Dick B. Comments about those Who criticize AA Today

You have stimulated some healthy reflections, and the thrust of International Christian Recovery Coalition is to have a fellowship worldwide of Christian recovery leaders, workers, newcomers, and concerned public who disseminate the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible played in the origins, history, founding, original Christian Fellowship program of Akron AA that was founded in 1935. In those days, A.A. was likened by many to First Century Christinity as described in the Book of Acts. There was a fellowship of born again believers who broke bread together daily, prayed together daily, listened to or studied the word of God daily, met in the homes, witnessed and converted others together. The healing always available from God (Psalm 103, Romans 10:9) was sought and received through a simple program that worked. In 1939, the fellowship was opened to folks of any religious persuasion or none. And that is the present status. It has spawned nonsense gods, illusory spirituality, and a tradition that you don't have to believe in anything. But that is where criticism of A.A. goes astray. AA today is not some monolithic congregation of unbelievers or idolaters. It helps and meets the needs of  thousands who are Christians as well. And it is the Christian who often mistakes variety with distaste for God and Christianity. Not so. Love and service are the common objective. Love and tolerance is the code. But not observed by all, any more than observed by all in a church or a Bible fellowship or a Christian A.A. group. Our task today is to show others how old school A.A. of the First Century Christian variety is just as possible now as it was in 1935. To show them how that Christian Fellowship's ideas and successes are as available in 12 Step Fellowships today as they were in 1935 when people wanted, needed, and sought God's help in recovery from alcoholism. We hope more and more Christians will learn about A.A.'s early history, its original Christian Fellowship, and be challenged to seek and apply it today--regardless of the diversity and variety of views by others in the Society. See www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com. Respectfully, Richard G. Burns, J.D., CDAAC, Executive Director of International Christian Recovery Coalition, Kihei, Maui, Hawaii