http://livingtextblog.andosciasociology.net/2009/05/26/is-there-help-without-god/ Sat, 19 May 2012 19:06:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 http://livingtextblog.andosciasociology.net/2009/05/26/is-there-help-without-god/#comment-3500 Mr. Andoscia Wed, 27 May 2009 01:44:12 +0000 http://livingtextblog.andosciasociology.net/2009/05/26/is-there-help-without-god/#comment-3500 Um...OK...I'm confused. Am I to understand, then, that an atheist alcoholic cannot overcome his/her addiction? And, in fact, Taoists and Buddhists do not necessarily believe in a God. Ask some sociological questions. What role does religion play in overcoming addiction? Might this be about identity, resocializing from and self defined as a drinker to a drunk, to being "born again" in some religious ideal. I'm not criticizing. For many, religion is a pathway to overcoming addiction, and there may be something to be said about not just treating the disease, but also reconstituting a sense of "self." Indeed, in my experience, this is very necessary. But explore it more using sociology. What are the social facts? Um…OK…I’m confused. Am I to understand, then, that an atheist alcoholic cannot overcome his/her addiction? And, in fact, Taoists and Buddhists do not necessarily believe in a God. Ask some sociological questions. What role does religion play in overcoming addiction? Might this be about identity, resocializing from and self defined as a drinker to a drunk, to being “born again” in some religious ideal. I’m not criticizing. For many, religion is a pathway to overcoming addiction, and there may be something to be said about not just treating the disease, but also reconstituting a sense of “self.” Indeed, in my experience, this is very necessary. But explore it more using sociology. What are the social facts?

]]>