He has been a regular contributor to the aaagnostica website for almost 5 years, and in january, 2015, published key players in aa history in 20, he cofounded the. Read the book alcoholics anonymous from the frontispiece through the end of chapter 11 a vision for you pg 164. Jul 17, 2019 the book alcoholics anonymous, affectionately known by members as the big book, is the textbook for the original 12step recovery program now known by the same name. Please be sure to read appendix ii on spiritual experience. This is the official website of the general service office g.
Home read the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions alcoholics anonymous alcoholics anonymous this is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. Spirituality, it states, we find that no one need have difficulty with the spirituality of the program. Alcoholics anonymous big booklarge printb16 paperback published june 1st 1991 by alcoholics anonymous world services paperback, 573 pages. Each alcoholics anonymous group ought to be a spiritual entity having but one primary purposethat of carrying its message to the alcoholic who still suffers. The fraud that is aa fundamentalism aa beyond belief. Parkhurst at honors dealers, 17 william st, newark, new jersey.
Download the complete, onscreen version of the big book concordance for viewing with adobe acrobat reader. Oct, 2016 alcoholics anonymous officially recognized atheist and agnostic membership in the october edition of grapevine, the international journal of alcoholics anonymous. An appendix was added after the first printing of the book to clarify that the. The big book alcoholics anonymous changes to the first edition 1 st edition 1 printing title states one hundred men. Sober for thirty years, by jim b author of big book story. Editions of alcoholics anonymous by alcoholics anonymous.
It is the basic text of the fellowship of alcoholics anonymous, and has helped large numbers of alcoholic men and women, young and old, recover. As an atheist is there a way to call on a higher power for. The free version features the full text of the big book, prayers, personal stories, podcasts, meeting finder, and more. The core of the narcotics anonymous recovery program is a series of personal activities known as the twelve steps, closely adapted from alcoholics anonymous 3. With the appearance of the new book a great deal began to happen. The book is published by alcoholics anonymous world services. Sorting and rendering passages in the proprietary format of the 164 and more concordance does not in any way imply affiliation with or endorsement by either alcoholics anonymous. In the big book, aas cofounder, bill wilson, talks of god but not. This captivating book provides a wide view of the world of agnostic atheist aa. By the very act of critiquing chapter 4, we agnostics, i admittedly commit aa heresy.
Many members believe in some sort of god and we have. To one who feels he is an atheist or agnostic such an experience. To one who feels he is an atheist or agnostic such an experience seems impossible, but to continue as he is means disaster, especially if he is an alcoholic of the hopeless variety. Since the first edition appeared, in 1939, it has helped millions of men and women recover from alcoholism. P86 the god world agnostic and atheist members in a. I went to aa after getting out of rehab and struggled with this a bit. The original alcoholics anonymous manuscript complete with the famed 12 steps on how to stop tippling the booze shows the groups founder. An atheists guide to alcoholics anonymous presents the key elements of recovery from alcoholism some of which are detailed in the 12 steps in a refreshing and nonreligious manner and is helpful to atheists, agnostics and everyone else in recovery in the fellowship of alcoholics anonymous.
We agnostics before the meeting begins, select a reader for appendix ii, spiritual experience, found on page 569 of the third edition of the big book. For the serious student of the aa big book, what follows are some recommendations from the author of this study guide in the approach to take when utilizing this supplemental material. This is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. Alcoholics anonymous, from the title of its own book. The name alcoholics anonymous was then adopted for the basic text. Hank p, whose big book story is the unbeliever, started aa in new jersey. Arguably, a great number of people associate religion with religious.
I have been a member of aa off and on for more nearly 30 years. Religion in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. Its only membership requirement is a desire to stop drinking. Chapter 4 of the big book of alcoholics anonymous, 2nd edition. There have been numerous reprints and revisions, in addition to translations into dozens of languages. Higher power is a term used in alcoholics anonymous aa and other twelvestep programs. The aa program of recovery is set forth in the twelve steps aa was founded in 1935 in akron, ohio. Atheist in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism, is a collection of texts used by members of the alcoholics anonymous fellowship the book has undergone four revisions since william wilson, also known as bill w. Problems of money, property, and authority may easily divert us from our primary spiritual aim.
Jacket spine and front flap do not have a print number. Alcoholics anonymous which we in aa affectionately call the big book. It saves through leading us to the may the lord bless you and your families. Alcoholics anonymous founder struggled to write famed book. The publication began in 1944, just five years after the founding of aa. Adam walks us through an alternative to aas judeochristian dogma and focuses on the humanistic secular principles of aa.
Assessments were conducted at intake and in 3month intervals using the form 90, religious behaviors and background, and the alcoholics anonymous inventory. The only discussion of spiritual in the big book is appendix ii. Appendix of the big book of alcoholics anonymous, 2nd edition. In 72 years of publishing, grapevine has never devoted an issue to atheist and agnostic membersuntil now. The big book the main 164 pages, prayers, personal stories, and more. Its main objective is to help the alcoholic find a power greater than himself that will solve his problem, the problem being an inability to stay sober on his or her own. In spite of the strong emphasis in aa on spiritual beliefs and practices, findings are mixed about the importance. We then open the meeting to group discussion on the weekly topic. The book alcoholics anonymous, affectionately known by members as the big book, is the textbook for the original 12step recovery program now known by the same name. We are indeed a group of people who would not normally mix alcoholics anonymous p. Printing a single copy of this item is permitted, in accordance with the a. Alcoholics anonymous aa is an international mutual aid fellowship with the stated purpose of enabling its members to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety. An appendix was added after the first printing of the. The god word agnostic and atheist members in aa aa is not a religious organization.
It includes a secular and nonsexist version of the first 164 pages of the big book bringing a 78 year old text into the 21st century. Oct 12, 2017 one of many good places to begin is in alcoholics anonymous aka the big book, specifically chapter 4, we agnostics. The process for creating our book, alcoholics anonymous. The second edition 1955 consisted of 1,150,000 copies.
Words contained within the first 164 pages of the big book. Copyright alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. Hate to say but i think the people who wrote the article drank the coolaidi do appreciate the forum to discuss the big book and i love alcoholics anonymous. Not without a struggle however, which he shares in his book. We agnostics i n the precedingchapters you have learned something of alcoholism. It is fully searchable and printable, formatted for screen viewing download size about 477k. Books that are helpful to atheists, agnostics and freethinkers in recovery from. The terms spiritual experience and spiritual awakening are used many times in this book which, upon careful reading, shows that the personality change sufficient to bring about recovery from alcoholism has manifested itself among us in many different forms.
Spiritual experience the terms spiritual experience and spiritual awakening are used many times in this book which, upon careful reading, shows that the personality change sufficient to bring about recovery from alcoholism has manifested itself among us in many different forms. The big book of alcoholics anonymous, also referred to as alcoholics anonymous. Sep 17, 2014 posted by john s atheist big book study william paley 17431805 in order to correct a misunderstanding from the first printing of the big book, the second appendix was written to clarify that one need not have a sudden and dramatic spiritual awakening like bill w. Atheism, moral psychology, and the rejection of a personal. A secular sobriety will help alcoholics and addicts to understand the fellowship and program of alcoholics anonymous without having to accept anyone elses beliefs or having to deny their own. The big book was originally published in 1939 by aa founders bill w. To be doomed to an alcoholic death or to live on a spiritual basis are not always easy alternatives to face. How can an atheist succeed in alcoholics anonymous. Alcoholics anonymous big book 4th edition unknown binding january 1, 2009 by inc. As an atheist is there a way to call on a higher power for guidance so i may participate in a 12 step group like alcoholics anonymous. There is room in aa for people of all shades of belief and nonbelief. Sorting and rendering passages in the proprietary format of the 164 and more concordance does not in any way imply affiliation with or endorsement by either alcoholics. We hope we have made clear the distinction between the alcoholic and the nonalcoholic. The following verses from the book of james show specifically why and how to seek the wisdom of god.
May 26, 2019 alcoholics anonymous could easily find secular spirituality but it is too bound to the big books sacred 164 pages, the veneration of bills words, and the nearadoration of dr. Spiritual, not religious the hollow claim of alcoholics. God in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12 traditions. It is fully searchable and printable, formatted for. Aa is nonprofessional, selfsupporting, and apolitical. As the authors, arlys g and martha cleveland, so wonderfully put it in this pioneering work. Some of the old timers contend that bill wilson held orthodox views of god, did not mean to leave open belief in any god a person might choose, and would. Whether youre new to aa, or youre a seasoned veteran, this is the easiest and most useful app to aid in your recovery. Videos or graphic images may not be downloaded, copied or duplicated without the express written permission of alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. Twelve steps to spiritual awakening workshop 2019 revised 01012019 a twelvemonth workshop using the book alcoholics anonymous to those interested in participating in the weekly meetings for twelve months.
Alcoholics anonymous publishes several books, reports, pamphlets, and other media, including a periodical known as the aa grapevine. Bob stated, early members started their days be reading from the book of james, 1 corinthians, and jesus sermon on the mount matthew 57. God in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. Hence, he attributes sobriety, for most alcoholics, to a noticeable improvement in their lifes conditions rather than their faith in a higher power. See all 9 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. The big book of alcoholics anonymous, 2nd edition, chapter 1.
We read small sections of the book alcoholics anonymous big book and have a lead share on the reading. Alcoholics anonymous has only one requirement for membership and that is the desire to stop drinking. To read a pdf version of the fourth edition of alcoholics anonymous. Joe and charlie aa speakers there is a solution from the joe and charlie big book study duration.
Home read the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions. For me, going to outpatient rehab and being scared out of my mind helped. Alcoholics anonymous big book 4th edition aa world services, inc. Twelve steps to spiritual awakening workshop 2019 revised 01012019 assignment 3 step one. Twelve step workshop herbk 2017 updated 12122016 a twelve month workshop using the book alcoholics anonymous to those interested in participating in the weekly meetings for twelve months. Read and highlight the doctors opinion xxvxxxii in the big book alcoholics anonymous. If more is needed, these books would be a good start. A spritual pamplet with atheist stories would be nice to have.
Alcoholics anonymous could easily find secular spirituality but it is too bound to the big books sacred 164 pages, the veneration of bills words, and the nearadoration of dr. Is alcoholics anonymous religious, spiritual, neither. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism, is a collection of texts used by members of the alcoholics anonymous fellowship. Members of alcoholics anonymous begin the day with a prayer for strength and a short period of bible reading. The big book of alcoholics anonymous verywell mind. Alcoholics anonymous big book large printb16 paperback published june 1st 1991 by alcoholics anonymous world services paperback, 573 pages. The 164 and more book, ebook, and web site are all concordances which display passages from the big book alcoholics anonymous, the twelve steps and twelve traditions, and the a.
While i appreciate the intent of aa, the people in it, and the twelve steps, i found it useless. These steps include admitting there is a problem, seeking help, selfappraisal, confidential selfdisclosure, making amends where harm has been done, and working with other drug addicts. In the second edition of the big book 51, for example, an important statement was added as appendix ii. As of december 2009, 30,664,881 copies of the big book have been sold or otherwise distributed source aa gso ny.
In order to correct a misunderstanding from the first printing of the big book, the second appendix was written to clarify that one need not have a sudden and dramatic spiritual awakening like bill w. Dec 23, 2015 i went to aa after getting out of rehab and struggled with this a bit. Alcoholics anonymous the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions, the latter explaining aas fundamental principles in depth. Alcoholics anonymous officially recognized atheist and agnostic membership in the october edition of grapevine, the international journal of alcoholics anonymous. It is the basic text of the fellowship of alcoholics anonymous, and has helped large numbers of alcoholic men and women, young and old, recover as of december 2009, 30,664,881 copies of the big book have been sold or otherwise distributed source aa gso ny. Cofounder bill wilson began writing it in april 1938 at the business office of new york member hank p. How atheists in aa climb the twelve steps without a. We can learn the universal, generic pattern of lifes dance from the 12 steps. This is a study of interpretations of aa by people who were atheists and agnostics, or who stressed the psychological aspects of the program far more strongly than the spiritual aspects, or who gave workable and convincing sociological or other scientific explanations of why people got sober in aa, or who explained the program from a nontheistic standpoint such as buddhism. Atheists agnostics literature alcoholics anonymous. Another important book for atheists and agnostics in aa is the alternative 12 steps. The big book of alcoholics anonymous we agnostics youtube. Find all uses of this word in the big book alcoholics anonymous and the twelve.
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