To us, however, it represents far more than a sound public relations policy. It is more than a denial of self-seeking. This Tradition is a constant and practical reminder that personal ambition has no place in A.A. In it, each member becomes an active guardian of our Fellowship. TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 183
The basic concept of humility is expressed in the Eleventh Tradition: it allows me to participate completely in the program in such a simple, yet profound manner; it fulfills my need to be an integral part of a significant whole. Humility brings me closer to the actual spirit of togetherness and oneness, without which I could not stay sober. In remembering that every member is an example of sobriety, each one living the Eleventh Tradition, I am able to experience freedom because each one of us is anonymous.
“ACTIVE GUARDIANS”
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Thank you for this reminder. My humility has been escaping me lately. It is important for me to remember that I am not the center of the universe and that I am a much better help to society when I am looking outside of myself, I don’t have all of the answers, and listening serves two purposes: I may learn something and I may help lighten another person’s burdens.
In AA I was taught the humility is pride in reverse. For me this is just another big lie, humility is the opposite of arrogance. Whenever I think that I know what is good for anyone but myself or think that AA is the only solution for a drinking problem I am arrogant. True humility is accepting that AA has good traits along with bad. Statements like “We found that God does not make too hard terms with those who seek Him.” Are full of arrogance and contradictory to the power greater than ourselves loophole. Other statements such as “two steppers don’t stay sober” are also arrogant. The truth is that just the support group and meetings are enough. AA takes the stand that selling God to sinners with the Power Greater than ourselves lie is justified because it serves the greater good. What I believe is not important. What is important is that the big lie, cult characteristics, and mind control techniques of AA need to be disclosed to new members. This way AA can stop killing people by filling impressionable minds with self fulfilling prophecy such as; your only options are jails, institutions, and death.
You Are “Active Guardians of The Big Lie”
It is true that the fellowship of meetings and the support of the group can help keep one from a drink for a time, but not for long in what I’ve seen. For me, I need the entire program of honesty, integrity, humility, service, and all he principals that the Steps teach us in order to get and remain SOBER. Sobriety is more than just not drinking. It is a way of life that teaches us to interact with our fellow man outside if the rooms, and be able to deal with life as it comes at us, whatever it holds. The elevenh tradition of attraction rather than promotion teaches me the meaning of annonymity. For me it is that I am no better than, and no less than anyone else. I’m not a member of a secret society, I’m just a garden variety drunk looking to get better. With that tradition in mind, it prevents me from going and trying to “sell” or “push” any idea or belief on anyone. I just try to do he next right thing, and lead a life that will demonstrate the validity of the 12 Steps and their profound effect. And hopefully a newcomer can see them working for me and have some hope. By not promoting AA, it removes any seemingly cult characteristics of recruitment and/or mind control. I’ve been to jails, been committed to institutions, and my only options that remain are: sober up or die from this disease. The program of AA has given me the option to live…happy, joyous, and free.
So, then is AA a religion?
1: personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices.
Because it is religious…
1 : relating to or manifesting faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity.
Like the Webster’s dictionary that so many in AA use to dissect words says it is?
Can AA’s make a valid stand about the cult or religious status of their group without using irrefutable altruistic phraseology?
No they can’t; their tradition and belief system prohibits it.
“There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which can not fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance-that principle is contempt prior to investigation.”
–HERBERT SPENCER
Try another viewpoint…
http://www.orange-papers.org/