Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Alcoholics Anonymous

2009-07-24T03:31:03Z

RYoung: /* Prayers of Alcoholics Anonymous */

'''Alcoholics Anonymous''' is a program created to help alcoholics on the path to recovery from [[alcoholism]]. Founded on June 10th, 1935 in [[Akron]], [[Ohio]] by Bill W. and Dr. Bob, it utilizes a [[twelve step program]] to help those suffering from [[alcoholic drink|alcohol]] [[addiction]] to overcome their addiction, relying on [[faith]] in a "higher power". Both Wilson and Smith were members of the [[Oxford Group]], a Christian reform movement started by Lutheran minister [[Frank Buchman]], until about 1939 when the book "Alcoholics Anonymous" was published.

== The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous ==
#We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
#Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
#Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
#Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
#Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
#Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
#Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
#Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
#Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
#Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
#Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
#Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

==The Success of 12-Step Programs==
The inclusiveness and support of 12-step programs has led to the model being extended to other addictions, such as narcotics, gambling, and illicit sex.

==Higher Power==
The "higher power" cited in Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step groups does not necessarily refer to [[God]]. The phrase "God ''as we understood Him''" allows members to choose other gods or "powers" to help them in their recovery. However, the Christian foundation of A.A. is evident by the inclusion of several quotes from the bible in the book "Alcoholics Anonymous" and the use of the terms "Father" and "Creator" when referring to God.

==Prayers of Alcoholics Anonymous==
The Third Step Prayer

"God, I offer myself to Thee- to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always!"

The Seventh Step Prayer

"My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character that stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here, to do your bidding. Amen."

The Eleventh Step Prayer (The prayer of St. Francis of Assisi)

"Lord, make me a channel of thy peace - that where there is hatred, I may bring love- that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness- that where there is discord, I may bring harmony- that where there is error, I may bring truth- that where there is doubt, I may bring faith- that where there is despair, I may bring hope- that where there are shadows, I may bring light- that where there is sadness, I may bring joy. Lord grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted- to undersand than to be understood- to love, than to be loved. For it is by self-forgetting that one finds. It is by forgiving that one is forgiven. It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life. Amen"

==Guiding Principles==
The Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous.
#Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.
#For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority - a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
#The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
#Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.
#Each group has but one primary purpose-to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
#An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
#Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
#Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
#A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
#Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
#Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.
#Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

==See also==
*[[Serenity Prayer]]

==External Links==
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

==References==

<references/>

[[Category:Organizations]]

Alcoholics Anonymous

2009-07-24T03:26:43Z

RYoung:

'''Alcoholics Anonymous''' is a program created to help alcoholics on the path to recovery from [[alcoholism]]. Founded on June 10th, 1935 in [[Akron]], [[Ohio]] by Bill W. and Dr. Bob, it utilizes a [[twelve step program]] to help those suffering from [[alcoholic drink|alcohol]] [[addiction]] to overcome their addiction, relying on [[faith]] in a "higher power". Both Wilson and Smith were members of the [[Oxford Group]], a Christian reform movement started by Lutheran minister [[Frank Buchman]], until about 1939 when the book "Alcoholics Anonymous" was published.

== The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous ==
#We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
#Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
#Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
#Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
#Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
#Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
#Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
#Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
#Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
#Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
#Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
#Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

==The Success of 12-Step Programs==
The inclusiveness and support of 12-step programs has led to the model being extended to other addictions, such as narcotics, gambling, and illicit sex.

==Higher Power==
The "higher power" cited in Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step groups does not necessarily refer to [[God]]. The phrase "God ''as we understood Him''" allows members to choose other gods or "powers" to help them in their recovery. However, the Christian foundation of A.A. is evident by the inclusion of several quotes from the bible in the book "Alcoholics Anonymous" and the use of the terms "Father" and "Creator" when referring to God.

==Prayers of Alcoholics Anonymous==
The third step prayer

"God, I offer myself to Thee- to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always!"

The seventh step prayer

"My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character that stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here, to do your bidding. Amen."

The eleventh step prayer (The prayer of St. Francis of Assisi)

"Lord, make me a channel of thy peace - that where there is hatred, I may bring love- that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness- that where there is discord, I may bring harmony- that where there is error, I may bring truth- that where there is doubt, I may bring faith- that where there is despair, I may bring hope- that where there are shadows, I may bring light- that where there is sadness, I may bring joy. Lord grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted- to undersand than to be understood- to love, than to be loved. For it is by self-forgetting that one finds. It is by forgiving that one is forgiven. It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life. Amen"

==Guiding Principles==
The Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous.
#Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.
#For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority - a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
#The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
#Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.
#Each group has but one primary purpose-to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
#An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
#Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
#Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
#A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
#Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
#Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.
#Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

==See also==
*[[Serenity Prayer]]

==External Links==
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

==References==

<references/>

[[Category:Organizations]]

Alcoholics Anonymous

2009-07-24T03:23:21Z

RYoung:

'''Alcoholics Anonymous''' is a program created to help alcoholics on the path to recovery from [[alcoholism]]. Founded on June 10th, 1935 in [[Akron]], [[Ohio]] by Bill W. and Dr. Bob, it utilizes a [[twelve step program]] to help those suffering from [[alcoholic drink|alcohol]] [[addiction]] to overcome their addiction, relying on [[faith]] in a "higher power". Both Wilson and Smith were members of the [[Oxford Group]], a Christian reform movement started by Lutheran minister [[Frank Buchman]], until about 1939 when the book "Alcoholics Anonymous" was published.

== The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous ==
#We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
#Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
#Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
#Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
#Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
#Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
#Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
#Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
#Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
#Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
#Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
#Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

==The Success of 12-Step Programs==
The inclusiveness and support of 12-step programs has led to the model being extended to other addictions, such as narcotics, gambling, and illicit sex.

==Higher Power==
The "higher power" cited in Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step groups does not necessarily refer to [[God]]. The phrase "God ''as we understood Him''" allows members to choose other gods or "powers" to help them in their recovery. However, the Christian foundation of A.A. is evident by the inclusion of several quotes from the bible in the book "Alcoholics Anonymous" and the use of the terms "Father" and "Creator" when referring to God.

==Prayers of Alcoholics Anonymous==
The third step prayer
"God, I offer myself to Thee-to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always!"

The seventh step prayer
"My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character that stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here, to do your bidding. Amen."

The eleventh step prayer (The prayer of St. Francis of Assisi)
"Lord, make me a channel of thy peace-that where there is hatred, I may bring love-that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness-that where there is discord, I may bring harmony-that where there is error, I may bring truth-that where there is doubt, I may bring faith-that where there is despair, I may bring hope-that where there are shadows, I may bring light-that where there is sadness, I may bring joy. Lord grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted-to undersand than to be understood-to love, than to be loved. For it is by self-forgetting that one finds. It is by forgiving that one is forgiven. It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life. Amen"

==Guiding Principles==
The Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous.
#Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.
#For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority - a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
#The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
#Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.
#Each group has but one primary purpose-to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
#An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
#Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
#Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
#A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
#Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
#Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.
#Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

==See also==
*[[Serenity Prayer]]

==External Links==
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

==References==

<references/>

[[Category:Organizations]]

Alcoholics Anonymous

2009-07-24T02:47:02Z

RYoung:

'''Alcoholics Anonymous''' is a program created to help alcoholics on the path to recovery from [[alcoholism]]. Founded on June 10th, 1935 in [[Akron]], [[Ohio]] by Bill W. and Dr. Bob, it utilizes a [[twelve step program]] to help those suffering from [[alcoholic drink|alcohol]] [[addiction]] to overcome their addiction, relying on [[faith]] in a "higher power". Both Wilson and Smith were members of the [[Oxford Group]], a Christian reform movement started by Lutheran minister [[Frank Buchman]], until about 1939 when the book "Alcoholics Anonymous" was published.

== The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous ==
#We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
#Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
#Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
#Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
#Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
#Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
#Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
#Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
#Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
#Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
#Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
#Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

==The Success of 12-Step Programs==
The inclusiveness and support of 12-step programs has led to the model being extended to other addictions, such as narcotics, gambling, and illicit sex.

==Higher Power==
The "higher power" cited in Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step groups does not necessarily refer to [[God]]. The phrase "God ''as we understood Him''" allows members to choose other gods or "powers" to help them in their recovery.

==Guiding Principles==
The Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous.
#Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.
#For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority - a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
#The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
#Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.
#Each group has but one primary purpose-to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
#An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
#Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
#Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
#A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
#Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
#Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.
#Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

==See also==
*[[Serenity Prayer]]

==External Links==
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

==References==

<references/>

[[Category:Organizations]]

Alcoholics Anonymous

2009-07-24T02:46:12Z

RYoung:

'''Alcoholics Anonymous''' is a program created to help alcoholics on the path to recovery from [[alcoholism]]. Founded on June 10th, 1935 in [[Akron]], [[Ohio]] by Bill W. and Dr. Bob, it utilizes a [[twelve step program]] to help those suffering from [[alcoholic drink|alcohol]] [[addiction]] to overcome their addiction, relying on [[faith]] in a "higher power". Both Wilson and Smith were members of the [[Oxford Group]], a Christian reform movement started by Lutheran minister [[Frank Buchman]], until about 1939 when the book "Alcoholics Anonymous" was published.

== The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous ==
#We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
#Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
#Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
#Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
#Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
#Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
#Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
#Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
#Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
#Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
#Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
#Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

==The Success of 12-Step Programs==
The inclusiveness and support of 12-step programs has led to the model being extended to other addictions, such as narcotics, gambling, and illicit sex.

==Higher Power==
The "higher power" cited in Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step groups does not necessarily refer to [[God]]. The phrase "God ''as we understood Him''" allows members to choose other gods or "powers" to help them in their recovery.

==Guiding Principles==
The Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous.
#Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.
#For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority - a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
#The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
#Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.
#Each group has but one primary purpose-to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
#An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance
or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
#Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
#Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
#A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
#Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
#Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.
#Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

==See also==
*[[Serenity Prayer]]

==External Links==
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

==References==

<references/>

[[Category:Organizations]]

Alcoholics Anonymous

2009-07-24T02:44:18Z

RYoung:

'''Alcoholics Anonymous''' is a program created to help alcoholics on the path to recovery from [[alcoholism]]. Founded on June 10th, 1935 in [[Akron]], [[Ohio]] by Bill W. and Dr. Bob, it utilizes a [[twelve step program]] to help those suffering from [[alcoholic drink|alcohol]] [[addiction]] to overcome their addiction, relying on [[faith]] in a "higher power". Both Wilson and Smith were members of the [[Oxford Group]], a Christian reform movement started by Lutheran minister [[Frank Buchman]], until about 1939 when the book "Alcoholics Anonymous" was published.

== The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous ==
#We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
#Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
#Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
#Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
#Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
#Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
#Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
#Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
#Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
#Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
#Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
#Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

==The Success of 12-Step Programs==
The inclusiveness and support of 12-step programs has led to the model being extended to other addictions, such as narcotics, gambling, and illicit sex.

==Higher Power==
The "higher power" cited in Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step groups does not necessarily refer to [[God]]. The phrase "God ''as we understood Him''" allows members to choose other gods or "powers" to help them in their recovery.

==Guiding Principles==
The Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous.
#1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.
#2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority - a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
#3. The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
#4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.
#5. Each group has but one primary purpose-to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
#6. An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance
or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
#7. Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
#8. Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
#9. A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
#10. Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
#11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.
#12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

==See also==
*[[Serenity Prayer]]

==External Links==
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

==References==

<references/>

[[Category:Organizations]]

Alcoholics Anonymous

2009-07-24T02:42:36Z

RYoung: Alcoholics Anonymous has ONE primary purpose - to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers. We are not engaged in changing public policy or opinion on alcoholism.

'''Alcoholics Anonymous''' is a program created to help alcoholics on the path to recovery from [[alcoholism]]. Founded on June 10th, 1935 in [[Akron]], [[Ohio]] by Bill W. and Dr. Bob, it utilizes a [[twelve step program]] to help those suffering from [[alcoholic drink|alcohol]] [[addiction]] to overcome their addiction, relying on [[faith]] in a "higher power". Both Wilson and Smith were members of the [[Oxford Group]], a Christian reform movement started by Lutheran minister [[Frank Buchman]], until about 1939 when the book "Alcoholics Anonymous" was published.

== The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous ==
#We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
#Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
#Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
#Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
#Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
#Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
#Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
#Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
#Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
#Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
#Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
#Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

==The Success of 12-Step Programs==
The inclusiveness and support of 12-step programs has led to the model being extended to other addictions, such as narcotics, gambling, and illicit sex.

==Higher Power==
The "higher power" cited in Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step groups does not necessarily refer to [[God]]. The phrase "God ''as we understood Him''" allows members to choose other gods or "powers" to help them in their recovery.

==Guiding Principles==
The Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous.
1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.
2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority - a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
3. The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.
5. Each group has but one primary purpose-to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
6. An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance
or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
7. Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
8. Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
9. A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
10. Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.
12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

==See also==
*[[Serenity Prayer]]

==External Links==
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

==References==

<references/>

[[Category:Organizations]]

Alcoholics Anonymous

2009-03-09T12:36:43Z

RYoung: /* Character and morality */

Talk:Alcoholics Anonymous

2009-03-09T12:34:16Z

RYoung: /* Copyright */

The older version of this was incorrect and directly contradicted AAs literature. It took about 1 minute to find the correct information at their website.[[User:Associate|Associate]] 12:22, 10 June 2007 (EDT)

:: I think its a complete crock for AA to try and pretend it isn't a Christian organization. For the love of you know who, they use the capital form of God in their steps.

::: So what if it is a Christian organization? Does that somehow mean the help they have provided to millions of individuals and their families should be invalidated? --[[User:Tom.Insley|Tom.Insley]] 13:01, 10 June 2007 (EDT)

:: I'm not too up to speed on this, but don't Jews and Muslims refer to God as well? I know they have other names they use (Yaweh, Allah), but I think God is used too. --[[User:Colest|Colest]] 13:05, 10 June 2007 (EDT)
:AA doesn't "pretend" to anything. It clearly states its goals. It has an inherent bias toward a "higher power", and if you don't believe in one of those, you don't have to join.[[User:Associate|Associate]] 13:34, 10 June 2007 (EDT)
::I said its crock for them to pretend NOT to be Christian, not for them to BE Christian. And I think when you see "God" and "Him" written like that, and not "god" we're referring to the God of Christianity exclusively. Yes, Allah and Yaweh are the same deity, but for some reason they are not all included in the term "God."--[[User:Elamdri|Elamdri]] 13:38, 10 June 2007 (EDT)
::: I think that's just your own personal interpretation of it. You are never going to see someone refer to Allah as "god", but more likely as "God". Even the [[Islam]] and [[Judaism]] articles here use a capitalized God. I imagine AA takes the non-denominational stance in order to attract and help as many people as they can. --[[User:Colest|Colest]] 13:45, 10 June 2007 (EDT)
::::You are probably right about the capitalization issue. I usually only think Christianity specifically because Islam and Judaism both have a name for God. You don't see Christians running around saying "Praise 'I Am'." I guess you are right, and thats just my own personal interpretation. However, I have a feeling that when we're speaking about AA, its more likely than not that God is being referenced in the Christian sense. I of course could be wrong.--[[User:Elamdri|Elamdri]] 15:28, 10 June 2007 (EDT)

Well, I'd agree, AA probably isn't a program for hard-core atheists. BTW, Please see [[HaShem]] and [[Tetragrammaton]].[[User:Associate|Associate]] 17:34, 10 June 2007 (EDT)

:AA is compatible with Christianity, so you are correct in that '''if they pretended''' it was non-Christian they would be wrong. However, it is so [[non-denominational]] that it forgoes any mention of [[salvation]], let alone the [[Trinity]]. Thus it is also compatible with Judaism.
: step 3 on the AA website document [http://www.aa.org/lang/en/en_pdfs/smf-121_en.pdf HERE] has the phrase "God ''as we understood Him''." (italic in original) leaves denomination and even religion pretty wide open [[User:Markr|Markr]] 13:00, 10 December 2008 (EST)

==Copyright==

AA is fussy about whom they allow to reprint their material. Even though we can claim [[fair use]], I wonder if need to ask Andy to send them a polite letter inquiring about the best way to handle our desire to quote the [[12 Steps]]. --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] <sup>[[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]]</sup> 12:55, 3 December 2008 (EST)

On "Character and Morality" - AA's primary purpose is to stay sober and to help other alcoholics to achive soberiety. There is no such "goal" to redefine alcholism or promote a particular perception of it. It is wrong to cite someone else's opinion and claim that is a tenet of the organization.

Alcoholics Anonymous

2009-03-09T12:26:12Z

RYoung:

Alcoholics Anonymous

2007-07-07T22:02:17Z

RYoung: Faith in God is FOUNDATIONAL in AA.

'''Alcoholics Anonymous''' is an organization created to help alcoholics on the path to recovery from [[alcoholism]]. Founded on June 10th, 1935 in Akron Ohio by William (Bill W.)Wilson and Dr. Robert (Dr. Bob) Smith, it utilizes a [[twelve step program]] to help those suffering from [[alcohol]] [[addiction]] to overcome their addiction, relying on [[faith]] in a "higher power". Both Wilson and Smith were members of the [[Oxford Group]], a Christian reform movement started by Lutheran minister [[Frank Buchman]], until about 1939 when the book "Alcoholics Anonymous" was published. The organization itself takes its name from the title of the book.

== The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous ==
1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.

2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
==The Success of 12-Step Programs==
The inclusiveness and support of 12-step programs has led to the model being extended to other addictions, such as narcotics, gambling, and sex.
==External Links==
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

[[Category:Organizations]]

Alcoholics Anonymous

2007-07-04T01:34:33Z

RYoung: The "meaning of life" quote was not footnoted and questionable.

'''Alcoholics Anonymous''' is an organization created to help alcoholics on the path to recovery from [[alcoholism]]. Founded on June 10th, 1935 in Akron Ohio by William (Bill W.)Wilson and Dr. Robert (Dr. Bob) Smith, it utilizes a [[twelve step program]] to help those suffering from [[alcohol]] [[addiction]] to overcome their addiction, drawing heavily from [[faith]] in a "higher power". Both Wilson and Smith were members of the [[Oxford Group]], a Christian reform movement started by Lutheran minister [[Frank Buchman]], until about 1939 when the book "Alcoholics Anonymous" was published. The organization itself takes its name from the title of the book.

== The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous ==
1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.

2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
==The Success of 12-Step Programs==
The inclusiveness and support of 12-step programs has led to the model being extended to other addictions, such as narcotics, gambling, and sex.
==External Links==
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

[[Category:Organizations]]