Its oh my god, its a big book thumper and hes thumping my way. The big book of alcoholics anonymous we agnostics youtube. We agnostics i n the precedingchapters you have learned something of alcoholism. Educated agnostic pages 3556 in the first edition big book. Then why does the chaptor we agnostics insinuate were all agnostic till we find out who god is in our lives and we have to have a spiritual awakening.
The big book was originally published in 1939 by aa founders bill w. A history of agnostic groups in aa william white papers. There have been numerous reprints and revisions, in addition to translations into dozens of languages. This is the third time we have been referred to appendix ii spiritual experience. Atheist in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. We hope we have made clear the distinction between the alcoholic and the nonalcoholic. May 21, 2008 this has left historians and aa members divided over some important questions. Alcoholics anonymousthe big book has served as a lifeline to millions worldwide. The 12 promises of aa begin on page 83 of the fourth edition of the big book. We agnostics aa big book chapter 4 aa big book big book of aa alcoholics anonymous doctors opinion how it works aa preamble alcoholism recovery 4th edition 3rd edition 2nd edition alcohol allergy rehabilitation of alcoholics dr. The publication began in 1944, just five years after the founding of aa. In the preceding chapters you have learned something of alcoholism. The fourth edition includes twentyfour new stories that provide contemporary sharing for newcomers seeking recovery from alcoholism in a. It sounds like they are trying to convert me to something.
Please be sure to read appendix ii about the spiritual experience. Regular meetings of the we agnostics of new york city aa group were soon in full. The big book of alcoholics anonymous, also referred to as alcoholics anonymous. A history of agnostics in aa is a perfect blend of two essential parts for a book of this sort. That was a time when a handful of alcoholics discovered a solution to their seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. It is not and was never intended to be the final word on the subject of alcoholism, nor was it to be used like a law book to win an argument. Whether youre new to aa, or youre a seasoned veteran, this is the easiest and most useful app to aid in your recovery.
The big book the main 164 pages, prayers, personal stories, and more. Chapter 4 we agnostics page 40 for either case, atheist or agnostic, we are going to have to find some way to have this spiritual experience, and to use this power greater than human power. Our meetings are more secular than most, providing a supportive environment for anyone with a desire to stop drinking regardless of their religious or spiritual beliefs, or lack of belief. Its one of the 20th centurys most significant books and early copies are treasured by numerous collectors. Nov 21, 2014 in the preceding chapters of our alcoholics anonymous aa book, you have learned something of alcoholism. Alcoholics anonymousthe big bookhas served as a lifeline to millions worldwide. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism generally known as the big book because of the thickness of the paper used in the first edition is a 1939 basic text, describing how to recover from alcoholism, primarily written by william g. It is common knowledge that aa and therefore the entire twelve step movement. This is the official website of the general service office g. This book is an inspiration for those uncomfortable with the god bit in 12 step recovery meetings and fellowships. Oct, 2016 alcoholics anonymous officially recognized atheist and agnostic membership in the october edition of grapevine, the international journal of alcoholics anonymous. This is the second edition of the book alcoholics anonymous, which made its first appearance in april 1939. Is this the christian god, or can we really take this to mean a god of our own understanding. Its just not a requirement to read from conference approved books.
It is named, of course, after a chapter in alcoholics anonymous often called the big book. For many of us that seems to be an impossible task. 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. Its only a text from 1939 and a treasured relic that reminds us of our roots.
Apr 07, 2017 this book is an inspiration for those uncomfortable with the god bit in 12 step recovery meetings and fellowships. Aa beyond belief provides a space for agnostics, atheists and freethinkers in alcoholics. One of many good places to begin is in alcoholics anonymous aka the big book, specifically chapter 4, we agnostics. In 72 years of publishing, grapevine has never devoted an issue to atheist and agnostic membersuntil now. T he alcoholics anonymous big book is not just the most influential self help book ever published. One can experience god one way today, and a new way tomorrow. In earlier meetings we have read from the big book and the twelve steps and twelve traditions and if the group wants to read from them again, thats fine with me.
The free version features the full text of the big book, prayers, personal stories, podcasts, meeting finder, and more. No religion no prayerjust warm friendly folks like you gathering together for support and sobriety. By the very act of critiquing chapter 4, we agnostics, i admittedly commit aa heresy. In the big book, as the text alcoholics anonymous is known, we read the written words of the first 100 men and women of aa as they were put in the way of a spiritual awakening. Words contained within the first 164 pages of the big book. Essential readings for the nonbeliever by christopher hitchens, the god delusion by richard dawkins. Its main object is to enable you to find a power greater than yourself which will solve your problem.
A perspective on we agnostics chapter 4 of the big book. Home read the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions. A personal story on page 407 called acceptance was the answer is also wellknown among aa membership. Quad a alcoholics anonymous for atheists and agnostics was launched in 1975 in chicago. We, of alcoholics anonymous, are more than one hundred men and woman who have re. If, when you honestly want to, you find you cannot quit entirely, or if when drinking, you have little control over the amount you take, you are. There has been a series of reprints and revisions, as well as. Search the alcoholics anonymous big book for phrases, key words, etc. In its chapter, we agnostics, the big book outlines its attitude toward spiritual and religious matters. Aa speakers joe and charlie we agnostics the big book.
This misconception extends to 12based treatment centers, who are accused of brainwashing their patients rather than treating a disease. Silkworth aa big book aa anonymity statement anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions. Chapter 4 we agnostics page 41 notice the asterisk at the bottom of the page. Reading guide for we agnostics amethyst recovery center. Insofar as i may be heard by anything, which may or may not care what i say, i ask, if it matters, that i be forgiven for anything i may have done or failed to do which requires forgiveness. Big book alcoholics anonymous chapter 4 we agnostics pages 44 57. We can read whatever we want and still be an aa group. Joe and charlie aa speakers there is a solution from the joe and charlie big book study duration. The forward to printings of the aa big book, preceding the third edition, provide the reader with a sense of the changes that have occurred, since the beginning of aa. Preface to the aa big book fm qual mp3 14mb chapter 1 bills story fm qual mp3 12. First published in 1939, alcoholics anonymous sets forth cornerstone concepts of recovery from alcoholism and tells the stories of men and women who have overcome the disease.
The first edition appeared in april 1939, and in the following sixteen years, more than 300,000 copies went into circulation. According to the big book, when we speak of god, what do we mean. We should be interested in whats new and we should be reaching out to others. How could there possibly be a god when there are so many starving people and wars where everybody says god is on their side. Although these books are not written specifically for the agnostic, they use nonjudgemental direct language and are higherpower neutral. Buy alcoholics anonymous big book 4rev ed by alcoholics anonymous world services, inc.
To one who feels he is an atheist or agnostic such an experience. The second edition 1955 consisted of 1,150,000 copies. That was great news to us, for we had assumed we could not. The big book was originally published in 1939 by bill w. In doing so, the big book also presents a method by which readers can investigate theological questions for themselves.
If, when you honestly want to, you find you cannot quit entirely, or if when drinking, you have little control over the amount you. And it means, of course, that we are going to talk about god. Three very important sentences for me in this respect are on p. Wilson, one of the founders of alcoholics anonymous aa. Aa beyond belief provides a space for agnostics, atheists and freethinkers in alcoholics anonymous to freely share their experience, strength and hope with each other and aa as a whole. We agnostics chapter of the big book religious forums. Copyright alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. Chapter 4 of the big book, we agnostics, in which bill w argues. Together they founded the alcoholics anonymous aa fellowship.
They are not aa approved, but are aa permitted to use and adapt the aa 12 step program. Nicknamed the big book by the early aa members for its thick paper and wide margins, the books history began in 1934 when bill wilson, an alcoholic stockbroker who had found sobriety. This ebook is not a product of alcoholics anonymous. His is the fourth edition of the book alcoholics anonymous. The evolution has sped up a bit and today i no longer see the big book alcoholics anonymous as central to my recovery. How can we find the power that will solve our problem. Chapter 4 we agnostics this chapter explains the atheist and the believer. A guide to collecting alcoholics anonymous big book. Chapter 4 of the big book is titled we agnostics and explores the meaning of a higher. Agnostic in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. What about those sanctimonious church goers who judge me for. Popular agnosticism books meet your next favorite book. It is my hope that you will find this site useful to you and our friends of bill w. Sep 07, 2017 quad a alcoholics anonymous for atheists and agnostics was launched in 1975 in chicago.
Drs opinion 4th edition p xxv bills story chapter 1 p 1 16 there is a solution chapter 2 p 16 30 more about alcoholism chapter 3 p 30 43 we agnostics chapter 4 p 44 57 how it works chapter 5 p 58 71 into action continue reading big book of alcoholics anonymous. Videos or graphic images may not be downloaded, copied or duplicated without the express written permission of alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. Original manuscript chaper 4 we agnostics alcoholics anonymous alcohol allergy rehabilitation of alcoholics dr. Bob started what is now known as aa in 1935 in akron, ohio. With publication of the second edition in 1955, the third edition in 1976. That means we have written a book which we believe to be spiritual as well as moral. However, aa literature, the 12 steps and in particular the 12 traditions, contain many liberal principles and suggestions in terms of relating to the big book and the program of recovery. The target audience for we agnostics is relatively easy to define. 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. 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. I have provided a link in a couple of places on this page for your convenience, so you can get to the search page.
The second edition, published in 1955, reached a total of more than 1,150,500 copies. We agnostics kansas city is an alcoholics anonymous group in the kansas city area. Oct 12, 2017 one of many good places to begin is in alcoholics anonymous aka the big book, specifically chapter 4, we agnostics. If, when you honestly want to, you find you cannot quit entirely, or if when drinking, you have little control over the amount you take, you are probably alcoholic. If your downloading as a cheap way to put it on your ipod or listen to the car, please buy a new comer a big book at your next meeting. 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. Many aa agnostics have found these books to be useful and enlightening. Alcoholics anonymous also known as the big book in recovery circles sets forth cornerstone concepts of recovery from alcoholism and tells the stories of men and women who have overcome the disease. Mar 22, 2015 joe and charlie aa speakers there is a solution from the joe and charlie big book study duration. In the preceding chapters of our alcoholics anonymous aa book, you have learned something of alcoholism.
1273 1630 1059 1052 452 1483 1208 1321 706 260 187 70 39 354 435 1249 941 705 528 94 1610 311 682 1366 439 625 1303 361 213 705 88 713 474 531 50 1523 1525 240 714 1447 1287 450 542 512