The man who was largely responsible for the writing of the Big
Book, Bill W., went on to write other materials. From him, we have numerous
Grapevine articles, the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions,
correspondence, and other items.
Apparently,
therefore, the Big Book was not the last word, at least according to the person
who wrote it (see also page 164: 'We realize we know only a little. God will
constantly disclose more to you and to us.')
The experience of
AA since 1939 has suggested the same. All over the world, people share their
stories with each other, and share the experiences and insights they have
gained. This benefits people. This was also the intention behind the Book: We
hope no one will consider these self-revealing accounts in bad taste. Our hope
is that many alcoholic men and women, desperately in need, will see these
pages, and we believe that it is only by fully disclosing ourselves and our
problems that they will be persuaded to say, 'Yes, I am one of them too; I must
have this thing.'
A disturbing trend
can sometimes be observed in AA, however, a culture which has a number of
unwritten rules:
• Quote
only the Big Book (i.e. this is the only book you're allowed
to quote).
• Only
quote the Big Book (i.e. do nothing but quote the Big
Book).
• Do
not put things in your own language.
• Do
not share experience, other than a general indication that one has followed the
instructions in the Book and that they worked.
• Do
not elaborate upon anything in the Big Book.
• Do
not analyse, explain, or try to understand anything.
• Deny
the utility of any AA materials other than the Big Book.
• Deny
the utility of any non-AA materials.
• Do
not imply or state that any experience or insight gained since 1939 is of
value.
• Disparage
anyone breaking the above rules with quips such as: 'keep it simple', 'don't
rewrite the Big Book', 'you're killing newcomers with that
watered-down c**p', 'that's treatment centre b******t', 'that isn't in the Big
Book', 'I don't know about yours, but my Big Book says
...', 'read the Book', etc.
Apart from the fact
that this is tiresome, it is out of step with the Big Book itself,
which encourages enquiry, discussion, disclosure, and joy at the ever-expanding
universe of God's revelation.
AA was never meant
to be a straitjacket, with the Big Book
the set of buckles holding the inmate in confinement.