--- In chicagoalanon@yahoogroups.com, "divakatzz" <JESUISDIVA@A...>
wrote:
>
> I was wondering if anyone could let me know if there is a meeting
for
> beginners of al-anon. In the evening. In a non-denominational
> setting.
>
> I realize that there are references to "God" in the twelve step
> programs, but I am egnostic and would prefer to not use that word
> while being in the program. (Generally it would make me
uncomfortable)
>

I can half answer your question. The Northshore Alano Club's Tuesday
Nighters group, which meets Tuesday nights (surprise!) at 7:45 on the
second floor of the 1st Baptist Church in Evanston--607 Lake St.--is
specifically oriented to beginners, though they have some longtime
members too. It's a very big meeting and shouldn't be the only one
you
attend while getting to know Al-Anon, but it's a good introduction.

OK, you asked for a nondenominational setting and I give you a
meeting
in a Baptist church. Sorry! --but I've found that Al-Anon groups take
seriously the words "God *as we understood him*" and don't evangelize
for any particular spiritual belief, even subtly.

Within AA there are some groups of self-identified atheists and
agnostics--variously called "Alcoholics Anonymous for Atheists and
Agnostics," "AAAA," "Quad-A," "Free Thinkers" and so on. I couldn't
find any analogous Al-Anon groups. But you might want to go to http://
www.agnosticaanyc.org/nationwide.html#Illinois and call the contact
people listed for some of the Chicago and Evanston groups to see if
they have any ideas.

Don't take my word for it, though. Go to some meetings--several
different meetings--and see for yourself. Keep trying until you find
a
group, or better yet a few groups, you feel comfortable with.

Good luck,

Rich