Chapter Four: We Agnostics 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. |
The Blueprint 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. |
Title: 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. |
page 44 : sentences 2-3, 4, 5-6, 9-10, 14 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. 4 If that be the case, you may be suffering from an illness which only a spiritual experience will conquer. 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. 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. 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. Source: The Annotated AA Handbook Frank D. |
45:3, 8-9, 10, 45:15-46:2 3 Our human resources, as marshalled by the will, were not sufficient; they failed utterly. 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. 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. 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. 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. |
46:9, 12, 13-15 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. 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. 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. Source: The Annotated AA Handbook Frank D. |
Attitudes that hinder our progress 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. |
47:3-4, 9, 10, 11, 12-16, 47:17-48:1 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. 9 Do I now believe, or am I even willing to believe, that there is a Power greater than myself? 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. 11 It has been repeatedly proven among us that upon this simple cornerstone a wonderully effective spiritual strcuture can be built. 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. 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. Source: The Annotated AA Handbook Frank D. |
48:2-7, 11-16, 21 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. 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. 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. 48:21----Prosaic: Commonplace Source: The Annotated AA Handbook Frank D. |
Reasons to Believe 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. |
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49:4, 9, 10, 11-12, 49:13-50:4 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. 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. 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. 11-12 People of faith have a logical idea of what life is all about. Actually, we used to have no reasonable conception whatever. 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. 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 |
50:5-8, 9-11, 12, 50:13-51:1 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. 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. 12 As a celebrated American statesman puts it, "Let's look at the record." 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. 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 |
Objections Addressed 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 |
51:3, 12, 15 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. 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? 15 Did not Professor Langley's absurd flying machine go to the bottom of the Potomac river? 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 |
52:4, 6, 8, 9-10 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? 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 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. 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. Source: The Annotated AA Handbook Frank D |
53:1-7, 8-10, 53:18-54:4 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. 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? 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! Source: The Annotated AA Handbook Frank D. |
54:3, 5-15 3 Yes, we had been faithful, abjectly faithful to the God of Reason. 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 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 |
Directions for making a beginning 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! |
55:2-4, 6, 11, 15 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. 6 It may be obscured by calamity, by pomp, by worship of other things, but in some form or other it is there. 11 We found the Great Reality deep down within us. 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. DEFINITION: Diligently: attentive and persistent Source: The Annotated AA Handbook Frank D |
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