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The various results for "atheists removed from AA" or "atheists kicked out of AA" on Google tell me AA works with the personal god version, not the others ones.



A study found an association between an increase in attendance to AA meetings with increased spirituality and a decrease in the frequency and intensity of alcohol use. The research also found that AA was effective at helping agnostics and atheists become sober. The authors concluded that though spirituality was an important mechanism of behavioral change for some alcoholics, it was not the only effective mechanism.[54] Since the mid-1970s, a number of 'agnostic' or 'no-prayer' AA groups have begun across the U.S., Canada, and other parts of the world, which hold meetings that adhere to a tradition allowing alcoholics to freely express their doubts or disbelief that spirituality will help their recovery, and these meetings forgo use of opening or closing prayers.[55][56] There are online resources listing AA meetings for atheists and agnostics.

That doesn’t seem to be the case.


Google results can drum up anything you like. I've never personally or through second hand seen or heard of any AA group that would kick out an atheist.


This has happened to me. I'm an atheist, and experienced verbal abuse when others found out.


Well I’m sorry that happened. Hopefully one terrible experience won’t prevent you from getting sober.


That there are results to validate that this happens on some occasions, doesn't mean it's universal or even common. I suggest trying another 'google search' and you'll find there are plenty of AA meetings for which the 'higher power' element is more agnostic, and plenty for which is almost not relevant.




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