Secular? Big Book Study Guide

[dgillz]

While surfing I found a big book study guide specifically for people who have issues with the traditional religious concept of "God".

A quick excerpt:

AUTHOR’S PREFACE TO THIS STUDY GUIDE:

This is a Study Guide to the book Alcoholics Anonymous. It is dedicated to those who want recovery from alcoholism, but have difficulty with the word "God". Especially, as that word gets used by individuals who embrace traditional religious concepts of what it means to them. Be advised that other ideas and interpretations, which are consistent with the basic AA text, also have value and usefulness in the recovery process.

Should you choose to follow this Study Guide, you will be presented ideas which this author has found to be consistent with the basic text of AA. However, some of those ideas go beyond the limitations many traditional religions have in their interpretation of the word "God" and what that word means for them. Readers who are open minded (see Appendix II) may discover new thinking about "a power greater than yourself".

The three-letter word "God" is generally used to communicate a concept of infinite knowledge and power. Concepts, other than those utilized by traditional religion, do exist. One fundamental idea of God, based upon the basic text of AA, (see pg 55), is being offered in this Study Guide. Some individual alcoholics may find the approach is useful in their personal recovery.

It is self-evident that no person is qualified to speak for God, nor for AA as a whole. The vital spiritual experience, necessary for recovery from alcoholism, is intensely personal to the individual alcoholic. That is precisely the point. A readers concept of God need not follow traditional lines.

Here's a link to the entire guide:

The Big Book Study Guide - by Ken W.

I thought maybe this would have special significance to those that frequent this forum.

[paulmh]

It's big. I'll give some feedback once I've read it all - but thanks for posting it dgillz!

[shockozulu]

Thanks for the link. I'm going to take a peek as soon as I have time. (School started this week).

[stone]

I have tried to read this before and found it heavy going...the author was using knowledge as a higher power or something.

[spark42]

Thanks for the link! I'll have a read of that, i was until recently doing a book study with my sponsor. That got paused for other reasons, but just as we were about to do "we agnostics". I'll be interested to read what it says about that chapter, personally i have real trouble with it!