Ah the age old debate but mind you where is this debate getting us. Who gets caught in the middle. The new comer is the one who is thrown into confusion. The literature speaks of a diseases and not a substance. The literature speaks of a solution to our problem. The solution does not care what we drank, snorted or smoked. It doesnt care if we stole, killed or manipulated.
The Big book talks of a solution for a seemly hopeless state of mind and body. The Basic text continue talks about our Drug addiction as but a symptom of the disease.
So why is it people cling to statements like “One Program One Promise”. Why can people not seem to find a way to uphold the first and third traditions at the same time.
This is a place where fear and resentment live strong in some of our members. Many people have forgotten who saved Jimmy K’s life. Many people seem to not want to accept the fact that Bill W. and Dr. Bob where drug addicts. Meaning they did Drugs other then alcohol.
Some people would kick there founders out of there very meetings they started. Well if you want my opinions on all this nonsense you are welcome to listen to my podcast.
Cant see player click here to listen.
Geoff says:
the most important question is HOW.
Geoff says:
The message is NOT the same. NA was formed because the AA message did not speak to addicts. Some of your thoughts are very ill conceived and very surface leveled. I am disappointed. There is no richness, nor any pioneering though to any of this. No hard feeling towards AA here… only acknowledgement of their precedent and some vigilance among members who understand that the two messages do not mix. AA made a sound decision to decide not to alter their entire program for people who would not benefit from their primary purpose. Hearing one foolish comment in one meeting in your area doesn’t overshadow the good that a clear and protected message (in either fellowship) can achieve all over the world. You’re surprised that an AA member said something potentially dangerous? Anyone who feels they qualify will attend these meetings, so each person you meet will not be capable of keeping their personality out of their message. My comment is that these incidents do not warrant the kind of acrimony your conveying. Importantly, it WAS absolutely groundbreaking for the NA to use the term “addiction” because the seemingly obvious parallel was “we were powerless over drugs”. And our founders had the foresight to see what danger that posed. Each fellowship is a gift from a higher power. Each fellowship should protect it’s message and, as a group, not form opinion on others. The opinions of individuals are not the responsibility of the fellowship. A thorough six and seventh step will help any addict who struggles with the outspoken opinions of others. Perhaps the podcast business was a poor choice. I don’t have the heart to attack your motive, but I can say you are horrible broadcaster.
Bruce Wayne says:
You are too cute. Just like many of your kind you try to speak for a “fellowship” I didn’t vote for you to represents what people try to pass off as “truth” when it is merely perception and personal opinion… NA did this because BLA BLA BLA… sorry thats your opinion and if you listen to many of my podcasts you would have found out that I start many of these with “And these are my opinions” you might try doing the same from time to time its very humbling… Anywho I still love you you are but one more child of God and thats cool… we all struggle and yes like yourself I often struggle with self-righteousness… fortunately I sometimes know when I am doing it… perhaps you do to but it doesn’t show…
Advice: Lighten up and have fun… its only life and death so relax a little and dont take stuff so seriously
BTW: I am an awesome speaker… Before the original site went down… which was The Recovery Podcast It had been listened to over 50,000 times… I spoke to 10’s of thousands of people from my heart and it was well received by many of my listeners… right now I am working on my LCDC so I can work with drug addicts…
Dont feel a need to respond to this as I am sure it will just be a bunch of judgment and lofty self-righteousness passed off as “Truth”… I give you every right to your opinion even if I generally do not have time for them… to negative and life is to short for people like you…
Bruce Wayne says:
In your opinion… Say it with me…
luv yah!