A federal judge in West Virginia has ruled that the state corrections agency can’t force an incarcerated atheist and secular humanist to participate in religiously-affiliated programming to be eligible for parole.
A federal judge in West Virginia has ruled that the state corrections agency can’t force an incarcerated atheist and secular humanist to participate in religiously-affiliated programming to be eligible for parole.
The higher power portion of 12-step programs is not documented to be effective (and I think in the 21st century there are studies to show that effect.)
When someone only has access to 12-step programs for support, I point out they can still be useful given they work like a shotgun, using a scattered array of methods. You might still find a sponsor, or check in weekly, and find affirmations that help. Also, there might be snacks.
Even if you declare yourself openly atheist and disregarding the higher-power steps, the constraints on cross-talk should limit criticism of that. Granted, group meetings are subject to people being jerks. And prisons are rife with abuse of power, of which religious coercion is one kind.