A federal judge in West Virginia has ruled that the state corrections agency can’t force an incarcerated atheist and secular humanist to participate in religiously-affiliated programming to be eligible for parole.

A federal judge in West Virginia has ruled that the state corrections agency can’t force an incarcerated atheist and secular humanist to participate in religiously-affiliated programming to be eligible for parole.

  • BenVimes@lemmy.ca
    71·
    1 year ago

    In the “Big Book,” the foundational document of these programs, “Chapter 4: We Agnostics” tells atheists and agnostics that they are “doomed to alcoholic death” unless they “seek Him.” The chapter characterizes non-believers as “handicapped by obstinacy, sensitiveness, and unreasoning prejudice.”

    This really jumped out at me. What a horrible thing to say about someone, especially someone looking for help.

    • DarkThoughts@kbin.social
      13·
      1 year ago

      Alcoholic death? That’s weirdly specific. I barely even drink. If I do, then I do it to get drunk, but not to comatose type of levels.

      • Kandorr@lemmy.world
        8·
        1 year ago

        The Big Book being discussed in this comment is one of the foundations of the Alcoholics Anonymous program. Hence this warning about alcoholism. AA features a higher power as part of recovery.

        • Bleeping Lobster@lemmy.world
          2·
          1 year ago

          I was thinking about going to some AA meetings, was massively put off though by all the bible thumping rhetoric. I don’t want anything to do with the majority of religions.

      • damnYouSun@sh.itjust.works
        6·
        1 year ago

        Am I allowed to drink alcohol as long as I believe in God, I’m not quite I understand their random system of belief.

        Also, I guess that drugs are okay?

        • Kandorr@lemmy.world
          1·
          1 year ago

          From what I understand, they appeal to a ‘higher power’ as a part of the 12 steps. Also, there is Narcotics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, and others. The 12-step program, as flawed as we may see it, actually helps a lot of people so I’m not knocking it.
          I’ve also heard you can be very relaxed with the higher power ‘as you understand it’, providing a way in for agnostic/atheistic members. I don’t have all the info, just what I’ve heard unfortunately.

          • damnYouSun@sh.itjust.works
            2·
            1 year ago

            I am just confused by the idea that someone who is not religious is automatically doomed to alcoholism.

            The two things are not even on the same continuum, the comment makes no sense.