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The Oxford Group & Alcoholics Anonymous: A Design for Living that Works

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There is so much talk in and out of A.A. today about what's wrong with the Oxford Group and what A.A. supposedly learned "not" to do from the Oxford Group that you seldom hear just how closely today's A.A. parallels the principles and practices of the Oxford Group. This is particularly true of the Akron pioneers. The first group there was called "an old fashioned prayer group." The Bible was the main focus in the one weekly meeting, also prayer, and "listening" (which was an Oxford Group idea). Dick's book lays it out in detail. Just as important, he makes it clear that A.A. has six roots---not just one, consisting of the Oxford Group. The Bible, he says, is the major source. And the Oxford Group is another. The whole thing begins to fit together and enable understanding of A.A. as it was. Good for reading. Good Book. Good for Christians like me. I recommend it for history buffs and Christians who want the scoop on A.A. as it was when God was the "power"

... As another reviewer correctly notes, the early recovery rates were nothing like 75 percent from initial contact. At the time of the writing of the Big Book, only a handful of alcoholics were solidly sober in New York, despite Bill's efforts of several years, and at least two of them were of an agnostic bent ... Hank and Jim B. In Akron, where they number 80 or so -- still less than 100, virtually all Protestant, virtually all men -- they were still putting the newbies in the hospital and then visiting them continuously for days before offering the message. It just could be that that sort of personal, intensive attention and identification had more to do with the better results in Ohio than the explicitly Christian message of the still-extant Oxford Group ``drunk squad.'' While much of value was retained from the Oxford Group, much else was quickly jettisoned with the formation of the first independent AA group in Cleveland. And it is from those roots that AA really took off, with the Plain Dealer articles, etc. I have heard a number of tapes (and a few talks in person) from alcoholics of that era. Clearly, the emphasis was more ``religious'' than today; Christian devotionals were widely used; in Ohio, the Absolutes and a respectful nod toward the Bible remained. But the evangelical Protestant tone of the Oxford Groups did not survive. Catholics and Jews were among the early second wave ... according to Clarence S., about whom Dick has written a book. I am in much agreement with much of what Dick has to say ... such attitudes as ``take what you need and leave the rest'' :) and explicitly virulent attacks on religion do not help alcoholics get and stay sober. Nothing in the program is a bar to the practice of religion and the book suggests consulting with our priest, rabbi or minister (not many Christians have a rabbi!) about our spiritual life. But it's hard to imagine something more divisive than evangelical Christian prosthelytizing in the context of an AA meeting. It's a message that can be carried ... outside those walls.

Again, I admire Dick's homework. There is lots of useful information here and in his other books that simply is readily not available elsewhere. Some of his premises are off-base, and hence some of his conclusions -- based on the sort of evidence that you get if you're hoping to build a case -- are equally off-base.

I have found the insights on such matters as morning meditation to be life-changing. Life-changing ... that's what it's all about. Not so much your mind ... or even your heart ... but your life.

Thank God for AA. And best wishes to Dick B.

The Oxford Group and Alcoholics Anoymous is one of the early books Dick B. wrote. It has had several publishers, several reprints, and two editions. Since the original publication in the early 1990's, Dick has continued his Oxford Group and Oxford Group related research. And certainly one of the most important and developing truths he discovered is the number of wellsprings (other than the OG) which provided the complete A.A. picture - 14 elements by last count. They include Dr. Carl Jung and conversion; United Christian Endeavor and the practices of conversion, Bible study, prayer meetings, Quiet Hour, love and service; the Salvation Army with abstinence, salvation, and service; the Rescue Missions with altar call conversions, Bible reading, hymns, prayers, and testimonies; the writings of William James on conversions and the rescue mission testimonies; input from Rowland Hazard as to conversion and Oxford Group ideas; Dr. William D. Silkworth's ideas on alcoholism and on Jesus Christ, the Great Physician, as the cure; the Oxford Group and its 28 point life-changing program that wound up as the basis for Wilson's New York program and Big Book; the teachings of Rev. Sam Shoemaker which were virtually copied into the Twelve Steps; the teachings of Dr. Bob's wife before and after A.A. was founded and covering the Bible, the literature, the devotionals, most of the OG life-changing ideas, and practical advice for alkies and their families; the twisting into the A.A. story Richard Peabody's "no cure" ideas several years later; Quiet Time and its call for rebirth, Bible study, prayer, use of devotionals, and seeking God's guidance; the immense amount of Christian literature AAs read, including the many books read and circulated by Dr. Bob; the New Thought Movement's "higher power" theories coupled with bits of its universalim language; the Bible with the particular emphasis on the Book of James, Jesus's sermon on the mount, and 1 Corinthians 13; and the original program of the Akron Christian Fellowship that produced the great 75% success rate and was reported to AAs by Rockefeller's agent Frank Amos. And 17 years after Dick began his work, each one of the well-springs called for further exploration of each particular element. The Oxford Group history in A.A. was no exception. Not only did Dick revise the book and publish his second edition; he also wrote a dozen articles about Oxford Group literature, the four absolutes, the series of "Letters," the special role of Rev. Sam Shoemaker, the real source of God "as we understood Him" in Shoemaker's writings and experiment of faith, details on the Morning Watch and Meditation, and a new title: "Making Known the History of Early A.A.'s Biblical Roots"--which told of the 29,300 historical items, hundreds of Oxford Group books, and wide variety of sources and source information that needed to be factored in by those who choose to investigate and truthfully report or summarize the real A.A. program. You will find The Oxford Group and Alcoholics Anonymous, 2d edition, just as fundamental to understanding A.A. as the original edition. However, as Dick's research grew, the Oxford Group began to fit more softly, surely, and precisely in the Akron program, the New York conversion genesis, the relation to other wellsprings in existence before and at the time OG ws founded, and the particularly interesting fact that though the Akron program bore little resemblance to the Oxford Group program, its charismatic leadership, its houseparties, its huge meetings, its political outreach, and its often agnostic flavors, Bill chose to veer away from the Group, from the Bible, from Jesus Christ, from the Salvation Army and the Missions, cease talking about the Oxford Group, start working with Sam Shoemaker on an actual Oxford Group approach, and then incorporate those ideas in the language and "result" from "taking" Bill's Twelve Steps. Put the Oxford Group book at the top of your A.A. history reading, and be sure to look for its context as part of the other sources contributing to A.A.'s early years, and spiritual program of recovery.

I learned so much from this book by Dick B. When I first started reading it, I remembered my old sponsor of 34 years sober, as he told me his version of the story. I have since learned, in large part because of A.A. Historian Dick B.'s many books, that not only was my sponsor wrong, but that, I was being told many untrue stories about the connection between A.A and The Oxford Group in A.A. meetings as well. The people that have stated untrue stories as fact, simply haven't read any of Dick B.'s books. I am much more educated on the truth, and do not put much importance upon a passing along of stories of old. There are stories and there is truth. I suggest reading this book and all of Dick B.'s other titles to my fellow drunks, sponsees, as well as others. I have had the plerasure of meeting and talking to Dick, and the man walks his talk. Thank you so much for helping me with my walk with our Creator- it has solidified my sobriety ten fold.

Sincerely,

Rev. Stephen J. Murray, MCRC / NICD Director www.nicd.us

Ever since I have known Dick B. and helped him from time to time, people have stormed the gates for this Oxford Group book. It has been revised, reprinted, and is now in process of being placed in print on demand. Its shelf life will indeed be long. There are those who don't like the Oxford Group. There are those who don't like its founder Frank Buchman. There are those who think that A.A. "left" the Oxford Group. And there are people who never knew how much A.A. Cofounder Bill Wilson was involved in the Oxford Group itself between 1934 and 1937 when Bill and Lois left. There are others who don't know how little the Oxford Group influenced Akron A.A. And most of all, there are those who haven't opened their eyes to the fact that Bill Wilson himself stated that almost all of his ideas had come from the teachings of Rev. Sam Shoemaker who had been asked by Bill to write the Twelve Steps. Shoemaker was, at that time, one of the Oxford Group leaders in America and probably the most prolific Oxford Group writer of all time. The Big Book and the Steps are largely Oxford Group in origin. Dick has received strong endorsements of his work from Oxford Group leaders, from Shoemaker family members and co-workers, and from A.A. survivors. If you want to know the truth and details about The Oxford Group and Alcoholics Anonymous--devoid of rancor, bitterness, distaste, and fabrication--this accurate study is a landmark and merits your study and ownership as a timeless and invaluable reference work. And history.

It's a very good account of the Oxford Group, from which AA evolved.
As this is likely a topic of interest to a small group, I was happy to find it.

The author of this book is obsessed with linking AA's success to Christianity. Of course, this is a corruption of the very principles which AA adheres to. Stay away from this book.

Exaggerated success claims for early AA don't justify the author's religious ambitions. A reading of the personal stories in the 1st edition of 'Alcoholics Anonymous' finds relapse after relapse. At the time of the book's publication, AA had less than 100 members, including only one woman (who relapsed soon after).

AA's success did not even begin until the grip of the Oxford Group was loosened. Bill W. had proselytized his religious enthusiams for six months before meeting with Dr. Bob. NOT ONE of his 'prospects' sobered up. Dr. Bob had been an Oxford Group member for several years before his encounter with Bill; his enslavement to alcohol had not been changed at all. Bill's 'sponsor,' Ebby T. spent most of his life drunk, living on the charity of AA members.

AA, as such, has no method for promoting religious, or anti-religious positions in the public sphere. Individuals like Dick B. are free to give the impression that they somehow 'speak for AA' without risking any censure.

AA is defined and preserved by its 12 traditions. An examination of the Oxford Group's conduct reveals consistent violation of ALL these principles. The fault does not lie with Buchman (the O.G's founder) but with the principles of the Oxford Group, in particular: its obsessive concern with money, property and prestige and its evangelical ambition.

The AA pamphlet '44 Questions' states in no uncertain terms:

"Is A.A. a religious society?

"A.A. is not a religious society, since it requires no definite religious belief as a condition of membership. Although it has been endorsed and approved by many religious leaders, it is not allied with any organization or sect. Included in its membership are Catholics, Protestants, Jews, members of other major religious bodies, agnostics, and atheists.

"The A.A. program of recovery from alcoholism is undeniably based on acceptance of certain spiritual values. The individual member is free to interpret those values as he or she thinks best, or not to think about them at all.

"Most members, before turning to A.A., had already admitted that they could not control their drinking. Alcohol had become a power greater than themselves, and it had been accepted on those terms. A.A. suggests that to achieve and maintain sobriety, alcoholics need to accept and depend upon another Power recognized as greater than themselves. Some alcoholics choose to consider the A.A. group itself as the power greater than themselves; for many others, this Power is God - as they, individually, understand Him; still others rely upon entirely different concepts of a Higher Power.

"Some alcoholics, when they first turn to A.A., have definite reservations about accepting any concept of a Power greater than themselves. Experience shows that, if they will keep an open mind on the subject and keep coming to A.A. meetings, they are not likely to have too difficult a time in working out an acceptable solution to this distinctly personal problem."

To anyone who is struggling with alcohol: remember that "The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking." There is NO religious requirement, indeed many old-timers advised all newcomers to 'check your religion at the door.'

In love and service
John C.
(14 years of god-free, sober AA membership)