Some Thoughts on Wilson’s “Spiritual Axiom”
“It is a spiritual axiom that every time we are disturbed, no matter what the cause, there is something wrong with us”, writes Bill Wilson on page 92 of “Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions”. Well, this statement certainly disturbed me the first time I heard it read out at an AA step meeting about 17 years ago, and it still does.
My dictionary defines an axiom as “a self-evident truth or universally accepted principle”, yet I have never encountered this idea of Wilson’s, either in my early religious upbringing as a Catholic, or in my fairly extensive reading in the areas of comparative religion and philosophy as an adult.
Jesus Christ would certainly stand condemned by this “axiom” of Wilson’s as having a great deal wrong with him spiritually, judging by how “disturbed” and angry he was over the self-righteousness and hypocricy of the Pharisees and the behaviour of the money-changers in the Temple, according to the gospel accounts.
Historically, everyone from Martin Luther to Martin Luther King, who felt sufficiently strongly about injustice to want to right it, would be characterised as spiritually defective, according to Wilson’s way of thinking.
On a more everyday level, people who suffer distress as a result of abuse or social disadvantage beyond their control are implicitly deemed, according to Wilson’s “axiom”, to be somehow responsible for their suffering themselves. This is a contemptible message, and is indeed cause for a thinking and feeling person to be disturbed.
Comment of the Week
In desperation, I had decided to give aa another shot, not believing that there was any other way. I was greeted warmly into the “fellowship”, which meant a lot to me, (as most people don’t care much for ex-hookers and aren’t comfortable with the knowledge that I may have blown their husbands). Immediately, I began to feel uncomfortable with the dirge-like use of cliches that were supposed to explain everything. Outside of these cliches, there were no answers. When I expressed concern, as an atheist, about turning my life over to a higher power that I did not have, I was directed to “stay open minded”, believe in a different god other than the god of the bible, or to read the chapter on the agnostic. My lack of belief means as much to me as the beliefs of a devout follower of jesus or mohammed and I had, nor have no wish to change. somehow, my position was not respected and I became an outcast, yet again. Now, as I attend the meetings I am forced to by my (aa based) program, I watch these people in wonder. I truly believe that the program is a cult and it’s only success comes from the new high and exhultation one recieves from belief. Count me out. From the Chieftest of SinnersRecent Comments
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When they tell you to ‘Keep Coming Back’, run for your life!!! 
February 16, 2008 at 6:57 pm
I had a sponsor who made me read that damn piece every day for 90 days. I was in a horrific abusive marriage – I stayed in it for 4 years longer than I would have without having been in AA.
I left the program for 4 years and eventually did drink – because I wanted to. I came back into AA because I get in trouble when I drink. (I am an alcoholic – no doubt about that one). I am still in the program.
My second husband is also in the program. But there are many aspects and statements I disagree with – and chose to ignore. I know I stay sober because I don’t drink. (duh) It’s easier to stay in the program and not drink than to leave it and not drink. (for me)
February 18, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Yes, I wouldn’t say it is easy to leave AA behind, nor would I try to tell people who still think they benefit from meetings to stop going, but I wouldn’t advise anyone seeking help with a drink problem to go there.
July 9, 2009 at 2:07 pm
It is difficult for some to leave AA. A person can get caught up in it.
I agree with advising against attending AA. It is not a safe place.