Chapter Four: We Agnostics

[nandm]

I'm not going for this God stuff. How could there possibly be a God when there are so many starving people and wars where everybody says God is on their side. What about those sanctimonious church goers who judge me for my sins and then commit their own. I am not going to accept damnation and hell fire from some old man with a white beard sitting in the clouds. What about all those preachers who talk about heaven and then live like hell?

First, no one is telling us that we have to believe in anything. If we do not care for the conception of God suggested by other people we need not even consider it. Most of us have had our objections to the idea of God. When we look at them in the light of alcoholic destruction we see that they are insignificant and that our prejudices only serve to block us off from the Power we need to recover.

We Agnostics begins by defining alcoholism (44:3) and presenting the basic premise of this bok, that alcoholism is an illness which only a spiritual experience can conquer (44:4). Alcoholics are sometiems resitant to accept such a solution so we are presented with alternatives (44:6). Why our moral codes and firmly held philosophies are not sufficienc to overcome alcoholism is explained clearly (45:1-4). Access to a Power greater than ourselves is the solution to our powerlessness and a promise is made to show us exacley ow to find this Power (45:4-9). Our many objections to accepting this solution are addressed.

It is suggested that we lay aside our prejudices and that willingness is all we need to begin to get results (46:9). The directions for Step Tow are given in the form of a simple question (47:9). We are cautioned to abandon attitudes that handicap us. All we have to do is acknowledge the existence of this Power and we can begin to use it (46:12). This Power is within the reach of everyone. To begin, all we have to do is to set aside our prejudices and take an honest look at the God idea (47:3). Sound reasons for believing are enumerated (48:52). The efficacy of self-sufficiency is discussed (52:9-10). A reasonable and practical description of faithe is given and our choice is laid before us (53:8-10)

We agnositics have no direct experience accessing a Power greater than ourselves. This chapter masterfully addresses our objections and gives us practical reasons why we should try this way of life. Instructions on how to mkae a begining are also provided.

[nandm]

Basic Premise: In order to recover from alcoholism we must awaken spiritually.

Lack of Power: We as humans do not possess the power to overcome alcoholism.

Objections: Our prejudice towards spirituality stands in the way of our recovery.

Step Two: Willingness to believe in a Power greater than ourselves is all that's required for us to make our begining.

Reasons to Believe: Faith is shown to be practical, logical, and effective.

How to Begin: Clear-cut directions are given showing how to begin to awaken spiritually.

[nandm]

The title of this chapter is not "Those Agnostics" but rather "We Agnostics." We, who have no direct personal experience of God working in our lives are agnostics.


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D.

[nandm]

2-3

We hope we have made clear the distinction between the alcoholic and the non-alcoholic. If, when you honestly want to, you find you cannot quit entirely, or if, when drinking, you have little control over the amount you take, you are probably alcoholic.

Every word up to this point is to help us determine whether we are alcoholic or not. We have examined the doctor's opinion which is that we suffer from an allergy to alcohol that results in a physical craving that is beyond our control. We have been shown the classic progression of alcoholism in Bill's story. We have seen that alcoholic insanity condemns us to drink despite the need or desire to abstain. Now the authors sum up the description of alcoholism in one sentence.

4

If that be the case, you may be suffering from an illness which only a spiritual experience will conquer.

The authors use the word "may" to allow us to decide for ourselves if this is true. To determine if this is true for us, we need to examine our drinking in the light of the information contained in the previous chapters.

This is the basic premise of the Alcoholics Anonymous program. If we have reached the point where human aid is of no avail we have nowhere to turn but to a spiritual solution to our problem. AA is not a self help program. If we were able to help ourselves we would not need AA.

5-6

To one who feels he is an athiest or agnostic such an experience seems impossible, but to continue as he is means disaster especially if he is an alcoholic of the hopeless variety. To be doomed to an alcoholic death or to live on a spiritual basis----not always easy alternatives to face.

Tangible assistance from a Power greater than ourselves seems unavailable to those of us who are without hope. This help seems out of our reach and only available to monks, priests, and gurus. Faced with alcoholic destruction we become willing to attempt to access this Power that the authors declare has solved their problem.

9-10

At first some ofus tried to avoid the issue, hoping against hope we were not true alcoholics. But after a while we had to face the fact that we must find a spiritual basis of life----or else.

To be a true alcoholic means that to recover we have to abandon our old ways of thinking and methods of dealing with life. Many of us hold tightly to the idea that our lives based on self can be successful if only we try hard enough. We resist, sometimes for years, beginning to build our lives on a spiritual foundation.

Many of us try for years to avoid the spiritual solution hoping that mere fellowship with sober people will help us recover. Sooner or later we realize that our lives run on selfwill are unsuccessful and we begin to seek a solution. Some of us unfortunately return to our old solution and begin once again to drink. Others of us discover a true solution in the spritually based way of life suggested in the Big Book.

Alcoholism destroyes all things worthwhile in our lives leaving only feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and guilt. Association with sober people in AA can not bring about a personality change sufficient to overcome alcoholism. The power capable of restoring meaning and purpose to our lives can be found only by adopting a spiritual way of life.

14

If a mere code of morals, or a better philosophy of life were sufficient to overcome alcoholism, many of us would have recovered long ago.

To recovery we need to experience an entire psychic change (xxvii:2). We must abandon the ideas and attitudes that currently shape our lives and adopt entirely new ones (27:11-12). Our selfishness and selfcenterdness are obstacles to gaining this new life (62:2-14). We as humans lack the power to remake our character to the extent necessary. Only God can replace the foundations and motivations for our actions and emotions.


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D.

[nandm]

3

Our human resources, as marshalled by the will, were not sufficient; they failed utterly.

In Bill's story we saw how human resources failed to conquer alcoholism. Good intentions, high abilities, firm resolve, renewal of resolve, sincere promises, self-knowledge, fear, family, friends, and medical science are incapable of producing the total reorganization of a person's psyche that is necessary for recovery from alcoholism.

8-9

Well, that's exactly what this book is about. It's main object isto enable you to find a Power greater than yourself which will solve your problem.

We lack the power to recover from alcoholism and must find a way to establish a relationship with a Power capable of helping us. This book suggests theories that we may adopt to replace our current failed ideas about life. Each of the 12 Steps contain techniques that we may practive. Practicing these techniques allows us to build a body of experience proving that God is working in our life. We thus develop faith---a reliance upon this new way of life.

In the forward the authors explain that the main purpose of this book is to show us precisely what they have done to recover (xiii:2). They promise to answer our questions about what we have to do specifically (20:5) by telling us what they did and by giving us clear-cut directions (29:1). The main object of this book is to show us how we can find a Power greater than ourselves.

10

That means we have written a book which we believe to be spiritual as well as moral.

The term spiritual concerns the attempt to awaken to the existence of God. Moral refers to the guiding principles by which we live.

45:15-46:2

We know how he feels. We have shared his honest doubt and prejudice. Some of us have been violently anti-religious. To others, the word "God" brought up a particular idea of Him with which someone had tried to impress them during childhood. Perhaps we rejected this particular conception because it seemed inadequate. With that rejection we imangined we had abandoned the God idea entirely. We were bothered with the thought that failth and dependence upon a Power beyond ourselves was somewhat weak, even cowardly. We looked upon this world of warring individuals, warring theological systems, and inexplicable calamity, with deep skepticism. We looked askance at many individuals who claimed to be godly.

The authors can speak to us of our doubt and prejudice from their own experience. In their personal stories the authors describe the barriers they found to their spiritual awakenings. We can draw upon their experience and overcome some of these barriers to our own recovery.

Faced with alcoholic destruciton we must not let our past experience, ideas, and attitudes prevent us from find the Power we need to live. What harm could come to us from abandoning these attitudes? Must we cling to our failed views until we die? Are we willing to set these ideas aside long enough to give the development of spiritual experience an honest try?

We are not being asked to adopt a religion. The authors are merely saying this is what worked for them, we may try it if we please. The purpose of this book is to enable us to develop our own experience with a spiritual way of life and to find a Power by which we can live. It does not amtter what religious people or any other people believe or what they do. All that matters is what we ourselves believe. This program of action can help us build our faith based upon our own personal experience.

When other peoples' conceptions of God did not work for us we mistakenly concluded that God was unavailable. The purpose of this program of action is to develop or expand our own conception of God. Through the application of spiritual principles in our lives we awaken to a conscious awareness of the existence of God.

Having adopted the view that we have only our own resources to draw upon we attempt to use self-will to bring about happiness. We believe that the satisfaction of our desires is the sole purpose for living. Weakness results from having only human resources to draw upon. Cowardliness is being afraid to let go of that which we cling to most dearly---our self-will. Faith is not a crutch for the cowardly and weak but a source of strength and power that enables us to exceed our own capabilities.

It is ironic that we who have failed to live up to our own ideals should judge so harshly the failure of other individuals and institutions to meet these standards. We must set aside our judgment of others if we are to develop our own experience with our Higher Power.

DEFINITION:
46:2-----Askance: with suspicion, mistrust or disapproval.


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D.

[nandm]

9

We found that as soon as we were able to lay aside prejudice and express even a willingness to believe in a Power greater than ourselves, we commenced to get results, even though it was impossible for any of us to fully define or comprehend that Power, which is God.

We agnostics are reluctant to subscribe to any spiritual philosophy beccause of the unfathomable nature of God. Adopting a willingness to act as if there is a God coupled with the application of certain principles will produce spiritual experiences even for agnostics.

The directions are clear-cut: lay aside prejudice and express a willingness to believe in a Power greater than ourselves. The promise is given: we will begin to get results.

12

As soon as we admitted the possible existence of a Creative Intelligence, A Spirit of the Universe underlying the totality of things, we began to be possessed of a new sense of power and direction, provided we took other simple steps.

The specific instruction is to "admit the possible existence" of God. The promise is that we will be able to access the infinite power of God and find a new purpose for living. The prerequisite is to continue along this path.

13-15

We found that God does not make too hard terms with those who seek Him. To us, the Realm of Spirit is broad, roomy, all inclusive; never exclusive or forbidding, to those who earnestly seek. It is open, we believe, to all men.

This Power is available to us and is not reserved only for others. To make a beginning willingness is all that is required. To seek God in earnest by practicing the rest of the 12 Steps will produce the same awakening in us that it has in the millions of alcoholics who have gone before us.


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D.

[nandm]

ATTITUDES THAT HINDER OUR PROGRESS

45:17------Anti-religious.
45:19-20---Rejection of inadequate childhood conception and abandonment of God.
45:21------The thought that faith was somewhat weak, even cowardly.
46:1-------Warring individuals, warring theological systems, inexplicable calamity.
46:2-------Judgment of individuals claiming to be godly.
46:3-------How could a supreme being have anything to do with it at all?
46:4-------Incomprehensibility of God.
46:10------Distraction by other's conception of God.
47:3-------Prejudice against spiritual terms.
47:12------Assumption that we must accept many things on faith.
47:17------Obstinacy, sensitiveness, and unreasoning prejudice.
48:1-------Antagonism towards reference to spiritual things.
49:4-------Our perverse streak.
49:7-8-----The vain idea that our intelligence is the beginning and end of all.
49:13------Cynically dissecting spiritual beliefs and practices.
50:1-------Using peoples shortcomings as a basis of wholesale condemnation.
50:2-------We talked of intolerance when we were intolerant ourselves.
50:4-------We never gave the spiritual side of life a fair hearing.
51:12------We are biased and unreasonable about the realm of the spirit.
52:12------We stick to the idea that self-sufficency would solve our problems.
53:18------We lean to heavily on reason for our support.
54:3-------We had been abjectly faithful to the God of Reason.
54:7-------We worship people, sentiment, things, money and ourselves.
55:6-------Obscured by calamity, pomp, by worship of other things.
56:2-------Rebellion at religious education.
56:7-------Ideas that God had never done anything for us.

[nandm]

3-4

Do not let any prejudice you may have against spiritual terms deter you from honestly asking yourself what they mean to you. At the start, this is all we needed to commence spiritual growth, to effect our fist conscious relation with God as we understood Him.

Prejudice is opinion formed prior to a reasoned examination. AA suggests that we examine this way of life for ourselves and then decide whether it is the best way for us. Here we are given a direction to follow should we desire to begin. This direction is clear-cut and suggests that we may begin by examining, in the light of our own experience, what it is that we believe. This examiniation makes us consciously aware of our beliefs and gives us a starting place.

9

Do I now believe, or am I even willing to believe, that there is a Power greater than myself?

This is the second step. If we have admitted that we are alcoholic then we clearly see that we must find a Power greater than ourselves. To move towards recovery, from our seemingly hopelss state of mind and body, we need to ask ourselves this question.

10

As soon as a man can say that he does believe, or is willing to believe, we empatically assure him that he is on his way.

If our answer is no we need to examine whether we truly belive that we are alcoholic and powerless over alcohol---that our lives are unmanageable. If we have the power to overcome our drinking problem the we have no need to seek help from a Power greater than ourselves. If we have, after an honest examination of our situation, no hope of being able to recover through human efforts then where else are we to turn? Are we unable to grasp the hope offered us by the authors and the millions of alcoholics who have recoverd through this method?

11

It has been repeatedly proven among us that upon this simple cornerstone a wonderully effective spiritual strcuture can be built.

The cornerstone determines the trueness of a structure, whether it is plumb, level and square. This willingness to believe is essential to the new structure of our lives. It is a guiding principle, a solid base for our future decisions and actions. Willingness, coupled with honesty and open-mindedness is essential and indispensable to our recovery.

12-16

That was great news to us, for we had assumed we could not make use of spritual principles unless we accepted many things on faith which seemed difficult to believe. When people presented us with spiritual approaches, how frequently did we all say: "I wish I had what that man has. I'm sure it would work if I could only belive as he believes. But I cannot accept as surely true the many articles of faith which are so plain to him. So it was comforting to learn that we could commmence at a simpler level.

Blind faith is not a requirement. The authors are saying try this and see if it works for you too. By taking the steps we build personal experience upon which we base our belief. We practice new ways of looking at situations and new methods to access Power beyond our own to solve problems that, in the past, we believed impossible. Over and over we see for ourselves that this way of life works. We learn to rely upon the principles contained in the steps and in the power of God. Thus, we develop an undeniably effective relationship with God. The key to this new way of life is a simple willingness to believe.

47:17-48:1

Besides a seeming inability to accept much on faith, we often found ourselves handicapped by obstinacy, sensitiveness, and unreasoning prejudice. Many of us have been so touchy that even casual reference to spiritual things made us bristle with antagonism.

The authors know us well. This definition of us is all too true and shows us some of the attitudes that weigh us down and slow our spiritual progress. Our stubborn resistance to accepting a spiritual solution creates problems in many areas of our lives. Our quickness to argue over spiritual or religious matters prevents us from seeing the truth. Our opinioins formed prior to investigating the spiritual way of life keep us in the darkness of ignorance.


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D.

[nandm]

2-7

This sort of thinking had to be abandoned. Though some of us resisted, we found no great difficulty in casting aside such feelings. Facted with alcoholic destruction, we soon became as open minded on spiritual matters as we had tried to be on other questions. In this respect alcohol was a great persuader. It finally beat us into a state of resonableness. Sometimes this was a tedious process; we hope no one will be prejudiced as long as some of us were.

Here is a specific and clear-cut direction to abandon this type of thinking. How have these attitudes been working for us? They are a ball and chain pulling us to the bottom of an ocean of despair. Casting aside these ideas allows us to reach the surface and breathe the fresh air of recovery. Our opinions and attitudes we hold so dearly matter little when we finally admit that we are powerless over alcohol and will likely die unless we abandon them.

We turn to God out of necessity rather than any type of moral or spiritual superiority. This necessity adds to the earnestness of our search and our gratefulness at finding a solution. How badly beaten must we be before we are willing to set aside our prejudice?

Are we to the point where we are willing to listen to reason? Will we set aside our preconceived ideas about spirituality long enough to examine the possible benefits of this way of life? Will we stubbornly hold on to our old ideas and reject the experience of millions of others?

DEFINITION:
48:7----Tedious: long and tiresome, painfully slow.

11-16

The practical individual of today is a stickler for facts and results. Nevertheless, the twentieth century readily accepts theories of all kinds, provided they are firmly grounded in fact. We have numerous theories, for example, about electricity. Everybody believes them without a murmur of doubt. Why this ready acceptance? Simply because it is impossible to explain what we see, feel, direct, and use, without a reasonable assumption as a starting point.

The reasonable assumption to start from is that there is a Power greater than ourselves that can restore us to sanity. Without this beginning it is unlikely that we would continue with the rest of the steps. When we falter with the following steps we can return to this point and use our belief as a motivation to continue.

Dr. Silkworth observed that alcoholics at some point lose their ability to control their drinking. He formed the theory that as a result of an allergy, alcoholics develop an irresistable craving for alcohol. This, coupled with the delusion that we can still control our drinking in the face of conclusive evidence that we cannot, is a form of insanity should convince us that we are powerless over alcohol. Likewise a willingness to accept the idea that a Power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity can help us decide to continue with this program of recovery.

21

The prosaic steel girder is a mass of electrons whirling around each other at incredible speed.

DEFINITION:
48:21----Prosaic: Commonplace


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D.

[nandm]

44:4---------You may be suffering from an illness which only a spiritual experience will conquer.
47:11--------It has been repeatedly proven among us that upon this simple cornerstone a wonderfully effective spiritual structure can be built.
48:16--------Reasonable assumption as a starting point.
49:11--------People of faith have a logical idea of what life is all about.
49:12--------We used to have no reasonable conception whatever
49:13--------Sprituallly minded persons demonstrate a degree of stability, happiness, and usefulness which we should have sought ourselves
50:9-12------These men and women have gained access to and believe in a Power Greater than themselves
50:13-51:3---One hundred people saying that the consciousness of a Presence of God is the most important fact of their lives, presents a powerful reason why one should have faith
52:8-10------Our ideas did not work. But the God idea did
52:13--------Others show us that God-sufficiency worked with them
53:7---------The authors think it is reasonable, and more sane and logical to believe
53:8-10------We have to face the propsition that either God is or God isn't
54:4---------Faith had been involved all along
54:15--------In one form or another we had been living by faith and little else
55:4---------We had seen spiritual release
55:7---------For faith in a Power greater than ourselvs, and miraculous demonstrations of that power in human lives are facts as old as man himself
55:8---------We finally saw that faith in some kind of God was a part of our makeup
55:11--------We found the Great Reality deep down within us
55:20--------His change of heart was dramatic, convincing and moving
56:8---------It is possible that all the religious people I have known are wrong?
56:11--------Who are you to say there is no God?
56:21--------His alcoholic problem was taken away
57:3---------God had restored his sanity
57:4-5-------What is this but a miracle of healing? Yet it's elements are simple
57:6---------Circumstances made him willing to believe
57:8---------Even so has God restored us all to our right minds
57:11--------But he has come to all who have honestly sought him
57:12--------When we drew near to Him He disclosed himself to us.

[1963comet]

Want to say thank you for putting information here. I have got a better understanding thanks to you. I learn more here every day.

[nandm]

4

When, however, the perfectly logical assumption is suggested that underneath the material world and life as we see it, there is an All Powerful, Guiding, Creative Intelligence, right there our perverse streak comes to the surface and we laboriously set out to convince ourselves it isn't so.

We can ask ourselves "how is it working for us?" Are we going to hold on to our old ideas until they kill us? Can't we set aside our arguments long enough to give a spiritually based way of life an honest appraisal?

DEFINITION:
Perverse: determined to go counter to what is expected or desired.

9

We, who have traveled this dubious path, beg you to lay aside prejudice, even against organized religion.

The authors, whose drinking patterns were so similiar to ours, state that they have also had these objections to leading a spritually based way of life. The very strong terms in which this suggestion is made shows how important this is to our recovery. Our prejudices will block our progress.

DEFINITION:
Dubious: of doubtful value

10

We have learned that whatever the human frailtes of various faiths may be, those faiths have given purpose and direction to millions.

People, rather than God, have caused our problems with religions. There is a sufficient amount of food on this planet. There are only human reasons why some people starve. People judge others. People cause the wars and fighting. People like us. While blaming others we ignore our own responsibility for the troubles of the world. Decisions and actions based on selfishness and selfcenteredness have caused many of the problems we face both as members of the human race and as individuals.

11-12

People of faith have a logical idea of what life is all about. Actually, we used to have no reasonable conception whatever.

Our conception of what life is about may be based on the flawed idea that the satisfaction of our desires is the route to happiness. Having never examined the basis for our lives until now we have in the past blamed our unhappiness on others for interfering with our pursuit of happiness.

49:13-50:4

We used to amuse ourselves by cynically dissecting spiritual beliefs and practices when we might have observed that many spiritually minded persons of all races, colors, and creeds were demonstrating a degree of stability, happiness, and usefulness which we should have sought ourselves.

Instead, we looked at the human defects of these people, and sometimes used their shortcomings as a basis of wholesale condemnation. We talked of intolerance, while we were intolerant ourselves. We missed the reality and the beauty of the forest because we were diverted by the ugliness of some of its tress. We never gave the spiritual side of life a fair hearing.

If we are so competent to judge the lives, activities, and beliefs of others why is our own life in such a state of disorder? Our prejudice towards spirituality and religion does nothing for us and only prevents us from seeing that faith helps people live happier and more useful lives. Acting upon our misguided ideas and attitudes has stripped our lives of purpose and meaning. Setting aside these ideas that have failed us will allow us to begin on the path to true happiness and usefullness.

DEFINITION:
49:13-----Cynically: looking past the appearance of good will, searching to find a rotten core of self-interest.


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D

[nandm]

5-8

In our personal stories you will find wide variation in the way each teller approaches and conceives of the Power which is greater than himself. Whether we agree with a particular approach or conception seems to make little difference. Experience has taught that these are matters about which, for one purpose, we need not be worried. They are questions for each individual to settle for himself.

The purpose of the personal stories in the back of the book is to help us find a concept of and a way to make contact with a Power greater than ourselves. We ignore the differences and look for ways that we are similiar with the authors. If we find a concept we can agree with we are free to adopt it. Should we find no conception with which we can abide, we are free to believe what we will. Being powerless over alcohol we are betting our lives on the concept we choose, so deep thought on this subject is needed. We may begin to build our new lives upon our own concept whatever that may be.

9-11

On one proposition, however, these men and women are strikingly agreed. Everyone of them has gained access to, and believesin, a Power greater than himself. This Power has in each case accomplished the miraculous, the humanly impossible.

The basis for tha AA program is that we learn to access a Power greater than ourselves to solve our problems. This is the purpose of the 12 Steps. This simple program of action worked for the authors and ahs worked for millions of alcoholics the world over.

12

As a celebrated American statesman puts it, "Let's look at the record."

HISTORICAL NOTE:
The statesman referred to was Alfred E. Smith, four time Governor of New York, and in 1928, the first Roman Catholic Presidentail candidate.

50:13-51:1

Here are on hundred men and women, wordly indeed. They flatly declare that since they have come to believe in a Power greater than themselves, to take a certain attitude toward that Power, and to do certain simple things, there has been a revolutionary change in their way of living and thinking. In the face of collapse and despair, in the face of the total failure of their human resources, they found that a new Power, peace, happiness, and sense of direction flowede into them. This happened soon after they wholeheartedly met a few simple requirements. Once confused and baffled by the seeming futility of existence, they will show the underlying reasons why they were making heavy going of life. Leaving aside the drink question, they tell why living was so unsatisfactory.

This paragraph offers us a wonderful promise that power, peace, happiness, and sense of direction will replace our current helplessness, anxiety, despair, and feelings of uselessness. For this program to work for us we may do the things that the authors show us they did: "come to believe," "take a certain attitude toward God," "do certain simple things," and "meet a few simple requirements." We are certain to succeed if we follow the path laid out by those who have gone before us.

That thousands of people have recovered using this spiritual program of action is a convincing reason to believe that faith in a Power greater than ourselves is a practical and effective method of overcoming alcoholism.

HISTORICAL NOTE:
50:13---"one hundred" changed to thousands in the third edition.

Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D

[nandm]

48:11-49:6----No visual proof
49:7-9--------Belief in the supremacy of human intellect
49:10-13------Prejudice against organized religion
50:1-4--------Human defects of religious people
51:4-52:7-----Belief that religion is unscientific
52:8-13-------Doubt of the power of God
53:1-18-------Belief that faith is illogical
53:19-55:1----Rejection of faith and worship
55:2-4--------Rejection of the evidence of spiritual efficacy

[nandm]

3

When one hundred people are able to say that the consciousness of The Presence of God is today the most important fact in their lives, they present a powerful reason why one should have faith.

Perhaps right now the most important fact in our lives is our inability to quit drinking and the overwhelming troubles both physical, mental and spiritual that our drinking and current way of life have caused. The promise is that peace, happiness, and sense of direction will come as a result of working the 12 Steps.

12

We asked ourselves this: are not some of us just as biased and unreasonable about the realm of the spirit as were the ancients about the realm of the material?

Once again it is pointed out that judgment of spirituality prior to investigation is unreasonable. All that is suggested is that we come to our own conclusions based on our experience rather than our biases.

15

Did not Professor Langley's absurd flying machine go to the bottom of the Potomac river?

HISTORICAL NOTE:
Samuel Langley (1834-1906), U.S. pioneer in aeronautics. In 1896 launched the first successful pilotless power driven heavier-than-air craft which flew 1/2 mile over the Potomac river near Washington D.C.. Later a larger version crashed into the river and sank.


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D

[nandm]

4

Is not our age characterized by the ease with which we throw away the theory or gadget which does not work for something new which does?

Now that we see that there is a better way to live we can discard our old ideas for new ideas that work.

6

We were having trouble with personal relationships, we couldn't control our emotional natures, we were a prey to misery and depression, we couldn't make a living, we had a feeling of uselessness, we were full of fear, we were unhappy, we couldn't seem to be of real help to other people---was not a basic solution of these bedevilments more important than whether we should see newsreels of lunar flight?

This is a list of some of the symptoms of alcoholism. If merely quitting drinking were the solution to our problem these bedevilments would disappear when we sobered up. A fundamental reorganization of the way we relate to the world is needed if these problems are to be solved. This program offers us the chance to develop through experience a faith that works in solving these problems. Problems that we despaired of ever solving will fall away as we begin the practice of the spiritual principles presented in this book.

This paragraph offers criteria to measure our progress in this program. If we are still beset by problems such as these perhaps we have not developed sufficient spiritual experience to draw upon so that they may be solved. Problems such as these are a clear indication of the unmanageability of our lives.

DEFINITION:
Bedevilment: things that torment us, such as doubts, distractions, and worries.

8

When we saw others solve their problems by simple reliance upon the Spirit of this universe, we had to stop doubting the power of God.

Our reliance on God is a result of an accumulation of experience. We gain experience by calling upon this Power to solve our problems. We learn for ourselves that this works. Just as we learn for ourselves that the way we have been trying to address our problems has failed. Seeing this way of life work for others gives us the willingness to try to apply these principles in our own lives.

This is a very practical approach to solving our problems. Seeing that this way of life works for others can give us the willingness to try to apply these principles to our own lives. Once we are willing and make the decision to try to build a relationshipwith God we are given techniques that when practiced repeatedly produce a body of successful spiritual experiences the result of which allows us to develop a faith that works.

9-10

Our ideas did not work. But the God idea did.

How is the way we have been trying to address our problems working for us? What makes us believe that if only we apply our failed ideas even harder that they will ever work? The truth is that the way we have been living will never work. Here are a vast number of people for whom the idea of God is working. All we need is to be willing to give it a try. If it works we can keep doing it and if it does not work we are free to try something else.


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D

[nandm]

1-7

Logic is great stuff. We liked it. We still like it. It is not by chance we were given the power to reason, to examine the evidence fo our senses, and to draw conclusions. That is one of man's magnificent attributes. We agnostically inclined would not feel satisfied with a proposal which does not lend itself to reasonable approach and interpretation. Hence we are at pains to tell why we think our present faith is reasonable, why we say our former thinking was soft and mushy wehn we threw up our hands in doubt and said, "We don't know.

The only way to know if this way of life will work for us is to give it a try. If it works we can continue. If it does not work we can try something else. It would clearly be insane to keep doing what we have been doing hoping that somehow it will begin to work after having failed so many times before. The only logical choice is to try something different, something that many other people say works for them.

8-10

When we became alcoholics, crushed by a self-imposed crisis we could not postpone or evade, 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?

The self-imposed crisis is the failure of our current way of life. Where are we to turn for help? We have arrived at the point where only a Power greater than ourselves can help us. If we continue on the way we are going we are doomed. We are forced under the lash of alcoholism to turn to God. Here we must decide if we are willing to seek God's help.

Our answer to this question will be the foundation from which we base our future decisions and actions. If we decide there is no God then we will act as if we are on our own and have onlly our own resources to draw upon. If on the other hand we decide that there is a God then we will adopt attitudes and take actions to access this Power that can solve our problems.

A decision to act as if there is a God will give us the opportunity to develop first hand experience with spiritually based life. When we are confronted with a choice of which way to turn we can draw upon our foundation of willingness to help us determine which course to take. Having a firm base for our decisions helps us to do the right thing in all situations.

53:18-54:4

Perhaps we had been leaning too heavily on Reason that last mile and we did not like to lose our support.

That was natural, but let us think a little more closely. Without knowing it, had we not been brought to where we stood by a certain kind of faith? For did we not believe in our own reasoning? Did we not have confidence in our ability to think? What was that but a sort of faith? Yes, we had been faithful, abjectly faithful to the God of Reason. So, in one way or another, we discovered that faith had been involved all the time!

JMany of us exalt reason to teh level of a God. We come to rely upon Reason, seemingly our only resource, to solve our problems. We base our decisions and actions upon our ability to reason out the correct course in each situation. We still do this, but now we have a guiding principle upon which to base our reasoning. The principle of the existence of a Higher Power.


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D.

[nandm]

3

Yes, we had been faithful, abjectly faithful to the God of Reason.

DEFINITION:
Abjectly: shamelessly servile

5-15

We found, too, that we had been worshippers. What a state of mental goose-flesh that used to bring on! Had we not variously worshipped people, sentiment, things, money, and ourselves? And then, with a better motive, had we not

Our ideas, attitudes and actions shape our lives. We model our behavior after those people we feel are most successful in achieving what we want for ourselves. We used to think that achievement and possessions would bring us happiness and satisfaction. We suggest that satisfaction, fulfillment, and joy are to be found by leading a life based upon reliance upon God.

We have built our lives on the faulty foundation of self-will. When this way of life fails to bring us satisfaction we seek a solution to the feeling that our lives have no purpose or meaning. We think if only we had more money, then things would be all right. If only we had a spouse or a different spouse, then things would be all right. If only we had a job, or a different job, then things would be all right. Seeing these things as a solution we pursue them with all our will. When these things fail to satisfy us it adds to the feeling of life's meaninglessness.

DEFINITION:
Worship: to pay reverent homage ot that considered sacred
Sentiment: feeling or emotion.


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D

[nandm]

44:10-------We had to face the fact that we must find a spiritual basis for life--or else.
46:9--------We found that as soon as we were able to lay aside our prejudice and express even a willingness to believe in a Power greater than ourselves, we commence to get results.
46:12-------As soon as we admitted the possible existence of a Creative Intelligence, A Spirit of the Universe underlying the totality of things, we began to be possessed of a new sense of power and direction, provided we took other simple steps.
47:3--------Do not let any prejudice you may have against spritual terms deter you from honestly asking yourself what they mean to you.
47:8-9------We needed to ask ourselves but one short question, "Do I now believe or am I even wiling to believe in a Power greater than myself?"
48:2--------This sort of thinking had to be abandoned.
48:4--------Faced with alcoholic destruction we soon became as open minded on spiritual matters as we had tried to be on other questions.
49:9--------.....lay aside prejudice, even against organized religion
50:16-------This happened soon after they wholeheartedly met a few simple requirements.
51:12-------We asked ourselves this: are not some of us just as biased and unreasonable about the realm of the spirit as were the ancients about the realm of the material?
52:5--------We had to ask ourselves why we shouldn't apply to our human problems this same readiness to change our point of view.
52:8--------....we had to stop doubting the power of God
53:8-10-----....we had to fearlessly face the proposition that God is either everything or else He is nothing. God either is, or He isn't. What was our choice to be?
55:11-12----We found the Great Reality deep down within us. In the last analysis it is only there that He may be found.
55:15-17----....sweep away prejudice.....think honestly....search diligently within yourself....join us on the Broad Highway. With this attitude you cannot fail. The consciousness of your beliefe is sure to come to you.
57:11-12----...He has come to all who have honestly sought hiim. When we drew near to Him He disclosed Himself to us!

[nandm]

2-4

Yet we had been seeing another kind of flight, a spiritual liberation from this world, people who rose above their problems. They said God made these things possible, and we only smiled. We had seen spiritual release, but liked to tell ourselves it wasn't true.

Millions of alcoholics restored to happy useful lives by adopting a spiritual basis for their lives are a very good reason for us to give this way of life a try.

6

It may be obscured by calamity, by pomp, by worship of other things, but in some form or other it is there.

Have we let calamity such as wars, famine, misery and hardship, the cermeony of religions, the pride of people and the pursuit of material satisfaction block us off from God? Can we see past these things to establish a relationship with God?

11

We found the Great Reality deep down within us.

Ifwe are having difficulty establishing conscious contact with God here is the place to focus our search and some directions on what to do: search fearlessly, search diligently and think honestly. The promise that we cannot fail and that the consciousness of our beliefe will come to us gives us hope that is founded in the experience of millions of recovered alcoholics.

15

If our testimony helps sweep away prejudice, enables you to think honestly, encourages you to search diligently within yourself, then if you wish you can join us on the Broad Highway.

One AA joked that itis good that the Highway is Broad, as that means the gutter is farther away.

DEFINITION:
Diligently: attentive and persistent


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D

[nandm]

2-5

He attended church school, where he became rebellious at what he thought an overdose of religious education. For years thereafter he was dogged by trouble and frustration. Business failure, insanity, fatal illness, suicide---these calamities in his immediate family embittered and depressed him. Post-war disillusionment, ever more serious alcoholism, impending mental and physical collapse, brought him to the point of self-destruction.

Here is the story of many of our lives. Rather than adopting a spiritual life we experience the results of a life based on self-will trouble and frustration. Restricted to our own resources by our faulty perception we are unable to meet life's challenges. Alcoholism strips our lives of purpose and meaning, we become sick physically and mentally seek escape.

7

Our friend's gorge rose as he bitterly cried out: "If there is a God, He certainly hasn't done anything for me."

Here is an example of self-centeredness. We think only of what God and other people can do for us. This is a defect in perception that brings only frustration and unhappiness when things do not go our way. Trying to place God at the center of our lives and seeking ways to further God's will is a way of life that brings happiness, freedom and joy.

8

But later, alone in his room, he asked himself this question: "Is it possible that all the religious people I have known are wrong?"

We can ask ourselves this same question. We can also ask if the millions of alcoholics who say that they have been restored to happy useful lives by practicinv these principles could be wrong?

17-18

He had stepped from bridge to shore. For the first time, he lived in conscious companionship with his Creator.

Stepping from the Bridge of Reason to the solid ground of faith is the beginning of our relationship with God. The extent of our willingness to believe determines how completely we are able to adopt this new way of life.

20

No later vicissitude has shaken it.

DEFINITION:
Vicissitude: change of circumstances

56:21-57:3

His alcoholic problem was taken away. That very night three years ago it disappeared. Save for a few brief moments of temptation the thought of drink has never returned; and at such times a great revulsion has risen up in him. Seemingly he could not drink even if he would. God had restored his sanity.

The result of our willingness to believe and a way of life based upon that belief is the removal of our alcoholic problem and a restoration to sanity. What better reason could there be for us to believe in a Power greater than ourselves?


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D

[nandm]

6

Circumstances made him willing to believe.

This miracle of healing is not reserved for those of saintly demeanor but is available to we who have become willing to believe out of necessity.

12

When we drew near to Him He disclosed Himself to us!

This is a direction for finding God. If we do what we must to clear away what is blocking us we are certain to be successful.


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D

[nandm]

[jcolon]

What do we do as agnostics? I want to be around people that understand me as a agnostic and respect my view. Nevertheless, I want to quick drinking and i know it comes from within us, the drink just has me by the you know whats.

[CarolD]

Welcome to SR....

Have you had time to look at your other post?
I think it has really good infomation for you.

Here it is.....

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ml#post2411915 (Non-religion or spiritual meetings)

From your first post....I think the fact you consider
you are not powerless.....will be difficult to overcome
if you choose to use AA.

AA Step 1
"We admitted we were powerless over alcohol
that our lives had become unmanageable"


I certainly hope you find something that gives you joy and peace.