Author Topic: AA being called on its religious claptrap  (Read 5003 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline dpareja

  • The Beast
  • *****
  • Posts: 5680
AA being called on its religious claptrap
« on: June 12, 2019, 06:59:58 pm »
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/byron-wood-nurse-12-step-religious-discrimination-complaint-1.5172488

A former registered nurse in the Vancouver area, Byron Wood, was let go from his employment due to substance abuse issues.

To be reinstated, he was required to undergo programs with Alcoholics Anonymous and/or Narcotics Anonymous, both of which begin with members "turn[ing] our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him."

There's just one catch: Mr. Wood is an atheist.

Consequently, he refused to attend the mandatory programs and was not reinstated. He is now suing Vancouver Coastal Health for discrimination on the basis of religion, and the BC Human Rights Tribunal has accepted that his claim has merit while dismissing other discrimination claims.

The nurses' union only uses addiction programs which follow the twelve-step model.

Mr. Wood has noted that there are secular alternatives available.

But finally... someone's calling out AA for its religious garbage.
Quote from: Jordan Duram
It doesn't concern you, Sister, that kind of absolutist view of the universe? Right and wrong determined solely by a single all-knowing, all powerful being whose judgment cannot be questioned and in whose name the most horrendous acts can be sanctioned without appeal?

Quote from: Supreme Court of Canada
Being required by someone else’s religious beliefs to behave contrary to one’s sexual identity is degrading and disrespectful.

Offline Chaos Undivided

  • Pope
  • ****
  • Posts: 469
  • Death to the False Emperor!
Re: AA being called on its religious claptrap
« Reply #1 on: June 12, 2019, 09:23:27 pm »
I've been saying for years that if AA wants to paint itself as an organization "for everyone", it should drop the overtly religious stuff. Glad to see at least some people agree with me.
Anti-authoritarian, anti-extremist, anti-bullshit.