in unity but declined to say the prayer aloud. I recall one meeting when a newcomer was asked to close the meeting. He apologized to the group but said, "I don't say the Lord's Prayer." I can't describe what I felt at that moment but it was something akin to relief but realized that it made no difference when he closed with an Islamic prayer and I knew that as long as I tied spirituality together with religion, I would have trouble. I had to really work on these issues and today, I choose to share my innermost feelings on this subject with only a few select people.
We are reminded throughout our literature that each individual has the right to find a God of their own understanding and sometimes even with the best intentions in our hearts and minds, we interfere with this process. One example that is fresh, being that it is shortly after the holidays, is saying, "Merry Christmas." I have learned to say, "Happy Holidays" or to wish people the happy holiday that they celebrate. Today, I practice spiritual principles in my program and I have friends who practice different religious precepts as part of their programs. Yet, we can share and believe in God in unison because we choose not to impose our individual belief systems on each other.
This is a part of each addict's pathway to spirituality, as well as each of us developing a respect for pathways that others may choose. True contact with the God of your understanding will show you the pathway that you need to be on. Love and prayers your way, stay clean, and do your best - one day at a time.
In Loving Service,
Gayle . . . If the only tool you own is a hammer, all situations begin to look like a nail.