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Beyond Belief: Agnostic Musings for 12 Step Life: finally, a daily reflection book for nonbelievers, freethinkers and everyone Paperback – January 21, 2013

by Joe C. (Author), Amelia Chester (Editor), Joana Inga Eyolfson Cadham (Editor),
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 832 ratings
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This is the 10th anniversary 3rd printing of Beyond Belief (2023), now with a new Preface and updated content/links.

Finally, a daily reflection book for everyone from Rebellion Dogs Publishing. Beyond Belief is the first secular daily reflection book written in a contemporary language for today's addicts and alcoholics in recovery.From the Foreword by Dr. Ernie Kurtz (author of Not God: A History of Alcoholics Anonymous & The Spirituality of Imperfection):"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 Research 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.

Joe Nowinski, PhD, Author, 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. As AA and the 12 step model of recovery continues to grow and diversify, secular AA-and books like Beyond Belief-come to play an increasingly vital role in supporting individuals, who come from a variety of belief systems but who share a common goal of a sober lifestyle. I cannot think of a better way to start a sober day than a reading from Beyond Belief.

Dr. Amy, MSW, PhD, author of From Surviving to Thriving: Transforming Your Caregiving Journey

Beyond Belief: Agnostic Musings for 12 Step Life 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!" Given my chosen profession I have had the opportunity to read countless daily meditation books-and this is a good one. Although the context is recovery from a 12-Step perspective, readers are invited to address the issue from their own philosophical view. One criticism of the 12 Step movement of course is that its dogma can be limiting-Beyond Belief seems to have addressed this. The quotes are cogent, the organization superb and the contributors are diverse. From a clinical perspective I like that various schools of thought are called upon-Transactional Analysis, Jungian, etc. This daily meditation book provides a cross-section of spiritual and philosophical thought that is accessible to all, regardless of one's personal beliefs-in that sense it really is beyond belief.

William H. Schaberg, Author of Writing the Big Book: The Creation of A.A.

It is tremendously satisfying to know that ten years after it first appeared, Beyond Belief: Agnostic Musings for 12 Step Life is getting its third printing and is now available in a beautiful hardbound edition along with the paperback and eBook versions. This is a truly important book! It combines profound wisdom, as found in the daily quotes that lead off each entry, followed by Joe C.'s plain-spoken suggestions for how to apply that wisdom in our day-to-day lives. The Big Book says that "the point is that we are willing to grow along spiritual lines" and that is exactly what this book so richly offers: a daily encouragement to engage in a more spiritually satisfying and productive life. Good job, Rebellion Dogs!

Available from Rebellion Dogs Publishing website and your favorite online or brick-and-mortar retailer in eBook, paperback AND NOW, Hard Cover, Beyond Belief is not anti-religious, but candidly secular (non-religious). In a new era of recovery, this book has becoming a "go-to" for online and in-person groups and for individual reflection.
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  1. Print length
    414 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    January 21, 2013
  4. Dimensions
    6 x 0.94 x 9 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0988115700
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0988115705
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Rebellion Dogs Publishing (January 21, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 414 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0988115700
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0988115705
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.45 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.94 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 832 ratings

About the author

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Joe C.

Joe C.

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Early this millennium, I looked for a secular daily reflection book for addicts/alcoholics. Over years, I tried different addiction/recovery daily devotionals; they all made an assumption about a prayer-answering, sobriety-granting higher power that isn't part of my worldview. I hoped - I even assumed - the secular, practical book I wanted had already been written. My search left me empty handed and grumpy.

I complained to recovery friends. Friends consoled me, then someone said, "Your a writer, Joe; you're sober for decades. Why don't you write it?"

In time, I switched from "Why me?" to "Why not me?" I had been writing for print and radio for over 20 years at that point. I write, broadcast and podcast about emerging music, financial planning, addiction/recovery & mental health. I am a regular contributor to TheFix.com, In Recovery Magazine, Renew Magazine, The Pacific Standard, AAagnostica.org, 12-Step journals such as AA Grapevine and in the blogosphere. IndieCan Radio on SiriusXM #173 "The Verge" can be streamed and downloaded free at http://www.indiecan.com and Rebellion Dogs Radio @ https://rebelliondogspublishing.com/rebellious-radio

Beyond Belief: Agnostic Musings for 12 Step Life isn't a collection of my opinions. It's not what I know; Beyond Belief is what I've learned - from you, in the rooms.

What were the best ideas I learned? I thought about the 500 best ideas I had heard since 1976, books that had been recommended by fellow addicts/alcoholics and therapists. It was about one good idea a month. From the 500 best ideas the 365 most cohesive ideas were distilled into a 21st century language and voila!

I write prose, research and songs, I blog, sometimes I do workshops or share research to treatment/healthcare professionals or to the larger recovery community. I cherish reading and I love sharing books that matter to me.

I have been part of recovery culture since I was a teenager. "The rooms" aren't my life but they inform my life. While I enjoy a full life, outside of 12 Step circles, I have been to over 10,000 meetings, met remarkable people and learned remarkable things.

Recovery is multi-layered and as individual to each of us as our finger-prints. I am a critic of 12-Step lore and culture and I am also a loyal servant. As a skeptic, I remain appreciative and, at the same time, a seeker - wondering how we could do better.

Google Rebellion Dogs Radio. From there you can find some of my favorite books, my blogs and feel free to phone or email me.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
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Top reviews from the United States

Dagmar Allen
5.0 out of 5 stars Good perspectives
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2024
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I do readings out of five books in the morning. The other ones are more traditional in the readings. This book gives my program a nice counterbalance. This is where I want to be today. Not on either far end of spectrum, but I want to be able to see more than just my own little world. I need this for me recovery today.
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samantha cousinss
5.0 out of 5 stars Must have for addiction recovery
Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2023
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I bought this originally about 5ish years ago for clients who struggle with JFT readings and the concept of a Higher Power. I had a very picky client love it so much, she begged for my copy so I bought another one. I use this almost daily. Clients like the readings, which are much longer than a JFT, but always relatable.
3 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful daily meditation book
Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2024
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 A different kind of meditation book! So many points of views are shared. So many great questions for reflection. Recovery based, but could be applied by many people. The agnostic views and wording can be comfortable for many people.
2 people found this helpful
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DigitalZen
5.0 out of 5 stars Don't let the sub-title "Agnostic Musings for 12-Step Life" turn you off...
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2016
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Just to qualify: I've got 26+ years in recovery from alcohol and drugs, and 3+ in recovery from a common process addiction. I've searched and traveled a lot of paths since I got clean and sober, and read innumerable books on recovery, spirituality, clinical treatment and -- as far as I know -- all of the popular daily "meditation" books. I've also worked and written in the field.

Joe C's book "Beyond Belief" is, without question, the best book of daily readings I've run across. It's a staple of my daily practice, and I have recommended it widely and without reservation, both in person and through my own writing. There is no mystical b.s., no pseudo-spiritual preaching, and it's easy to read and understand. Every day brings some clear thought and insight into my recovery. It's not so much that what he has to say is new (some of the ideas, in fact, are very, very old indeed), but that it is presented in portions of just the right size to digest with my morning -- well, I was going to say coffee for effect, but actually my morning glass of water.

Don't let the sub-title "Agnostic Musings for 12-Step Life" turn you off. This is not an anti-religion tome; more accurately, it simply leaves religion out of the discussion completely, unless it is necessary to distinguish "reality" from "myth" in the context of a specific discussion. Joe deftly sidesteps the issues of whether the soi-disant (yes, I'm one of those) "spirituality" espoused by some fellowship members is accurate, preferring to state the ideas in such a way as to avoid direct conflict with those who confuse religion with spirituality, new-age gobbledygook with inspiration.

My one BIG COMPLAINT about "Beyond Belief" is the sub-title itself. I know for a fact that it has turned off folks who, in my considered opinion, would benefit greatly from a touch of its reality. Not only is it off-putting "prior to investigation," but it gives readers who are so inclined an excuse to pooh-pooh the remarks because they aren't (insert dogma of your choice here) enough. That is not a good thing, because this book should be on the bedside table of everyone who believes him- or herself to be in recovery, and "Earth People" could benefit from it as well. I sympathize with Joe's position, but I think just a bit of bend -- and a changed title -- would benefit myriad people in the long run.
66 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars still looking
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2021
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I used to read The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie, which I found helpful to deal with codependence, but I became uncomfortable with the focus on God. I searched for daily 12-step readings for agnostics and was delighted to find Beyond Belief. I appreciate that the daily readings draw from a wide variety of sources and relate the readings to the 12 steps. The book has an excellent index. With a clear emphasis on sobriety, this may be the ideal book for an agnostic alcoholic/addict. Unfortunately, this emphasis doesn't address codependency in a way I found helpful. So I'm still looking.
4 people found this helpful
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Ty W.
5.0 out of 5 stars Love, Love this book!
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2024
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I had no idea how much I would love this book. Most days it is spot on to what I have needed to hear.
One person found this helpful
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jl
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect if agnostic
Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2022
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I am 110% non-religious. I struggled with going to AA meetings and stopped after 3 because I couldn’t stand to keep hearing the word “god”… it just didn’t seem like I could relate. I purchased this book 3 months ago and today finally picked it up. Within the first 10 pages, it resonated with me. It finally made scientific sense to me - the act of having addictions, replacing additions, etc. As someone who in the past had an bad eating disorder, then alcoholism (which I wasn’t aware of at 21 years old), who replaced that addiction w exercising and eating healthy…this book just MAKES SENSE & I finally feel like I have the proper tools to make a change with my alcoholism & potentially other addictive mannerisms.
12 people found this helpful
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Kate Marin
5.0 out of 5 stars A breadth of 12-step understanding, based in humanism vs religion
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2021
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Perhaps it's just one guy who wrote this- If so, a wonderfully widely-read guy!
Each day has wisdom from those in recovery along with daily wise quotations from across centuries of philosophy, psychology, literature, and other rational studies. Never preachy, never insulting to believers or non-believers, and often with plain-spoken pointers... sitting on "the throne" before my morning shower, I find this a great way to start my day in deliberate thought.
As you read entries over the year, then over the years, you'll have an increasing benefit of layered & ever more thorough understanding, as aspects of life make increasing sense with applied reflection, intentional experience, and deliberate self-change.
I've bought several copies for friends!
5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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RL
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspires contemplation without the religious stuff
Reviewed in Canada on May 30, 2021
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Fabulous book. Engaging, unique style. Finally, a book of daily musings for inspiration that doesn’t ooze 12 step religiosity, but encourages contemplation of the principles of forward-thinking, practical living in recovery. Having said that, there is nothing in it that I’ve read so far that couldn’t be appreciated by religious folk, too.
One person found this helpful
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H A HARRIS
5.0 out of 5 stars Life changing book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 2, 2024
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I’ve been reading these daily reflections for the last couple of months and they never fail to inspire. This book is full of wisdom to nourish the mind and soul.
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Hauser
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirant pour un dépendant, alcoholic, spirituel quand même!
Reviewed in France on June 9, 2021
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J'avais commencé à lire des extraits dans le même livre d'un ami, et je savais qu'il fallait que je l'achète. Je ne suis pas déçu. Il peut être spirituel comme il peut être agnostic, mais en tout les cas tous les jours j'ai quelque chose pour me faire réfléchir le matin. C'est parfait pour un pratique matinale quotidien!
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roy
5.0 out of 5 stars Non religious
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 24, 2023
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It made more sense to me being an agnostic and was more helpful than trying to keep the God thing out of the Big Book (AA).
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Pzlqun
5.0 out of 5 stars The best guidelines for those debating the "Higher Power" in 12 Step Recovery programmes.
Reviewed in Canada on July 2, 2018
Verified Purchase
This book is irreplaceable. It is by far my favourite "go to" each and every day. Much food for thought, and an excellent way to start the day in the right headspace. Highly recommend!
4 people found this helpful
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