A New Way Out

A twist on the “New Way In.” Here author Dick B., in contrast to reaching in to the newcomer, emphasizes that walk-outs FROM A.A. are neither necessary, salutary, or helpful to those who still suffer. When the AA learns the full history of early A.A. and its Christian Fellowship, he should not be impelled to find a way out, to walk out, or simply to cut and run. He leaves behind the fellowship he loves, a fellowship that serves, a program he knows, and a history he has never learned or embraced at the hands of A.A. itself. The foe is intolerance. The way out of intolerance is tolerance. Stated in early A.A. and Biblical terms, the way out of alcoholism and the muck and mire of alcoholic conduct is to love God with all one’s heart, soul, mind, and strength, and one’s neighbor as himself. This is what the A.A. text and writings said very clearly.