"JB" <JBCatRB@coldman.com> wrote in message
news:c7iu1s$tda$1@news5.svr.pol.co.uk...
>
> "Melia Tomas" <leetomas@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:2g44q5F3uqt8U1@uni-berlin.de...
> > "Robert McGregor" <robert_mcgregor@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
> > news:2g2t4lF3em7mU1@uni-berlin.de...
> Bob wrote:
> > > Most of the "success" stories I heard in AA were subsequently *proven*
to be a mere prelude to a drink. *Contextual* step 12 could not be more
explicit than *this* message, yet is obviously still being confused with the
preamble of the AA fellowship" something entirely different!
> > >
> > > Bob
>
> Melia wrote:> >
> > why the need for a dividing line?
> > would I be wrong in saying that AA is a "fellowship prorgram based on 12
steps? and the two can work as "one" for the good of all, can't it? (for
those that want it, that is....)
> > Melia
>
> Melia,
>
> Have you listened to the Joe and Charlie tapes "Journey in Recovery"?

I must admit, it's been a long time since I have listened to my tapes of Joe
and Charlie. Guess this means it's time for me to dig it out of my
collection and refresh my memory.

Thanks for sharing JB.
Melia

> There's a section in them that explains how the 12 Step programme in the
BB and the Fellowship of AA became two separate entities.
>
> Once the book "Alcoholics Anonymous" went into circulation, it did not
take long before some of those who read it began to question whether it was
necessary to follow the programme in that book exactly in order to recover
from alcoholism. Those who decided that it wasn't necessary developed their
own ideas about what they needed to do and then put their ideas into
practice. Their programmes, were not identical to the programme in the
book. Such programmes may include such ideas as it's only necessary to
give alcohol over to God (not
> one's entire life); that no-one is powerless over alcohol; and we can't
get rid of all our character defects because that would leave us with no
personality. Folk in AA's early days who adapted the programme in the BB to
suit their needs continued to consider themselves members of AA's>
Fellowship. Folk like this can be found in AA today.
> .
> The programme in the BB appears IMO to be designed to help alcoholics to
not only understand why they cannot beat their alcoholism by relying on
willpower alone but also to teach them a new way of living which includes
taking personal responsibility for one's actions.
Arguably, it also encourages individuals to behave in a civil manner.
>
> When I see AA folk who claim to have worked " The Programme" behaving in
what appears to be an egotistical manner, witness them slagging off others,
not making amends for wrongs they have done and not being able to cope when
life isn't perfect for them for example, I do not get the impression that
they are at that time practising the programme that's in the BB exactly as
it was intended to be practised.
>
> <g>
>
> I'll end with a little story that Joe (of Joe and Charlie, both AAers,
> tells):
>
> One day, Joe rang his sponsor Franklin to discuss with him the hard
> time Joe was having and Joe's views that "The Programme" wasn't
> working for him. When Franklin asked Joe to explain why he was having
> a hard time, Joe said that he was a mad at his wife, mad with his
> boss, mad with ................... ( blah de blah de blah). Franklin
> replied "Joe, your programme's working just fine. Now, how about
> working "The Programme" ? Joe did and his life got a whole lot
> better :^)
>
> All the best.
>
> JB
>
>
>
>
>
>