In Reply to: Re: No... posted by Farmer on May 03, 2010 at 09:02:21:
Many years ago I went to AA and found it to be a big help, but I had to watch out for the pitfalls (imo)within. There are people that tend to flock together with certain beliefs about how to do things and about who should or shouldn't be there, who is or isn't a "real" alcoholic- like that's a badge of honor or something, and with set ideas about how the steps should be "worked" or how the steps should work a person. The traditions of AA, esp. the 3rd, keep AA safe because no on can determine who fits or doesn't fit the program or how it should or shouldn't be worked- except for the individual. Those safety clauses (traditions) are why it still exists today. The primary purpose is to help those who suffer from alcoholism. Not defining religion or spirituality or approving or rejecting membership based upon some leader or group of people's say so.
It's amazing to me that such a diverse group of people can learn from and help each other in spite of one being an atheist, another a Christian, another a street person, another a big businessman or woman, one gay, one straight, and on and on.
Some people are better helped by other self help groups or by other means altogether.
We might have very different paths when it comes to personal journeys, but I'm guessing that we could all learn from each other regarding what works for each of us, after the cult and in recovering from having been through that experience?
And if something is not what works for a person, then saying so could be enough.
I have been watching a new TV series (American) called "The Good Wife" which I really enjoy. It's about a family whose father is an assistant district attorney, in trouble with the law and his wife is an attorney with a high dollar law firm. The ADA gets (possibly) converted and his relatives and family are concerned. One person says that a bit of religion can be very helpful but too much "is an addiction". That struck a chord with me. I'd agree.