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Beyond Belief: Agnostic Musings for 12 Step Life: finally, a daily reflection book for nonbelievers, freethinkers and everyone
Beyond Belief Agnostic Musings for 12 Step Life finally a daily reflection book for nonbelievers freethinkers and everyone Author:Joe C. Now with more bite and less dogma, Rebellion Dogs Publishing is proud to announce the release of Beyond Belief. At long last the world of recovery has a secular daily reflection book. Skeptics aren't intellectual holdouts, nor are we a hybrid of recovery. We get addicted to substances and processes like anyone can and we trudge the road to happy... more » destiny like anyone else, too. We have something to add to the recovery conversation and we deserve a daily reading that we don't have to shoehorn our worldview into, in order to feel like we belong. Beyond Belief neither canonizes nor vilifies the origins of 12-Step culture. The book is not part of the new-atheism movement that mocks belief in an interfering/intervening god. Beyond Belief simply focuses on the secular aspects of addiction and recovery. This book speaks in a 21st century language, drawing on philosophy, psychology, entertainment, art, spiritual musings, skeptics throughout the ages and the wisdom throughout the rooms. Beyond Belief fills an unmet need for many atheists and agnostics and we suspect it may lure a few closet-doubters out of the 12-Step shadows, empowering them to speak their truth unabashedly. Believing and belonging are not synonymous. In Century 21, we can doubt or disbelieve with impunity. Professional and 12&12 Member reviews: Nancy B., retired R.N. Montreal, Canada I have been pink clouding it on the "Road of Happy Destiny" since January of 1976. I have always been an avid reader. When I came in contact with Twelve Step programs, I was compelled to read a large chunk of the literature from many of the different ones?A.A., O.A. C.A., M.A., and Al-Anon. I have also read many books from the Hazelden Publishers. While reading these pages I did not feel that I had to filter out any ideas that were not acceptable to my own spiritual truths. Michel D. AA can, and must, adapt to changing circumstances and Bill Wilson was the first one to admit it. Unfortunately, members who have come after him are more zealous than our first members ever were. We have seen this dogmatism in history before of course, especially in religion. This is a very slippery slope to take. I really like the fact that these reflections are for anyone who has an open mind. It does not cater to a specific group to the exclusion of others. Melissa D., Clinical Psychologist, California WOW?what an undertaking to make this book a reality. I have never seen a daily devotional book written for agnostics. I found the readings to be extremely thought provoking. I wonder sometimes since there is such talk about God at meetings, what kind of turn-off that must be for agnostics. I think this book will be very helpful to both the newcomer and the mature Twelve Step member. Joan E., author, editor Where else are we going to find Leonard Cohen, the Dalai Lama, Erika Jong, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Mother Teresa and Dr. Seuss all in one place? Rather than dwelling on how sick we are and how we need to work to get better, Beyond Belief often focuses on the theme of ?You're OK, and recovery will come faster if you learn to accept that as a truth.? I would recommend this book to faith-filled Twelve Step members as well as recovering non-theists. Dr. Amy, MSW, Ph.D. Beyond Belief offers a spiritual welcome mat to agnostics and free thinkers in recovery. Joe C. provides readers with a thoughtful and enlightened year-long road map to self-improvement that reaches beyond the bounds of traditional Twelve Step thought?Bravo!? Given my chosen profession I have had the opportunity to read countless daily meditation books?and this is a good one. Although the context is recovery from a 12-Step perspective, readers are invited to address the issue from their own philosophical view. One criticism of the 12 Step movement of course is that its dogma can be limiting?Beyond Belief seems to have addressed this. The quotes are cogent, the organization superb and the contributors are diverse.« less