Letter from the World Service Board on Religious Neutrality
Dear FA members,
In response to concerns expressed by several members, FA's World Service Board has prepared the following statement to address the issue of religious neutrality at FA meetings.
AA's Big Book reminds us that, "We represent no particular faith or denomination" (page 94).
The primary purpose of an FA meeting is to welcome the newcomer who may be suffering from food addiction. In adherence to the Twelve Traditions, we must maintain our religious neutrality to assure that ALL of our fellows feel welcome. FA is not a religious organization; members come from a variety of religions and beliefs and some may be agnostic or atheist.
One recovering alcoholic in the Big Book says, "Alcoholics Anonymous gives me the freedom to believe and to doubt as much as I need to" (page 374).
Although we have enormous gratitude to a Higher Power for our recovery, we must be careful to not name specific figures of worship; we only use "God" or "Higher Power," the terms found in our literature.
Additionally, newcomers and members may feel uncomfortable hearing about religious experiences such as pilgrimages, conversions, or specific religious practices. It is particularly unwise to employ humor with any religious content.
When talking to fellows, the Big Book reminds us that "There is no use arousing any prejudice [they] may have against certain theological terms and conceptions about which [they] may already be confused. Don't raise such issues, no matter what your own convictions are" (page 93).
The foundation of every meeting is the sharing of personal experiences regarding food addiction and recovery in abstinence. Members should refrain from mentioning religion in an FA meeting. Members should not announce, discuss, or engage in any religious practices--including prayer-- before, during, or after an FA meeting where they may be visible to members. The only prayer appropriate in an FA meeting is the Serenity Prayer.
Religious neutrality serves to guarantee that whenever and wherever we attend an FA meeting, we experience the same welcome.
