Re(14): Lead, follow, or Get out of the Way Posted on January 19, 2022 at 03:31:06 PM by Just sayin
You're sounding a bit like what we called a dry drunk in the hall. Tht is, someone that shows the issues they had before alcohol took them over, virtually why they were self medicating in the first place.
Some people when no longer affected by the alcohol go through a positive behavior change when the negativity of the booze ends. But freedom of the alcohol doens't always get rid of the original cause, that cause, say the mental health professionals who start wtih the alcoholism, need either counseling or medication supress the underlying disorder.
Such things come to mind as bipolar disorder, chronic narcissism...all those things that many alcoholics suffer from that the booze does or doesn't solve for them. None of thats in the big book. The number of disorders is substantial. ts been several years since I went to those classes so I have forgotten most of the psych-speak they put up on the white board every six weeks.
I dont recall the word Baptist in the Big Book either but when AA was founded, it wasn't the Catholic faith that was its primary influence, but Baptist sects were everywhere in the US where it was founded. Thats' not to say that guys like BF Skinner, the behaviorist and the other early shrinks didn't train the Doctor, they did. But the religion, the steps, the confessions and, amends, that's all from protestant religion.
Dunno if you have a DD degree but I expect if you did, and you read the Big Book and sat through the traditions, the Lord's Prayer rituals, you'd recognize the protestant influence in the program.
With respect, I woudl suggest that being raised in a protestant church may make you very familiar with it's traditions, but I didn't suggest AA was part of the Southern Baptist church, but rather influenced by it and the others down the road.
Your responses are very similar to the old timers who see themselves as the wise, senior sages of the hall. Every hall has a few of them. They just love it! I would be a cheapshot to say they simply replaced one adverse addiction with another one, but I do remember those are the ones who either have their supporters on Saturday mornings, or their intensity and Big Book thumping about 'the program' runs a lot of newbies off. AA regulars can't stand to hear the word 'cult' but a lot of people use it after leaving the experience. Am I wrong, or does AA get their converts to the doctrine or they don't? And aren't they all judged by 'how diligently they work the program?"
I spent some time getting close to the moonies, and that group was more similar than it is different to fundamental Christian sects. It was a really big movement among young people in their shirts and ties during the mid 70s. I think a lot of that went out of favor in this country when Jim Jones got his 800 followers to drink his poison KoolAid in the hot Guyana sun. Everyone saw the pictures. Humans are very susceptible to organizations that get into their heads. Right out of Raiders of the Lost Ark! Not suggesting AA is that overboard with their Word but there's that level of intensity among some of its regulars. People are judged in such places by their level of intensity or zeal to their program. Marines and Republicans too! OOrah! Replies: