On (13 Mar 96) Alexander was mumbling to Tim Dill...
 A > Mmmm!....Seems we have a bit of confusion here. I've been scanning
 A > through the messages and I see numerous reminders from the Moderator
 A > (Richard), stating that this is an A.A. based Conference 
 Not so, the area is a chat area where light sharing and chit chat
 of the after meeting sort is allowed. 
 All it takes to participate is a desire to communicate to a person in
 a twelve step program to find more about his/her recovery.  
 
 A>and, as such,
 A > all efforts should be made to refrain violating the A.A. guidelines
 A > (i.e.- no psychology, no self-help suggestions, no nutritional
 A > guidelines, etc., etc.). 
 Ok, here is where it gets real sticky. Psychology in and of itself
 is -=>NOT=- twelve step based, however if it is one's experience that
 counseling in conjunction with someone's recovery that the person is
 sharing about,that is ok.... self help suggestions are ok too, but not
 as extensive as some would post here. I label that as professional
 snobbery to us folks who don't have the training. 
 Rich the Moderator at one time was a registered nurse, yet he does
 not post his experience in treating drunks or addicts.. I tend to
 follow that guideline because it works.. and tends to lessen the
 varying "discussions" that degenerate into flame wars on who is
 right.
 
 A>Now, I read a message from the Co-Moderator,
 A > outlining the rules for the Conference. Unfortunately, these rules
 A > seem to be somewhat at odds with Richard's definition of what can or
 A > can't be posted.
 The rules are the rules, however Rich ORIGINATED this conference back
 in 1983 and is the longest serving moderator on fidonet. There are
 a lot of unpublished "rules" that are born of his experience with 
 this area throughout the years. We know that the rules need updating
 but us Mods have lives too! 
 A >     Specifically, I see mention that there should be NO attempt to
 A > censure postings simply because they do not conform to the guidelines
 A > established by one group (in this case, A.A.). 
 If there was a quote to justify this I would like to see it via netmail
 or INET... if not please explain yourself...
  A>The only stipulation is
 A > that the message writer must either be in a 12 step program or, he/she
 A > must wish to converse with people who are in a 12 step program.
 Correct, however Rich's and my program differ very much, I got sober
 via AA, but I also attend NA meetings because I am also an addict.
 I tend to be a wee bit more tolerant about some subjects that Rich
 would jump on in a minute, and visa versa.
 A >     I, for one, participated in a 12 step based rehabilitation program
 A > that loosely conformed to the guiding principles of A.A. but, that
 A > also tried to enlighten me as to the behaviour patterns and
 A > personality shortcomings that contribute to my addiction. 
 Well that is simply known hereabouts as an inventory 
 (4th step and 10th step) but I also enlightened my recovery by doing 
 counseling myself weekly for and hour for the past month, but you do not
 hear about that here.... I know my shortcomings, but I ask the goddess
 of my understanding to remove them, that hereabouts is know as the
 7th step... I don't know your experience Alexander but if it's anything
 like mine, I use my sponsor before I use the BBS's. 
 
 A>While I have nothing but
 A > praise for A.A., I also have an appreciation of the need to explore
 A > hte psychological factors governing my addiction and, as such, I
 A > believe it is a disservice to the people using this forum, if only
 A > A.A. approved discussions are allowed.
 No, professional discussions are not allowed. Period. We are not
 professionals here, what we are, quite simply is a fellowship.
 That sir is very different.....
 A >      I fully understand that I will always be an addict...there is no
 A > miracle cure. My goal is to lessen my chances of relapse by utilizing
 A > whatever means I find effective.
 And I do the same, so we grow on separate paths together....
 Tim Dill Asst. Moderator
 aj727@lafn.org inet address
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