November 1953

who seemed to find in A 6 just an- And when there’s a call for Twelfth other way to run away from them- Step work, he is one of the first to selves. volunteer.

God and AA Half of the above statement sounds I believe Frank has simply replaced unfair. Especially that half in which alcohol with AA. He forgets what is I seem to accuse successful mem- bothering him there in the meetings bers of running away. I don’t mean and in his Twelfth Step work just as By G. Aiken Taylor, Ph.D., pastor of to be unfair. But I have seen men and he once forgot-in a couple of fifths the Northside Presbyterian Church women who behave towards AA as of whiskey. He tries to lose himself Burlington, North Carolina* they once behaved towards alcohol: in AA. He uses AA as a place to hide they apparently try to h e r.hemselves from himself. AA takes the place of in it. On the other hand, others are that long trip he used to make or that apparently trying to turn the tide. sudden burst of interest in sports or They seem to be trying to find them- in some hobby or in his job that used selves. Curiously enough, I have no- to keep him sober for a while. Because HELL, I can’t buy that!” A young a group whose creed mentions God in ticed a relation between a brother’s someone has not shown him how to and apparently successful mem- almost every other breath, yet dairn place with respect to these two cake- find God, he really isn’t getting help; ber of AA reacted rather sharply to my to remain unimpressed by the fact of gories a d his success in finding God. he is still running away, though with question about the part God played in God? That such is the case need not If he takes AA without the “re- relatively greater success. his recovery. “I’m not a refigious man,” be argued too long. Anyone who has ligion,” an alcoholic is likely to be- AA, it seems to me, can bring red he concluded evenly. belonged to an average group long come one of those who is always help to an alcoholic, or it can become “Well,” I countered cautiously, enough to know the fellows, will be busy, who concentrates on the meet- just another avenue of escape. In AA, “What does AA mean to you?” reminded of one or two who appar- ings, on his inventory, and 0″ his a man can find himself, or it can be- “It means good friends,” he an- ently cannot “buy” God but who con- Twelfth Step work. If, on the 0ther come just a better place for him to swered promptly, “and a chance to sit sider themselves good members of AA. hand, he takes AA “straight” and lose himself. It can uncover and deal around and talk your worries out of The question is, what do they have God becomes real while prayer and with the basic issues in the life of a your system, and guys in trouble that that keeps them sober. And is it safe meditation become second nature, he ex-inebriate, or it can cover up and you can do something for.” as a permanent hitching post? may find less to do, but he ems to anesthetize the basic issues, offering People such as my friend Frank, About three years ago I suddenly change more. a program of activity that will keep a above, pose an interesting question. decided that most of the members of Take Frank, for instance, hose man sober anyhow. Thus it can bring How is it that an alcoholic can find AA that I knew could be placed into permanent success and satisfaction, or the answer to his problem in associa- one of two general categories. (As remark opened this discussion- Fra* says he can take AA w i ~ ~ it God.~ t can offer only a precarious “staletion with AA-which unashamedly much as they hate being classified!) mate.” preaches a spiritual program-yet re- There were those who used AA to Frank is one of the most active members of his group. He throffs himself For my money, the difference lies main allergic to explicit religious val- .face up to their drinking problem in the spiritual side of the AA p r e ues ? with all of its related aggravations into the meetings with a zest that few How can a man or woman join and there were those who . well, . . of the others have been able to match. gram. AA ,works best and works t d y When the conversation gets around as the heart of it is a personal, vivid *Dr. Taylor is the anthor of a recent book on religion and AA. to Step Five, he becomes one of the relationship with Gbd. Until such a most talkative of the bunch. He Seems relationship is attained there is no anxious, with almost a desperate So* peace; there is only an uneasy armisdf eagerness, to confess his faults- tice.