Editing Alcoholics Anonymous (section)

==== Wilson's early efforts and influence of the Oxford Group ====
Following his hospital discharge, Wilson joined the Oxford Group and tried to recruit other alcoholics to the group.  These early efforts to help others kept him sober, but were ineffective in getting anyone else to join the group. Dr. Silkworth suggested that Wilson place less stress on religion (as required by The Oxford Group) and more on the science of treating alcoholism. Bill W. would later write: "The early AA got its ideas of self-examination, acknowledgment of character defects, restitution for harm done, and working with others straight from the Oxford Group and directly from [[Sam Shoemaker]], their former leader in America, and from nowhere else".<ref name="pittman">Pittman, Bill ''AA the Way it Began'' Glen Abbey Books, 1988</ref> According to Mercadante, however, the AA concept of ''powerlessness over alcohol'' departs significantly from Oxford Group belief. According to AA, alcoholism cannot be cured, whereas the Oxford Group stressed the possibility of complete victory over sin.<ref name="Mercadante">Mercadante, Linda A, ''Victims and Sinners'': p. 55. Westminster John Knox Press: 1996 {{ISBN|978-0664255084}}</ref>