Words contained within the first 164 pages of the big book. Four short years before writing this chapter, the principal author, bill w. The big book would advise you, however, not to be too perturbed by these references. Written and repeatedly rewritten, edited and cherrypicked in fragments over 1500 years by literally hundred of individuals, often mistranslating from one language to another, and finally carefully edited to please kings and powerful clerics, the king james edition would not bear any. We wish to make the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous part of our. If we are to accept our disease and learn to overcome it, we must accept that. One more time i have come to believe that there is in fact a great reality. With god to illinois,lets start praying again, etc. The big book offers these actions without predicting the exact spiritual experience that will result for a given individual, nor does it impose any conceptions upon the reader. In the preceding chapters you have learned something of alcoholism. A perspective on we agnostics chapter 4 of the big book. Preface to the aa big book fm qual mp3 14mb chapter 1 bills story fm qual mp3 12. I guess i was a bit of a fundamentalist at the time and feared that it wouldnt work if i didnt follow directions exactly. This is the third time we have been referred to appendix ii spiritual experience.
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. We admitted we were licked, that we were powerless over alcohol. The big book of quotations for atheists, agnostics, and. Many times we talk to a new man and watch his hope rise as we discuss his alcoho lic problems and explain our fellowship. Atheist in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. We agnostics chapter of the big book religious forums. Our goal is to study the steps as a friendly, focused group, and work them as the authors of the big book described.
Pages 44 through 57 chapter 4, we agnostics, is truly a remarkable piece of writing. Big book workbook is for those who are willing to grow along spiritual lines 60. Apr 05, 2016 we agnostics by roger published april 5, 2016 updated april 24, 2020 this was a talk given at the 39th annual aa spring roundup in san diego, march 2427, 2016, easter weekend. Taken from the book alcoholics anonymous frequently called the big book. 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. Popular agnosticism books meet your next favorite book. Chapter 4 of the big book, we agnostics, in which bill w argues that recovery requires belief in god, is an insulting mishmash. This misconception extends to 12based treatment centers, who are accused of brainwashing their patients rather than treating a disease. And one should read page 191 of the big book for bill wilsons own statement. Many aa agnostics have found these books to be useful and enlightening. Many people are aware of the rise in atheism, but less talked about is the rise of. 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. It is fair to say that countless addicts and alcoholics have stayed clear of 12step recovery because of the pervasive nature of the word god in the big book. The authors summarize the second letter xxivxxvthe body of the alcoholic is quite as abnormal as his mind.
Or pick from one of many of the favorite parts we have singled out on our website. Aa cofounder bill wilson wrote we agnostics in an attempt to address the issue. Please be sure to read appendix ii about the spiritual experience. In doing so, the big book also presents a method by which readers can investigate theological questions for themselves. The target audience for we agnostics is relatively easy to define. Agnostics article about agnostics by the free dictionary. Oct, 2016 it is fair to say that countless addicts and alcoholics have stayed clear of 12step recovery because of the pervasive nature of the word god in the big book. Religious nones, 1 such as agnostics and atheists, are on the rise in many western countries. Many times we talk to a new man and watch his hope rise as we discuss his alcoholicproblems and explain our fellowship. What happens to one who says, i do believe, or i am willing. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the big book of quotations for atheists, agnostics, and secular humanists. Although these books are not written specifically for the agnostic, they use nonjudgemental direct language and are higherpower neutral.
Both the republication of the god word pamphlet, originally published by aa in great britain, and a request to create a new pamphlet for atheists and agnostics in aa are on the agenda at this years aa. Working the 12 steps in this is a easytoread and understand workbook, we discover the core issues of the 12 steps and how to work toward making them a daily part of our lives. So far weve listed earlier secular books for we agnostics in aa. It would be helpful to you as you read along to substitute the word food for alcohol and compulsive eater for alcoholic. Bernard basset is a jesuit, and the author of many other books such as we neurotics,born for friendship. Oct 05, 2014 i thought it had to be done precisely as laid out in the big book, and although bill w. And it means, of course, that we are going to talk about god. Chapter 4 we agnostics page 41 notice the asterisk at the bottom of the page.
Fulwiler, on her slow conversion from agnostic young professional to committed catholic. 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. Reading guide for we agnostics amethyst recovery center. Nov 21, 2014 that means we have written a book which we believe to be spiritual as well as moral. This is the heart of the big book, the chapter that introduces the twelve steps of alcoholics anonymous, and is so revered that it is read to open. It sounds like they are trying to convert me to something. The big book of quotations for atheists, agnostics, and secular humanists kindle edition by probulos, i. Some would place him on a level with buddha, some with socrates and some with abraham lincoln. That means we have written a book which we believe to be spiritual as well as moral. To one who feels he is an atheist or agnostic such an experience seems. According to the big book, when we speak of god, what do we mean. Well, reading and discussing this chapter plus a reading we discussed in the abstinence book in my meeting saturday helped me to find the spiritual aspect of abstinence.
We confessed or shared our shortcomings with another person in confidence. Joe and charlies we agnostics big book step study my. M download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. We hope we have made clear the distinction between the alcoholic and the nonalcoholic. How could there possibly be a god when there are so many starving people and wars where everybody says god is on their side. Another definition provided is the view that human reason is incapable of providing sufficient rational grounds to justify either the belief that god exists or the belief that god does not exist. Many times we talk to a new man and watch his hope rise as we discuss his alcoholic problems and explain our fellowship. The writing of the bible could be referred to as one of the worst cases of the game telephone in existence. Agnosticism is the view that the existence of god, of the divine or the supernatural is unknown or unknowable. Welcome to we agnostics a weekly dose of recovery for the nonreligious.
We have a new site come and check us out thursday night big book study. 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. Jul 16, 2015 joe and charlie cover the chapter we agnostics from the big book of alcoholics anonymous in such masterly detail. During any such meeting to study the aa big book, you would expect to encounter a wide variety of viewpoints on the portions under consideration. Aa speakers joe and charlie we agnostics the big book. Joe and charlie cover the chapter we agnostics from the big book of alcoholics anonymous in such masterly detail. Coined by professor huxley at a party in london to found the metaphysical society in 1869, huxley combined the a prefix for without and gnostic meaning knowledge. It is the sharing of our collective experience, strength, hope and wisdom inspired by our reading of this big book together that will make a difference in our recovery. Schematic outline of the first 103 pages of the big book i. They also address how to effectively target marketing to the online population.
One can now listen to the alcoholics anonymous big book from front to back, or by choosing a chapter. Naikan and danshukai for the treatment of japanese alcoholic patients. May 21, 2008 in its chapter, we agnostics, the big book outlines its attitude toward spiritual and religious matters. The individual sections of this study guide material reflect ideas, emotions and attitudes you might hear from the. And sadly, it is not only an unfortunate choice, it can be a deadly one. Aug 24, 2009 we have a new site come and check us out thursday night big book study. What if the fourth chapter of the big book,we agnostics had actually been written by atheists and agnostics.
Schematic outline of the first 103 pages of the big book. They summarized what they learned from the oxford group in six simple principles. For many of us that seems to be an impossible task. 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.
It can be easy, however, to forget about the large population of students. Agnostic in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. This web site is dedicated to developing a collective dialogue amongst like minded individuals, those that might call themselves the new agnostics. My memoir relates to my activities, observations and impressions as i, at the age of. Nor do they think that what he said is not open to question, since they do not accept any authority as absolute. In the big book we find a radical empiricism, applied to religion, with a set of actions offered as an entrance into direct spiritual experience. We may not beleive in the supernatural but we believe in you. We want to be defined by principles and not what we dont believe.
We agnostics by roger published april 5, 2016 updated april 24, 2020 this was a talk given at the 39th annual aa spring roundup in san diego, march 2427, 2016, easter weekend. Oct 12, 2017 one of many good places to begin is in alcoholics anonymous aka the big book, specifically chapter 4, we agnostics. The final point is that belief in god, acceptance of christ, and study. The we agnostics chapter of the big book just got back from a meeting closed discussion where we read this entire chapter and shared on it holy crap what an arrogant, insulting, and condescending way of looking at atheists and agnostics.
I also dont approve of the big book saying i dont know who god is. Alcoholism12 step support a perspective on we agnostics chapter 4 of the big book im not going for this god stuff. 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. One of many good places to begin is in alcoholics anonymous aka the big book, specifically chapter 4, we agnostics. You may rely absolutely on anything they say about themselves. Each quote is followed by alexs thoughts on the topic and a question for the reader to contemplate. What about those sanctimonious church goers who judge me for. This 1968 book is the story of harry dawes, a modern catholic layman who has lost his faith, and struggles with the questions of existence and belief.