Spiritual AND Religious: Sex, Church, and Recovery

Father Bill concludes his series of interviews with Stephen R. Haynes, professor of religious studies at Rhodes College and adjunct professor of recovery at Fuller Theological Seminary. Stephen’s new book Why Can’t the Church Be More Like an AA Meeting? explores the similarities and differences between communities of faith and communities of recovery. Stephen has traveled both worlds and shares insights and experiences gained along the way. This episode explores how churches and 12 Step fellowships approach sexual addictions or as Dr. Haynes terms it, “the pornification of society.” Show Notes: Why Can’t Church Be More Like an AA Meeting? by Stephen R. Haynes. Your Brain on Porn website: www.YourBrainOnPorn.com The statistics quoted from a study by Jennifer Johnson at Virginia Commonwealth University: (see page 183 of Stephen’s book) Johnson’s team found that 51%of college men in their study masturbated to pornography several times a week, 19%used it several times per month, and 13.5%were daily users.”

Om Podcasten

I’m an Episcopal (Anglican) priest in recovery from alcoholism since 1972. I've spent my career in addiction treatment focused on 12-Step spirituality and exploring the pioneer history of AA. In discovering the lost 11th Step practice of Two Way Prayer, my program underwent a life-changing transformation. As Bill Wilson said, “ something was lost from AA when we stopped emphasizing the morning meditation." My mission now is helping people in 12-Step Fellowships explore a deeper understanding of spiritual practice and how it connects us to the "Great Reality" within. -Fr. Bill W.