This is the 10th anniversary 3rd printing of Beyond Belief (2023), 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 continue 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 profession, I have 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 this 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.
Clean and sober since 1976, Joe C is a songwriter, radio host, podcaster and a feature writer for music, financial and recovery-lifestyle periodicals. A member of NAADAC (Association for Addiction Professionals), Joe is a speaker and workshop facilitator for behavioral health professionals and the general recovery community. Topics include addiction/recovery culture, history, trends and demographics. Writing credits include: TheFix.com, Renew Magazine, In Recovery Magazine, Pacific Standard & AA-agnostica. Music/radio activity includes hosting the SiriusXM Satellite Radio weekly IndieCan Radio (www.indiecan.com) and Rebellion Dogs Radio (a 21st century look at 12-Step Life).
