The big book says we are all friends sharing our experience strength and hope and there are clear responsibilities outlined on page 97 for being a friend in aa. The page links go to the appropriate paragraph in the big book hosted here on while the entries are numbered, that does not reflect the number of times god is referenced. Jan 04, 2015 i dont want or expect the big book to be changed. Alcoholics anonymous calls their book of the same name, the big book. The page 552 prayer to end resentments sober catholic. Alcoholics anonymousthe big bookhas served as a lifeline to millions worldwide. To read a pdf version of the fourth edition of alcoholics anonymous. First, remember that religion and spirituality arent necessarily the same. 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. Alcoholics anonymous speaker recordings aa is, and always has been, about god and all the ways we get to him and deepen our relationship with him the one thing. The following is a list of the 40 musts from the big book.
The dishonest program alcoholics anonymous aarmed with. This fourth edition of alcoholics anonymous came off press in november 2001, at the start of a new millennium. As a matter of fact, the word sponsor does not come up in the big book until page 220. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. Here they are, the 82 occurrences of the word must found in alcoholics anonymous 4th edition the doctors opinion 1 page xxiii. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those i would help of thy power, thy love and thy way of life. The second edition 1955 consisted of 1,150,000 copies.
The first 164 pages of the big book, alcoholics anonymous, the preface, the forewords, the doctors opinion, dr. This is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. In the fall of 1939 fulton oursler, then editor of liberty, printed a piece in his magazine, called. The first three editions of the aa big book provide an indication of the changes which occurred since aa began in the late 1930s. Carlin sisters rented top floor of wilsons house at 182 clinton street 19331935 l 105. So, to all the present and past members of this group goes thanks for their interest and participation. Is a group allowed to use nonconferenceapproved literature. After meditation on the day just completed, we ask gods forgiveness and inquire what corrective measures should be taken. Biographies of the authors of the stories in the big book last names are included only of deceased members the short biographies of the various authors of the stories in the back of the book alcoholics anonymous have been graciously supplied by nancy o.
We are then in much less danger of excitement, fear, anger, worry, selfpity, or foolish decisions. Jul 26, 2007 god is specifically mentioned 277 times, reference to god by the use of pronouns such he, him, himself,and his is mentioned 107 time. 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. Before we begin, we ask god to direct our thinking, especially asking that it be divorced from selfpity, dishonest or selfseeking motives. The original manuscript of emotional sobriety and food. Because whether you liken addiction to hell, limbo, purgatory or otherwise, theres never a decent reason for going back to it. Bob, anne smith, and perhaps even bill wilson, with much of the fodder that caused them to focus on james and conclude that. How many times is god mentioned in the big book of alcoholics. Since the first edition appeared, in 1939, it has helped millions of men and women recover from alcoholism. With the appearance of the new book a great deal began to happen. God is specifically mentioned 277 times, reference to god by the use of pronouns such he, him, himself,and his is mentioned 107 time. Even more than the word god, the word friend is mentioned in the big book basic text 74 times.
Though he could not accept all the tenets of the oxford groups, he was convinced of the need for moral inventory, confession of personality defects, restitution to those harmed, helpfulness to others, and the necessity of belief in and dependence upon god pg. Dear god, please set aside anything i think i may know about myself, my disease, the big book, the 12 steps, the program, the fellowship, the people in it, all spiritual terms and especially you god. Creator, maker, father, spirit, god over 400 times counting the capitalized pronouns and the foregoing descriptions taken from the good book, heavenly. I have provided a link in a couple of places on this page for your convenience, so you can get to the search page. Recovery times has but one purpose and goal, and that is to carry the message of 12step recovery as written and practiced in its founding organizations aas unaltered 12 steps, 12 traditions, and 12 concepts for world service, but not limited to only aasanctioned material such as the holy bible, the koran, the upanishads, etc. Since the third edition was published in 1976, worldwide membership of a.
Our goal is to study the steps as a friendly, focused group, and work them as the authors of the big book described. Alcoholics anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their. Videos or graphic images may not be downloaded, copied or duplicated without the express written permission of alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels.
Dec 07, 2014 this big book is the source of the original program of aa, which saw 75% of the people who tried it succeed at longterm recovery. But it is neither unreasonable nor dogmatic to want more contemporary literature about the fundamental nature of alcoholism and recovery from aa world services, which crescentdave points out hasnt happened in half a century. This is the fourth edition of the book alcoholics anonymous. The book is published by alcoholics anonymous world services. But i personally felt that if i do not like the language of the big book then i have to redefine the language. This created a thirst for an even greater knowledge of the vital information contained in the big book. Personal narratives are transformed and transformative over time. Wilson, one of the founders of alcoholics anonymous aa. Aa sonoma county intergroup fellowship alcoholics anonymous.
We expect that this contribution to the recovering community worldwide will continue to grow, as our online big book is a great study tool. Abolish sponsorship from alcoholics anonymous gopetition. Though going to meetings is fine, working the precise directions in the book is the program, and nothing else can do it. God in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12.
This is the basic text for their society and it is referred to as the book of experience. Is it time to stop the god bashing in alcoholics anonymous. The steps helped each of the cofounders of aa in their own recovery from alcoholism and have continued to help countless. The story of how many thousands of men and women have. There were 4 musts in the first and second editions of alcoholics anonymous.
Aa recovery quotes and slogans bluidkiti sober recovery. It is the book that i know i will come back to time and time again to gain insight as i live my life trying to adhere to the principles that aa has taught me and that are the core of my life since embracing this. Spirituality and the twelve steps, is one that i found very inspiring and yet downtoearth. No need for christ in alcoholics anonymous berean research. So that i may have an open mind and a new experience with all these things. The big book vs the book gods word jesus christ is. The page 552 prayer to end resentments posted by paulcoholic on 24 august 2014, 6. Alcoholics anonymous, from the title of its own book. I had the best schools, sum mer camps, resort vacations, and travel.
In the 1930s usa, the bible and god was everywhere. Second, remember that sobriety holds the key to a better life. Alcoholics anonymous quotes showing of 127 and acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. One of the major issues that many people who look to aa for assistance with dealing with their addiction is that the christian element to the doctrine is so blatant and prevalent. How many times is god mentioned in the big book of. The original manuscript of a l c o h o l i c s a n o n y m o u s this is an electronic reproduction of the 1938 original manuscript of alcoholics anonymous. The big book of alcoholics anonymous the world famous eye. Chapter 4 of the big book is titled we agnostics and explores the meaning of a higher power.
In saying this i am not dismissing the big book or the writers. We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer running the show, humbly saying to ourselves many times each day thy will be done. The whytehouse is, i hope, a way to find that special phrase or saying etc. Prayers in the big book of alcoholics anonymous concord. Alcoholics anonymous quotes by alcoholics anonymous. For all the prayers that are fit to print,the big book. There have been numerous reprints and revisions, in addition to translations into dozens of languages. At this early part of the 21st century, membership in aa continues to grow, and a fourth edition will undoubtedly continue that trend. The word god is tossed around a lot because thats whats in the big book of alcoholics anonymous and thats the guideline that we use to run meetings and groups, but on the individual level its acceptable to believe anything you want. Those that wrote the big book came from this kind of era. Alcoholics anonymous deep blue university of michigan. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition. Faith in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of gods will.
Biographies of the authors of the stories in the big book. Find people in alcoholics anonymous history az listings. Alcoholics anonymous is often referred to as a 12step program, and aa is the basis for many other 12step programs that have been established. Prayers in the big book of alcoholics anonymous concord nhbbss.
Jun 01, 2015 there were 4 musts in the first and second editions of alcoholics anonymous. Lots of misunderstanding about the words higher power could be cleared up for believers if they do a quick study on a good concordance like the poe concordance and check out the following usages in the big book. It is clear that the aa fellowship knew since its beginnings that nonbelievers could also. We dont worry about them if we can honestly say to ourselves that we would right them if we could. The big book the aa bible states, we thought we could find an easier, softer way. Hence our reader will find many references to the runners bible in footnotes in our title the good book and the big book. Creator, maker, father, spirit, god over 400 times counting the capitalized pronouns and the foregoing descriptions taken from the good book, heavenly father, and the. These 12 steps are outlined in chapter 5, how it works, of the big book. This desire gave birth to the primary purpose group of alcoholics anonymous of dallas, texas, in january, 1988. Nov 04, 2019 alcoholics anonymous is often referred to as a 12step program, and aa is the basis for many other 12step programs that have been established. Alcoholics anonymous the big book has served as a lifeline to millions worldwide.
The big book vs the book gods word alcoholics anonymous big book exposed all scriptures taken from the preserved 1611 king james bible. It has become a regular shelf item among those who believe in god, understand the importance of the bible. How is the the original manuscript different from the big book. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that i may better do thy will.
The big book was originally published in 1939 by aa founders bill w. Feb 21, 2017 chapter 4 of the big book is titled we agnostics and explores the meaning of a higher power. Christians continue to jam their god, the ancient of days, into aas chameleon. A draft fourth edition of the big book, alcoholics anonymous be developed and a progress report be brought to the 1998 conference literature committee, keeping in mind the 1995 advisory action that. In many of the sentences god is referenced several times. With publication of the second edition in 1955, the third edition in 1976.
Home read the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions. 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. We wish to make the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous part of our. God in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12 traditions. Copyright alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. Our online big book is used by thousands of people all over the world, and incurs substantial bandwidth expense. Alcoholism12 step support big book quoteall or nothing big book quote when we became alcoholics, crushed by a selfimposed crisis we could not postpone or evade, we had to fearlessly face the proposition that either god is everything or else he is nothing. With publication of the second edition in 1955, the third edition in. While the program is considered a suggested method for dealing with the disease of alcoholism, there are places within the big book where the authors used the word must. This big book is the source of the original program of aa, which saw 75% of the people who tried it succeed at longterm recovery. 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. I had tried many times to stop, and to control my drinking. It is my hope that you will find this site useful to you and our friends of bill w. Big book workbook is for those who are willing to grow along spiritual lines 60.
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