Is Al-anon a religious organization?

[KY_EnviroGuy]

16. Absolutely not. Al-Anon is guided by the same core traditions as AA and....

both are organized under AA World Services. This "Preamble" is read at the start of many meetings around the world and summarizes the overall primary purpose:

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.

There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes.

Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics ​to achieve sobriety.

Here's Al-Anon's FAQs page and it has that very question as the first one on their list: https://al-anon.org/newcomers/faq/

Quote:

Al-Anon Family Groups is a spiritual fellowship, not a religious one. We avoid discussion of specific religious doctrine, and members of all faiths (or of none) are welcome. Our Twelve Steps ask us to find a “Power greater than ourselves” who can help us solve our problems and find serenity. Each member is free to define that power in his or her own way.

On a personal level, even after about ten years of sobriety, I attended some Al-Anon meetings to achieve some relief from some friends and relatives with bad drinking problems. That was very benificial as it allowed me to see my disease from the viewpoint of spouses and other friends and relatives that suffer from our misbehavior.

Home page: https://al-anon.org/

The founders of AA and Al-Anon came to realize early on in the 1930s that a rigid, controlling umbrella organization would simply never work with a bunch of human alcoholics because our egos would screw it up. Therefore, every group is allowed to be antonymous and set their own norms so long as their activities do not harm the AA organization. If you visit a meeting that has allowed religion to permeate their activites, please find another. I do encourage you to ask for a few member's phone numbers so you have people to call when your daughter's behavior is causing you stress. Please remember that just like me writing this post, helping others is key to our staying sober.

IMO, the best thing you can do for your daughter is provide love and emotional support and stability and simply be a guiding light, not a "fixer". As a parent or any relative, the worst thing we can do is to continue being an enabler of their addiction. I've been the friend of many a drunk that at one time came home after a bender to find all their clothes piled in their front yard and locks to their house changed.

Best of luck and please keep us posted on her progress of surrender and your progress with letting go.


KY.........