M> re - I don't think it's of overwhelming importance to Him (HER ? -
 > GRIN) whether or not we believe in a trinitarian three-in-one God, etc.
 > - (hope I quoted that right).  Well I'd have to agree personally with
 > all of what you said personally; however, we'd probably be better off
 > discussing that on the Interfaith echo...
Agreed, lets do so...
 > However, what I meant was not that my particular Church is the problem
 > with my sobriety, but that my own religiosity - as opposed to
 > spirituality - can be a problem.
It *is* interesting that they are two separate things, isn't it? Religiosity
seems to be of value only to the degree that it is in agreement with true
spritual principles.
 > I have a tendency to get all caught
 > up in disputes over such doctrines and miss the point entirely -
I think we all do, at least at times.
 > In short, I would have to honestly say I can use
 > religion as another addiction when I want to and let it be something to
 > hide behind so I do not face the real issues of my recovery, so that I
 > can stay sick.
I have done that when I felt I had to act a certain way to be accepted at the
church I was going to. I could not share the pain I was in or admit any
weakness, because as a Christian, I was supposed to theoretically already 
ave
all the answers and therefore should not have been feeling any pain. So I
spent way too much time playing a part rather than being honest.
 > I like what an oldtimer in Maryland AA used to say: "THe only thing I
 > need to know about my Higher Power is that I ain't it."
Great!
 > My Church does frustrate me with it's local politics and personalities
 > sometimes, true.  But I also have to look at the fact that sometimes
 > other members don't get drawn into all the contreversy and melodrama
 > the way I do.  Why is that?
I dunno. You tell me .
 > As for Phil, I'm glad you hooked up with him - I had to made a
 > mega-ammend to him after posting that to you, as I realized I broke his
 > anonymity.  Fortunately I'm forgiven.  (OOOOOOPS - I don't usually do
 > that.)  But I think you'll enjoy the e-mail listing.
I've alread begun receiving messages from Recovery@splusnet.com, and thank 
ou
again for telling me about them!
I'll talk to you soon on the Interfaith echo! Till then, take care...
 -- SPEED 2.00 [NR]: Proof that God has a sense of humor:  We do!
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