Comments for Stepstudy.org

Comment on Three Views of Recovery by dtssmithers

dtssmithers — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 20:23:36 +0000

I wonder, does every 12 step program include someone on a higher power or a God or sorts?

Comment on BIG BOOK THEOLOGY: “We Agnostics” and William James (By James R.) by John Callaway

John Callaway — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 13:00:01 +0000

“Act as if” and “It’s easier to act your way into a new way of thinking than think your way into a new way of acting” are classic AA phrases that James would have agreed with whole-heartedly.

A contemporary and friend of James wrote about what he called “the fixation of belief” and suggested that beliefs needed to be tested by personal experience to survive. That is: it was the consequences of beliefs that mattered and beliefs could be reduced 100% to their personal consequences. That brings us back to “HOW” - “Honesty, openness, and willingness”. James would have agreed in the importance of these principles. Finally, I remember an old timer telling me once, “If you get sober, you’ll change your story.” Another classic piece of James straight out of the Will to Believe.

AA converted me to “healthy-mindedness” not Christianity.

Comment on Downloads by Richard G. Burns, J.D.

Richard G. Burns, J.D. — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 03:55:57 +0000

Thanks to our inquiring friend about hispanic translations of my books. Puedo hablar espanol. However, though several have wanted to translate and been authorized to do so, that has not happened yet. Nonetheless, these days, the transformed materials can presently be pulled up on the internet. Muchas gracias. Ricardo

Comment on THE CONSERVATIVES by Richard G. Burns, J.D.

Richard G. Burns, J.D. — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 03:52:00 +0000

One of the more fair criticisms of the “Dick B. conservative” writings. However, the commentator misses several important points: (1) A.A. today is a widely diverse fellowship in belief and unbelief. (2) Early Akron A.A. was unquestionably a Christian fellowship–one whose ideas were not derived from the Oxford Group, but rather from the Bible and the Christian Endeavor principles Bob brought with him from Vermont. (3) If golden years means that reliance on God works, right on! If it is a derisive term that chides one for looking to God today, it is miles off base. (4) The Powers views are far far different from those of early A.A. in Akron. (5) Tolerance of diverse views among Christians, non-Christians, and unbelievers should be the foundation-stone of historical discussion. (6) How sad it is that the uninformed continue to ignore the immense impact on early A.A. that the writings and presence of Anne Ripley Smith, Rev. Samuel M. Shoemaker, Jr., and the conversion requirement. (7) The idea that the Twelve Steps are involved in an historical discussion ignores the simple fact that there were no steps==none==whatever until 1939. None in A.A. None in the Oxford Group. And none in the Akron Christian Fellowship. Perhaps that will provide food for further interest in our evolving history. And, in closing, if belief in God and acceptane of Christ are a “minority view” in the view of the writer, I’d suggest it’s time to produce proof instead of propagating erroneous characterizations.

Comment on Three Views of Recovery by lewby

lewby — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 03:22:01 +0000

According to this article I guess I also am a conversionist; however, I like the term Spiritual Thug. Unfortunately, and in contrast to the very learned scholar Dick B., I do have misgivings of aligning with the Oxford Group and Buchmanism. I will not dispute the origins of AA nor question the beliefs of the first 40, yet I have to lean more with post-publication concensus of the BB that allows one to have faith and trust in God the Creator, be fulfilled with the Spirit, yet perhaps not a biblical christian God. OG seemed intolerant of non-christians. If being a conversionist requires that I also surrender to Christ then it requires me to have a religious conversion and not a spiritual conversion.

Comment on Three Views of Recovery by Kieron

Kieron — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:47:36 +0000

This has really helped me see where i was going, what happened and which direction i take today. I feel strongly that for me, a combination of all three are crucial in todays modern society (I speak as a UK fellowship member). I attend CA which uses the Big Book and I work through the book & the steps. I also see the importance of re-socialization and when i was always going to NA I came to realize that i neede more (some conversion) and as a man who expeienced sexual abuse, mental abuse and a great deal of bullying, I had the seek professional help too and at one point my counsellor became mt Higher power. Today, I have all these valuable experiences and combination of these different styles wins for me hands down.

Comment on TWO FELLOWSHIPS EMERGE by Kieron

Kieron — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:18:22 +0000

The moderate ones that is..

Comment on TWO FELLOWSHIPS EMERGE by Kieron

Kieron — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:16:14 +0000

Thank God for the liberals…

Comment on THE TWELVE STEP BOOM by nanagotgame

nanagotgame — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 03:03:19 +0000

Have a daughter who is a AA member. She is now rude to her own family but jumps at the chance to run to the aid of a member. She knows not how to listen but just to lecture. She now thinks that anyone behavior is acceptable or forgivable no matter the consequence to other member’s of her family. I do not understand this. We are very supportive of her and her member friends but what do we do? She leaves her child with AA or NA member’s but accepts anything and everything from us when offered. Then turns around and says “oh I have to take him/her to ??? house because she needs to see him” Why would one choose to surround a child with addicts? Please help me understand this way of thinking.

Comment on Three Views of Recovery by Art

Art — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:52:43 +0000

I’m a conversionist. I believe that a Higher Power can restore me to sanity and I understand that self-centeredness, pride, etc. is the nature of my illness. I no longer have a “choice” about booze. This is my great exception to re-socialization and psychological: When I hear that I have a choice today I want to puke. If I thought that by attending AA I would earn a choice over something that I really have no choice over, one day I’d make the wrong choice. I also hear “Think the drink through” What’s to think about? I have an obsession with alcohol and drugs: I cannot not drink or use. But my main reaction to this excellent article has to do with the comments. While I am a conversionist I take strong exception to those who are enamored of the Oxford Groups. First of all, I’m not a Christian. I have no desire to have Jesus Christ as my Higher Power. Jesus, as the Big Book puts it, had “moral philosophy, most excellent “(sic.). I believe Jesus to be a great Prophet. But don’t tell me that Jesus has to be my Higher Power.
As for Buckmanism. It’s no small wonder that Bill was VERY smart to make the break. I’ve yet to meet a drunk that could do anything “absolutely”. And I’m not a fan of Hitler. Buckman tried hard, very hard, to convert Hitler, win him over as it were. Unfortunately Buckman didn’t understand (although I’ll grant he later did) that Hitler was a madman demon. Also, when the Oxford Groups became overtly political, I’d venture a guess that Bill remembered the Washontonians. So contrary to the thoughts of some conversionists, it was a real smart move to break away from the Oxford Groups. That being said, I wouldn’t deny anyone the right to get sober in any way they want to, in the context of the program of action in the first 164 pages of the Big Book. God Bless.