Contempt prior to investigation is a famous quote listed in the big book of aa. The people who wrote the big book had visions for it to be a useful tool for other alcoholics to come. A simple 12 question quiz designed to help you decide. Alcoholism12 step support big book quote contempt prior to investigation big book quote there is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance, that principle is contempt prior to. In order to be as helpful and inclusive as possible, some of these are repetitive as in turning it over and step three, which basically is turning it over, or in economic insecurity and money, which encompasses economic insecurity. There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which can not fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorancethat. There is a principal which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep man in everlasting ignorance that principle is contempt prior to investigation.
This spencer quote is included in the big book of alcoholics anonymous at the end of appendix ii. Basically, contempt prior to investigation just means having a conclusion before you have all of the facts. Contempt prior to investigation aa central office of. In an appendix on spiritual experience, the big book quotes herbert spencer to the effect that one can only be excluded from spiritual growth if one fosters an attitude of contempt prior to investigation.
The earliest use of the phrase contempt prior to investigation in a usenet. The quote was included with this story throughout all 16 printings of the first edition, from 1939 through 1955. Contempt prior to investigation there is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorancethat principle is contempt prior to investigation. Here is a little piece that ends up in the big book of alcoholics anonymous, as probably one of the more famous quotes that.
Contempt before investigation posted by pat s in uncategorized there is a principal which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep man in everlasting ignorance that principle is contempt prior to investigation. What is the work of an obscure 19thcentury british philosopher doing in alcoholics anonymous. Contempt prior to investigation, he implies, is the only barrier to spiritual recovery. Then, in the new testament, i found less evilness, but. Printing a single copy of this item is permitted, in accordance with the a. Contempt before investigation was penned almost a century earlier by another british philosopher, william paley, whose book evidences of christianity contains the following sentence. Big book quote there is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance, that principle is contempt prior to investigation. Contempt prior to investigation the anonymous press. The big book from a secular perspective aa beyond belief. There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments, and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorancethat principle is contempt prior to. They were confident that the book would be used by other defeated alcoholics and in turn that would spur them. Updated october 22, 2019 proudly powered by wordpress.
Attributed to spencer in the pamphlet alcoholics anonymous 1939 and all subsequent editions, but there are no records of him ever saying or writing this, with the first. The twelve concepts in family relationships there is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance that principle is contempt prior to investigation. Contempt prior to investigation rainbow recovery club. The contempt prior to investigation quote at the end of appendix ii, spiritual experience, is attributed to herbert spencer. Big book of alcoholics anonymous appendix ii page 567. First, it is extremely tiring to continually listen to the biblically inept quote an eye for an eye to justify killing. Contempt prior to examination is an intellectual vice, from which the greatest faculties of mind are not free. There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance that principle is contempt prior to investigation.
Ignorance in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. The big book, alcoholics anonymous some groups discuss one chapter from the big book each week. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book. Here is the quote, which can be found in the big book, at the end of appendix ii. Before you claim to know all the facts, or have all the facts, understand that there is always more then meets the eye. This quote first appeared in a story in the first edition of alcoholics anonymous on page 380. We will be more reconciled to discussing ourselves with another person when we see good reasons why we should do so. Ignorance in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and. Condemnation before investigation is the height of ignorance. An artists concept is a personal story from the first edition of the aa big book there is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which can not fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorancethat principle is contempt prior to investigation. The feeling or attitude of regarding someone or something as inferior, base, or worthless. Applying the twelve concepts in family relationships.
This is a reference tool to help us improve our knowledge of the big book that we may profit more from its reading, both at meetings and in individual study. Alcoholics anonymous archival and historical materials part 2. This spencer quote is included in the big book of alcoholics anonymous at the end of appendix ii, spiritual experience. Contempt prior to investigation alcoholics anonymous.
Various influences and information from different sources have led to these feelings and. The survival of a fitting quotation there is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments, and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorancethat principle is contempt prior to investigation. There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments, and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorancethat principle is contempt prior to investigation. Alcoholics anonymous, 4th edition, appendice ii, spiritual experience, pg. There is a lot being said in that quote, but we must focus our attentions to the idea of contempt prior to investigation being a principle. International conference of young people in aa icypaa the international conference of young people in alcoholics.
At the very beginning of the big book alcoholics anonymous it reads. How many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism. The big book was written by a group of americans, including bill wilson and. Contempt prior to investigation is part of a quote in the alcoholics anonymous big book.
The terms spiritual experience and spiritual awakening are used many times in this book which, upon careful reading, shows that the personality change sufficient to bring about recovery from alcoholism has manifested itself among us in many different forms. We identify places and individuals, highlight issues, trace allusions, and put passages in the. Contempt prior to investigation is my first checkpoint for truth in my life. Dec 02, 2011 here is the quote, which can be found in the big book, at the end of appendix ii. Actually, what is in the big book is a quote from herbert spencer. The herbert spencer quote first appeared in the first edition, first printing of the big book 1939, on page 380, at the beginning of the story an artists concept. I read about so much wickedness, violence and terrible things in the old testament. Survival of a fitting quotation the anonymous press.
When im going through a hard time its those thing that i hold onto. Letting go of self contempt prior to investigation. These notes are from recovery in aa and related 12 step programs. Alcoholism and the medical community december 3, 2019. William paley quotes quotable quote there is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments, and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance that principle is contempt prior to investigation. Mar 25, 2018 there is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance, that principle is contempt prior to investigation. Herbert spencer i ignored similar concepts for most of my life. There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance that principle is contempt prior to investigation. Condemnation without investigation is the height of. The big book page 45 there is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance that principle is contempt prior to investigation. Contempt prior to investigation alcoholics anonymous cleveland. Though exdrinkers, we still thought we had to hide from public distrust and contempt. There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which can not fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorancethat principle is contempt prior to investigation. You can search the alcoholics anonymous big book for phrases, key words, etc.
But its a great example of something i often ponder. Our more religious members call it godconsciousness. Here is a little piece that ends up in the big book of alcoholics anonymous, as probably one of the more famous quotes that exists in alcoholics anonymous today. Appendix ii spiritual experience appendix ii spiritual experience the terms spiritual experience and spiritual awakening are used many times in this book which, upon careful reading, shows that the personality change sufficient to bring about recovery from alcoholism has manifested itself among us in many different forms. Readings from as bill sees it can inspire sharing on discussion topics. If you follow this blog you may have noticed that i had an experience of letting go of what really amounted to contempt gee that sounds harsh prior to investigation when i started to work the steps with a zen teacher. While others before shared i kept thinking about contempt of ethnic and minority groups, the others, not so much the concept as it applies to religious or spiritual concepts. The big book page 568 opinion is ultimately determined by the feelings, and not by the intellect. Contempt before investigation was penned almost a century earlier by another british philosopher, william paley, whose book evidences of. An artists concept there is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which can not fail to keep. Contempt prior to investigation letters to the editor. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected.
International conference of young people in aa icypaa the international conference of young people in alcoholics anonymous icypaa was founded for the purpose of providing a setting for an annual celebration of sobriety among young people in aa. Herbert spencer big book of alcoholics anonymous appendix ii page 567. Oct 30, 2015 the principle of contempt prior to investigation by dr jim brettell october 30, 2015 psalm 31. This particular quote, has a few statements in it, that are certainly worth. There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorancethat principle is contempt prior to investigation.
The alcoholics anonymous big book has been given to us so we can enter into the care of god by a complete surrender with total abandonment withholding back nothing from god or working the aa program. Contempt prior to investigation blocks us against the bigger picture and keeps us in the dark. One of my favorite quotes from the big book that i try to reflect on once a week. To use an example outside of recovery, it would look like this. The 164 and more book, ebook, and web site are all concordances which display passages from the big book alcoholics anonymous, the twelve steps and twelve traditions, and the a. This is done based upon sevaral factors including outside influences, what we have been exposed to, and our feelings or views about the way we believe reality should be. In fact, contempt prior to investigation is as much a symptom of alcoholism as cirrhosis of the liver, lying to your doctor or hiding the vodka bottle. It is meant to encourage people to keep an open mind about the religious or spiritual remedy that. The big book was written by a group of americans, including bill wilson and other early members of aa many relatively uneducated, and was published in 1938. While reading the bible, i decided i had contempt during investigation.
Big book alcoholics anonymous appendix ii spiritual experience pages 567 568. In the second edition of the big book, bill wilson wrote. Contempt prior to investigation contempt prior to investigation closed back to meetings. This falls under the contempt prior to investigation category. The principle of contempt prior to investigation arkansas. The 62nd icypaa will be hosted by new orleans, lousiana in 2020.
So we can easily make the statement there is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance that principle is judgement prior to. Mental, spiritual and physical disease readings from as bill sees it can inspire sharing on discussion topics. Herbert spencer herbert spencer is one of my recovery heroes. If i continue to exclude, i will exclude myself all the way back into a room, alone, with my bottle.
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