Many of the texts we use in our various programs urge us to revisit again the religions we may have left during our addictions, or perhaps to explore new areas of religious belief. By the time we begin to practice Steps 10, 11 and 12 with effort and commitment, many of us have rediscovered religious faith.

It seems hard that dedicated practice of the last three Steps should raise doubts about our religious beliefs, but for some of us this is a necessary development. Perhaps we discover through our practice of Steps 10, 11 and 12 a new identity with all people on the earth, maybe even with all living things. If the religion we also practice chooses to discriminate between its adherents and non-believers, then we find we must choose between our all-embracing spiritual life and the narrower view of our religious faith. If our religion teaches us that we are better than other men and women while our daily spiritual practice convinces us of our fellowship with those very people, then we must choose between our religion and our spirituality.

To repeat: This can be one of the hardest things we must face as we develop our conscious contact with the God we are beginning to understand in an entirely new way. If our religious beliefs cannot encompass what we know to be true spiritually, then we have to take action on the matter, however painful that may be.