Andy F

The fundamentalists and the Big Book Thumpers in AA are free to interpret the Big Book in any way that works for them. That is absolutely fine, so long as they don't try to shove their particular brand of AA down the throats of those who are not interested. Following a recent dialogue with the General Service Office (GSO) of AA in New York, I was informed that the AA program is completely open to personal interpretation. I assume that this includes the AA Big Book. That, too, is open to personal interpretation. The last time I looked, AA was still a pure democracy. You take what you need and leave the rest. The AA conference is mindful that for AA to survive, it had to reassess its position on the use of the word "God" as the only higher power that works. See the link to the "God" word pamphlet. https://www.aa.org/god-word-agnostic-and-atheist-members-aa You tell me that I have not answered your questions/ Why on Earth would I want to do that when I don't want what you have? I am 27 years sober with contented sobriety. I sponsor 5 guys who also identify as atheists, agnostics, and freethinkers. We study the literature. I always tell them they will recover if they make AA their higher power. I remind them that pertinent idea C says, "God could and would if he were SOUGHT". It doesn't say found! As long as the alcoholic remains a spiritual seeker and remains true to himself, he will stay sober and recreate his life. pertinent idea B says, "No human power could relieve our alcoholism." Can you call the collective power of alcoholics in AA a human power? No, collectively. This Group Of Drunks. is definitely a power greater than the individual alcoholic. Relax, guys; we atheists, agnostics, and freethinkers have got it all in hand. Many have not had a drink in years and are happy, joyous and free. In response to that, I suppose you are now going to tell me that "I can't be a REAL alcoholic if I don't believe in God". In all my years in AA, I have never heard such a deluded and psychotic statement from the fundamentalist camp in AA. You guys keep doing what you do if it keeps you sober, and we will keep doing what we do to keep us sober. "LIVE AND LET LIVE" - Popular AA slogan displayed at almost every AA meeting worldwide.

Responsibility Is Our Theme "Newcomers are approaching AA at the rate of tens of thousands yearly. They represent almost every belief and attitude imaginable. We have atheists and agnostics. We have people of nearly every race, culture and religion. In AA we are supposed to be bound together in the kinship of a common suffering. Consequently, the full individual liberty to practice any creed or principle or therapy whatever should be a first consideration for us all. Let us not, therefore, pressure anyone with our individual or even our collective views. Let us instead accord each other the respect and love that is due to every human being as he tries to make his way toward the light. Let us always try to be inclusive rather than exclusive; let us remember that each alcoholic among us is a member of AA, so long as he or she so declares". Bill W. Copyright © AA Grapevine, Inc. (July 1965) " This was the great contribution of our atheists and agnostics. They had widened our gateway so that all who suffer might pass through, regardless of belief or lack of belief." Bill W. I rest my case Have a great Weekend

You are in violation of the third tradition with that kind of rhetoric It has nothing whatever to do with the all-inclusive ethos of Alcoholics Anonymous. Guys like you should be ashamed. You are destroying the unity of AA which has always been the lifeblood of the fellowship. You chose to interpret the AA literature in a way that suits your fear-driven fundamentalist agendas. There is room in AA for every alcoholic irrespective of their belief of lack of belief. What happened to "Live ad Let live"? Utterly pathetic mate! You need to take inventory again to question the authenticity of your spiritual values!

It's not rare at all mate. Atheists like Jim Burwell have been around from AA's very beginning. Since then,Secular AA has become a force to be reckoned with https://www.aasecular.org/

Thank you brother. Point taken. Good luck with your recovery 🙏🌹🙏

Dear Friends In the Chapter on Step 4 in the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, Bill W, the co-founder of AA, makes the following statement about alcoholics in relationships: "The primary fact we fail to recognize is our total inability to form a true partnership with another human being." (p. 53) Could it be true? I hope you enjoy the blog I wrote about it. https://aaforagnostics.com/blog/recovering-alcoholics-in-relationships/ Recovering alcoholics in relationships.lnk Disclaimer The content of this blog is an AA member's personal experience. It does not necessarily represent the ideas, beliefs, or practices of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Thank you for your comments 💟 I agree wholeheartedly. Religious fundamentalism in AA is seriously undermining the unity of the fellowship 🙏

Dear friends, I have written a short book about the dangers of hardcore religious fundamentalism in AA. Although in the minority, there are also cult-like splinter groups that can also be damaging to the sometimes vulnerable newcomer. The book is available as a FREE PDF copy here: https://aaforagnostics.com/ Disclaimer The content of this blog is an AA member's personal experience. It does not necessarily represent the ideas, beliefs, or practices of Alcoholics Anonymous

Jim B, AA's first atheist, convinced Bill to make changes to steps three and eleven in AA's twelve steps We owe the clause "as we understand him" to Jim. Also, Jim got Bill to include the word "suggested" In chapter 5 of the Big Book. "Here are the steps we took which are 'suggested' as a program of recovery." AA is all-inclusive. There is room in AA for all alcoholics seeking a solution to their drinking problem. Atheists, Agnostics, and Freethinkers are just as welcome as those members who believe in God. Have a great 24 hours, everyone!

Dear friends, A big part of my pattern as an active alcoholic was the "geographical cure." I was in full flight from myself and reality. I hope you like the blog I wrote about it. https://aaforagnostics.com/blog/the-geographical-cure/ Disclaimer The content of this blog is a personal experience of recovery from alcoholism. The ideas expressed here do not necessarily reflect the beliefs held by AA as a whole

Atheist, agnostic or freethinker in AA? Free online conference of Secular AA 7 - 8th of October 2023 Please pass it on ????????????

Dear friends. Do some alcoholics in AA also suffer from Narcissistic Personality Disorder? It can end very badly if you ask one to be your sponsor. https://aaforagnostics.com/blog/twelve-step-sponsors-and-narcissism/ Disclaimer The content of this blog is an AA member's personal experience. It is in no way representative of Alcoholics Anonymous

Look, I don't want what you have, so I'm stepping off this conversation. ????

You're interpretation of the AA program is so literal that it takes all the spirituality out of it. My interpretation of honesty, open-mindedess and willingness is spot on because it's based on my own personal experience and has led me to 26 years of content sobriety. With your rigid and anal interpretation of the AA program, I certainly don't want what you have. I've never seen a positive side to your character. You neurotically stick to your interpretation of the program. I bet that in your addiction to rigid control, you never smile or have a good laugh about anything. You are terminally serious and miserable in your rigid fundamentalism. It has all the hallmarks of a dry drunk!

In AA we speak the language of the heart. Stop being so anal about recovery!