RE: If ignorance is bliss...
February 12, 2013 at 6:22 pm
(This post was last modified: February 12, 2013 at 6:22 pm by Simon Moon.)
(February 12, 2013 at 6:12 pm)John V Wrote: Step 2 says higher power or power greater than ourselves. Step 3 says God and adds "as we understood him." Later steps just say God. Some people try to use things like the group as you note, but that makes no sense with some of the steps.
There are non-theistic versions of 12 Step programs that do not bring up any gods. The 'higher power' they refer to is that which is in each of us.
And you know what? The non-theistic versions of 12 Steps are just as effective. No deities needed.
You'd believe if you just opened your heart" is a terrible argument for religion. It's basically saying, "If you bias yourself enough, you can convince yourself that this is true." If religion were true, people wouldn't need faith to believe it -- it would be supported by good evidence.
