If I Wanted to Leave Alcoholics Anonymous. . .



Posted: Wednesday, October 13, 2010

by Richard Burns, J.D.
Dick B.

First of all, I don't!

But let's just say: (1) That I'm thinking of drinking. (2) That I'm really not "willing to go to any lengths" to prevent that from happening. (3) That I'm beginning to prefer my former friends, former ideas, former hangouts, and former brand of gin. (4) That I'm developing a resentment against A.A., against the people in A.A., against the meetings of A.A., against the new literature pouring out of A.A., against the criticisms of Christians by some AAs, against the A.A. "cops" who repeatedly try to control comments, meetings, and writings by claiming they violate the Twelve Traditions, or that they are not "Conference-approved" literature or statements, against bleeding deacons who regularly voice their belief that the mere mention of "God" will drive newcomers out of the rooms, and on and on. (5) That I've read all the new criticisms of A.A. that seem well-funded, effective in reaching others, and are so varied in their approaches that surely one or the other will feed and fully justify my resentments and my inclinations. (6) That I have read some website like "stinkin thinkin" which has a vast assemblage of every kind of criticism I can imagine (which misses only a few like Martin and Deidre Bobgan's 12 Steps To Destruction, Not-God, the Celebrate Recovery Bible, the Small Book, and others). Actually, many of these websites have unearthed and presented solid factual material to support their views; but they also have distorted and omitted so many others that they need to be viewed with caution.

Let's say I have begun to wonder whether A.A. is a cult; whether the Twelve Steps are a path to destruction; whether A.A. ever was a Christian Fellowship; whether A.A. really had the 75% success rate that was documented in Akron and the 93% success rate that was documented in Cleveland; whether A.A. has really invented some new kind of "god" which can be a group, a light bulb, a chair, a tree, Santa Claus, Ralph, or a Coke Bottle; whether anyone in A.A. can read or mention the Bible, Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, the Creator, the gift of the Holy Spirit, or the church he attends; whether the new literature from A.A. is right when it says you really don't have to believe in anything at all to be and become involved in A.A.; or whether "real" Christians are hell bent for destruction if they even mix with AAs; and that A.A. never did work and still doesn't work anyway. You can easily find one or more of these contentions any day or week on the internet and elsewhere.

Lots of literature will support all these contentions. But will I leave because of them? Will I denounce A.A. as anti-Christian? Will I claim A.A. is a phony religion? Will I claim A.A. produces a sure path back to drinking and drugs? I won't because the statements are either untrue or irrelevant for those of us who choose to rely on God for help and do it in the rooms of A.A.

I won't. leave. And I won't because I have thoroughly researched the origins, history, founding, original program, astonishing successes, and later changes in the program. I have looked for facts rather than seeking out and building on unsupported opinions. I have found great progress today in the hundreds and hundreds of groups that are meeting in A.A. friendly, Bible friendly, history friendly fellowships across the globe. I have found these folks have not only conquered their addiction to alcohol and drugs, but have recognized what A.A. Co-founder Dr. Bob meant when he wrote on page 181 of the Big Book (even in the 4th edition) that: "Your Heavenly Father will never let you down!"

I won't leave even though some folks allege writers about A.A. are "making money off of A.A.," are violating traditions, and are cranking out literature and talks that AAs simply must not read. Even though there are allegations that some of these writers are the "anti-Christ," "born again A.A. evangelists," and pseudo Christians. Label your target, they seem to claim; and those who look will see the label rather than the target.

The fact is that the effectiveness of the power of God; the role of God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible; and the need for facts about how the early AAs recovered by relying on these has never been greater. Some of us write because we ourselves have relied on God and recovered. Some of us write because we have discovered and realized just how effective the early A.A. Christian Fellowship program was. And some of us write because we want to pass on to those today who suffer from alcoholism and drug addiction the hope that is before them if they turn to God for help.

www.dickb.com

Gloria Deo
Richard G. Burns, J.D., uses the pen name Dick B.; he is a writer, historian, retired attorney, Bible student, CDAAC, and recovered AA. He has published 39 titles on the biblical roots and Christian Fellowship of early A.A.

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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by Marijo Phelps
 1 year 205 days ago.
142 fans.
The Lord Jesus Christ pulled me feet first out of a bottle 36 years ago and I have not dived back in since.

Was I an alcoholic? I am an RN and fit the clinical definition perfectly although wouldn't admit it for a long time. Did I drool each time I walked by the wine aisle at the local grocery? Yes, for quite some time. Then I prayed and asked the Lord to make wine as appealing to me as a glass of milk (which I detested) He did. I am His, I am delivered totally with no desire to go back, I once was lost and now I am found....HE is able with or without any 12 step program (I have never been to one)

What do you know about the church oriented step programs? I am only asking questions here because I have never been but understand they give support, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, prayer and help to those who are seeking deliverance from alcohol, other drugs, sexual addictions etc.

It is possible that if AA has watered down their stance on the Lord then they are curring off their effectiveness at its source - the Lord Jesus Christ.

Statistics on "social programs" show they do not usually work. Look at the drug rehab stats no matter how many steps their programs have and contrast that with the recidivism of Teen Challenge (Bible based and incredible) WOW. those stats alone say something very strongly.

I have friends who have gone to and graduated from Teen Challenge (which is also for older people).

I am no longer an alcoholic. I have been set free by the creator of the universe (the Lord Jesus Christ) and have chosen not to ever take another alcoholic drink. Once in reading the scriptures I came across the verse which says that Jesus will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the marriage supper of the Lamb - the Holy Spirit whispered to me "if Jesus can do this how about you" I replied that with His help I could wait until then too and do intend to do that - definitely with His help.

Another thought occurred to me - it is possible that in repeating over and over "I am an alcoholic" that one is cursing themselves? I am not into name it and claim it but there is power in our words and confessions Biblically.... is it possible that in saying those words at the meetings (I am told that is what participants do) that somehow that is diminishing the deliverance that God has wrought in that individual? Just some thoughts here. I feel pain and angst in many of your pieces and wanted to give you a snapshot of where the Lord has taken me through this process of deliverance from alcohol.

Blessings in Christ Jesus,

Marijo (Mary Jo)
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