There’s nothing more beautiful than watching a former alcoholic break free from addiction and find true hope in our Lord Jesus Christ – instead of drowning their sorrows in a bottle.
Since 1935, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has helped countless individuals defeat their addictions. While each AA meeting has its own flavor –all meetings center around turning one’s life over to God.
But when one AA group was “caught” saying the Lord’s Prayer at the start of its meetings – the AA leadership claimed the group had become too “Christian-focused” – and retaliated in the worst way.
You see, when an alcoholic is looking to get sober – one of the first places they look is online to find a directory of AA meetings – hoping to find a meeting close to their home.
Now that the Somerset AA group says the Lord’s Prayer during their meetings – the group has been removed from the AA online directory. Thus, a person – caught in addiction – cannot locate this group.
Eliminating the group from the directory may cause the group to fizzle out completely … or to stop praying to God. Either outcome seems to be the desire of the AA leadership.
Treasurer John Palmer is part of the Somerset AA group. He expressed his outrage at what’s happening.
MSN reported:
“‘It’s a ridiculous decision,’ said Mr. Palmer. ‘They’ve removed us from the “Find a meeting” section of the AA website which will prevent new members from finding us. In other words, we’re being shut down.’”
This is absolutely heartbreaking.
People hate Jesus to the point that they’d rather an alcoholic stay trapped in addiction than find recovery (and Jesus) in AA.
This latest action shows how real the discrimination against Christians is, and the prejudice continues to increase.
Andrea Williams is chief executive of Christian Concern. She publicly called out the AA leaders on their blatant attack on Christians.
Faithwire reported:
“Separating and punishing Christians so that they cannot attract new members for sharing the Gospel message of hope is disturbing and ludicrous,” she continued. “Is now saying the Lord’s Prayer in a church offensive and not appropriate?
It is sad, but not surprising in our world of cancel culture, to hear from this group that the Gospel message is no longer appropriate for AA and must be kept ‘separate.’”
While all who attend AA are not Christian – many are – and others, after working the steps, become Christian – developing a personal relationship with Jesus.
For those who don’t know Christ – and whose lives are in peril due to alcoholism – AA remains a place to gain sobriety and begin a recovery journey.
If Christians are looking for a strictly Christian-based recovery group – they can check out Celebrate Recovery (CR).
The message from AA leaders is clear – if you pray to Jesus – we’ll shut you down.
Thankfully, our Lord is stronger than all those who try and silence Him – and His Word never returns void.
Let’s pray those trapped in alcoholism will find recovery and healing in a relationship with Jesus Christ.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” – John 3:16-17
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