Spiritual Support for Addiction Recovery

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All religions are listed in alphabetical order. This page is only the briefest of summation of what spiritual support there is out there. For a more detailed list, or specific information on any faith or philosophy please feel free to reach out to our team and if we cannot answer your questions we will refer you to someone who can. 

 Buddhism is a major world religion and philosophy originating in ancient India (6th-5th century BCE) based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha. Focused on alleviating suffering (dukkha), it promotes ethical living, mindfulness, and meditation to achieve enlightenment (nirvana), ending the cycle of rebirth

Core Tenets and Beliefs

• The Four Noble Truths: The truth of suffering, its cause (craving), its end, and the path to its end.
• The Eightfold Path: The "Middle Way" to enlightenment, including right understanding, thought, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration.
• Karma & Rebirth: Belief that intentional actions (good or bad) determine the nature of future rebirths.
• Goal: To attain Nirvana—a state of liberation from the cycle of suffering and rebirth (samsara).
• The Three Jewels: Buddhists take refuge in the Buddha (the teacher), the Dharma (the teachings), and the Sangha (the community). 

For a list of Buddhist temples please see the link below 

https://www.google.com/search?q=buddhist+temple+calgary&rlz=1C1CHBF_enCA965CA965&oq=buddhist+temp&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqDQgBEAAYkQIYgAQYigUyEAgAEAAYgwEYsQMYyQMYgAQyDQgBEAAYkQIYgAQYigUyBwgCEAAYgAQyBggDEEUYOTIHCAQQABiABDINCAUQLhivARjHARiABDIHCAYQABiABDIHCAcQABiABDIHCAgQABiABDIHCAkQABiPAtIBCDQyODZqMGo0qAIAsAIB&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

As there are so many denominations of Christianity we have only listed a few. For more information  please feel free to reach out to our team! Click the link below each description for a list of churches of that denomination,

Catholic

• The Trinity and Salvation: Catholics believe in one God in three persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) and that salvation is achieved through faith in Jesus Christ, maintained by good works and grace, typically through the Church.
• The Sacraments: Seven Sacraments—Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance (Confession), Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony—are essential channels of God's grace.
• The Eucharist: Through consecration, bread and wine become the actual body and blood of Christ.
• The Church Hierarchy: Led by the Pope, bishops are seen as successors to the apostles.
• Mary and the Saints: Catholics venerate Mary and the saints, asking for their intercession, and recognize Mary as the Mother of God.
• https://www.google.com/search?q=catholic+churches&rlz=1C1CHBF_enCA965CA965&sca_esv=0cd8414acae759f0&biw=1920&bih=919&sxsrf=ANbL-n4R67VvJTM6r3XebcckZix1FS9Vqw%3A1777816071235&ei=B1L3aeyGDta-0PEPnYHf0Q4&ved=0ahUKEwisppv7oJ2UAxVWHzQIHZ3AN-oQ4dUDCBE&uact=5&oq=catholic+churches&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiEWNhdGhvbGljIGNodXJjaGVzMg4QABiABBiKBRiRAhiSAzIIEAAYgAQYkgMyDhAAGIAEGIoFGJECGMkDMgsQABiABBiKBRiRAjIFEAAYgAQyBRAAGIAEMgUQABiABDIFEAAYgAQyBRAAGIAEMgUQABiABEjbSlD5EliDRXABeAGQAQCYAXegAcgJqgEDNC44uAEDyAEA-AEBmAIMoAKJC8ICChAAGEcY1gQYsAPCAg0QABiABBiKBRhDGLADwgIKECMYgAQYigUYJ8ICChAAGIAEGIoFGEPCAgsQABiABBixAxjJA8ICCxAAGIAEGIoFGJIDwgIUEAAYgAQYigUYkQIYsQMYgwEYyQPCAg4QABiABBiKBRiRAhixA8ICCBAAGIAEGLEDwgIOEC4YgAQYkgMYxwEYrwHCAgsQLhiABBiKBRiRAsICCxAuGIAEGMcBGK8BmAMAiAYBkAYKkgcEMi4xMKAHvnGyBwQxLjEwuAfqCsIHBTMtNi42yAf7AYAIAQ&sclient=gws-wiz-serp

Protestant

• Origins: Initiated in Europe in the 16th century by figures like Martin Luther and John Calvin, with the term arising from a 1529 protest against the restriction of religious choices in Germany.
• Core Beliefs: Protestantism holds that the Bible is the sole infallible source of authority and that salvation is a free gift of God's grace, not earned through good works.
• Practices: Most Protestant denominations recognize only two sacraments—baptism and Holy Communion—rather than the seven in Catholicism.
• Structure: It is highly decentralized, consisting of diverse denominations (Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, Baptist, Pentecostal) rather than a single governing body
• https://www.google.com/search?q=protestant+church&sca_esv=3b7d4b981d3fa8bd&rlz=1C1CHBF_enCA965CA965&sxsrf=ANbL-n5mvV96Bu5vOnP6Uq2DB7ywTSVbNQ%3A1777816587953&ei=C1T3aczpOeGn0PEPnYyP2A4&biw=1920&bih=919&oq=protestant&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiCnByb3Rlc3RhbnQqAggBMgoQABhHGNYEGLADMg0QABhHGNYEGMkDGLADMgoQABhHGNYEGLADMgoQABhHGNYEGLADMgoQABhHGNYEGLADMgoQABhHGNYEGLADMgoQABhHGNYEGLADMg4QABiABBiKBRiSAxiwAzINEAAYgAQYigUYQxiwAzINEAAYgAQYigUYQxiwA0ibFlAAWABwAXgBkAEAmAEAoAEAqgEAuAEByAEAmAIBoAIWmAMAiAYBkAYKkgcBMaAHALIHALgHAMIHAzMtMcgHEYAIAQ&sclient=gws-wiz-serp

As the traditionally people inhabiting the lands on which we reside, we feel it would be wrong to not do our best to connect people from First Nations to the resources that help them connect back to their culture. While we do not have every Nation listed we have done our best to build a network of elders for various first nations tribes to connect people to their heritage.  If you do not see the nation listed, please feel free to reach out to our team and we will do our best to connect you to the resources you require.

https://www.calgarylibrary.ca/connect/indigenous-services/elders-guidance-circle/elders

 Islam is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the Quran, which followers believe is the final word of God (Allah) revealed to the Prophet Muhammad in 7th-century Arabia. With over 2 billion adherents, it is the world’s second-largest religion, emphasizing submission to God, strict monotheism, and ethical living. Core Beliefs and Practices

• The Six Articles of Faith: Belief in one Allah, angels, revealed books (including the Quran, Torah, and Gospel), prophets (including Adam, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus), the Day of Judgment, and predestination.
• The Five Pillars of Islam:
  • Shahada: Declaring faith that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His messenger.
  • Salat: Performing prayer five times daily.
  • Zakat: Giving to charity.
  • Sawm: Fasting during the month of Ramadan.
  • Hajj: Making a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime.
• Holy Texts: The Quran is the primary scripture, supplemented by the Sunnah (the practices and examples of Muhammad). 

Origins and Spread

• Prophet Muhammad: Born in Mecca around 570 CE, he began receiving revelations in 610 CE at age 40, which he preached to create a just society under one God.
• History: The faith spread rapidly across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia following Muhammad's death in 632 CE, led by caliphs.
• Divisions: Early disagreements over leadership resulted in the main branches of Sunni and Shia Muslims
• https://www.google.com/search?q=islamic+mosques&rlz=1C1CHBF_enCA965CA965&sca_esv=3b7d4b981d3fa8bd&biw=1920&bih=919&sxsrf=ANbL-n7KZjPTdli6-2Mmd2d7_Ii89xNIWg%3A1777816767545&ei=v1T3aa32INDg0PEPr8W3sQI&ved=0ahUKEwjt0Z7Ho52UAxVQMDQIHa_iLSYQ4dUDCBE&uact=5&oq=islamic+mosques&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiD2lzbGFtaWMgbW9zcXVlczILEAAYgAQYigUYkQIyBRAAGIAEMgUQABiABDIFEAAYgAQyBRAAGIAEMgYQABgWGB4yBhAAGBYYHjIGEAAYFhgeMgYQABgWGB4yCxAAGIAEGIoFGIYDSIsfUI4LWI4dcAF4AZABAJgBggGgAasIqgEDNC42uAEDyAEA-AEBmAILoAKBCsICChAAGEcY1gQYsAPCAg0QABiABBiKBRhDGLADwgILEAAYgAQYsQMYgwHCAggQABiABBixA8ICCxAuGIAEGMcBGK8BwgIOEAAYgAQYigUYkQIYsQOYAwCIBgGQBgqSBwQxLjEwoAeQQrIHBDAuMTC4B-YJwgcFMy03LjTIB7EBgAgB&sclient=gws-wiz-serp

 Judaism is an ancient, monotheistic, and ethnic religion that serves as the foundation for Jewish culture, law, and traditions. It is a comprehensive way of life centered on a covenant between God and the Jewish people, guided by the Torah and rabbinic traditions, with about 14.8 million followers in 2025. 

Core Beliefs and Texts

• Monotheism: Belief in one, indivisible God.
• The Torah: The first five books of the Hebrew Bible are the foundation, focusing on commandments (mitzvot) given to Moses at Mount Sinai.
• Covenant: Judaism highlights the special relationship between God, the Jewish people, and the Land of Israel.
• Key Texts: Beyond the Torah, Jewish law is developed in the Talmud and interpreted through centuries of scholarship. 

Key Aspects of Jewish Life

• Shabbat: A day of rest and reflection, running from Friday sundown to Saturday nightfall.
• Synagogue: A place of worship and community, with services often in Hebrew.
• Dietary Laws: Many follow kashrut (kosher), which dictates what foods can be eaten and how they are prepared.
• Life Events: Key milestones include brit milah (circumcision), bar/bat mitzvah (becoming an adult, usually at 12 or 13), and marriage. 

Major Movements

• Orthodox Judaism: Adheres to a strict interpretation of Jewish law (Halakha) as unchangeable.
• Conservative Judaism: Follows traditional law but views it as evolving.
• Reform & Reconstructionist Judaism: View Jewish law as guidelines, offering more personal choice in practice. 

History and Identity

• Origins: Founded in the Middle East over 3,500 years ago.

https://www.google.com/search?q=synagogue+calgary&rlz=1C1CHBF_enCA965CA965&sca_esv=3b7d4b981d3fa8bd&biw=1920&bih=919&sxsrf=ANbL-n7uT-N93zzDb-TfmaYBwK17LuYESQ%3A1777817132011&ei=LFb3abYptp_Q8Q_fl4GYDQ&llpgabe=CggvbS8wMXIzMg&oq=Synagogue&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiCVN5bmFnb2d1ZSoCCAAyDRAAGEcY1gQYkgMYsAMyChAAGEcY1gQYsAMyDRAAGEcY1gQYyQMYsAMyChAAGEcY1gQYsAMyChAAGEcY1gQYsAMyChAAGEcY1gQYsAMyChAAGEcY1gQYsAMyChAAGEcY1gQYsAMyDhAAGIAEGIoFGJIDGLADMg0QABiABBiKBRhDGLADSJcNUABYAHABeAGQAQCYAQCgAQCqAQC4AQHIAQCYAgGgAhaYAwCIBgGQBgqSBwExoAcAsgcAuAcAwgcDMy0xyAcSgAgB&sclient=gws-wiz-serp