Prior to AA I had had contact with religion, but no spirituality or understanding of it. (I was a drunk.) As a drunk I had attended many different churches with many different congregations, in hopes of getting something right, but it made no sense to me. And of course, as a result of my lack of trust, of understanding and of faith, it didn't work for me. There was no end of frustration and despair, because I could see it working for others.

On coming to AA, and being told it was a spiritual program, my confusion was such that I finally asked a clever old man: "What is the difference between religion and spirituality?"

He said: "Bob, let's put your particular concept of the creator aside for a moment and compare the difference between religion and spirituality. The way I see it, religion is man made by man to suit the needs of man. Religion talks the talk, and spirituality walks the walk. In spirituality we honor the existence of all creation including ourself. In AA, as we practice the 12 Steps in all our affairs, we are walking the talk..."

Now that makes sense to me, now I can walk the talk of my religion.
It works, it really does!!!