In 1959, in response to a letter to someone named Russ, Bill W. wrote a widely circulated defense of closing A.A. meetings with the Lord’s Prayer. Bill explained his reasoning:
[T]here will always be those who seem to be offended by the introduction of any prayer whatever into an ordinary A.A. gathering. Also, it is sometimes complained that the Lord's Prayer is a Christian document. Nevertheless this Prayer is of such widespread use and recognition that the arguments of its Christian origin seems to be a little farfetched. It is also true that most A.A.s believe in some kind of God and that communication and strength is obtainable through His grace. Since this is the general consensus it seems only right that at least the Serenity Prayer and the Lord's Prayer be used in connection with our meetings. It does not seem necessary to defer to the feelings of our agnostic and atheist newcomers to the extent of completely hiding our light under a bushel.
In 1967, Bill W. wrote Robert “Bob” F. in Minneapolis, Minnesota, enclosing a note [right] for Barry C., one of the main contributors to The Little Red Book, on the occasion of Barry’s 27th anniversary.
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