A Canadian man is suing Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) to have “God” removed from its famous Twelve Step program, alleging discrimination against atheists, agnostics, and freethinkers.
First published in 1939, the “Twelve Steps” of Alcoholics Anonymous have a significant spiritual component, and six of the twelve make direct reference to God or a “higher power.” Those following the program must acknowledge their powerlessness over alcohol and their dependence upon God to restore them to health.
In the third step, for instance, members “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.” In the seventh step, they “Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.”...