BP> I guess you REALLY believe the AA program is a failure.  That does not
BP> quite coincide with my experience but you are entitled to your opinion.
I can agree with this statement that you have made. *WE* are entitled to our
own opinions.  However, I personally get rather disturbed seeing 
ersonalities
put before the principles, as is case in point.
BP> Now some might call it name calling to say that you are not a supporter
BP> of AA.  But after what I just read I just want to ask, "Are you a
BP> supporter of AA"?  And then, if not a supporter of AA are you a
BP> supporter of the 12 steps (that is the AA program of recovery)?
If I am not mistaken.  Tim is a long standing member in AA.  He currently 
wrote this diatribe based on a current topic of conversation in the 12 Step 
and this echo.  I have to Agree that the outmoded nature of the original 
Twelve Steps, because they were written in the 1920's to 1930's, by Doctor 
ob
and Bill W. are somewhat not conducive to current trends in various patterns 
of dysfunctional behavior patterns.  But will say that Twelve Step programs 
are highly successful in the recovery from a variety of same.  The problem 
lies within the literal interpretation of the Steps.  If taken in the literal
sense the Steps oft times do not act as a deterent to the various forms of
addiction, but if the principles are followed behind the Steps the success
rate is phenomenal.  In most of the current recovery groups that have adopted
the 12 Steps as guides to recovery there are variances in the procedures and
wording of them. They are used as tools and each use is not dictated by a set
standard of procedure.  The 12 Steps I have found to be quite versatile and
They can be equally effective for usage as a guide to better living for those
who are not active participants in 12 step programs, but have some sort of
reason for trying to alter their method of thinking in order to gain 
motional
strenghth through individual spiritualiy.
BP> A member was dragged to court
BP> by AA for only expressing his viewpoint?  
BP> I'd like to hear more about this
BP> BP> My experience has been that no one has ever been tossed out of
AA in the 
BP> 20 years I have attended.  The only requirement for membership
is a 
BP> desire to stop drinking.  If someone violates the traditions, they
are 
BP> spoken to about it, but there is no procedure in place to "toss them
BP> out" (or sue them for that matter).
To clarify a point, it wasn't so much a member but a non conference approved 
book was written and used the AA guidelines within it also claiming itself to 
be affiliated.  This battle has ensued at various point's in the General
Conference for the last 3 to four years.
BP> I'm really quite disturbed at the percentage of people in this and other
BP> Fido forums who appear eager tear down the program and start over.
BP> Those who feel that way are free to do so.  Just call yourself something
BP> a little different and start your own recovery program.
BP> 
BP> However as for me and the majority of my brothers and sisters in AA (and
BP> GA for that matter), we'll keep the program just the way it is.  It has
BP> worked miracles for hundreds of thousands of addicts for around 60
BP> years.  Prior to that time there was no known recovery for alcoholism.
BP> Studies show that although alcoholics now have several treatment options
BP> (many of whom "stole" a lot of ideas from AA) AA is still the most
BP> successful program available.
I agree with you.  I for the last few messages have been trying to stress the 
point that the program doesn't need  to be changed all out.  But instead of 
being taken at literal definition adopted for usage via the principles that 
t
maintains.  And I too am grateful for having my life saved by this simple 
program.  I never question how the program works just know that it has, & 
does, and as long as I'm willing to be honest, open minded, and willing, it
will continue to do so on a daily basis.  My sponsor pointed out to me that I
do not need to know how a watch works, just what time it is.  I really wish
people would quit trying to analyze something that needs no analysis.
Your's in Unity and Recovery
Edward S.
I didn't get the program, it got me.
--- GEcho 1.00
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