Proposed secular affirmations for non-theist program members

This is an ongoing project.  Comments are sought.  Changes are expected.

Why secular affirmations?  Because we have atheists and agnostic members.  Moreover, some addicts are suing in various places not to be referred to 12 step programs, because they perceive 12 step programs as religious.  I can see where one might think so, reading the literature -- tho I've met plenty of atheists and agnostics who find their way through. 

Personally, I have never been quite sure whether abstinence actually comes from an external higher power or from an interesting neurological phenomenon, caused by prayer and meditation, which only feels like it's an external higher power.  I have another blog on this topic https://annalisse-mayer.blogspot.com/2015/04/a-neurological-argument-about-why.html  I have been content to live with ambiguity -- praying with one part of my mind while doubting with another. 

I don't have such a rigid concept of truth as I once did.  The true/false binary that dominated my mind when I was studying math and working as a computer programmer was muddied when I went to law school.  It has been replaced by a mentality more similar to the Zen koans, which use apparent contradictions to clear the mind of chatter.  

I believe that the logical true/false binary is insufficient to encompass God.  God is beyond the limitations of human understanding.  I spoke about this in an earlier post https://annalisse-mayer.blogspot.com/2012/03/mathematical-definition-of-god.html

Serenity Prayer

The serenity prayer seems very amenable to non-theist language

Original language

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

Proposed Translation 

May we have the serenity to accept the things we cannot change;

Courage to change the things we can; and

Wisdom to know the difference. 

Third Step Prayer

The 3rd step prayer is more difficult as theist concepts are so deeply embedded in it.  

This is the original language

God, I offer myself to Thee — to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always!

Here is a proposed translation into non-theist language.  This necessarily reflects what I think the prayer means in terms much different from the original.  I suppose the prayer may mean something different to others, which is difficult to resolve.

I surrender

To living life on life's terms.

I will stop trying to will my future

And be open to becoming someone else.

May I be relieved of the bondage of self. 

I trust that by surrendering

I will be brought into a recovered space

Where I will be better suited to dealing with life

In a constructive manner.

My recovery will be a testimony

To the effectiveness of this program.

May I learn to go with the flow.

I have another blog on this site on the topic of the 3rd step prayer  https://annalisse-mayer.blogspot.com/2012/10/understanding-bondage-of-self-step-3.html

Seventh Step Prayer

Original Language 

My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here, to do your bidding. Amen.

Suggested translation

I stand before the universe accepting and knowing myself as I am, both good and bad. I seek removal of every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness.  I seek strength to go out from here in harmony with the universe.  

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[to be continued -- comments solicited]

#12Step #12_Step #TwelveStep #ProgramPrayers #NonTheism #NonTheistPrayers #NonTheistProgramAffirmations #SerenityPrayer #ThirdStepPrayer #SeventhStepPrayer

Link to other attempts https://orlandorecoveryfamily.com/2016/03/20/versions-of-the-third-step-prayer/#:~:text=An%20Atheist%2F%20Agnostic%20Third%20Step,purpose%20and%20act%20on%20it.