"Workingmyprogram" asks:
The klippa has us so confused - he makes us think we need to run to churches and goyim for help. We have the power of tefilla which is the strongest eitzah of all! Cry out to Hashem with genuine tears, and you will feel His closeness! Why all the running for 'keil zor' - strange gods?
"Grateful4life" answers:
With all due respect, I completely disagree with your hanacha/theory. Of course, I think davening to Hashem is the first thing every Yid needs to do but to imply that simply "crying out to Hashem with genuine tears and feeling His closeness" is the ultimate answer and that that 's all that addicts (only addicts need a 12-step program of "running to the goyim and to churches") need to do, is to belittle the struggle and addiction for many people. It will most likely not keep you sober LONG TERM. For those that are really entrenched, there are no quick fixes in reversing this addiction/temptation/desire/struggle/bad habit (whatever you wish to call it) and rewiring its effects on us. Every one of us (especially addicts) would run to take a miracle pill - physical or spiritual - that would cure us for good (instead of "running to the goyim"); however, this pill does not exist.
GYE has started a 12 step program/fellowship of live meetings for addicts in lieu of having to go to churches and working with goyim but it hasn't yet gained traction. As far as I know, there is only one such program in the USA and a couple in EY but that's all. Let's see how that evolves, and if you want to direct your intention of "not running to the goyim and churches," then let's focus and discuss how we can roll out this pilot program into a major program. But in the meantime, we'll have to use what we have on hand that's been tried and true until now.