'WHO ARE YOU TO SAY...
THERE IS NO GOD'?
-Alcoholics Anonymous, Page 56
|...tonight I had the distinct displeasure of hearing some folks abuse faith in God pretty hard. Though not unusual for this crowd, this time they outdid themselves with a full throated attack against religion.
While all AA members are entitled to believe in anything (or not) whatsoever, a right which I heartily respect and support, the traditions clearly draws a line in the sand when it comes to attacking anything, certainly not specific religions and deities.
What if there had been a member or a clergy-person from any of those faiths at that meeting tonight, and it was their first AA meeting - ever? What would have their FIRST impression of Alcoholics Anonymous would have been? Honestly I can say that tonight was the first time in my life I was embarrassed to be a member of Alcoholics Anonymous. The traditions are designed to protect us from ourselves, and this is a prime example of why I must do my best to observe them.
That is simply one glaring example of why a lack of discipline is dangerous at AA meetings - once you let one tradition go, soon another goes, and before you know it, it's anything BUT an AA meeting. However, just once in a while, God does something that reminds me that right now it's my job to be there, mainly because it's where my sponsor tells me to go. If and when AA dies, a lot of people will die. Especially me - which is what drives my fear of this behavior, I just discovered in inventory - again.
Unfortunately, that particular meeting is usually the low point of my day, and I approach the task of attending that group with the same grim respect I've seen undertakers approach their work with. My job is to be there, provide service upon demand, and - most importantly - always remember the Hippocratic Oath - DO NOT HARM. For me today, that is to try not to share opinions, just the facts of my experience with God and the steps; ignore offensive behavior so long as no egregious harm is being done, and allow others to be and to grow at their own pace.
After all, I am not even religious - I pray in one faith, and meditate in another - but let us not forget those who are - they have a right to get sober, too. How about next time, we simply say 'no, thank you', to religion if we are offended by it's existence, and be on our way? Oh - and not to hit this one too hard - if it wasn't for organized religion, most of us would probably be dead, for like it or not, AA was born out of a religion. Though we are not a religious organization in any sense of the word, let us stay humble and not forget where we came from.
COG,1st Cl...|
(Love Them All)
People are unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you.
Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create Anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, come may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten.
Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it may never be enough.
Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them, anyway.
-credited to Mother Teresa, Calcutta, India
People are unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you.
Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create Anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, come may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten.
Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it may never be enough.
Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them, anyway.
-credited to Mother Teresa, Calcutta, India
|...tonight I had the distinct displeasure of hearing some folks abuse faith in God pretty hard. Though not unusual for this crowd, this time they outdid themselves with a full throated attack against religion.
While all AA members are entitled to believe in anything (or not) whatsoever, a right which I heartily respect and support, the traditions clearly draws a line in the sand when it comes to attacking anything, certainly not specific religions and deities.
What if there had been a member or a clergy-person from any of those faiths at that meeting tonight, and it was their first AA meeting - ever? What would have their FIRST impression of Alcoholics Anonymous would have been? Honestly I can say that tonight was the first time in my life I was embarrassed to be a member of Alcoholics Anonymous. The traditions are designed to protect us from ourselves, and this is a prime example of why I must do my best to observe them.
That is simply one glaring example of why a lack of discipline is dangerous at AA meetings - once you let one tradition go, soon another goes, and before you know it, it's anything BUT an AA meeting. However, just once in a while, God does something that reminds me that right now it's my job to be there, mainly because it's where my sponsor tells me to go. If and when AA dies, a lot of people will die. Especially me - which is what drives my fear of this behavior, I just discovered in inventory - again.
Unfortunately, that particular meeting is usually the low point of my day, and I approach the task of attending that group with the same grim respect I've seen undertakers approach their work with. My job is to be there, provide service upon demand, and - most importantly - always remember the Hippocratic Oath - DO NOT HARM. For me today, that is to try not to share opinions, just the facts of my experience with God and the steps; ignore offensive behavior so long as no egregious harm is being done, and allow others to be and to grow at their own pace.
After all, I am not even religious - I pray in one faith, and meditate in another - but let us not forget those who are - they have a right to get sober, too. How about next time, we simply say 'no, thank you', to religion if we are offended by it's existence, and be on our way? Oh - and not to hit this one too hard - if it wasn't for organized religion, most of us would probably be dead, for like it or not, AA was born out of a religion. Though we are not a religious organization in any sense of the word, let us stay humble and not forget where we came from.
COG,1st Cl...|
Posts
Well said. I'm glad you were there to stand for another truth. I'm thinking we (those who choose to stand for AA's principles and Traditions) will have some uncomfortable times ahead. If we stand together, change can happen.
ReplyDeleteI can guarantee I will be changed.
Blessings and aloha...
Ed-
ReplyDeleteThanks very much for your support, and the others at GSOWatch also. Unfortunately, I fear I learn more from one sinner than from a thousand saints; one negative is worth a thousands positives. THEIR behavior is better teaching me to watch my own.
Unfortunately, the flip side of that is 'sometimes one pair of eyes has to close so a thousand can open'. Wasn't it Jefferson who said - "occasionally, the tree of liberty has to be watered with the blood of patriots and tyrants alike'? Those who choose not to observe our traditions will suffer, may die, and certainly continue to hurt those of us who try, but like every other spiritual action, I am confident that, they too, will wake up, when the door on their clubhouse get's shuttered, for that is what happens to places like that eventually.
'The rain falls on the just and the unjust alike'.
We just this week started a Big Book Study Group that has a very heavy emphasis on prayer & meditation, and we've taken great pains to make it non-denominational and well within our twelve traditions. I've only a few meetings left in that clubhouse (per my sponsors direction), then I get to lead by example.
That clubhouse has been like a 12 traditions boot camp for me, and for that I am truly grateful.
Yours in love and service,
COG, 1st Cl.