Exposing the Satanic Alcoholics Anonymous (“A.A.”) CULT!

It is estimated that there are more than 100,000 groups and over 2,000,000 members in 150 countries according to their own website. Alcoholics Anonymous’ official biography clearly states that William (Bill) Wilson “received” the details of the “12 Steps” through “spirit dictation”. The official A.A. biography of Wilson goes on to say that for years after AA’s founding, regular seances were still being held in the Wilson’s home with other occult activities being pursued. But what they fail to mention is that the AA “bible” (the Blue Book) was actually dictated by a familiar spirit from Satan and not the Holy Spirit.

Bill Wilson was an accursed minister of satan and the book of Revelation clearly reveals the spirit behind his “AA” organization, and the manner in which God is going to deal with it.

“And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.” (Revelation 19:20)

The Israelites of old sacrificed to false gods, and they are recorded as sacrificing to demons (Leviticus 17:1-7; Deuteronomy 32:16-17; 2 Chronicles 11:15; Psalm 106:34-38). Paul proclaimed,

1 Corinthians 10:19-20 “What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.”

Revelation 9:20-21 “And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: 21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.”

An idol is simply a false god, for there is only one true God (Isaiah 45:5-6, 21-22), and where there are idols, there are demons.

Isaiah 45:5-6 “I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: 6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.”

Revelation 21:5-8 “And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Because of the A.A. policy of a “God, as we understand Him,” A.A. is a den of demonic activity. In the booklet, Conscious Contact, they write,

“. . . there are probably as many different ideas about a Higher Power, or God, as there are people in Twelve Step programs.” (p. 8)

Idolatry and demons abound, not only in the many gods they make up in their own minds, but demons are the very foundation upon which A.A. was founded.

There’s a reason there is such a stark contrast between cancer and “alcoholism.” One is a physical illness, the other is moral. But A.A. wants desperately to get away from this moral reality.

For example, in one testimony in the “Big Book” it is written,

“That was the point at which my doctor gave me the book “Alcoholics Anonymous” to read. The first chapters were a revelation to me. I wasn’t the only person in the world who felt and behaved like this! I wasn’t mad or vicious – I was a sick person. I was suffering from an actual disease that had a name and symptoms like diabetes or cancer or TB – and a disease was respectable, not a moral stigma!” (p. 227)

Another testimony reads like this:

“I realized that there were other people in this world who behaved and acted as I did, and that I was a sick person, that I was suffering from an actual disease. It had a name and symptoms, just like diabetes or T.B. I wasn’t entirely immoral; I wasn’t bad; I wasn’t vicious. It was such a feeling of relief . . . . “(p. 392)

The LORD rebukes all you AA cult followers! Your excuses won’t work on judgement day.

YOU ARE WHAT YOU ARE AND WILL BE JUDGED ACCORDINGLY

Rev 22:11 “He that is UNJUST, LET HIM BE UNJUST STILL: and he which is FILTHY, LET HIM BE FILTHY STILL: and he that is RIGHTEOUS, LET HIM BE RIGHTEOUS STILL: and he that is HOLY, LET HIM BE HOLY STILL.

Mat 5:48 “Be ye therefore PERFECT, even as your Father which is in heaven is PERFECT.”

1Pe 1:16-17 “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth ACCORDING TO EVERY MAN’S WORK.”

Rom 12:2 “And be NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may PROVE WHAT IS GOOD, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

(Isa 30:9) “That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: 10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, SPEAK UNTO US SMOOTH THINGS, PROPHESY DECEITS”

Jer 17:9-10 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?  10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”

Galatians 5:13-26 “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.  26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”

AA is ANOTHER GOSPEL!

Galatias 1:8-9 “But though we, or an angel from heaven, PREACH ANY OTHER GOSPEL unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be ACCURSED. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man PREACH ANY OTHER GOSPEL unto you than that ye have received, let him be ACCURSED.”

Proverbs 27:5-6 “Open rebuke is better than secret love. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”

“Very many thoughtful A.A.’s are students of your writings. Because of your conviction that man is something more than intellect, emotion, and two dollars’ worth of chemicals, you have especially endeared yourself to us. . . .”

“Please be certain that your place in the affection, and in the history, of our Fellowship is like no other’s. Gratefully yours,” (Pass It On, p. 383)

New Age psychiatrist M. Scott Peck (a pseudo-Christian endorsed by many church leaders) has called the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous “the greatest event of the twentieth century.” (1) Christianity Today says, “The 12-Step movement has tapped a profound need in people.” (2) Best-selling Christian author Keith Miller calls the 12-Step Program “a way of spiritual healing and growth that may well be the most important spiritual model of any age for many contemporary Christians.” (3)

In fact, the 12 Steps of A.A. came by direct inspiration from the demonic world and they open the door to the occult by introducing members to a false god. Step 2 says, “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.” Step 3 continues, “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to “God” as we [Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Mormon, shaman, agnostic, et al.] understood Him.” In Christianity Today , Tim Stafford says, “The 12 Steps are Christian.” (4) Yet they contain no mention of Jesus Christ, much less of the gospel. In fact, they are anti-Christian. An official A.A. publication says, “You can, if you wish, make A.A. itself your ‘Higher Power.'” (5) Stafford admits that A.A. founder Bill Wilson “never pledged his loyalty to Christ, never was baptized, never joined a Christian church….” (6) Instead, the Christian church has joined A.A!

Stafford and CT are pleased with A.A. to the point of suggesting that Episcopalian pastor Sam Shoemaker (who mentored Wilson) “may have made his greatest contribution through Wilson.” (7) Yet Stafford also writes, “A.A. is pluralistic, recognizing as many gods as there may be religions….” (8) This is a great contribution?

1Sa 15:23 “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.”

John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

The Willow Creek Community Church of South Barrington, Illinois, pastored by Bill Hybels, is one of thousands of churches sponsoring 12-step programs. Willow Creek has been called “the most influential church in North America” (9) and a model of the church for the twenty-first century. In an exhaustive study of Willow Creek, G.A. Pritchard writes:

“One of the first staff members I spoke with proudly told me how more than five hundred individuals met at the church each week in various self-help groups (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous, Emotions Anonymous, Sexual Anonymous [etc.]). …One of the requirements of these organizations was that individuals could not evangelize or otherwise teach other participants about God.” (10)

Stafford commends 12-step groups for being “tolerant.” (11) Should we commend a tolerance for false gods that denies the difference between God’s truth and Satan’s lie? Note the “tolerant” rules for the 12-step programs at Willow Creek:

“The Steps suggest a belief in a Power greater than ourselves, “God as we understand Him.” The Program does not attempt to tell us what our Higher Power must be.  It can be whatever we choose. For example, human love, a force for good, the group itself, nature, the universe, or the traditional God (Deity).  The code instructs, We never discuss religion.” (12)

We are commanded to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). How, then, can Willow Creek sponsor the promotion of false gods and false gospels? Stafford says, “Christians [in A.A. groups] can express their convictions.” Yet he notes that A.A. does not allow Christians to say anything that would suggest “that others’ views of God are misguided.” (13) So actually a Christian (like a Mason) is free to say that Jesus is a or his Higher Power, but not ” the way, the truth, the life” (Jn:14:6). Why commend this intolerantly anti-Christian “tolerance”?

The truth is that the false gospel of A.A. suppresses the true gospel of Jesus Christ; and the tolerance it professes is only of error, while it remains intolerant of truth. Pritchard comments:

“Even church members could not talk about Christian truth in these meetings…. Although the programs give lip service to a “Higher Power,” they function as practical atheism, teaching the categories of the contemporary psychological worldview….”

That Willow Creek would sponsor and advertise these programs illustrates the church’s lack of priority for educating its members in Christian truth. (14)

Nevertheless, Stafford writes with approval, “The 12 Steps penetrate every level of American society.” That fact is all the more reason to sound the alarm against A.A.’s false god and gospel. Referring to Bill Wilson, Stafford admits that after deliverance from alcohol, “the rest of his life was morally erratic.” Yet CT declares, “The 12 Steps are a package of Christian practices and nothing is compromised in using them.” (15)

Founder of A.A. Bill Wilson was what the Bible calls a “drunkard” (Prov 23:21; 1 Cor 5:11, etc.). Martin and Deidre Bobgan pick up the story: “After years of struggling with the guilt and condemnation that came from thinking that his drinking was his own fault and that it stemmed from a moral defect in his character, Wilson was relieved to learn from a medical doctor that his drinking was due to an ‘allergy.'” (16) A.A.’s official biography of Wilson states:

“Bill listened, entranced, as [Dr.] Silkworth explained his theory. For the first time in his life, Bill was hearing about alcoholism not as a lack of will power, not as a moral defect, but as a legitimate illness….Bill’s relief was immense.” (17)

Dr. Silkworth’s theory might have remained in obscurity had not Bill Wilson founded Alcoholics Anonymous upon it, and millions of drunks, as happy as Wilson to be relieved of accountability to God, turned that theory into a universally accepted axiom. What a relief to exchange the God who judges man’s sin for a higher power that judges no one! The fact is, however, that the theory that alcoholism is a disease is false. A leading authority in this field, University of California professor Herbert Fingarette, has written an entire book (18) as well as numerous articles disproving this delusion.

Writing for Harvard Medical School, Fingarette refers to “a mass of scientific evidence…which radically challenges every major belief generally associated with the phrase ‘alcoholism is a disease….” (19) Stanton Peele, author of Diseasing of America: Addiction Treatment Out of Control, offers research to show that multitudes have been “brainwashed” to believe they have the disease of alcoholism—and that the result has been to impede the normal recovery which otherwise takes place. (20)

The facts refute Stafford’s and CT’s false assurance: “We [Christians] ought to use them [12-step programs] gladly. They belong to us originally. They are doing tremendous good.” (21) In fact, 12-step programs are doing great harm by turning people away from the true God to a false higher power, and by denying the sufficiency of God’s Word and robbing multitudes of its transforming power. It is reprehensible for Christianity Today, Willow Creek, or anyone, to encourage participation in 12-step programs.

Furthermore, A.A. with its “higher-power-as-you-understand-it” opens the door to occultism. The official A.A. biography of Wilson reveals that for years after A.A’s founding, regular seances were still being held in the Wilsons’ home, and other occult activities were being pursued:

There are references to seances and other psychic events….

“Bill would…”get” these things [from the spirit world]…long sentences, word by word would come through….” (22)

“As he started to write [the A.A. manual], he asked for guidance….The words began tumbling out with astonishing speed…. .” (23)

So A.A.’s 12 Steps were actually received verbatim from the demonic world . It is not surprising, then, that the effect of A.A. upon many of its members is to lead them into occult involvement. In 1958, Wilson wrote to Sam Shoemaker:

“Throughout A.A., we find a large amount of psychic phenomena, nearly all of it spontaneous. Alcoholic after alcoholic tells me of such experiences…[which] run nearly the full gamut of everything we see in the books.”

“In addition to my original mystical experience, I’ve had a lot of such phenomenalism myself.” (24)

Wilson’s “original mystical experience” was his alleged “conversion”—a classic occult encounter: “Suddenly the room lit up with a great white light. I was caught up into an ecstasy…it burst upon me that I was a free man…a wonderful feeling of Presence, and I thought to myself, ‘So this is the God of the preachers!’ A great peace stole over me….” (25)

This was not the “God of the preachers” but the one who transforms himself “into an angel of light” (2 Cor:11:14 “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”)—a light that often transforms those involved in the occult. The experience was so profound that Wilson never touched alcohol again. Satan would be more than willing to deliver a man from alcoholism in this life if thereby he could ensnare him for eternity and inspire him to lead millions to the same destruction!

Wilson joined the Oxford Group and regularly attended its meetings at Calvary Church (NY), pastored by Episcopalian Sam Shoemaker. Shoemaker urged his hearers to “accept God however they might conceive of him….” (26) Here was the origin of Step 3’s “God as we understood him.” God does not respond to those who call upon false gods. Jesus said, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. ” (Jn:17:3). God’s judgment comes upon them “that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thes:1:8).

The Oxford Group had been founded by Frank Buchman (a Lutheran minister). It later became Moral Re-Armament (MRA) through the mystical “guidance” that was a large part of Buchman’s life and which carried over both into MRA and A.A.

MRA emphasized a mystical reception of “guidance from God,” which recipients would write down and follow as though their thoughts were God’s Word to be obeyed. This unbiblical and dangerous procedure is widely practiced even by evangelicals today. British author and former MRA member Roy Livesey writes, “MRA had been a stepping stone for me into the occult.” (27) Vineyard members have been trained in much the same way by John Wimber to receive alleged words of knowledge and to prophesy.

The influence of this concept of receiving direct communication from the spirit realm (kept alive in the church today through Richard Foster and others) can be seen in A.A.’s Step 11, which calls for “meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him….” This MRA/AA relationship is acknowledged by Dick B, one of the biographers of the movement. (28)

A.A.’s emphasis is upon the “experience” of recovery. In contrast, Christ emphasized truth as revealed in His Word: “If ye continue in my word …ye shall know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (Jn:8:31-32). Satan insidiously uses mystical experiences for turning men from God’s truth to his lies. Tragically, experience and emotion more than the Word of God seem to fuel the latest “revival” centered at the Brownsville Assembly of God in Pensacola, Florida.

MRA founder Frank Buchman compromised the gospel and embraced new revelations through occult guidance. As a result, MRA helped to set the stage for the New Age movement. One of Buchman’s close associates during the ’40s and ’50s writes,

MRA was est and TM. It was consciousness raising and sensitivity . It was encounter and confrontation. Frank Buchman was drying out drunks before A.A.’s Bill W had his first cocktail. He was moving hundreds of people in hotel ballrooms to “share” with each other before Werner Erhard was born. He inspired thousands on all continents to meditate…decades before Maharishi Mahesh Yogi left India. He was indeed Mr. Human Potential, ahead of his time….Paul Tournier…has frequently expressed his debt to Buchman for much of his own approach to counseling…. (29)

MRA became active in more than 50 countries and achieved NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) status with the United Nations, which it enjoys today. Its principal conference center, located in Caux, Switzerland, is a mecca to which world leaders are drawn. The setting, high above Lake Geneva, is exceptionally magnificent even for Switzerland.

While living in the area, our family made several visits to Caux in 1966 and 1967. We met Gandhi’s grandson, who was there with an “Up With People” (an MRA offshoot) singing group from India. We spoke with many whose lives had been “transformed” through impressive spiritual experiences and who had a compelling zeal to “change the world” and used “Christian” phrases, yet didn’t seem to know Christ or His Word. MRA and A.A. are tragic reminders of the necessity of adhering to sound doctrine and the need for daily washing in God’s Word (Jn:15:3; Eph:5:26).

AA IS OF THE DEVIL. IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS CULT, YOU NEED TO REPENT AND GET RIGHT WITH A HOLY GOD. THERE IS ONE STEP! FROM DEATH (SIN) TO LIFE (JESUS) RIGHTEOUSNESS. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR SIN. IT’S NOT A “DISEASE”, IT’S NOT A FOOLISH “ALLERGY”, IT’S YOUR WRETCHED SOUL CHOOSING TO SIN! CLICK HERE TO GET TO THE CROSS OF CHRIST.

Footnotes:

1) Tim Stafford, “The Hidden Gospel of the 12 Steps: Understanding the origins of the recovery movement can help Christians know how to relate to it today” (Christianity Today, July 22, 1991), 14.

2) Michael G. Maudlin, “Addicts in the Pew” (Christianity Today, July 22, 19991), 19-21.

3) Ibid.

4) Stafford, 14-21.

5) Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions (Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., 1953), 26-27.

6) Stafford, 18.

7) Ibid., 15

8) Ibid., 18.

9) G.A. Pritchard, Willow Creek Seeker Services (Baker Books, 1996), inside front cover; quotation of author Lyle E. Schaller.

10) Pritchard, 273.

11) Stafford., 18.

12) Pritchard, 273.

13) Stafford., 8.

14) Pritchard, 273.

15) Stafford, 18.

16) Martin and Deidre Bobgan, 12 Steps To Destruction: Codependency Recovery Heresies (EastGate Publishers, 1991), 72.

17) Kurtz, Pass It On: The story of Bill Wilson and how the A.A. message reached the world (Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., 1984), 102; cited in Bobgan, 72.

18) Herbert Fingarette, Heavy Drinking: The Myth of Alcoholism as a Disease (University of California Press, 1988).

19) Herbert Fingarette, “We Should Reject the Disease Concept of Alcoholism” (The Harvard Medical School Mental Health Letter, Feb. 1990), 4.

20) Stanton Peele, Diseasing of America: Addiction Treatment Out of Control (Heath and Company, 1989), 27.

21) Stafford, 19.

22) Kurtz, 275-79.

23) Ibid.,198.

24) Ibid., 374.

25) Stafford, 14; see also Kurtz, 121.

26) Stafford, 16.

27) Roy Livesey, Twelve Steps to the New Age (Bury House Books, 1995; unpublished manuscript), 21-22.

28) Dick B, Anne Smith’s Spiritual Workbook (Good Book Publishing Co., 1992), 45.

29) Willard Hunter, The Man Who Would Change the World: Frank Buchman and Moral ReArmament (unpublished manuscript, 1977), 110-111; cited in Livesey, 88-89.