On Thursday, July 14, 2016 at 10:24:48 AM UTC-4, Jill McQuown wrote:
> On 7/14/2016 9:32 AM, Dave Smith wrote:
> > On 2016-07-14 9:01 AM, Cindy Hamilton wrote:
> >> On Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at 5:52:23 PM UTC-4, wrote:
> >
> >> Agreed. Sometimes I think that religion is a fine thing for those
> >> who need it; other times I think it's the most pernicious evil
> >> that Homo sapiens has perpetrated upon itself.
> >
> >
> > Some people get carried away with it. I have said in the past that I
> > think addiction is often more of a habit than a physical addiction. A
> > lot of alcoholics and drug addicts find their way out of their addiction
> > through religion, but then go overboard on the religion.
> >
> >
> I may be mistaken but I believe Alcoholics Anonymous uses some sort of
> pledge to God as part of their 12 step program. Ah yes, I looked it up.
> It's called the Serenity prayer. I guess that means atheists can't
> join.
>
> Jill

Sure they can. Even though they have to subordinate themselves
to a Higher Power, that power could be Nature.

It might stick in an atheist's craw to say "God grant me the serenity..."
but I suppose if you've hit rock bottom it could be an acceptable
alternative to drinking yourself to death.

"Lake Superior grant me the serenity..."

Cindy Hamilton