Read the full story at Rebellion Dogs Publishing 

On the road, over halfway through.

We Agnostic meeting at the International was fantastic, I’m feeling better every day, I’ve been to more meetings on this trip than I have in the last 6 months and I’m remembering what I enjoy about them.

I’m currently sitting in a room overlooking a rainy Kansas City; this is the first day since June 24^th that we haven’t had to get up to be somewhere 500 miles away within 8 hours and it feels nice to not do that for a moment. I saw my first lightning bug last night, I thought that I was having cosmic radiation shot through my eyeball producing a tracer effect (which actually does happen) but then there were too many of them at the same time. I looked closer at these little floating bugs lighting up their butts to communicate and thought about how strange it was that I had never seen these little weirdos before and how common it must be to the people who live around them. What a weird thing to do. I wonder if they enjoy it.

We ate barbecue as my KC ex-pat friend instructed me to do when I visited her city and it filled me up proper, but I just don’t feel like red heavy meat is good for me anymore. Maybe it’s age, maybe it’s genetics, but I feel like eating salads and fish even though I’m allergic to the good parts of the vegetables. Maybe I’ll just have to eat Soylent for the rest of my life and be happy.

We’re off to tour the city today and I will get to be a proper tourist. I’ve never looked forward to wandering and seeing monuments and fountains before when I’ve visited cities but the change of pace and a newfound sense of wonder from this trip compel me to do so, I may even like it.We

Reflecting back on the trip so far I see that even though all of the cities are basically highway grids with steel buildings and box stores with the same fast food options and grocery chains that they each have a character of their own. It’s a shame that we’ve had to blast through them all during the course of the execution of our mission; for instance seeing New Orleans only in the dark or not getting to take hikes in the Arizona desert like I used to as a young child; but I’ve got a different sense of this country now from interacting with the various types of people and their local culture. The food is different, the terrain is different, the weather is different and the people are different, but they’re all good. It’s just a general sense of goodness that I have for all the people that I’ve met, and maybe that’s an isolated tunnel vision view of the best parts of our society and in small measure, but I honestly feel different about my tendency towards natural cynicism about humanity.

Getting to meet so many good people at the conference, running into old friends from the first convention, meeting friends that I’d only talked to on the Internet, staying with people that have opened our homes to us…the whole thing is slightly overwhelming and I haven’t even fully digested it yet. This whole world is ok, and that’s not a normal thing for me to think.

We’ve got 5 more days before I’m back home and then Dorothy flies out the next day. One full day in Kansas City, then we blast through Kansas proper where I have been instructed to avoid *all* Wizard of Oz references (with the exception of this one I’ll oblige) to overnight in Colorado Springs with the Happy Heathens, then lunch in Denver with our friends the Freethinkers in AA the next day and another layover in Grand Junction that night. Through Utah the next morning to Idaho [if anyone knows of someone along I-15 in the Salt Lake greater metropolitan area that is of our persuasion and would like to have lunch with us, please let us know] and then two nights in Boise to recuperate before our drive back to Reno. It’s been a hell of a trip and even 4 more 8-10 hour days don’t seem to faze me at the moment, we’ve accomplished so much in such a short period of time that I’m riding on good vibes all the way home.

Thanks again to everyone who sent us on this trip and everyone who put us up or gave us food along the way. We couldn’t have done it without you. Hello to all my new friends, I’ll be in touch shortly. I promise to write more once I’m settled in and have more thoughts to commit to paper or electronics. However it gets done I’ll do it, I’m off to explore now!

We left Austin early today, both cranky and excited as we crossed three state lines in one day. Jesse and I saw so many crosses along the highway, in people’s yards, in front of stores and in the ditch along the road, that I invented a game. It was based on the road trip games as a kid my siblings and I would play, Punch Buggy. Except, Jesse calls it punch Jesus. The way it’s played is that when one of us sees a cross we get to playfully arm- punch the other.  Because Jesse is a good guy when he sees a cross he said, “I’m not going to hit you, but punch Jesus.” It quickly became clear that he felt he could not maintain the game besides he was driving, and I think even in play he couldn’t think of hitting a woman. So, I got to tease him with punch Jesus before making our first WAAFTy stop.

Our first stop was Lafayette, Louisiana where we meet up with Kit at an ice cream shop while some children ran out around with their ice cream cones, and others sat at child-size tables and colored in the store’s coloring sheets.  Over soda, coffee, and ice cream, we talked about how Kit has struggled against childhood Catholicism, and how the people in her wAAft home group are always there to help each other.

It’s now evening, and Jesse and our roommate Brian from Orange County are out. Brian is at the flag ceremony and Jesse is at the young people dance.  I am feeling tired and overwhelmed with the volume of people I met, and the walking what seemed for miles in bad girly shoes have caused foot spasms.   So I’m mellowing out in the hotel room, watching bad British dramas on PBS and now South Park, all the time wishing I could sleep.

While handing out flyers today a man from NYC asked me what I would think if someone told me about a spiritual experience in which they literally became one with everyone and then reconnected to their bodily form.  I told him that’s wonderful and that it is not about denying anyone else’s personal beliefs, and in the end it’s all just about helping people get and stay sober. I then pointed out freethinking, and that we should allow and include that type of thought as well. He agreed with me that the primary purpose is sobriety and he actually knew about WAAFT meetings in New York City.

I also had a very old Gaelic speaking Scottish man come up to me and asked if I was the one handing out this flyer…..a moment of fear ran through me, but I lifted my head and gave a big smile and I said, “Yes, sir!” He then pulled me close and gave me a kiss on my cheek and thanked me for my service.  He said he wants to come to Austin in 2016.  I couldn’t help myself, but to tell him that I was of Scottish descent.  It amused me to say that. That it would be a Scottish/Irish woman handing out WAAFTy stuff.

Later, I spoke to a young woman blogger who was eager to learn more about WAAFTa, and I met Gary from Republic, Missouri who knows John S from Kansas City, Missouri. Gary works with a prison population that is seeking a secular recovery solution. He joined me and other WAAFTs for lunch where we talked for almost three hours.

I spoke with many people who had friends who attended WAAFT meetings or had friends who agreed with us and needed to hear about us. One such person was a therapist who had clients that wanted a secular approach to recovery.

Tomorrow is the We Agnostics meeting, and we are asking everyone to come at least an hour early to get seats. Our presence is needed here more than ever.

Leaving New Orleans and enjoying the scenery of the gulf coast states, the traveling duo at last arrived in Georgia and to their ultimate destination, the International AA Convention in Atlanta, Georgia.

Jesse writes:

“We’ve arrived at the primary goal point of our journey, tomorrow we stand in line to get a badge situation sorted out, and then give flyers to everyone. EVERYONE. It’ll be the first time that I am in the same place two days in a row since we started. We met a large group of our type across from the park and that was great. It’s so nice to see things go from imagination to reality. After a dinner of fish soup I am now off to bed. Maybe I can brain better in the morning, I’m dozing off now. Sleep well, everyone, whichever time zone you’re in. :)”

In Atlanta, Dorothy and Jesse will meet with some WAAFTs for lunch. The plan is to meet today at 12:30 pm at the Pemberton Cafe just north of Centennial Olympic Park at  121 Baker St NW. What an amazing experience it must be for those fortunate enough to attend the convention. I look forward to hearing all about when people return home. This will certainly be memorable experience for Jesse and Dorothy.

We will continue to post more of their thoughts and experiences as they participate in the convention and travel through the Midwest on their way home. Stay tuned for more “Notes from the Road.”

Convention Techno Info

Mobile App: There is a mobile app available that provides information about the convention. It’s a great way to know what’s going on whether you are there or not. Find it in the App Store on your Mobile Device. Just search for “AA International.”

Flag  Ceremony at the AA Website: You can view the opening flag ceremony on the AAWS Website.  Access through this link page will be made available on Saturday morning, July 4th and end on Monday, July 6th at midnight (U.S. Eastern Time). This allows unlimited access within a time frame and no passwords or access codes will be required.

Convention Tapes: You can purchase tapes of the convention on CD or MP3 download at Live Learning Center. There will be a CD and MP3 download available for the We Agnostics Meeting. Just search using the keyword “agnostic” and you’ll find it.

Panoramic Convention Photo: A panoramic convention photo will be made available for download at the AAWS Website.

By Dorothy H.

I just got back to Nick H.’s house after a wonderful potluck dinner that Nick’s group, The Children of Chaos, hosted for the Yellow Appleseed Road Trip, and to bring awareness about it to the local WAAFT groups in the Austin metropolitan area.

Dinner was at the Galano club in Austin.  The food was yummy and Nick worked so hard to coordinate everything which included running for supplies, making flyers for the International in Atlanta, and to keep me out of his way.

The bulk of the people I met saw themselves as freethinkers.  When I asked them how they defined that, the frequent answer was “free, free to believe, not to believe or just not give a damn.” All just wanted to be free of the absolutes and dogma and simply get to the core of recovery, whatever that may mean to the individual.

Jesse S. got back to Austin at 3:00 pm, and his sponsee came a few hours later with some friends. It was literally the first time they would be in a room full of freethinkers and nonbelievers, and to hear their experiences.

The plan was to have Nick address the dinner and introduce me and Jessie. Before the time came I realized that I was not going to be able to talk to everybody and that I wanted to understand people and the group to which they belonged.  I really wanted to get to know the group, and learn what they would like to see at the convention, to find out what type of workshop, panels and speakers they’d like to have. On the other hand, I could use my time to make an announcement and go completely off script, turning it into a meeting, to ask the questions of what they wanted to see, and how the board could help the host committee. Ideas such as what to do when you’re the only one in your community who is a freethinker or nonbeliever were discussed. People talked about wanting a meditation workshop, and how to relate to the Big Book as a WAAFT.

I didn’t have much sleep the night before so the meeting bounced around a bit on topic because of my inability to focus all the time, but in the end the message was carried, and people were eager to take flyers and posters to various parts of their community.  Afterward, Jesse, Nick, and I went to the We Agnostics meeting at 8 PM. It was one of the meetings that the founder of my home group in Hollywood, Charlie Polachek, founded when he moved to Austin in his 90s.

I love the synchronicity of how Charlie’s Hollywood meeting would create WAAFT IAAC, and that the second IAAC would be in the very city where he started more meetings.  The meeting was small, but well-grounded in old timers.  They were happy to see us and were very impressed with all the hard work Nick has been doing for the convention.

The last few days it has been made clear to me how well respected Nick is in his community and how lucky IAAC is to have him dedicated to making the convention possible.

Jesse S. and I leave earlier than worms will want to be awake tomorrow.  We are off for Louisiana to visit with people over coffee and breaking bread. We will spend the night in Biloxi Mississippi where we are hoping to have some time to play in the Third Coast. Hopefully, we will have the tide and I can send beach pictures to everyone. Until next time, good night.

Suggested Reading from AA Agnostica

Father of We Agnostics Dies

I’m lying in bed just outside of Austin, TX after visiting the Without a Prayer meeting in Houston, TX.  I’m staying with another board member, the Host Committee Chair, Nick H. The days are blurring together, the landscape has gone from multi-dimensional browns to vibrant greens. I daydream about the world of possibilities before we even reach our first meeting. I have hope, anxiety, and curiosity over what we will find during the trip.

Our first stop is Flagstaff, AZ. Cindy P., contacted me a few months ago asking for help to start a meeting. As so often happens, I got overwhelmed with wAAfty work and I hadn’t gotten a chance to get back to her, until Jesse S. and I were planning the Yellow Appleseed Road Trip. Without missing a rhythmic heartbeat she answered “yes” when I called her to ask if there was someone with whom the two of us could stay.

I was quickly moved by her acceptance of my request.  When we reached the meeting I was covered in a layer of sweat that was so thick that it made my shirt feel as if a soldering iron had welded it to my back. The heat was setting my mood and my brain welcomed the mood. We found a grocery store and I took a spit bath in the store’s bathroom.

After cleaning up we went to the meeting to meet Cindy. I was instantly impressed with her. Her beauty, intelligence, positive attitude, but most importantly her spunk! The meeting consisted of people in their 20s and good humor and laughter filled the room. They read from Joe C.’s book for the meeting discussion and I found it such a delight to see others become inspired by learning that the WAAFTly world was growing. As an atheist, Cindy made it clear that the meeting is about inclusion first and foremost, regardless of a person’s beliefs.

 When we got to Cindy’s house, a stunning log cabin 12 miles out of town, the stars sparkled in the sky, the air was crisp, and her dog whined that whine dogs do seemingly to say, “why aren’t you loving me?”  I literally danced and jumped with glee realizing the trip had actually begun.  I was also moved to see the humorous, playfulness, and relief that I saw in Jesse S. after finally having attended a WAAFT meeting.  There is nothing like knowing you are free to be yourself without fear that everything  you believe is wrong….the freedom to live honestly.

 Cindy and her roommate also came with us to our next stop, in Cottonwood. The cliffhanger in this story is about how at the Cottonwood meeting we heard the leader/founder of the meeting share his atheistic story of sitting in a sweat lodge honoring native culture on a reservation.

I will write more soon.  Tomorrow I hope to meet up with a woman I knew when I lived in Detroit 5 years ago. Then it’s on to a fundraiser in Austin put on by WAAFT IAAC’s host committee.  I’m thrilled to finally meet these amazing hard working Texans who are making the convention possible.

Thank you for letting me to have this opportunity!

]]> https://www.waaft.org/meeting-cindy-p/feed/ 0 https://www.waaft.org/eric-c-speaks-about-aa-as-an-atheist-and-the-traverse-city-we-agnostics-group/ https://www.waaft.org/eric-c-speaks-about-aa-as-an-atheist-and-the-traverse-city-we-agnostics-group/#respond Tue, 30 Jun 2015 01:59:01 +0000 https://www.waaft.org/?p=681 Earlier this year, Eric C spoke at an AA meeting and gave an honest account of an atheists experience in Alcoholics Anonymous. He was speaking to a group who may not have been very familiar with agnostic AA and his talk was well received. He wrote about the experience on AA Agnostica in March of this year. You will definitely want to read that story. He has also made available the transcript of the talk that you can download here.

Transcript of Eric C.’s Talk

Day Five

By Jesse S.

We’ve made it through over half of Texas now, this state is huge. I’ve made it to a small town called Kerrville to visit a sponsee and his sponsee, both are doing well and it was a good time. Hit up a traditional meeting, went and ate fish and chips, now I’m in a hotel after finally shaving for the first time on the trip.

Tomorrow we have our pre-convention gathering in Austin, there will be copious amounts of bbq and fun I’m sure, then it’s the long haul to New Orleans and Mississippi. Trips going well, thanks again to everyone giving us this opportunity; I’m going to start writing more under the suggestion that even small blurbs about the basics in simple words are better than a blank page.

It’s the end of day 5 and we are in Waco, Texas. We’ve gone from Las Vegas to Flagstaff to Cottonwood to Phoenix to Albuquerque to Dallas to Waco. Tomorrow we go to Austin and Dorothy and I part ways for a day while I go to Kerrville to see a sponsee, and she and our fellow board member, Nick, go to Houston to visit the Houston groups.

So far we’ve had wonderful conversations, wonderful dinners, and fantastic places to sleep. Each and every person who has opened their home to us is a new friend, they have made 600 mile drives at-a-time completely worth it. I’m going to write more shortly. This whole experience is so incredible that I’m still processing it.

What is AA?

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 A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. Alcoholics Anonymous 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 achieve sobriety. (copyrighted by the A.A. Grapevine, Inc., which publishes a monthly magazine in print and online.)

Why would I want to get involved with AA?

If you are having problems with alcohol or want to quit drinking and can’t seem to do it alone, the fellowship of AA may give you the support and practical suggestions you need.

But I hear AA is a religious program, using religious language and customs. What if I don’t believe in that stuff?

Most of the founders of AA were probably religious, and so are many of today’s members, and you run into a lot of religious language in AA literature and sometimes at AA meetings.

However, the ONLY requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking, and there are many atheists, agnostics, freethinkers, rationalists, humanists, etc. who got sober in AA. Some of us have been sober for 40+ years, and are still active in AA. You can choose not to use any of the religious language. Lots of groups include a formal prayer or two in their meetings. Some of us join in, some just remain silent. We’ve even started over 200 AA meetings of our own.

Is AA a religious cult?

No. A cult is a group of people with dominant leaders who demand all of their followers’ wealth and time, and demand separation from former friends and family, among other requirements.

None of this is true of AA.

Many newcomers to AA are confused because they cannot identify who is in charge. No one is.

Authority belongs to the group. The volunteers are referred to as “trusted servants”, to take care of cleanup, chairing meetings, business details, etc.

So, how do people join AA?

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking, and some of us didn’t even have that at first. There is no membership application, no dues or fees, and no membership card.

You don’t “join” AA as you would join any other group. You’re a member if you say you are. You can attend a many or as few meetings as you choose. You don’t even have to say or think that you’re an alcoholic.

What are the rules in AA?

There are none. Even the twelve steps are clearly stated to be merely suggestions. You’re expected to act civilized at meetings, but we tolerate extreme behavior sometimes. You can even show up drunk, as long as you keep quiet and behave.

It can feel like there are “rules” at some meetings, but those will be the customs of a particular group or the opinions of individual members.

What are AA meetings like?

Every meeting is self-governing, and AA has absolutely no rules for how AA meetings are to be run. The important thing is that they are a way for people to get together who want to stop drinking and to stay stopped.

The best way to see what they’re like is to go to a few. You won’t find uniformity among meetings, but you may find common features. There may be 3 people present or 100. They may ask if anyone is new, in order to welcome you, but you don’t have to respond. You probably won’t be the only newcomer there. Some meetings are for women, men, LGBT, young people, older people, motorcyclists, or any of a variety of special interests, but usually anyone is welcome at any meeting. Ask if you’re not sure.

AA does not own any property. Even the national office is rented. Meetings are most often in rented church rooms, because churches have parking lots, bathrooms, tables, and chairs. But they can meet anywhere.

Meetings usually last about an hour. They can be any hour of the day, and any day of the week, and usually meet even on holidays. They may have a somewhat rigid format, or they may seem chaotic. Members volunteer for the various tasks like chairing, making coffee, etc. The atmosphere is usually informal and friendly, and you can tell some of the attendees know each other very well, while others may be quiet and not interact much. There will often be a fuss made over “birthdays”, I.e., significant lengths of sobriety, in months and years.

Meetings are labelled “open” or “closed”. Open meetings are open to anyone, whether they consider themselves alcoholic or not, while closed are supposed to be only for people who consider themselves alcoholic.

At some point, there will be announcements relevant to the group or AA activities in the area, and there will be a money collection. This is voluntary, and no one cares who donates what.

It’s traditional within AA to go by your first name only. This is intended to assure anonymity. AA members often know each other for years, and even become warm friends, and not be sure of each other’s last name.

Commonly, people put in a dollar or two if they can. The money is used for rent, coffee, other group expenses, and some is sent to support other levels of AA activity.

Usual kinds of meetings:

Discussion meetings – Either the chair picks a topic or asks for suggestions, then attendees talk about it. Crosstalk or one-to-one responses are usually discouraged, so it’s a series of individual stories or statements rather than a conversation. The chair may call on individuals to speak, or it may be voluntary.

Speaker meetings – One or two persons, often not from that group, are asked to give a more extended account of their own experience: what it was like when they drank, what happened to start them changing, and what it’s like now. There may or may not be time left for others to share.

Study meetings – Reading part of an AA book and then discussing the section read.

There is often some religious reading or language used, varying widely among groups. Commonly, this includes a recitation of the Serenity Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer/Our Father.

This is often a challenge for us nonbelievers. Some dislike it so much they stop attending, but some just ignore it or go along with it. A common motto in AA is, “Take what you like and leave the rest.”

There are over 200 meetings started by nonbelievers, mostly in the USA and Canada, with no religious content. A list of them is at: www.agnosticaanyc.org

What is the “Big Book”?

It is Alcoholics Anonymous, published by the first few members in 1939, and still considered the core text of AA. Its primary author was Bill Wilson, with input from the two existing groups in New York and Akron.

It is universally respected within AA. Some members treat it almost as sacred scripture, even though the book itself states clearly that it is not the final word on recovery from alcoholism. Some phrases within it are commonly quoted, and some members know which content is on which page. Other members have never read it, or seldom refer to it. There is no one way to use or look at the Big Book.

A section called “How It Works” is read at the start of most AA meetings. It contains the famous Twelve Steps, Six of the steps refer to “God” or “Him”, and the whole section leads to the conclusion that “God” is the answer to alcoholism. Needless to say, this is rejected by nonbelievers.

What are the Twelve Steps?

These are the guidelines which most of AA considers the heart of its recovery process. Although the Big Book itself says they are only “suggested”, they have become essential ingredients in the minds of many members, and there are strong reactions within the fellowship if they are slighted or criticized.

How do nonbelievers like me deal with the religious parts of these Steps?

Many nonbelievers find wisdom and guidance within the steps and just adapt them to their own beliefs. They use the Steps for guidance, just ignoring the God references. There have been many revised or alternate sets of steps written by AA members, some of which can be found in The Little Book: A Collection of Alternative 12 Steps, published byaaagnostica.org. The book can be found online at AA Agnostica Alternative Twelve Steps

What’s a “sponsor”, and do I need one?

A sponsor is a more experienced member whom a newcomer can ask for more individualized, personal guidance in getting sober. It is entirely up to the newcomer to choose and ask someone to sponsor him/her. It is traditional for the sponsor to be the same gender as the sponsee.

Having a sponsor is not required, but is generally encouraged. Some of these relationships last for years.

How many meetings do I have to attend?

None, unless a court or treatment program requires it. (Someone, usually the secretary, at AA meetings will usually sign attendance slips, but they are not affiliated with courts or treatment programs.)

The common wisdom is for a newcomer to attend many meetings, including different ones. This gives extra support in the difficult early days of sobriety, and exposes the newcomer to many different members and styles within AA. “90 meetings is 90 days” is a common recommendation but not a requirement.

How long do I have to attend meetings?

As long as you want. Some people don’t like AA at all, and only attend their first meeting. Many attend for a few weeks, months, or years. Some of us stay involved for decades because we like the people and atmosphere in AA-it helps us continue to grow.

What is Al-Anon?

Al-Anon is a fellowship of persons whose lives have been impacted by someone else’s alcoholism, usually family members. Their goal is to improve the impacted people’s lives, not to change the alcoholic.

Is there any more to AA than the meetings?

Yes, and like the meetings, participation is up to the individual.

Local meetings band together in “districts” to do things like organize jail meetings, keep a supply of literature, and publish a meeting schedule. Districts are united within an “area”, usually a whole state, and areas are part of the annual General Service Conference. None of these has any authority over its member groups. Decisions are made by the group itself, called “group conscience”.

In many communities, there are AA-oriented clubs, often called Alano Clubs. These are private organizations, usually incorporated, and not part of AA formally. They are created to provide a space for meetings. AA groups and AA itself has a tradition of not owning anything (maybe a coffee pot), in order to avoid any possible dissension over property.

Local AA groups may put on social/recreational events, like picnics, topic workshops, dances, campouts, conventions, etc. These are not a formal part of AA.

Are there other organizations that might help me stop drinking?

Yes: LifeRing; Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS); SMART Recovery; Women for Sobriety, and others. They all have websites, and people are getting sober in all of them. Their only drawback is that they are relatively small, with relatively few local groups. AA’s big advantage is that there are meetings everywhere.

Where can I learn more about AA? Is there something I can read or someone I can talk with confidentially?

General Information:

www.aa.org

Google “AA [Your Town or State]”to search for local meeting information and phone numbers. There is usually a 24/7 hotline, staffed by volunteers.

For the nonreligious:

www.aaagnostica.org

www.waaft.org

www.agnosticaanyc.org