May 21, 2008 in its chapter, we agnostics, the big book outlines its attitude toward spiritual and religious matters. Eda big book ch 4 we agnostics, atheists, and believers eating. Another example of the fact that nothing in aa is taken on blind faith. When writing or speaking publicly about alcoholism, we urge each of our fellowship to omit his personal name, designating himself instead as a member of alcoholics anonymous. In that setting, consider that, over in the corner, sits an old timer who has been around aa for over half a century. Oct 05, 2014 i thought it had to be done precisely as laid out in the big book, and although bill w. By the very act of critiquing chapter 4, we agnostics, i admittedly commit aa heresy.
Chapter 4 of the big book, we agnostics, in which bill w argues that. What if the fourth chapter of the big book,we agnostics had actually been written by atheists and agnostics. I have had many spiritual experiences as a result of this approach as have many of the newcomers i have worked with. Many times we talk to a new man and watch his hope rise as we discuss his alcoho lic problems and explain our fellowship. To one who feels he is an atheist or agnostic such an experience. The big book of lists for atheists, agnostics, and secular. I mean i understood it intellectually, but what i wasnt getting is it god means anything that is outside the self that has the power to healhelpetc. Four short years before writing this chapter, the principal author, bill w. We wish to make the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous part of our lives by collaborating with a power greater than ourselves an inner knowing, our own. We wish to make the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous part of our.
We agnostics meeting format we agnostics kansas city. The purpose of this study guide is to enable the student to better understand the information the authors of the book, alcoholics anonymous, intended to impart to each of us based on their experience and knowledge of alcoholism and their program of recovery. We would like it understood that our alcoholic work is an avocation. According to the big book, when we speak of god, what do we mean. The big book study and action group and its website is not affiliated. Many times we talk to a new man and watch his hope rise as we discuss his alcoholic problems and explain our fellowship. In the preceding chapters you have learned something of alcoholism. In essence, the chapter emphasizes that all drunks come into aa as agnostics and godless but, over time, they rid themselves of that ridiculous concept and see the path towards a higher power code speak for the more commonly used word god.
I guess i was a bit of a fundamentalist at the time and feared that it wouldnt work if i didnt follow directions exactly. Very earnestly we ask the press also, to observe this request, for otherwise we shall be greatly handi. This is the audio version of the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. The individual sections of this study guide material reflect ideas, emotions and attitudes you might hear from the mouth of that old timer over in the corner. In doing so, the big book also presents a method by which readers can investigate theological questions for themselves. Taken from the book alcoholics anonymous frequently called the big book. I thought it had to be done precisely as laid out in the big book, and.
That means we have written a book which we believe to be spiritual as well as moral. Big book study walking through the big book of alcoholics anonymous with chris s. Listen to joe and charlie talk about the original 12 step format. We study the first 103 pages of the big book and when we come to the step instructions we take them together. Heres an example of two resentments, one in which i am not to. A perspective on we agnostics chapter 4 of the big book. By 1980, there had been about eight studies offered. Book study were part of the format of the original online step study on which this book is based. Chapter 4 we agnostics this chapter explains the atheist and the believer and how some us came to believe in a power greater than. Mar 20, 2020 i learned of, and began listening to, experience the big book podcast mid year 2019. Doing the steps is what the rest of this step study is all about.
Experience the big book aa meetings available online. Secular aa offers over 520 face to face group meetings worldwide. With this mindset, i went to several different people to ask how they worked this step. Please be sure to read appendix ii about the spiritual experience. Oct 12, 2017 one of many good places to begin is in alcoholics anonymous aka the big book, specifically chapter 4, we agnostics. And it means, of course, that we are going to talk about god. And one should read page 191 of the big book for bill wilsons own statement. Mikes coverage of the alcoholics anonymous book and other aarelated materials was a godsend in my life.
Mar 09, 2012 there is a chapter in the aa big book titled we agnostics. Our format florida big book step study all addictions. Chris raymer, aa big book, ca speaker, talks about carrying the message to the addict that still. If we are to accept our disease and learn to overcome it, we must accept that we. 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. A vision for you should be a separate printed document that can be given to a visitor or new member who agrees to read it at the designated point in the meeting. Apr 11, 2019 an aa taper made a four tape set of their presentation and called it the big book study. We agnostics in the preceding chapters you have learned something of alcoholism.
The big book would advise you, however, not to be too perturbed by these references. They are not intended, however, to be substitutes for actually doing the steps. This book has more lists and some of them have been expanded to include as many as 100 items. Bill does not, could not, give a clear example of a purely secular. We hope we have made clear the distinction between the alcoholic and the nonalcoholic. The twelve provocations as ive been taught, the big book stands. Words contained within the first 164 pages of the big book. One of many good places to begin is in alcoholics anonymous aka the big book, specifically chapter 4, we agnostics. Joe and charlie tapes download mp3 format toledo aa meetings.
Big book workbook is for those who are willing to grow along spiritual lines 60. The purpose of this study guide is to enable the student to better understand the information the authors of the book, alcoholics anonymous, intended to impart to. Chapter 4 we agnostics page 41 notice the asterisk at the bottom of the page. The final point is that belief in god, acceptance of christ, and study. Hyannis format name of meeting big book step study meeting format. Feb 04, 2015 we agnostics meeting format welcome to we agnostics, an agnostics and freethinkers meeting of alcoholics anonymous. This big book provides you with over 150 lists for atheists, agnostics, and secular humanists. This is the third time we have been referred to appendix ii spiritual experience.
How could there possibly be a god when there are so many starving people and wars where everybody says god is on their side. Alcoholism12 step support a perspective on we agnostics chapter 4 of the big book im not going for this god stuff. This is because we agnostics includes terms such as creative intelligence, which would appear not to gel with the notion that we are allowed to accept the greater scientific universe as the higher power of our choosing. The big book study movement is outside of the structure of alcoholics anonymous in. Big book workshop we agnostics big book step study. Many times we talk to a new man and watch his hope rise as we discuss his alcoholicproblems and explain our fellowship. Agnostic aa meetings maintain a tradition of free expression where everyone is free to express. Aa cofounder bill wilson wrote we agnostics in an attempt to address the issue. The goal is to have very concise lists with about 10 key items concerning science, religion, faith, evolution, and nonbelief. Pages 44 through 57 chapter 4, we agnostics, is truly a remarkable piece of writing. We also use thirdparty cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this. No religion no prayerjust warm friendly folks like you gathering together for support and sobriety. 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. Bedevilments in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and.