Comments on: Site Map

By: medguy1

medguy1 — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 15:07:51 +0000

Thank you so much for sharing. we record speaker at my home group each week and also make them available on mediafire

By: Richard G Burns

Richard G Burns — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 02:49:07 +0000

Stopping by for a look-see. Because I know so many of the people named in the by-lines, I drop by this site occasionally. I also post occasionally. I cannot say I agree with every direction the site takes or every comment made. But that’s true for AA itself, for alcoholics, for churches, and for politicians. However, it’s always tough when ad hominem attacks and criticisms appear. And that’s pretty rare on this site. It’s rampant on a very few others that also purvey history.

When I see the finger pointing, I remember the two rules that are helpful.(1) Whenever one points a finger at someone else, there are three pointing back at him. (2) More directly applicable to an AA is Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount–which early AAs considered absolutely essential to their program. And, the words or gist of Matthew 7:1-5 appear with some frequency in early A.A. comments. The verses say:”Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye. Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

For those who look at our history before they jump, just look at the Oxford Group expressions which crept into our Big Book and Steps. Mainly, look for the injunction that suggests: “What was our part.”

Pardon those of us who look to the Scriptures, as early AAs did. But when asked about the program, Dr. Bob’s usual response was “What does it say in the Good Book?”

God Bless, Dick B. http://www.dickb.com/goodbook.shtml.

By: Herb H

Herb H — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 07:57:49 +0000

Nothing so small that it cannot be seen nor so large that it cannot be encompassed and yet …that I can perceive, even dimly, the expanse of all “creation” it is not necessary for me to know anything more than that. That I exist somehow allows me to conceive a higher power that believes in me. God. That’s all I need to satisfy my AA program.

By: Dick B.

Dick B. — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 05:57:48 +0000

And, Billy S., whoever you are, just what is the “Jesus talk?” Stick to the facts, and people will be blessed if and when you state and report them correctly. There is enough history to go around without obviously insulting remarks.

By: Billy Snowden

Billy Snowden — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 23:20:43 +0000

Great to see ALL the info here. I agree with Dick B., The Orange Papers should be read- I don’t agree with his conclusion- but they deserve to be here as much as Dick’s Jesus talk. Balance is sobriety, sanity. I will post some history for your site on the birth, 30 years ago, of the Big Book Step Study movement within A.A. That movement began a Fellowship wide return of AA groups to meetings solely focused on Big Book Recovery by adopting and following a disciplined group conscience: Oddly just like the original first AA meeting- The Borton group- in Cleveland. In 1981 AA meetings in New England were so far to the other extreme- no mention of God anymore, no prayers after wards,no mention of the Big book, it was all, ” Just don’t drink today and go to a meeting”. Big Book Step Study AA meetings turned out to be the antidote and balance to that weak AA message and group that dominated AA at the time.

Thanks for the website and your work.

Billy S. member, Hyannis Men’s Big Book Step Study Group.

By: Dick B.

Dick B. — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 06:54:51 +0000

Whenever one purports to write about the origins of A.A., it short-changes the article when so much emphasis is placed on the Oxford Group. There were in fact some sixteen influences on the A.A. program. And the discussion should start with the Bible, Quiet Time, conversion, reading of literature and devotionals, Anne Smith’s Journal, Dr. William Silkworth, Professor William James, Carl Jung, Lay therapist Richard Peabody, hospitalization, fellowship, the teachings of Rev. Samue M. Shoemaker who was called a cofounder of A.A. by Wilson, the 28 Oxford Group principles that impacted on A.A., and the all important element of witnessing–working with others–focusing on the newcomer.

By: Dick B.

Dick B. — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 04:59:25 +0000

Linda’s remarks are heartwarming. It has been my experience in the last 10 years that the action is online. Not all good. Not all easy reading. Not all accurate. But offering such a wide variety of options that one could spend the rest of his or her life learning A.A. origins, history, founding, original program, and successes by clicking on google. The deluge of phone calls and emails I receive about questions and programs and books tells me people are surfing! Big time.

By: Marlin

Marlin — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 18:50:23 +0000

Who wrote “Becoming Recovered” – it’s really, really well done.

By: Linda in NH

Linda in NH — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 16:32:35 +0000

What a wonderful resource! I’ve been sober and straight for almost 30 years, and just started to look at what’s online instead of reading my books – probably because there is no room left in the margins for notes lol! I’m excited to see that so much has developed and is available. Thank you for your hard work and dedication.

By: Dick B.

Dick B. — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 03:55:25 +0000

Soul Surgery was first published in India I believe. A copy was very expensive and hard to come by. I’d sure recommend it to anyone who wants to see the first significant Oxford Group book. It was penned by Walter, Wright, and Buchman in parts. It certainly lays out the five C’s which are the heart of the middle A.A. Steps. Good for Step Study in making it available now.