The "Do Nothing" Traditions
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I was just thinking about the times I've been to those fun packed days called intergroup meetings...lol. The arguments that used to come up which always developed into "I know more about the program than you" bun fights. The crowning glory, the argument stopper, was always the best interpretation of a particular Tradition, or even group of them.
For the life of me, I cannot remember a single time when a tradition was quoted as a reason to do something. The Traditions were always used as a reason to NOT do something - "We can't do that it's against tradition ....". The more sobriety, the more knowledge of the "program". The better your interpretation of the Traditions, the less you actually DO. I suppose the goal, the Nirvana, is to do absolutely nothing - then you really have got the program nailed...lol
JR Harris
Sun, 03/18/2012 - 08:59
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But, the Traditions are only "suggestions" broken at will
As is very apparent on this site and many others which are more populated with active 12 Step chanters, the Traditions and Steps are only "suggestions" and can be used either to defend the tarnished name of Alcoholics Anonymous by blaming it on the members who fail to "follow the simple program" or to claim whatever the members do wrong has nothing to do with AA.
The only analogy I can come up with that matches the absurdity with this situation would be saying that the Constitution of the United States are only "suggestions" and you can take what you want and leave the rest. Of course AA has figured a way around the 1st Amendment Establishment clause of the United States of America by calling its weird rituals encouraging the preying to false gods "Spiritual" instead of "Religious."
"We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/preamble
"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.
avogadno
Sun, 03/18/2012 - 12:01
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Within every tradition there is an excuse.
I always thought of the traditions as something to hide behind. Within every tradition there is an excuse.
Pro Empowerment!
Truth about AA: http://orange-papers.org/menu1.html
Expose AA: http://www.expaa.org/
becket
Tue, 03/20/2012 - 14:08
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Within and behind every
Within and behind every commandment there are millions and millions of sinners. So what?
“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
― Christopher Hitchens, Letters to a Young Contrarian
alkieanon
Mon, 03/19/2012 - 07:36
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Still in practice today
Still in practice today.
Have also heard "tradition as a weapon":
http://www.aagrapevine.org/comment/reply/334/41216
Weapon of Choice:
http://www.myspace.com/video/fatboy-slim/weapon-of-choice/100016901
Sorry, couldn't resist.
flannigan
Tue, 03/20/2012 - 13:32
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traditions
Where in AA literature does it say that the traditions are suggestions?
JR Harris
Tue, 03/20/2012 - 13:41
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Are the 12 Traditons Laws? What does AA scripture say?
"But long ago, trustees and staff members alike found they could do no more than make suggestions, and very mild ones at that. " 12&12 p.173, Tradition Nine
"This doesn't mean an A.A. won't take advice or suggestions from more experienced members, but he surely won't take orders. " 12&12 p.173, Tradition Nine
"Our Twelve Steps to recovery are suggestions; the Twelve Traditions which guarantee A.A.'s unity contain not a single "Don't." 12&12 p.129, Tradition One
I don't know, maybe only Tradition 1 and Tradition 9 are only suggestions? What do you think?
"
"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.