Nonsense Gods of Recovery
Dick, I’m going to give you this one but make a post about it. There’s a reason. Your comments are more like commentaries and since I wouldn’t do it for someone else, I can’t do it for you - allow your extensive comments to be approved. Additionally, I’m sorry but you come much too close to a promotion of your writings in your comments and for me to allow that simply would not be fair to all the other readers here. Not that your writings aren’t good, they are wonderful, but here, as in AA, it is the principle of attraction rather than promotion. I’ve attempted to call you and left a message that you didn’t return. Another reason why I’m going to do this.
Lastly, I like the topic you’ve proposed… therefore, from Dick Burns relating to this past post;
“My title God and Alcoholism contains a careful study of the meaning of “God” in the Big Book. It also covers the origins of what I call the “nonsense gods of recovery” that have crept into our fellowship. I maintain that alcoholics may be sick but they are not stupid. Clarence Snyder long ago wrote his famous pamphlet “My Higher Power the Light Bulb” demonstrating the absurdity of the weird names counselors, therapists, and treatment people–as well as AAs–have assigned to “their” deity. These include tree, light bulb, radiator, Gertrude, Ralph, Coke bottle, Pumpkin, and on and on. I believe all in Twelve Step Fellowships should know the real derivation of the phrases “higher power,” “power greater than ourselves,” and “God as we understood Him.” All these gave rise to what Sam Shoemaker called “absurd names for God,” “half-baked prayers,” and “self-made religion.” For my part, I don’t expect AAs, other 12 Step Fellowships, or recovery psychobabble to change and return to the Bible. I do hope that they will ask themselves just how much “power” they attain by praying to a tree.”
Agreed.
Tags: alcoholics-anonymous, alcoholism, God, higher-power, prayer, RecoveryRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Opinion, Principles
9 opinions for Nonsense Gods of Recovery
jonathan
Oct 6, 2007 at 12:15 pm
Dick’s comments do register. As for him responding, he is traveling stateside at the moment.
Mark
Oct 6, 2007 at 7:54 pm
Hi Jonathan,
My attempt to contact Dick came quite a while ago. I also sent him emails.
His comments take up more than a scroll and are simply too long and promotional for me to approve on the Blog. I keep them in moderation until there is something productive I can do with them but I won’t approve them to be posted at the end of an entry. They’re usually longer than what I write and that just wouldn’t be right.
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May 10, 2008 at 5:09 pm
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Frank D.
May 11, 2008 at 1:34 am
I am betting my life on my conception of a Power greater than myself. I need this Power to live.
Dick B.
May 11, 2008 at 2:28 am
I’ve steered clear of this site since the reproof about supposed promotion and commentaries. Just to let Mark and anyone else know that I receive phone calls, emails, and letters from all over the world. My mission is simply to acquaint alcoholics and others in the recovery with the history of early A.A. And with the history of their astonishing successes through the power of God. ‘Nuff said. But for anyone who wants a contact, my email is above; my website is above; my phone number and mail address are on the website. Meanwhile, I’m glad someone prefers the Creator to a light bulb, radiator, or Great Pumpkin
God Bless,Dick B.
Mark
May 11, 2008 at 7:20 am
Unbelievable…
You’ve steered clear of this site? As if the “fault” for whatever wrong occurred lies here rather than with its real source? Wow - you are so off base…
Why is it that you (of all people) deem it necessary that we lower ourselves and become less equal than you? Ought you have special privileges? Is that the deal? Because you say you have a simple mission?
I should let your comments, which truly are essays by themselves, and promote your writings, be posted here without you ever asking if it would be okay? That is why I attempted to contact you - to talk about that. But, you receive so many calls that you can’t return one?
No, dammit, Dick B, you’re not better than anyone else! We all have a mission!!!
Dick B.
May 20, 2008 at 4:17 pm
God bless you, Mark.
Mark
May 20, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Proof positive…
He already has Dick. Thanks.
Bill
May 21, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Oh, that Dick B.
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