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Is Alcoholics Anonymous a Religion? | Religion Dispatches

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The analysis you rely on—now easier to find, explore, and connect. Welcome to PRA and Religion Dispatches’ new website! Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was established in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith, American men who were significantly influenced by a Christian organization called the Oxford Group. Central to AA are the well-known Twelve Steps, which stress belief in, and dependence on “God” or a “Higher Power” in achieving recovery. Yet since its inception, AA has presented itself as a “spiritual” rather than a “religious” program. The most common reason given is that while AA endorses belief in “God,” it is one “of your own understanding.” With the publication of its basic text, Alcoholics Anonymous, in 1939, the AA message quickly spread across the globe, eventually giving life to a variety of Twelve Step groups. The Twelve Steps are arguably the most well-known and widespread program of recovery from the disease of alcoholism (a widely-held concept it helped to normalize) in th

Is Alcoholics Anonymous a Religion? Galen Watts Published on May 18, 2018 Last Updated May 18, 2018 The early days of AA. Explore More Christian Right popular culture white evangelicalism millennials spiritual but not religious Print Share Facebook X Email Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was established in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith, American men who were significantly influenced by a Christian organization called the Oxford Group. Central to AA are the well-known Twelve Steps, which stress belief in, and dependence on “God” or a “Higher Power” in achieving recovery. Yet since its incepti

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