AA – Selfish Program?
September 3, 2008 by Mark
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Alex has done it again 
How Bill W. explained what was meant by the saying that
“A.A. is a SELFISH program.”
…. Another correspondent complained directly that he had been ‘disturbed to hear some A.A. speakers say, ‘A.A. is a selfish program.’” The co-founder’s response was eventually published in “The A.A. Way of Life”:
I can see why you are disturbed…. The word ’selfish’ ordinarily implies that one is acquisitive, demanding, and thoughtless of the welfare of others. Of course, the A.A. way of life does not at all imply such undesirable traits.
What do these speakers mean? Well, any theologian will tell you that the salvation of his own soul is the highest vocation that a man can have. Without salvation – however we may define this – he will have little or nothing. For us in A.A. there is even more urgency.
If we cannot or will not achieve sobriety, then we become truly lost, right in the here and now. We are of no value to anyone, including ourselves, until we find salvation from alcohol. Therefore, our own recovery and spiritual growth have to come first – a right and necessary kind of self-concern.
[From "Not-God, A History of Alcoholics Anonymous", pp. 243-244, by Ernest Kurtz.]
The A.A. Program teaches us 100% the OPPOSITE of selfishness.Selfishness is our DISEASE; selflessness ( love) is our reprieve.
“Selfishness, self-centeredness! That we think is the root of our troubles”
pg 62 A.A. Bib Book
“Above everything, we alcoholics must be rid of this selfishness. We must or it kills us!”
Alcoholics Anonymous “Big Book” page 62
These are the true facts-quotes from the A.A.Book. “we alcoholics must be RID of this selfishness. We MUST or it KILLS US!”
Those who mouth the erroneous saying that “AA is a selfish program” are either liars or mentally deficient.There are many attention-seekers amongst us-not here to change or get honest but just continue gaining attention in disruptive ways.
A good sponsor INSISTS that a beginner READ THE BOOK for yourself, for “how are you going to discern the truth from the crap? There is as much mis-information repeated around the meeting rooms as there is information..you cannot tell the true from the false without a guidebook/roadmap.