The Very Last Post on AA Agnostica – More Than 14 1/2 Years Old!
By Roger C.
This is the last article to be published on AA Agnostica. The website will remain online and accessible to all – we have now had five million viewers! – but there will be no new articles.
I launched the website in June of 2012. Why did I do that? Well, at that time I was a member of an AA group in Toronto, Ontario launched by Joe C., the author of Beyond Belief: Agnostic Musings for 12 Step Life. That group was booted out of AA. Why did that happen? Well, because the group used a completely secular version of the 12 Steps. And after roughly six years Joe’s group was relisted as a member of AA by the AA General Service Office, responsible for AA in both the United States and Canada. AA Agnostica has been an active and popular website ever since it was launched way back then.
And another question. Since I lived in Hamilton and it took me an hour and a half to get to Joe’s meeting and another hour and a half to get back home, why did I attend that meeting? Well, simply because the AA meetings in Hamilton were far too religious. There would quite often be God talks during the meetings and every one of the meetings ended with the Lord’s Prayer. And I was told a number of times that if I didn’t believe in a God I would not be able to stay sober.
Bugged me a lot, those meetings. And by the way I understand religion. My mother was very, very religious and we went to church every Sunday. However I quit believing in a God at the age of nineteen. And – in order to understand how and why people believed in a God – I got a BA in Religious Studies at Laurentian University in Sudbury and an MA in Religious Studies at McGill University in Montreal. After those, I still didn’t believe in a deity. But it doesn’t bother me at all if people believe in a God. What does bother me is if people push their beliefs on other people. And that’s what happened – a lot – at the traditional AA meetings I attended. And that’s why I quit attending them and went to Joe’s meeting in Toronto.
And of course when I launched AA Agnostica it was also meant to be for all kinds of people and especially for AA folks who are agnostics and/or atheists. And now what do you think of this quote (let me know!):
I like the last two words is this quote. To me that’s what a God belief is all about: “wishful thinking”. But does it make sense when he says at the beginning “I would love to believe that when I die I will live again, that some thinking, feeling, remembering part of me will continue”? Do you agree with that? I don’t. There was no remembering part of me before I was born and there won’t be after I die. That’s my belief.
And here’s another quote:
Now here’s my question to all you folks: Do religions do harm? I mentioned problems I experienced when attending traditional AA, but are there other religious problems?
And now a Canadian quote: “A significant portion of Canadians, about a third, do not identity with a religion. The number of Canadians reporting no religious affiliation increased from 16.5% in 2001 to 34.6% in 2021.” And one American article (published in October of 2025): “15,000 churches could close this year amid religious shift in U.S.”
This final article has been about religion. I must say, and this is what I have been thinking about a lot over the last few months, a lot of religion was very much pushed on me in the earlier years of my life. Did that happen to any of you folks? I will also report that it’s not happening to me these days. Oh, and a number of years ago I launched two secular AA meetings – called “We Agnostics” – held here in Hamilton every Monday and Thursday. They are wonderful. And from a book I published – The Little Book: A Collection of Alternative 12 Steps – one of the secular versions of the Steps are read at the beginning of each meeting.
Alright, so this is it: the final article! It’s now the 777th article on AA Agnostica.
Thank you for reading this article, and my very best wishes to folks in recovery.
For a PDF of this article, click here: The Very Last Post on AA Agnostica.
Thank you for all the hard work you have invested in this great magazine, Roger. It has helped so many of us who had to continually audit the religious meetings we attended. I have so much enjoyed all the wonderful articles you have published over the years, which helped so many of us heretics and heathens. Many of us are in long-term recovery despite the forebodings of the god-worshippers. With best wishes for the coming years. And we are no longer alone either.
Roger, thank you for this amazing, healing resource, and for all the other work and writing you have done to help carry the AA message. I continue to read the articles, old and new, and frequently send them other people. I wish you great happiness in whatever your next endeavor runs out to be. (32 years; no religion)
Hi Roger. Thanks for your devotion and hard work. I think a challenge for agnostics and atheists is to avoid the intolerance of “believers” that is easily felt towards themselves by “nonbelievers.” I do believe that belief in a deity of some sort is a matter of choice. Einstein was able to call such a deity “The Old One,” at the same time disbelieving in any life after death. I have chosen to believe in a creative loving force in the universe because it makes me feel good, and I have no real substantial evidence to the contrary. Many people much smarter than I am have believed in a deity. I published a book last year, Seeking a Higher Power: A Guide to the Second Step, hoping to making the idea of a higher power more approachable to people who are put off by the “God talk” heard at AA. I have been encouraged by the response to the book. Anyway, this question will not be resolved in our lifetime, so we need to accept and respect the ideas that our brothers and sisters in the program have arrived at.
Why is this the last post?
Yeah. Why?
Thank you, Roger, for your incredible service to the secular AA community. This website has been (and continue to be) an invaluable resource for the recovery community. I’ll, always, remember and hold gratitude for the generous council you gave me in Austin. Enjoy the rest that you so richly deserve.
Roger,
Thanks for all that you have done to widen the gateway of recovery and spread the good word of secular AA.
I’ve heard from so many over the years who only found their place in recovery after reading articles published on AA Agnostica.
Your butterfly effect is immense.
Happy to now be attending We Agnostics with you in Hamilton.
We’ll see you Monday.
peace
Will
So grateful for your website launched in 2012, though I only came onto the scene in 2021, the meetings you started in Hamilton, and that the website and past articles will remain accessible. Thank you, Roger, for your invaluable service and contribution.
Thank you for your service. Your posts always helped me. I first came to the program in 1985 but relapsed after 7 years and struggled to come back. I’ve managed to stay sober for 18 years now, in part thanks to the perspective provided by you, Roger, and everyone who listened & changed our way of looking at this issue. You’ve made a huge difference in my life. Thank you. —Helen C.
Thank you! The Sagan quote makes me think of another author who referred to it as”magical thinking.” What I love about AA is that sobriety is a by product of continued action. I looked forward to this email every Sunday morning…it’s been like a cool drink of water. I will miss it. It has been a channel for me to find new books, new resources and not feel alone. I found this about 3 years ago, wish I found it much sooner. The impact has freed me in a way at 30 plus years. Im certain the circle you’ve touched is wide! Again many thanks…to the warmth and welcome of the entire secular recovery community.
Please don’t leave. AA Agnostica is very important to me.
Thanks Roger.
Thanks for your service, as a long term clean and sober member of AA, I found your articles a breath of fresh air in an often too religious AA atmosphere. Is there a way to keep the website engaged and active? I am happy to volunteer
I’m hoping someone will take on this amazing service to agnostics in recovery. I have looked forward to reading each week’s message and always benefited from doing so. Your service to this growing community will always be cherished. Best wishes to you.
Heartfelt thanks from below the 49th. Your posts have been an inspiration.
Roger,
You will certainly be missed and I give a standing ovation for your contribution to reason and the recovery community.
Most respectfully,
Shawn Meehan
Roger, as your partner, I’ve observed how much time and effort you have consistently put in, week after week, to build this wonderful resource that is AA Agnostica. I understand the challenges you’ve faced in continuing to solicit new articles every week so that you can keep posting engaging, thoughtful pieces. Some of your beloved contributors are no longer with us and the prolific writer Bob Kennedy, to name one, is greatly missed. You’ve given so much to the secular AA community. Congratulations on all that you have accomplished and on your decision to step back from posting new articles whether it be for a time or forever.
Thank you so much Roger, for your outstanding commitment to secular AA. I started to attend the Thursday night “We Agnostics” meeting in Hamilton when you first started it 10 years ago. I had not attended traditional AA meetings for some years because of all the God talk. It made me feel really uncomfortable and I just couldn’t do it anymore. Going to your meeting in Hamilton was like a breath of fresh air! I couldn’t believe it!! You have helped so many people including me! I will miss these articles. BTW, sober for 49 years without God.
Thanks Roger for everything that you have done to promote secularism in A.A.
It was a pleasure meeting you at the SOAAR in Kingston.
Wishing you continued sobriety in your future endeavours.
Kind regards.
Michel D.
Roger, you have performed a valuable service in both writing and curating this important part of the secular recovery ecosystem. Thank you. But I don’t really believe you… “No, really, this time I’ve quit for good..” 😉
Sorry to hear this is the last article. Have enjoyed the conversation though the years. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and insights ✌🏽
So sorry to read that this is the last post. AA Agnostica has been the bedrock of my recovery. Thankfully I found you early on in my recovery. You showed me it was possible to implement the 12 steps without ” God”. I shall be forever grateful. Ron L.
Thank you so much Roger…for taking action, for doing the work you have done! Thank you to all of the contributors. May the site remain as long as possible. There is so much insight & encouragement for ALL who are considering and those who already embrace daily living without turning to ways of numbing out, checking out, creating chaos. Connecting with others, and especially those we can relate to is an incredible gift and life saver. All the best moving forward ❣️
So very much enjoy everyone’s contributions. I do hope that someone else picks up the cause. Thank you Roger and everyone else who’s contributed over the last few years.
Hi Roger, I’ve been reading AA Agnostica for the last two years. Thank you for your dedication and time you have personally put into this website.
My last drink was January 4th, 1980.I can see now after finding secular how unconsciously I was feeling fed up with traditional AA. I have found a new freedom and happiness in secular/atheist meetings.
Be well
Roger, Thank you for all you have given. I have been tuning in to agnostica since attending the convention in Vancouver. It’s been something I’ve looked forward to each Sunday. Every thing changes. While I shall miss Sunday writings, I wish you the very best as you move on to your next adventure.
You have inspired me to get going on starting a secular meeting here in the Bay Area. It is beyond time.
Thank you
Thank you, Roger!
Thank you all for making it possible for me to say today that I am an agnostic!
I live in Hungary (Europe). It’s a small country of 10 million people, and there are about 150 groups active here. The community is small, and perhaps we’re afraid to share it. You’ve given me the freedom: when there’s too much talk of God and prayer at a meeting, I can now say—I’m an agnostic! Just as others speak of God, I can say the same: No!
I waited for and received the letter every Sunday afternoon at 4 o’clock. I’ll miss it! Together, with you!
Sándor
❤️
Thanks so much for talking about how traditional AA handles atheists. I don’t believe in God at all in the traditional sense and hate the feeling I get amongst my religious peers; namely, that one day I’ll get it. I hope that one day they get it and it is absurd!
An interesting take on the consequences of religion comes from Jim Palmer. Deconstruction. He writes on Substack.
My take after 44 years of sober, is watching what was a revolutionary idea and practice of how to live life (AA) given limitations, increasing turning a veil of reasonableness into a wall of shoulda woulda couldas called the traditions.
Best of fortune Roger.
Thank you, Roger!
I am sad to see this come to an end; but, I understand all things run their course. I believe that you have made an indelible mark with this effort, and I greatly appreciate what you have done. I may be the only one here who believes in Yahweh and Jesus as powers greater than myself, but I respect that others do not. I am glad that there is a choice and that people can recover without feigning belief in God as a higher power.
Be well and thank you again for your service!
Best
Ron
Roger, thank you for your service. I’ve appreciated the various outlooks and opinions expressed on this site (and very much appreciate the help you offered in “attracting not promoting” my workbook and blog site, “I’ve Been Sober a Long Time – Now What?”).
Will miss your weekly emails.
Bugger!
And I only just started receiving them.
I’m annoyed with myself. I should’ve written and submitted an article about the religious coup that took over our group, predominantly because I was an atheist.
Thank you Roger. Thank you for your service.
Robert B
Ditto a lot of Robert B’s comment! I have been another lazy, lurking fan of AA Agnostica, appreciating the fruits of your and other ‘fellow travelers” efforts without pitching in anything more than the free space of my eyeballs & mind; but at least I won’t let your truly uplifting and even entertaining efforts conclude without contributing my virtual applause. You rock(ed), Roger!!!
Thanks for everything! AA Agnostica is where I learned of Secular AA meetings. Forever grateful!
Thank you for all your service, Roger! The newsletter will be missed.
Thank you so much for your invaluable service to AA as a whole. You have played a pivotal role in establishing secular AA and a very healthy counter balance to religious fundamentalism in the fellowship ❤️
Thank you Roger for your decades long commitment to this project. Your website has been a huge catalyst for the development of secular AA and other fellowships such as NA. You helped me an enormous amount in the early days of secular NA. All the best for your retirement.
Sorry to see you go, Roger. I’ve enjoyed your articles and AA Agnostica. Thanks for starting it and for keeping it going for so long.
Thank you so much for everything you have done for agnostics and atheist in AA. I genuinely feel crushed to know that there will be no more articles coming my way from you. I have found some of the writing on this site to be singularly helpful and a wonderful antidote to the endless wishful thinking about God in my online Zoom meetings. I am moving to Spain soon and will be trying to start an agnostic meeting. Please wish me luck, and thank you so much for providing the materials I will be able to use. You do not say why this will be the last article and I hope it is not something negative that has led you to make this decision. Thank you thank you for absolutely everything you have done for us.
Thank you Roger. You have done so much meaningful work. I thank you sincerely for your support, your guidance, and your help, and again for all the good work over these many years.
I believe we are energy. Energy cannot be created nor destroyed. It exists eternally. Ive experienced no power higher than my own, is what I’m saying. And it is enough to keep me away from alcohol. Which is all I ever asked for.
Its more of an observation than a belief.
My concern is the hypocrisy in AA, where “Acceptance” (pg 114 big book) is overlooked by the “higher power” people. Have one, its ok. But if you dont accept that I DONT have one, then youre doing it wrong. Thats what I want to tell everybody in AA. I almost left, but I stayed. 15 years now. And thats my #1 message to AA people. Accept everybody. We all have our own path.
Don’t tell people theyre not doing it right (without God). And realize that your opinion (& AA dogma) may be what makes others want to leave AA.
Mind your business in that department.
And spread the word to all of AA.
It could mean life or death.
Thank you for AA Agnostica, where I have felt included instead of excluded, throughout my entire recovery. Its been an enlightening journey!
Yvonne H.
Free Thinkers of Dunedin, FL