Alcoholics Anonymous and God

A.A. History Fragment No. One
Dick B.
© 2009 Dick B. All rights reserved

Alcoholics Anonymous Cofounder Bill Wilson wrote in the A.A. basic text: “we had to fearlessly face the proposition that either God is everything or else He is nothing. God either is, or He isn’t. What was our choice to be?” (4th ed., 53). Dr. Bob’s story in the Alcoholics Anonymous basic text concludes with this statement: “Your Heavenly Father will never let you down!: (4th ed., 181). Typically, Dr. Bob asked a newcomer, “Do you believe in God, young fella?” When the response was, “What does that have to do with it,?” Dr. Bob answered: “Everything.” (Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers, 1980, 144). The basic idea from the King James Version of the Bible that early AAs studied is found in Hebrews 11:6: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” For details on Alcoholics Anonymous and God, see Dick B., Turning Point: A History of Early A.A.’s Spiritual Roots and Successes, 1997, 157-188.

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