1943
Remarks of Bill W. with Dr. Bob
on A.A.'s Need for God, Religion,
and the Bible
If
you know your early A.A. history,
it will not surprise you to learn
what A.A. co-founders Bill Wilson
and Dr. Bob Smith said on the platform
at talks they gave to 4,500 alcoholics,
their relatives, and friends at
the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles
in March, 1943. The speeches were
reported on page 17, Friday, March
23, 1943, issue of the Roman Catholic
newspaper The Tidings. I
got my copy from an A.A. old-timer
who had the remarks framed. Here
are some excerpts from the paper
on Bill's remarks. (Dr. Bob's remarks
will follow in another posting.)
Bill W.: "An alcoholic is a
fellow who is 'trying to get his
religion out of a bottle,' when
what he really wants is unity within
himself, unity with God. . . ."
Alcoholics Anonymous recommends
a return to religion, resumption
of Church attendance, the news report
said of Bill's remarks. "There
is a definite religious element
here," Bill said. "I pray
and I feel released." He emphasized,
said the newspaper, "Divine
Aid was A.A.'s greatest asset...."
After
quoting Bill Wilson's statements,
the paper detailed some of Dr. Bob's
remarks. The newspaper said
the audience rose to its feet in
tribute to Dr. Bob. It continued
that Dr. Bob spoke "in soft,
confident and unhurried words [where]
he too reiterated the principles
of Alcoholics Anonymous." According
to The Tidings, Dr. Bob said:
"Read religious literature.
Resume church attendance, cultivate
the habit of prayer, and transmit
the desires and principles of Alcoholics
Anonymous to others." The paper
added: "He particularly recommended
reading the Bible."
[Please
note that the dates given above
from the Roman Catholic newspaper
The Tidings, is incorrect. The correct
date is page 17, Friday, March 26,
1948.]
End
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