Grateful for the posts by 'reformed'. Gonna weigh in here. At the moment, I'm muddy, bloody, poorer, tired and happy. just come back from fishing (really river-cats are hunting, and no I ain't telling where or how) Staying for a few days in a cheap motel, got a steak on the grill feet on the rail, need a shave and long hot shower, mid way to moderately drunk.My hands are near black with powder.
What I have found among "twelve steps" ( like most everyone, in the seventies and early eighties I was a crime in progress, so i've had my share of dogma, seen my share of 'twelves'.)
In my experience A) Twelves are group oriented. Trust the group, they are wiser than I. ... Not to put too keen an edge on it, but that's a distributive intelligence kind of thing, and Insects have functioned that way for a long, long time. Just ain't me.
B) There is a real dependence on 'twelve' dogma, no less than many Christian literalists, and the same rage when dogma is questioned.
C) 'Twelves are prone to manipulative gaming, following the need for consensus, for group think is overriding. Often at the expense of 'ordinary morals, ethics or compassion.
D) As population pressure drives more and more to the 'hive ethos', I only see the proliferation of the groups, in myriad form. ( Hate to be such a mary-sunshine on the issue, but i ain't optimistic) Antidote? I'll quote Stripe "Tell the Truth"
J.O.M.
