Hi,
I went to my first OA meeting today. I had researched that those of any faith including those with none would be able to find a place. For example I had read that some people replace the word god or higher power with terms like "goddess" "collective humanity" "the group" "the universe" etc. In the group I attended this option was not given.
I would like to attend again. My question is does anyone have any experience where someone in the group simply never says the word god or the words higher power? When I do the readings from the big book I don't want to even use those words.
Also at the end of group someone said to me :god bless you, and I said have a good week. They said it again and I said nice to meet you. Then they said you know this group is a group of faith. I said nothing, just smiled and said goodbye. So I wonder how the group might react if I take it upon myself to simply replace the words?
Another thing I found interesting is that when the members went around sharing one member said she would like advice about something but no one responded they just kept going around. I get that the idea is to share and have no judgment and does that always mean no feedback? I get that they are all lay people so in no way qualified to act as therapists but I was just wondering.
Any thoughts appreciated?