Yes, I'm aware of Bill Wilson's history and the Oxford group--and I've read the Sober Truth, Quit Like a Woman, This Naked Mind, etc etc all of which have different perspectives that should be heard.

I think what should be acknowledged is that Bill Wilson has been dead since 1971, half a century, and that should be factored into any opinions we have of him today.

For example, was he misogynistic? By todays standards yes, but when the Big Book was written in 1939 it was appropriate for the time. Would we have had better treatment for AUD in the 50s and 60s without AA? As you said--maybe.

But that's a big maybe. I find it just as likely that we may have continued sending alcohol abusers to institutions instead of treating them. AA, for all of its many faults, got the general public to accept alcohol abuse as a disease.