%0 Journal Article %T The Critique of God’s Image in the Twelve-Step Associations %J Philosophy of Religion %I University of Tehran %Z 2008-7063 %A Valizadeh, Mohammad Mahdi %A Sharifidoost, Hamze %D 2021 %\ 09/23/2021 %V 18 %N 3 %P 295-317 %! The Critique of God’s Image in the Twelve-Step Associations %K Anonymous Associations %K God of twelve-step associations %K Twelve Steps %K Emerging spiritualties %K Narcotics Anonymous %R 10.22059/jpht.2021.311568.1005784 %X The twelve-step associations anonymous are one of the branches of therapeutic spirituality that attract and treat patients with behavioral or consumption addictions based on moral and spiritual principles. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the belief in God in these associations, as the type of image of God is considered the most central intellectual basis of mystical schools. Using a descriptive-critical method, the present study tried to explain scientifically the characteristics of belief in God from the perspective of these associations, delineate the inadequacy of the concept of God in them, compare it with Islam's monotheistic view of God, and explore its degree of alignment with Islamic teachings. It then examines the pathology and the intellectual and behavioral consequences of accepting this type of belief in God, and identifies the implicit goals of these associations. The findings of this study indicate that the associations’ belief in God has three main characteristics: it is a reduced concept of God that is deemed vague, limited, unable, and destructive to the beliefs and behaviors of individual. Such an image is not congruent with the eternal God of Islam. %U https://jpht.ut.ac.ir/article_82487_b9a60f05cda7cb02c8762527d8153e26.pdf