What is Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a powerful craving for alcohol which often results in the compulsive consumption of alcohol, an addiction. The cause of this craving is heavily debated, but the most ...
Join Now
|
Controversy ; thoughts
|
Watch this |
| View More Posts Ignore |
What happens when controversy rears its head and cracks in our unity appear?
Even though controversy is inevitable is it desirable? The answer must be yes. For without controversy whatever unity that exists is as solid as the mist on an Autumn morning. It is merely a numbers and influence game, a fantasy and not a reality. How can you stand for a unity that doesn't solidly exist upon matters of belief? Not only does the emperor have no clothes, but the empire is invisible too. What is the point in having an agreed statement of essential beliefs that no one really adheres to because no one is willing to enforce it? If we have any concern for the truth we would surely want it to be made clear rather than being obscured by fog of meaningless ambiguous phrases. Controversy, however, as most of us fear, can quickly become an ugly business. We can rapidly move the emphasis from what is right, to ourselves being right, or being seen to be right. Patient listening, charitable interpretation, and a desire for unity can be soon lost. We are on a knife edge as we deal with these matters. Truth must not be traded, sounds words must not be emptied of their meaning, and compromise must not be the master of integrity. Desperate prayers for wisdom are to be top of the agenda, and we must think our way through these matters seeking understanding, light and clarity. Perhaps this fear is what lies at the root of an unwillingness to engage in controversy even when there is an irreconcilable disagreement on matters of truth and error. We see the fraying tempers, the soured relationships, the carrying of tales and exaggerations, and we rightly feel that we want no part of that. Martin D. Posted on 11/07/09, 11:11 am |
| 15 Replies | Most Recent | Add Your Reply |
| View More Posts Ignore |
in AA disagreement and controversy is ordinarily settled by the group conscience after all sides are heard.
not sure if I agree with the writer's mention of hard feelings resulting from the process by which we find our consensus, including controversy. mature AAs understand the GC calls the tune. occasionally members refuse to abide by the GC and need to be straightened out, and the sensitive among them may develop hard feelings from that, but they are entitled to massage their hurts as much as they care to, and often some growth results from the process. 
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts Ignore |
But does that help in cohesion or hinder it?
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts Ignore |
But perception cannot be straightened out. My reality is my reality until it becomes not profitable to me right?
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts Ignore |
Okiyoe, the process of disagreement and controversy, leading to and resolved by GC has always resulted in cohesion and unity. think it's the only possible way a benevolent anarchy like AA can reach agreement and move as a whole from point A to point B. we're fortunate to have it in place.
my perceptions change all the time, and have from early sobriety. everthing is open to new and better information. they rarely changed when I drank...part of leading a life of self-will is being a stubborn jerk closed to new thoughts. it's one reason why the anti-AA crowd must remain so agitated and upset that we stay sober for our lifetimes. AA must be wrong, intolerant, a cult, full of predators, religious fanatics, dishonest, money hungry, contol freaks, ect, ect. there is no choice in the matter at all. AA must be very, very bad. because if it's not, and we're not absolutely horrible, then... so their perceptions and their reality about us is cast in stone. it's simply their best and only defense to defend being inert and stuck, projecting imaginary qualities on AAs in order to justify staying sick.
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts Ignore |
Since when has there ever been a group of people free of controversy? Controversy happens and disgreements are hashed out. That's the way of the world.
|
|
|
|
||
| First | Previous | Page: 1 2 | Next | Most Recent | Add Your Reply |
