Is A.A. religious? Or, So What!
Posted: Wednesday, October 27, 2010
by Richard Burns, J.D.
Dick B.
Today's anti-A.A. writers (and there are an increasing number) spend a lot of time claiming either that A.A. is a religion and perhaps even a "cult" or that A.A. is not "religious" but "spiritual" instead or that there is nothing religious about A.A., nor is religion anything but a taboo subject in A.A.
My first reaction is, So what.
First, just remember that A.A. grew out of the successes of Christian organizations and leaders of the 1800's--rescue missions, evangelists, YMCA lay workers, Salvation Army, and Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor.
Second, remember too that both cofounders had a Christian upbringing in Vermont. They both had families that were church-goers. They both attended church and Sunday school. They both had experience with conversions and revivals. They both studied the Bible. They both had family involvement in the YMCA. They both attended academies where daily chapel, weekly church services, and Bible studies were required. Dr. Bob's activity is the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor made its principles and practices substantial influences in the early pioneer program.
Third, remember that the first three AAs had studied the Bible, believed in God, and were Christians at the time they turned to God for help--before there were any Steps, Traditions, Big Book instructions, drunkalogs, or meetings.
Fourth, remember that the early fellowship founded in Akron in 1935 was a Christian Fellowship that required belief in God, confession of Jesus Christ, Bible study, prayer meetings, and use of Bible devotionals.
Finally, when Bill wrote his early draft of the Twelve Steps, the contents came largely from the teaching of the Christian Episcopal Rector Rev. Samuel M. Shoemaker, Jr.
And the Big Book speaks frequently and favorably about religion.
Then came some major changes--in the Big Book.
The facts above remained the same.
Some compromise language was inserted in the steps to placate atheists.
People of all religions, all faiths, no faith, and atheist persuasion were freely admitted to the Fellowship.
There were and still are tens of thousands of practicing Christians in A.A. and most 12 Step Fellowships.
The courts who have looked at the Big Book, the Steps, the fellowship, and the frequent references to Almighty God have largely ruled that A.A. is a religion.
But what kind? Jewish? Muslim? Christian? Hindu? "Universal?" "Non-denominational?"
The answer lies not with characterizations but with recognition that people of all persuasions belong to A.A. today, and the question of "religious?" is a no-brainer. The answer is: So what!
A.A. is what it is. It's not what it used to be. It's different from what it used to be. And it's filled with religious adherents. But none of this makes a whit of difference when one tries to label A.A.
www.dickb.com
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