ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: PLURALISTICALLY PRAYING UNTO THE HIGHER POWER

Alcoholics Anonymous: Pluralistically Praying unto the Higher Power

It was good that believers sounded the alarm about the National Day of Prayer. Or, to rename the event, the Day of Pluralistic Prayer. These are strange times. We should never allow the world to think Christ may be included in some generic prayer, where His name is not mentioned, nor should we worship alongside those who bow to strange gods. Interfaith prayer and worship are not for followers of Christ.

That being said, many Christians do exactly this every day. For seventy years we have joined with unbelievers in the "spiritual program" of Alcoholics Anonymous. If the idea of opening the National Day of Prayer without acknowledging Christ is upsetting, bear in mind that AA meetings always include Christless corporate prayer. The Serenity Prayer and Lord's Prayer are invoked at every meeting. These are prayed out loud, together, and in unity.

Who are Christians praying with? Could be just about anyone, really. AA has Mormons, universalists, other Bible-believing Christians, followers of the new age Jesus, and numerous folks with their own custom-designed gods. You name it, you can probably find someone in AA who believes in it. As the AA Big Book (the AA "bible") states, "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."[1]

Christians in AA may not see it this way, but they are in agreement with a belief system that lifts up strange gods. (Amos 3:3) In Alcoholics Anonymous all gods are called the "higher power," thus relegating Christ our King to commonality, as if He were simply one nameless deity among many.

"I am the Lord, that is My name. I will not give my glory to another, nor my praise to idols." (Isaiah 42:8)

In 1941, Jack Alexander of the Saturday Evening Post wrote the article that provided AA its first national publicity. Describing AA's "higher power," Alexander noted the alcoholic "may choose to think of his Inner Self, the miracle of growth, a tree, man's wonderment at the physical universe, the structure of the atom, or mere mathematical infinity. Whatever form is visualized, the neophyte is taught that he must rely on it and, in his own way, to pray to the Power for strength."[2]

Nearly seventy years later this salad bar approach-make your own god-has seemingly become a cultural norm. "Spiritual" is in. "Religion" is out. Many Americans now refer to their god as "higher power." Bill O'Reilly uses the term frequently on his radio show. This is simply to say that AA's 12 Step program has made its mark (?) on the culture.

Bondage to alcohol is miserable. Entire families can be ruined. Yet there has been a solution all along, not that you ever hear this in AA:

"Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God." (1 Corinthians 6: 9-11)

Many have been delivered through the power and love of Jesus Christ. Still, like the world, too many Christians believe only AA can help an alcoholic. Everything has been turned upside down: Alcoholics Anonymous can supposedly help everyone, but experiencing Jesus in church without the 12 Steps can supposedly help no one. What, really, is a pastor saying when he tells an alcoholic he needs to join a 12 Step program?  

When all is said and done, AA attendance serves to subtly condition Christians to worship with non-believers; perhaps this has been the point all along. Martin and Deidre Bobgan write, "Twelve Step programs are in essence New Age religions and archetypical precurors of a one world religion."[3]

It is written: "Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?

Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? …Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate, says the Lord." (2 Corinthians 6: 14-17)

But we are not separating. Unlike the National Day of Prayer, Christians participate in AA's Christless corporate prayers every day all across the country. For decades AA has been referred to as a "spiritual program," a harmless adjunct to one's own religious belief system. Because of this misrepresentation, most Christians in AA are sincerely unaware they have joined a pantheistic religion.

 On November 15, 1999, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that AA is indeed religious in nature. An AA meeting is essentially a devotional service. The "higher power" receives worship; confession is heard; testimony is given; the group invokes the Serenity Prayer and the Lord's Prayer. The 12^th Step instructs AA members to go forth and Spread the Word.

Why do so many believe AA and the 12 Steps are Christian in origin? This false assumption can be attributed in large part to Dick B., author of 'The Akron Genesis of Alcoholics Anonymous,' and numerous books and articles on AA's alleged Christian beginnings. Unfortunately, the author heavily emphasizes so called Biblical influences while downplaying or ignoring the many anti-Christian factors that were part and parcel of AA's origin.  

The Bible had a role in the creation of AA and the 12 Steps. But so did the New Thought heresy of Emmet Fox. So did Carl Jung, William James, and Emmanuel Swedenborg, all men who rejected Christ the Savior. 

So did the spiritualism of AA's cofounders, Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith. The Lord tells us, "There shall not be found among you…one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord…" (Deuteronomy 18:10)

Detestable to the Lord-these are strong words from a holy God. Author Matthew J. Raphael notes that "it might be said for the cofounders, at least, AA was entangled in spiritualism from the very beginning."[4] AA was founded on June 10, 1935. According to Bill Wilson's official AA biography, the AA cofounders were engaging in seances and other occurrences that very summer.[5]

In his biography, Wilson documents one of his many occultic adventures: "The ouija board began moving in earnest. What followed was the fairly usual experience-it was a strange melange of Aristotle, St. Francis, diverse archangels with odd names, deceased friends-some in purgatory and others doing nicely, thank you! There were malign and mischievious ones of all descriptions…"[6]

The Bible warns, "Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God." (Leviticus 19:31)

But Wilson did seek out these detestable things. Therefore, according to the Word of God, Wilson suffered defilement. From 1935 until, at least, the early 1950s, he was in contact with spirits. The Steps were written in 1938. Wilson communicated with demons posing as the dead,[7] served as a medium through whom a demonic message was delivered,[8] and acknowledged that a spirit helped him write AA's beloved book, 'Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.'[9]

The Lord states, "As for the person who turns to mediums and spiritists, I will set my face against that person…" (Leviticus 20:6) According to the Word of God, it is simply not possible the 12 Steps are Christian in origin. The Lord promises to "set my face against that person" who is "defiled" by these practices and who is therefore "detestable" to our holy God.

T.A. McMahon sums it up very well: "AA's official biography indicates Bill Wilson received the details of the 12 Steps through spirit dictation. Does anyone see a simple, idolatrous problem here? But what about evangelicals just using the methodology the familiar spirit gave to Bill Wilson? Simple again: God condemns the source, and the approach is contrary to the way He wants to transform our lives. Furthermore, why turn to such a spiritually toxic system? Where are the evangelical pastors' heads in this?"[10]  

Pluralism is here. Worshiping with non-believers is here. It has gone far beyond the National Day of Prayer. It is a daily occurrence at 12 Step meetings throughout the entire country. 

Endnotes:

1.      Alcoholics Anonymous, pg.46-47

2.      Jack Alexander, Saturday Evening Post, 1941

3. Martin and Deidre Bobgan, '12 Steps To Destruction,' pg. 116

4. Matthew J. Raphael, 'Bill W. and Mr. Wilson,' pg. 159

5. PASS IT ON, pg. 275

6.      Ibid. pg.278

7.      Ibid. pg.276-79

8.      Ibid. pg.278-79

9.      Robert Fitzgerald, 'The Soul of Sponsorship,' pg. 59

10.  T.A. McMahon, The Berean Call Newsletter

By John Lanagan Click here for bio and archived articles

Go Fishing Posted On: 03/28/12 03:47:54 PM Age 0, NY I've been a sober Christian in AA over 23 years. I have seen hundreds of AA members not only recover from alcoholism, but give their hearts to Christ. Most believe their personal relationship with Christ was a direct result in what they learned in AA. I went to church my whole life, but never had a personal savior untill another Christian in AA witnessed to me. I have done the same many times. I attend AA and find the waters are full of hungry fish needing to hear the truth. And the truth is being told, often after the meeting in more private conversations. These small, after meeting groups are the bread and butter of recovery. I have encouraged my sponsees to read the bible and attend a Christian church; and most do. In my church, I and several other AA's seem to be the only ones bringing new families into the church. Quite frankly, my observation is the church has done a very poor job helping the drunk and the druggie. AA has saved millions of lives. Some come to Christ, some do not. I implore those sober AAs that love the Lord, to be a light in the darkness to those that worship the program or some imaginary higher power. And there are many. As a side note, the term "higher power" is only used 3 times in the basic text of the Big Book. The book also states we need to take advantage of what religious people have to offer. And who can be so presumptious to say Dr. Bob was not a Christian. He was a sinner, just like the rest of us, saved by the blood of Christ. Blessing, Bill VS HOPE Posted On: 03/17/12 08:23:49 AM Age 0, IRELAND i find so much of this very interesting and unhelpful to those who suffer from alcoholism. I hear so many colourful interpretations of what A.A is , but feel that some readers are missing the point of AA? while fighting amongst yourselves of what is right and what is wrong? What brand do you use to find God? If its not written in our brand then it cannot be true or right. while people are disagreeing with eachother there are people dying, being raped,beaten, murdered, abused, inprisioned too many more to name. i myself have witnessed the above and find it sad that people do not want to see how many alcoholics have got sobre and changed their lives around. Isnt that for the greater good? Good is God right? How many wars has been fought in the name of God? History shows us a track record of people fighting over what God should or should`nt be called. What labels you put on things are words not the true meanings of what they really are. A rose is still a rose no matter what you call it. It is not concerned of our oppinions of it? Likewise even love has many interpretaions to each and every being on the planet. Love cannot be controlled like a scientific experiement or its not love because its not written with a capital L? Love is love and is`nt This what God tells us to do? Yet i`m hearing love has to come within certain brand names? Not to worship false idols but do we not worship our countries we live in and go to war for the cause? Interesting that freemasonary has come into the topic? I would suggest people look at who`s running the countries and who put them into power? What is New World Order and what it means because if that is`nt freemasonary then what is? love to you All You make Christ one of many gods Posted On: 09/16/10 11:07:49 AM Age 0, OR Well, that is a heart warming answer. Unfortunately, it is anti-Biblical. 2 Corinthians 6: 14-16 forbids this. "Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partmership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?" The Lord then tells us to come out and be separate. (verse 17) Alcoholics Anonymous--ruled religious by the U.S. Supreme Court--teaches it does not matter what "god" you reach out to--only that you must to get sober. This, my friend, is another gospel, and Paul said that whoever brings a false gospel is "accursed." (Galatians 1: 6-9) AA apologists who also claim to be Bible believers never can answer these two Scriptures. I issued a challenge to a man who has written much disinformation about the so-called Christian origin of AA, and I asked him to address these two scriptures. He couldn't. 48 hours passed and he replied that, well, he would use the whole Bible in context, not just two scriptures. Uh-huh. Christ is the answer, not some new age all gods religion. No pluralistic prayer in my program Posted On: 08/20/10 08:35:38 PM Age 85, HI The greatest problem with these articles is that they stem from erroneous facts about supposed mystical writing, unanimous views, and stupid Christians. My prayers are to God in the name of Jesus Christ, and so are those in A.A. with whom I work. Do others do differently. Of course they do. speak the truth in LOVE Posted On: 05/31/10 04:52:08 PM Age 49, TX wow! love the crosstalk.great topic.you won't hear this stuff in a meeting that's for sure.i know i've been cut off several times when brouching anywhere near the topic of Christ being the Way the Truth & the Life. i was even cut off at a non aa affiliated but twelve step church group by the volunteer facilitater who's roots were deep in aa. he came up after the meeting and said "sorry it's just that we don't talk bad about our mother (aa) in here." that's funny if she's our mother how come she never told us about our Brother the King of Kings & Lord of Lords. Had another ol timer i really respected, Christian 20+ yrs sober, he ran a weekly big book study w/ a large following,knew the book like the back of his hand.i started sharing & i mentioned that i struggled with this very issue (pluralism). he cut me off passed it on to the next speaker who questioned him about what was it i was trying to say.he said mike was saying in a nutshell that apart from faith in Christ he believes your pretty much lost. he went on to say that he agreed w/ me but that "you can't say that in a meeting." aa ask it's members to practice things like openmindedness & tolerance yet if your belief & convictions require that you share the truth of scripture,with love,& your belief contradicts any thing taught in the big book there are few who will keep & open mind & few who will tolerate you sharing it openly in a meeting.i think that's called hypocracy. Talk about plastic smiles. if aa "neither edorses nor opposes any causes"why did you even bother to opPOST. this whole thread is based on the validity or invalidity of a possibly crucial (if valid) tenant of faith. we are talking about mens souls not just their sober physical lives." for what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world yet loses his own soul.perhaps the "arrogant' unteachable" Christians joesph spoke of prefered the salvation of their souls over sobriety if it came with a price tag (acceptance of pluralism) that contradicted the necessity of a soverien God & a Savior. before you start thinking i don't know anything about aa i spent 11 yrs in & out mostly in ,i'd get a couple a yrs here a couple there,& yes i worked the steps w/ couple of sponsers.my first sponser was buddist. he told me i was only Christian because i was raised in a Christian nation.God bless him he meant well.i finally had my last drink a yr after i left aa.an yes they all told me especially the rough ol timers that i was definitly a "real alcoholic."i came to a place of acceptance that alcohol wasn't Gods will for my life an asked him to help me repent & do his will.an i ask him to help me serve him everyday. by his grace i've been sober 9 yrs. went to a birthday night at the ol club. my best friend, is still in the program, celebrated 20yrs.this weekend.he accepted Christ and was baptised a little over a year ago when he & his family started attending Churh w/ my wife an i. he cryed when he thanked me for leading him to a savior. he said "i've been sober,( he was very active in aa) 18yrs & never understood the gospel till i started coming here with you.i love my aa brothers an sisters, but just like it would be selfish if you knew the way out of a burning building & didn't show others the way,what if you knew there was only one cut of key that opened that door yet someone told them any key would work & you never made sure they understood that wasn't true or you would have corrected the one you heard tell them that so they couldn't mislead anyone else.WOULDN"T YOU? AA Posted On: 03/07/10 09:17:39 PM Age 47, CA i read some more of these testimonies. I just have to say it is none of my business if anyone else is walking like a christian thats gods job. But this man has stated nothing but truth from the gospel. I attend AA and get those same plastic smiles also. My personal relationship and love for my father tells me to follow him, not close my mind to the truth...By the way it has been proven how the atom was.made...but they cant say who. heleluyah!! God Bless you. how long did it take to write the big book?? Give me a break. I go to hear what i need to hear. i go late and leave early. See the obsession is lifted...I dont have that im one day away from a drink attitude. God is good all the time IF YOU SEEK HIM!!! Wow im glad im walkin with the lord. the gospel makes me stronger...Bible means book...stop being scared of the book. read learn. then tell me your ideaology AA Posted On: 03/07/10 08:09:28 PM Age 47, CA I have been affiliated with aa a number of years. And this new found information could not be more true.The fact of the matter is I have never been comfortable in AA ever, but their were a few people that i identified with so i stuck around for that reason and i still go. but my approach will def. change. yes i am going to hear the testimonies, and help the suffering alcoholic but i do it through god. i will not give false information about it being ok to worship a table, chair or door knob for that matter. I have thought this all along but now I read the bible far more differently today. It is a book of truth. We cannot change it to fit our life. The guy from texas is noting just that. Yes it is working to keep people from drinking, but only the lord jesus christ can give you a rightous way of life period! Hussite Posted On: 02/14/10 02:26:14 PM Age 51, MA Quick note, I just found out that the triangle in the circle with some modifications is a Freemason symbol also. It referrs to man made perfect, not by Jesus but by Lucifer. Bill W was a monster! Hussite Posted On: 02/14/10 02:06:17 PM Age 51, MA I fully agree as to AA occult foundations. They have used and twisted the teachings of our Lord to suit themselves. This is not only apostacy it is blasphemy. I got out of AA afyer 26 years and my "recovery" is very simple. JESUS, my King James Bible and me. Works great! Even the symbol AA uses, that being the triangle in the circle has long been an evil symbol. that being the triangle serving as a gate to summon demonic entities. Bill Wilson must have known this. Perhaps his secret joke to mock the Christ? Also in the Black Mass, instead of the euchurist a black triangle is used. A.A. is an abomination! Primary Purpose Posted On: 11/07/09 10:23:32 PM Age 48, MO The primary purpose of AA is to stay sober and help othersto achieve sobriety. Period. We do not endorse nor oppose any causes, including yours! Please do not oppose ours.