Spiritual Language
by Rev. Leo Booth

When we talk about a spiritual person in recovery we often seek to make a distinction between ‘religious ideas’ and those that are spiritual in nature. This must involve language.

Probably the one exception is the word God. And it is undeniably true that this word God has been a stumbling block to many people. As a friend of mine said to me recently “Leo, once they used the word God in AA literature, it became religious.”

Well, I do understand that many recovering alcoholics have a problem with the concept of God…but it is also clear from Step Two that the term “Power” or “Higher Power” is also acceptable. It has been my experience that AA has been remarkably flexible when it comes to talking about God; certainly it has wanted to separate itself from any other denomination or religion.

Religious language usually involves such words as tabernacle, grace, crucifix, bible, saint, alter, Hell and although we may come across such words in AA literature that are usually referenced as examples of a person’s story or something that is open to interpretation. Words are important and it would be wrong to imply that AA recovery is Christian (or any other religion); indeed The Twelve Traditions emphasize this separation:

6. The AA group ought never endorse, finance or lend the AA name to any other related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property or prestige divide us from our primary purpose.

10. Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion or outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy.

I’ve noticed, over the years, that recovering groups are more comfortable with inclusive words like surrender, honesty, change, letting go, acceptance and humility. The religious person is able to identify with these words and incorporate them into their ‘living faith’ but it is also true that the non-religious person can embrace these same words and not feel compromised.

This has been my message for many years and I’m still comfortable with it.

With all this as a background I would now like to dip-my-toe into last year’s controversy with radio talk show host Don Imus.

Words not only sustain and challenge but they can also hurt…and creating their own shame. When I was drinking I often used cuss words and blasphemy (even though I was an Episcopal Priest) and thought it was cute and funny. But in my recovery I was confronted by a sponsor who strongly suggested that such language was not okay.

“Leo, recovery is about changing our attitudes and behaviors. It is about moving from the life of a drunk to a person celebrating a spiritual awakening.

And this must involve the words we use. We all need to clean up our language. It is not okay to use racist, sexist and homophobic language. It is not okay to shame or embarrass another or ourselves.

Some words belong in the gutter. Let them remain there. In recovery we use the words of "Respect.”

As you recall, Imus jokingly used words that were both racist and sexist. To say that it was inappropriate is not strong enough; and the fact that rappers or comedians use such terms is no excuse. Wrong is wrong…period.

I believe this example has a message concerning Spiritual Language. If we truly seek to manifest recovery in every aspect of our life, it is not acceptable to be using the language of the gutter…in conversation or from the podium.

Recently I heard a speaker share his strength, hope and recovery; unfortunately his language was anything but spiritual. I counted the ‘f’ word twenty six times before I gave up counting. Many people were offended. Some discretely left. And, of course, there were some that found it funny.

Am I right to talk about a person in recovery taking responsibility for their language? I think so. Let’s face it, most of us have discovered that our recovery style is opposite to how we lived as alcoholics.

-I never made my bed as a drunk. Today I clean up my bedroom before I go to work.
-My car was a mess. Today I accept the discipline of cleaning my car each week.
-Rarely did I shave when I was drinking. Today I shave and trim my beard each morning.
-I was always late for a meeting. Everything was last minute. Today I take pride in my punctuality.
-My teeth were a mess when I got sober. Today I go to the dentist; I clean my teeth three times a day; oh yes, and I floss!

What language did we use when we drank? What language should I use today? Surely the opposite. It’s a variation on the idea, “I once was lost but now I’m found”; the recovery person says “I once cussed, but now I affirm.”

Don Imus got sober but he didn’t clean up his act. He didn’t always look sober and he often didn’t sound it. And he paid the price.

Maybe this is a message for all of us who still use sexist, racist and homophobic language; musical rappers and comedians are not alone in being asked to clean up their side of the street!

Reverend Leo Booth is a Unity minister, a published author and conference speaker. He is the Spiritual Advisor to Sante Center for Healing in Argyle, TX. For more information, please visit his website: www.fatherleo.com. Email him at fatherleo@fatherleo.com.