Beyond Belief: Agnostic Musings for 12 Step Life: Finally, a daily reflection book for nonbelievers, freethinkers and everyone!

by Joe C., Ernest Kurtz (Foreword), Amelia Chester (Editor)

This is the 10th anniversary 3rd Printing (2023) of Beyond Belief, an updated Preface, links, census data, pronouns, and the same 365 musings that are well received by a niche market that includes 30,000 reading rooms, bedside tables, smart vices, zoom rooms and meeting library tables.The recovery community buys half a million daily devotionals yearly. There are specialty books for women, codependents, young people and beginners. Beyond Belief is the first that is written to include skeptics, humanists, atheists and agnostics.Every daily reflection in Beyond Belief starts with a quote from a philosopher, writer, psychologist, addiction/recovery professional, comedian, historical figure or member of the Twelve Step community—past or present. Beyond Belief treats doubt or atheism as neither a handicap nor a higher plane. The Twelve & Twelve community is about unity, not uniformity. Beyond Belief is an interactive 21st century recovery tool - 100 end notes, 365 daily meditations and 120 index topics and over 1,000 hyperlinks.What others have D., Clinical Psychologist, WOW—what an undertaking to make this book a reality. I have never seen a daily devotional book written for agnostics. I found the readings to be extremely thought provoking. I wonder sometimes since there is such talk about God at meetings, what kind of turn-off that must be for agnostics.Dr. Joe Nowinski PhD, The Twelve Step Facilitation Handbook, If You Work It-It works! The Science behind 12 Step Recovery. What a liberating book! I am an advocate for AA, including special composition groups such as secular AA. Books like Beyond Belief come to play an increasingly vital role in supporting individuals, who com a variety of belief systems. I cannot think of a better way to start a sober than reading from Beyond Agnostic Musings for 12 Step LifeErnest Kurtz, Ph.D., author of The Spirituality of Imperfection and A History of Alcoholics The book is aimed at a general 12-Step readership, but it is mindful that there heretofore exist no such aids for unbelievers, freethinkers, and the unconventionally spiritual. Given that the latest Pew survey found that twenty percent of the American people list their religious affiliation as “None,” it is certainly time that the Recovery world took into consideration this population's needs. Beyond Belief addresses that need in a confident, non-aggressive way. I doubt that any believer will find anything objectionable in its pages. This believer, for one, finds much that is spiritually helpful.Dr. Amy, MSW, Ph.D., author of From Surviving to Transforming Your Caregiving Beyond Belief offers a spiritual welcome mat to agnostics and free thinkers in recovery. Joe C. provides readers with a thoughtful and enlightened year-long road map to self-improvement that reaches beyond the bounds of traditional Twelve Step thought—Bravo!”John McAndrew, MA, MDiv, California. Thank you Joe, for this wonderful place to begin each day. No arguments about God, no belief systems to defend or attack- just a wealth of rich, thoughtful reflections.William Scaberg, Writing the Big The Creation of A.A. The Big Book says that 'the point is that we are willing to grow along spiritual lines--that's what this book so richly daily encouragement to engage in a more productive life.'Nancy B., retired R.N. Montreal, I have been pink clouding it on the "Road of Happy Destiny" since January of 1976. I have always been an avid reader.

Genres: Reference, Addiction

792 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 21, 2013

About the author

Many people who know me don't know me as Joe C, clean and sober since 1976. It's not that I am embarrassed by either addiction or recovery but it doesn't define me any more than being left-handed. Suffering through addiction and recovery has made me more compassionate and more reflective. Addiction was bewildering and recovery is a curious world, sometimes harsh, sometimes awesome.

Most people know don't know I'm an alcoholic/addict or in recovery. I am a dad, a songwriter, radio host, a financial planner, a runner, a ball player, billiard player, amateur social-psychology junky.

I'm a writer, too. Why did I write a book about addiction and recovery? Well, I wrote the only book I looked for and couldn't find. Otherwise I wouldn't have written it, I would have recommended it here to all of you.

It isn't the "As Joe Sees It" that we all laughed about when I comically took myself too seriously and thought people would be happy if they could just save time and see it my way. What the book is a report on what I have learned. I have done my 10,000 hours + of meetings, seminars, writing, sharing, conferences, reading and service. I don't suggest that this makes me an expert but I asked myself, "What are the 500 best ideas I have learned about addiction and recovery?" Those became 500 short essays, which got distilled down to the 365 most cohesive. That's what Beyond Belief is--plagiarism, with my own unique ADHD, dyslexic way of misunderstanding it.

It's not what I know; it's what I have learned. I am not saying, "this is how to ..." I am saying, "thank you. I am grateful for everything you've so generously shared with me."

Reviews

[Kenn Chaplin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was never one for the daily "meditation" books, as they all had the tinge of devotional guides put out by religious, primarily Christian, organizations so, after you've made your morning coffee or evening hot milk, sit down with Beyond Belief, a refreshing, great read; the musings of an articulate, conversational author whose wealth of experience in the worlds of our world comes through in each days' writings.

[Stan Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great everyday book. Misses every now and again, but more often than not, something I can use

[Patrick Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

- This book was awesome. A quote from wide spectrum of sources. A few paragraphs on the topic and a final sentence or two of reflection.
- This is from AA Agnostica, the quotes are from a wide spectrum of books, historical/spiritual figures, and a myriad of 12 programs. They pull from narcotics, over eaters, co dependents, gamblers, al anon, and other 12 step programs
- It is not strictly 12 step, it pulls SMART, Buddhist recovery, and other programs
- It covers the steps, traditions, spirituality, and any other topic related to recovery. Most any topic can be related to recovery. This book is as inclusive as the steps and traditions, it is for everyone.
- I loved learning from other 12 step programs. I loved by ideas being challenged. This book is anti fundamentalist but there were days it asked me to question my anti fundamentalism
- I highly recommend this book to anyone in recovery from any sort of addiction
- I look forward to the next year I read it as my daily reflection
- I was searching for a diverse inclusive secular daily reflection and I found it in this book
- This was heavily marked up. I read it almost everyday, I accidentally missed a few days, but got them the next day. Read it till the end of the year but marked finished a few days early

[Dee Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tremendous resource

The is the most useful Daily Reading resource I have found to help me in my recovery. It’s readings are very diverse and each is opened with a useful if not motivational.

[DJ van Staden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly thought-provoking daily musings into living a clean and sober life. Extremely helpful.

[John Galipeau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better without God

I don't believe in the efficacy if AA and the 12 steps, but this book is a good read overall

[Mr B · Rating 5 out of 5]

great

Great addition to 12 Step daily readings. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it. Although agnostic, it’s still spiritual & inspirational

[Rod · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very good to start each day in 2015 with these reflections. It is certainly welcoming to "
nonbelievers, freethinkers, etc." but the insights are not belief-specific and feel to me like they can be helpful for any/every/one. Reminds me of what the steps have to offer and that the practice continues each day (hour, minute). Thanks, Joe!

[Sarah connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this book five stars because I do think it could be a good book for the right person. Im on February 23rd and so far it's mostly been about how to conduct yourself in 12 step meetings. If you arent attending meetings this book probably has very little to offer you.