That should depend on your religion, lack of religion, or philosophical beliefs, etc. You get to decide that for yourself!
Atheists do not believe they are children of god—they don’t even believe in the existence of a god. Many find it objectionable that anyone should feel the right to pray for them because they don’t have the same beliefs.
An atheist loves his fellow man instead of god. An atheist believes that heaven is something for which we should work now – here on earth for all men together to enjoy. An atheist believes that only in a knowledge of himself and a knowledge of his fellow man can he find the understanding that will help to a life of fulfillment.
He seeks to know himself and his fellow man rather than to know a god. An atheist believes that a hospital should be built instead of a church. He believes that we cannot rely on a god or channel action into prayer nor hope for an end of troubles in a hereafter. He believes that we are our brother’s keepers and are keepers of our own lives.
Others believe that on this earth, we are children of men, born of women. A claim to a ‘heavenly’ connection—to be a child of a ‘heavenly father,’ is based on belief.
Claiming to be a Child of God is a personal belief and needs to be an individual’s own decision.
The AA founders did not seem to make that claim for others either.
Our Basic Text, Pg 62: Reminds us that, “…WE DECIDED that hereafter in this drama of life, …. He is the father and we are his children.” This portion of the text helps introduce us to Step Three on the next page.
On page 28, after mentioning William James and his “Varieties of Religious Experience,” the Basic Text says, “…all of us, whatever our race, creed, or color are the children of a living Creator with whom we may form a relationship…”
This seems to have a different meaning than assuming everyone is a ‘child of God’ also. It implies a wider perspective on the spiritual aspect—that there is a Higher Power/Creator of this universe and under this wide open understanding, we are all created equally and have equal status in A.A. We also have equality in pursuing a relationship with our HP as we choose.
My personal opinion: I am uncomfortable hearing one person claim this decision for anyone else. I frequently hear this in meetings, “We are all children of God.” How would they know that? No one has a right to ASSUME that or make that choice for another adult. I have made my own choice for me–I have fully accepted being a child of an omnipotent and universal being(s), and want to have Him/Her/It guide my life on a daily basis. But I am not qualified to make that decision for anyone sitting in an AA meeting or anywhere else.
