In reaction to secular and psychological influences many more traditional Twelve Step members, particularly in AA, begin to make distinctions between “true” and “false” interpretations of the Twelve Steps. The conservatives generally advocate an earlier version of the Twelve Steps, such as that which appears in the Big Book, or one that more closely resembles the practices of the Oxford Group. Conservatives tend to support their views with a depiction of the program as adrift from its spiritual roots.
Shortly after the publication of the Big Book, a third fellowship develops in Cleveland , Ohio . This new fellowship is the first to use the Big Book as a part of their regular practice. The Cleveland groups develop a method of personal sponsorship that involves the sponsor introducing the newcomer to the Twelve Step program by reading through the Big Book together. Cleveland sponsors emphasize the importance of working with other alcoholics. Due to a sudden swell in membership, newcomers are often put to work taking other newcomers through the book before they have even finished the Steps themselves. Due to the same swell in membership, Cleveland ’s Big Book style sponsorship quickly becomes the most common form of AA.
Forty years later, the inheritors of the Big Book sponsorship tradition find themselves a minority perspective within the rapidly growing recovery culture. Generally, Big Book sponsors are unhappy with the prevailing presentation of the Twelve Steps. Some see the recovery culture as:
| proliferating victim groups, a sort of endless Oprah Winfrey show that claims the A.A. Twelve Step method as its inspiration, but in which the real meaning of the Twelfth Step is lost amid an incessant whine about the injured self.
A.A. at the Crossroads |
These AA’s begin to present their style of sponsorship as the original method and the only one that really works. Some adopt strict definitions of the Big Book process in an attempt to set a boundary between their style of Stepwork and more social or psychological interpretations of the Big Book message.
Gresham’s Law, by Tom Powers, is one of the best expressions of the sentiments of Big Book conservatives. Powers begins his article by dividing AA into three categories:
| 1. The strong, original way, proved powerfully and reliably effective over forty years.
2. A medium way – not so strong, not so safe, not so sure, not so good, but still effective. 3. a weak way, which turns out to be really no way at all but literally a heresy, a false teaching, a twisting corruption of what the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous clearly stated the program to be. Gresham ’s Law |
Powers’ first category describes Big Book sponsorship; his third refers to the message of recovery culture.
Another group of conservatives emphasizes the Christian roots of the Twelve Steps, of these, AA historian Dick B., is the best example. Dick B. has written a series of books investigating the “biblical roots” of Alcoholics Anonymous. These books read less like histories than historically based arguments with recovery culture. In his Books, Dick B. makes his purpose clear:
| We hope our work will challenge others to look more deeply into the Bible as the standard for truth to which alcoholics were able to look in their search for God, His Will and His Way of Life.
The Oxford Group and Alcoholics Anonymous |
In Dick B’s opinion, the Twelve Steps are actually a deviation from the original program of the Akronites, which was responsible for all of AA’s early success.
| Akron provided a unique atmosphere for developing an effective spiritual solution to alcoholism. Its progenitors all possessed substantial capabilities…in spiritual areas—the Bible, Christian belief systems, and the Oxford Group…and took the time to focus on a spiritual recovery program—one that stressed (1) prayer, (2) Bible study, (3) religious literature, and (4) Quiet Time listening.
The Akron Genesis of Alcoholics Anonymous |
According to Dick B, the religious elements of the Akron program were responsible for Akron ’s success with alcoholics, and the decline of these practices has led to a vastly decreased rate of success in AA. Dick B and many Conservatives like him look to the early days in Akron as a golden age, one which they hope to revive someday.
| There is a quip that has made the rounds of A.A. rooms in recent years. It goes like this: Akron is like Bethlehem . Something good happened there a long time ago; and nothing much has happened there since.
The Akron Genesis of Alcoholics Anonymous |
Conservatives are a vocal minority within the Twelve Step fellowships, particularly AA. Often characterized as “Big Book Nazis” or “AA Fundamentalists,” and derided for their sometimes confrontational manner and strict interpretation of program literature, Conservatives tend to be at the center of conflict. Some of this conflict is caused by the conservatives themselves, but much conflict is generated by some basic misunderstandings of the recovery culture at large.
The conservative movement should be understood in terms of its felt need to preserve a spiritually-centered understanding the Twelve Steps that was all but washed out by social and psychological interpretations of the Steps during the rise of recovery culture. If conservatives are confrontational or strict in their interpretations of the Steps, this should be understood as due to the pressure that comes of holding and trying to propagate a minority point of view.
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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 by Richard G. Burns, J.D. December 7, 2008 @ 8:52 pm“(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.”
Not true. There was the original six step program derived either from the Oxford Group’s Absolutes or Standards, I’m not sure which.
One of Dr Bob’s sponsees, in his personal story in the back of the book, makes clear reference to the original six-step program, and wished that Dr. Bob’s type of sponsorship was still available at the time of his writing.
Bill W., in many, many writings and recorded talks, clearly states he decided to break up the original six step program into “smaller chunks, so there was nothing the slippery alcoholic could wiggle out of”.
Not trying to start a debate, just making one correction. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I do know the answer to this one.
Thanks///DCW
Comment by DCW February 13, 2009 @ 4:23 pmDear DCW,
Comment by Ron October 2, 2010 @ 4:03 amYou’ll find the “origin of the 12 steps” in the AA book “Language of the Heart”.
Bill W’s Grapevine writings. The Big Book is a must have. “Language of the Heart” is a should have also. Before my recovery I joined a Christian group very similar to the Oxford Group. I went through a process that involved 6 stages or concepts. It was from the Bible. I found God but not sobriety. Left this group and joined AA. When I first read the 12 steps I realised that I had followed this process but unaware that it was a process or steps. Just matters to be worked through. It was a big surprise to me. It’s a bit like the 6 concepts being a sundial and the 12 steps being a precise Rolex watch. The 12 steps are very precise. Just what the alcoholic needs. I think when the 12 Steps came about there was an inbuilt no getting out clause that even today some sick Alcoholics manage to circumvent. Like 2 steppers and other A’s that try to tailor or embellish the 12 steps to their own personal needs. Stay sick thinking their well, the pass it on. As for Big Book Bashers they use the Big Book as a tool or device to intimidate and control others. The root cause to this is pride and fear. Note that BBB’s have a common likeness, their not backwards at coming forward, especially when attacked. They have a big mouth. They like having a their own group or following. They like to win through intimidation. Their always right.
…Pride! Regards. Ron.
Well, now, I’ve been called a Big Book Nazi. AA has steps, traditions and rules through a conference that represents today’s AA members. If it’s morphed – for better or worse – then returning to ways other than what it is now necessitates forming a new entity.
Comment by Dave S. July 9, 2010 @ 12:43 pmLabeling A.A. Christians as “conservatives” or others as “liberals” or still others as a “majority” does great harm to the principles of love and tolerance that underlie the A.A. Fellowship. If Christians in A.A. today are a “minority” or are “conservatives,” then at least we can say there are hundreds of thousands of them. But counting noses was never a condition for belonging to early A.A. or to today’s A.A. Folks came and come not because of “majority” or “minority” views. They come because they are hurting. They receive love and help no matter which side of the aisle they come from. The real point is that early AAs were Christians but that Christianity was discarded as a “requirement” for membership as early as 1939. Nobody threw Christians out. Nor can they. But the Fellowship welcomed atheists and agnostics–as well as those of many faiths. In no sense were Christians suddenly stricken from the records or counted as a “minority.” Christians were and are free to be members. They are free to express their views. They are standing on the same ground the founders did. And others can listen, or claim to be a “majority,” or try to silence folks who hold different views. But the bottom line is that A.A. is for those who are hurting and determined to get sober. The Big Book is filled with statements that God will help them, if they want His help and seek Him. And if Christians choose to tell that as part of their success story, good for them–and let the others listen, be tolerant, and serve–not label people. Dick B.
Comment by Dick B. August 14, 2010 @ 10:11 pmConservative: disposed to preserve existing conditions, institutions, etc, or to restore traditional ones, and to limit change.
The label conservative is not perjorative, but merely descriptive. If it compromises the principles of love and tolerance then that is in the eye of the beholder. The author was not casting aspersions at Christians, he was merely noting that many 12 Steppers are concerned to note preserve and follow the Steps as they were originally laid out. Many also take a keen interest in the Christian roots of the movement. Such people, like myself, often had a terrible time at recovery until they were brought through the Big Book.
I’m as liberal as they come politically, but I proudly were the mantle of conservative when it comes the 12 Steps!
Comment by Piers August 20, 2010 @ 9:13 amThe question really at hand here is “why does AA work?”
Let me offer this analogy to the discussion.
If you think the god of headaches lives in willow trees, you might try to access that power by drinking a tea made from its bark. You headache goes away. You urge others to try the tea, and their headaches go away too.
Does this prove your theory about the god of headaches? If you demonstrate that historically the first men to brew willow tree bark believed this idea, does that prove the theory?
Of course not. Thorough investigation would eventually show you that there was something in the bark. We call it aspirin today.
The belief that surrendering one’s life to the God of the bible, or to his Son, or to the Spirit of the Universe can treat alcoholism is in fact a poorly tested theory, given that the program of AA involves so many practical actions too, and always has.
I suspect those actions are actually the aspirin here. And they can be describes as follows:
*Surrendering to the truth of your disease.
*Turning the decision to get loaded or not over to a reliable source of truth, something other than your own unguided thoughts and feelings of the moment.
*Applying that same principle (of surrendering to the truth) to the rest of your well-examined life.
*Practicing forgiveness and repairing the damage you’ve done.
*Maintaining contact with and a humble relationship to a reliable source of truth.
*Finding meaning and purpose in life through helping others with your experience.
Since before the big book was even published, members of AA like James Burwell have been finding sources of direction and truth other than a personal God, or any god or supernatural power at all.
That reality–that these principles work as long as your source of truth is inspirational and reliable and you surrender to it–has saved my life. And I will pass this understanding on to anyone who needs it.
Best Regards,
Comment by Frank M. January 9, 2012 @ 9:07 pmFrank M.