VERSION|0.5.1|NAME|Anonymous AA member|DATE|1380750893|CONTENT|As a sober member of AA in the UK for 14 years I can say that in this largely post-Christian, secular society a significant number of members regard mentions of a &#039;higher power&#039; in the AA programme to mean the support and fellowship they get from other members of the group. Despite the language used in the 12 Steps, AA&#039;s own literature states that there is no need to believe in a god or gods in order to follow the programme and recover from alcoholism . I have always been clear about my atheism in meetings and it has never caused a moment&#039;s trouble. AA in America may be quite another matter (I&#039;ve not been there) but my experience in the UK means that no-one should be put off AA by its apparent religiosity.  It really isn&#039;t like that here.|EMAIL|laurence1999@yahoo.com|IP-ADDRESS|86.163.106.17|MODERATIONFLAG|