While that is touted as being the case, many groups make use of the Serenity Prayer[1]. Most of the time, it directly invokes the use of "God" or "Father" which can turn off non-believers. Some groups use a variation that omits direct reference to a religious entity, while a few groups are committed to avoiding the prayer altogether.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serenity_Prayer#Use_by_twelve-...

In my experience, some meetings don't care much about that. Others have told me if I'm not into the whole Christian God thing that I'm not welcome.

The experience varies from group to group, and even between different meeting times at the same group. They all have their own interpretations and subcultures.

> A power greater than ourselves

No cosmically, nothing about governance.

Should be loving and tolerant.

At least that’s my experience so far working the steps.

even that is just silly. it is true only when the idea devolves into that kind of tautology.

I would obviously let it slide if I needed this kind of thing, but it is clearly cruft.

I won't pretend I understand how it works but I think it has to do with accepting that you aren't in control of things, especially your addiction.

I suppose but as an existentialist/atheist there are dice rolls that govern my entire life and most are not under my control. Using that belief as a tool to cleave apart guilt, shame, and blame is handy.

The same “dice roller” in the sky that brought me trauma also brought me a high affinity with math and science, some pathway to a great tech career so acknowledging a higher power is really about saying “shits gonna happen, good and bad”

Please let's not dip a toe into religious flamewar.

https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html