Spirtual AND Religious: The Salvation Army and AA

Father Bill explores the place of religion within 12-Step recovery. In this episode he interviews Major David Sams, Administrator of the Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Center in Washington, D.C. Building on his years in recovery, David is a strong proponent of AA. The episode focuses on the Salvation Army’s long history of helping alcoholics and addicts from the mid-1800’s to the present day. You’ll learn about its founder General William Booth and how the Army integrates the 12-Steps into its 6-month residential centers. With a host of treatment centers charging thousands of dollars for short-term treatment, it’s good to know there’s a place that charges nothing and is the largest provider of services in the U.S. Think you’ll enjoy this! Show Notes: ·William Booth, Founder of the Salvation Army / Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Booth Excellent YouTube video on the history of the Salvation Army: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M8_7X_d4Zk Brief article on the new Methodist Connexion Twice Born Men by Harold Bigby / Popular in the Oxford Group In Darkest England and The Way Out / Booth’s classic assessment of the problem and solution William James quotes S.H. Hadley in “Varieties of Religious Experiences”

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I’m an Episcopal (Anglican) priest in recovery from alcoholism since 1972. I've spent my career in addiction treatment focused on 12-Step spirituality and exploring the pioneer history of AA. In discovering the lost 11th Step practice of Two Way Prayer, my program underwent a life-changing transformation. As Bill Wilson said, “ something was lost from AA when we stopped emphasizing the morning meditation." My mission now is helping people in 12-Step Fellowships explore a deeper understanding of spiritual practice and how it connects us to the "Great Reality" within. -Fr. Bill W.