The 12 Step Program for Theists

1. We admitted we were victims of religious dogma--- that our lives had become irrational.
2. Came to realize that a power within ourselves could restore us to reason and rationality.
3. Made a decision to open our minds and thoroughly examine our beliefs.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to ourselves and our families that we have been living a lie.
6. Were entirely ready to take credit for what we made happen, good or bad.
7. Humbly asked an Atheist how to fearlessly, morally and happily, live without the comfort and or fear of our notion of God.
8. Made a list of all persons we love and love them more.
9. Made a concerted effort to understand ourselves and the world around us.
10. Continued to take personal responsibility for what we and others make happen, good or bad.
11. Sought through science and history our understanding of what we know to be true.
12. Having had an awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to Theists to help relieve them of this powerful delusion forced upon them when they were at their most vulnerable.

I will find serenity in accepting that prayer cannot change anything.

I will find courage to live my one and only life free of delusion.

I will find wisdom in understanding myself and the world around me.

Love is your greatest power,
Use it.

AntEyeTheist

The origial "Twelve Steps"

1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.

2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Google - Orange Papers

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[ReligiousFiction]

Powerful. I am certainly not ready for step #5 - telling family and friends. Only a few, and cautiously.

Regarding step #12, spreading the word --- I guess as long as it's not the typical overt, organized, and condescending deconversion army I picture, but is more like a loving outreach, then it's what I've felt motivated to do ever since discovering the unlikelihood of the existence of a deity.

Some people benefit from these conversations, and some don't. I just have to find my balance.

[Zaunstar]

Well said. Respectful tone yet effective. Thanks for posting it as a response to mine. *:-)

[HiawathaMohawk]

God is Love.

[Emlis16]

At least it's neutral and makes sense.

But no-one's life is a lie.

[judecore]

Invigoratingly wonderful. A classic. Thank you.

[skunksnag]

@kaxitaksi Or theres more than one?? hmmm

[kaxitaksi]

@skunksnag Wich one of them?

[jumpforshowable]

I love it! Peace and Love

[wildwhippet]

I like it! Good Stuff!

[skunksnag]

PRAISE GOD!!! THE MAKER OF THE UNIVERSE!!!!

[AntEyeTheist]

@AxisSalley  I truly believe that most Atheists are Humanists.

I see Atheists promoting truth and understanding.

Are we dogmatic because we ask that you be critical of your beliefs?

Is, (not) being delusional superior to being delusional?

Guilty!

[AxisSalley]

@AntEyeTheist Why didn't you use the atheist program of helping people to make fun of the religious? You have much to learn yourself. Many atheist are now saying that atheism is becoming dogmatic. Atheist groups buy billboard space, they go around lecturing that they know the "truth". They act like they belong to a superior group of intelligence. They open up Youtube channels and blogs to promote atheism not Humanism.