I was looking for help and advice but you pushed me out

Gleeman · Newbie

I was looking for help and advice but you pushed me out

Returned_Here · Veteran Member

Hi Gleeman,

I am rather new here to this board myself, and I don't know all the policies and proceedures, so I can't say why the post got deleted.

What kind of things was the other site saying about AA?

I've found it to be very helpful and strengthening to my sobriety, although there have been a few things that people who attended the meetings of AA have said or done that have caused me some difficulties. There have also been a WHOLE LOT of people who attended the meetings of AA have said or done things that have saved not only my life, but have helped me to have a better life by far.

It's kind of like saying Education is bad because of a few teachers that caused problems. Or all meat is bad because I'm a vegetarian.

AA not only helped me to get clean and sober, but the program helped me to work through flaws in my character. That helped to improve the quality of my life and further reduced the temptation to drink or drug from any issues based on things those flaws had caused in the past, like anger, rage, remorse, guilt, jealousy, and so on.

Hope to hear from you again.

Take care~

StPeteDean · MIP Old Timer

Gleeman,

I've sent you no less then 4 pms in which I will post the last one. your first post/thread basically said what do you think about this? with a link to a very derogatory publication that is full of propaganda pretending to be about AA. I responded to it within 3 minutes, I sent you a personal message about it on the 4th minute. I asked you if you are interested in participating in this group, which is a discussion board about getting and staying sober.

You stayed on the board for another 5 minutes, didn't return my message and you left. Then I deleted your thread in accordance to the "Group Conscience meeting" we had on this very subject. It was decided that we
not going to have discussions about what individuals or entities outside of AA's opinion of AA is. And it was decided that when an individual such as yourself brings said material here we would kindly refer him to take it up with AA's office in NY as it's not our job to deal with it. All that was said to you. I sent you a pm inviting you to partisipate and you left so I deleted your thread. Here's the last response to your message to me.

Dean Wrote:

"Glee,

I asked you if you were interested in getting sober in a personal message. I waited and noticed that you were still on the board and then you left without resonding so I assumed that you were trolling. I have no problem with your membership here and hope that you can find some help with stopping drinking. It's all we really care about honestly.

It's unfortunate that you found that site. Did they have any advise for you about how to stop drinking? I didn't see any. I mean if they had a better way and it was contradictory to AA, who cares as long as it's doing some good to people. But the fact of the matter is that they only have one motive and that's to create negative propaganda about AA, which is thier perogative. I'm a carpenter that has a business. I volunteer on this site (and partisipate for the benifit of my sobriety). We have no dues or fees here. We don't ask anyone to do anything. There are no requirments other than a desire to stop drinking. We talk about it here. And there is no religieon spoken here specifically. There are no exaulted leaders of any kind. Are founders are dead and we do not worship them. So the ideal that AA is a religious cult is laughable. We do look for spiritual solutions to those things that are out of our control, but there is no specific entity that we address. And there is no requirement to do it anyway. Come, get sober, drink, leave, come back or stay gone, it's all up to you. pretty simple and easy. you decide.

Gleeman, I hope you'll join us in discussion about not drinking. Ask all the questions and talk about your issues all you want. We will share our experiences with you and you can draw your own conclusions, that's how it works. Please just don't bring any more of the derogatory material here. We're all aware of it and I guess it would be like some people that don't know you making false and derogartory remarks about your family and a third party coming up to you to ask if you like to discuss it. What would you say? Would you have been as kind as I have been?

Dean"

Gleeman · Newbie

I tried to reply to you but it wouldnt send.

I was not trolling. Maybe it was unfortunate of me to find that webpage first but i did find it in total innocence.Not knowing much about aa i hardly see how i can be blamed for reading one persons opinion and not knowing what to make of it. I guess i went about it wrongly but i wasnt to know,i read someones opinion thats all! so i figured id get other opinions once i found this site.

My ip is still banned from this site.

glee

StPeteDean · MIP Old Timer

you'll have to continue to use the ip you're using till we find a way to resolve that.

Dave Harm · Senior Member

I have my own website and at times I get e-mails from sites that claim we can get sober without AA. They go on this rambling rant for a long time and I usually just delete it.

One time, it got a bit to personal for me, as they were rambling about worshipping flase gods and the only salvation we'll ever find would be in h---. They kept throwing Bible verses at me - so I began throwing them back.

By the end of our "conversation" all I could say was that tonight, "I'll say a prayer for you."

My point is that there will always be people who will try and find fault with AA. And most of that is out of fear. Fear of the unknown. As many lives as AA as saved, it's kind of sad that there are still some people who try to find fault with it.

If you have no idea what AA is about, find an open meeting and just listen. After the meeting talk to some people who "impressed" you with their talk. The fact is as much research as a person can do on the Internet or reading books, the best way to judge it is in person.

Creating Dreams, from the nightmares of hell...

Sobrietyspell · MIP Old Timer

Welcome to MIP, Gleeman. The only requirement for membership is an honest desire to stop drinking. If you feel you have a problem & want to stop, AA can help if you want it. I've been attending since Aug 06 & so far have 21mths sobriety 1Day@aTime. I went to meetings with an openmind & a wish to learn about alcoholism. I have met many members in many places & I'm proud to call myself among their fellowship. There is much to learn & the best way to do it is ~ to Do It!

Though we can share it, your journey is your own & from the onset you can take what you like & leave the rest. I have found it necessary to do it this way too as there is so much on offer & to learn. It takes time to realise how it works & to make it work for you. I haven't had any negative experiences overall, only ones of my own making as I have acted out at times & everytime I have been met with understanding & support. AA has & is helping me learn how to live sober. If you're interested, visit a meeting & find out for yourself. I don't think analysing it from outside using other people's opinions who may have their own axe to grind will find you the answers you're looking for. Good luck in your beginnings in sobriety. I hope you find a peace that AA has also given me. God bless, Daniella x

jonijoni1 · MIP Old Timer

Wow, all good replies here. Can't possibly add any more to them. All I know is that AA is what I MAKE OF IT. Yes, it requires the help of others, and of learning how to help others, but it is MY experience, and what I am willing to put into it guides what I get out of it. I have been in moods before wehre I went to a meeting just to find fault, and that is exactly what I found. I have even been on this forum in past years trying to find fault, and that is what I found. Only finding fault and being "suspicious" (as I was) did not help me get nor stay sober.

When I approach something with open-mindedness and an attitude of willingness, I get the rewards. Each person gets out of it exactly what he is looking for. Those seeking failure will find it. Those seeking to follow directions will find help.

nique · Senior Member

In the opening reading at AA meetings: How It Works it says we look for the easier softer way but I have never heard of any REAL alcoholic find anything easier and softer then our wonderful AA program. Personally I Christian and believe in Jesus but I dont normally share that with anyone in AA unless they bring it up. ANY Hihgher Power will do the job for us if we only ask sincerly and take the steps suggested by our veterans!!
Lots of love to you! I hope you stay with us and keep sharing.
Love you!
Allison

Doll · MIP Old Timer

This is an AA based site. Our opinions will of course be only of SUPPORT....... When you 'mess' with those of us who love AA and are grateful it saved our lives, you're gonna get some flack. I feel the same about AA as do my family, when you say something negative or derogatory, I'm ready to fight to defend! .... Especially when it's that orange paper crap!

AA is not for everyone. But it is for me...... I hope you find what you're looking for.