Extract
from our forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/aacultwatch
under thread: “Cults Misquotes and Distortions”
“Re:
David C Icons website.
First
of all, I apologize for having to quote from the pernicious site in
question, but this is necessary in order to expose it for the fraud
that it is. Here is what the Blessed Icon and Jim W (his
side-kick/lackey) write concerning Step 3
This
is a decision to go on with the program and the practical
consequences are that we decide to do the other steps and try to
behave in accordance with the spiritual principles of honesty,
unselfishness, love and purity, and that we will follow the guidance
of our sponsors.... (by David C Icons & Jim W)
Well,
er.... NO actually! Reading the Big Book pages 62 & 63, which
cover Step 3, there is absolutely no mention of following the
"spiritual principles of honesty unselfishness, love and
purity." These principles are, of course, the so-called Four
Absolutes of the Oxford Group cult. But that is NOT AA. AA broke away
from the Oxford Group because it was narrow, authoritarian and
dogmatic. One of the aims of the Big Book authors was that it be as
open, democratic and inclusive as possible. That was the intention of
the writers in order to maximize effectiveness and appeal of the
Program. And what exactly does it mean to follow the principle of
"purity" anyway ?? What kind of purity? Religious purity?
Sexual purity? Racial purity ??? (a legitimate question if we recall
the time/era in which the Big Book was written, and the political
events taking place at that time!) Purity indeed!
While
the BB talks about following the will of a Higher Power (of MY
understanding, an important caveat) and contributing more to life,
and being unburdened of self ... there is no specific recommendation
of the Four Absolutes. Neither does it mention following the
"guidance of a sponsor". There is no reference in the BB
here about following any kind of human power or personality, or
anyone else needing to be involved at all.
"But
it is better to meet God alone than with one who might
misunderstand." (Alcoholics Anonymous page 63)
It
is all about God, and moreover, God
as I understand Him,
again an important distinction. The "God" of David C Icons
website seems to be the "God" of the Oxford Group cult.
Certainly NOT my God ! This is a sly deception on David C Icon's part
- trying to impose his god on everyone by cunningly inserting the 4
Absolutes and his sponsor nonsense.
And
who exactly are the “We” referred to in this paragraph and
elsewhere throughout site. Ah, yes, David C Icons and Jim W – they
seem to be saying they represent the Book, The Program and the
fellowship. Well, they need to get over themselves, because they sure
don’t !
Next
in David C Icons Big Book travesty we read this ...
If
we have followed all the suggestions given in the before, and are
ready to follow all that our sponsor suggests further, then we can
answer this question with a firm, ‘Yes’. (As we said before, for
most of us, we learn to trust our Higher Power by first placing our
trust in our sponsor.) by David C Icons & Jim W
Really!!??
What planet are these guy on ? (Ah, yes, planet Icon.)
Let's
be clear and rigorously honest. The Big Book at Step 3 makes
ABSOLUTELY NO requirement of following a list of "Daily
Suggestions" (largely invented by the sponsorless David B). No
mention of reading the Just For Today card. No mention of having to
obediently follow the whims, fancies and dictates of a human power
(aka sponsor). No mention of having to trust a human being before
being able to trust one's Higher Power. (I guess our more religious
fellows would call this a blasphemy/idolatry?) It certainly IS
sponsor-idolatry if we have to put trust in a sponsor before trust in
the God of our own individual understanding. The BB talks about
following the will of this Higher Power, not the suggestions of some
cockamamie Vision/Joys sponsor !
Next,
unbelievably, we read this...
And
then we read out the prayer, while on our knees. .... (by David C
Icons & Jim W)
We
read out the prayer on our knees ?? Do we indeed ! Where does it say
that ? Well, of course, it doesn't, but David seems to have a "thing"
about getting on his knees. As the saying goes -it takes all sorts!
The BB does talk further down the page about taking the step
"honestly and humbly" but that does not necessarily
equate with kneeling, which is a religious posture. And a posture
abandoned by the early fellowship. AA isn’t a religion.
Then
to cap it all..
This
step was better done with a sponsor: “We found it desirable to take
this step with an understanding person…” {p63} (by David C Icons
& Jim W )
The
Book ACTUALLY says that it "better
meet God alone than with one who might misunderstand."
(Alcoholics Anonymous page 63)
Well
David C Icons clearly misunderstands! "Desirable" and
"better" do not mean the same thing. In fact the BB seems
to imply that taking the Step alone is the better option.
We
do not retake Step Three as we go through the programmer. (David C
Icons & Jim W )
Where
does it say in the Book that "we do
not retake Step Three.." Well,
guess what, it doesn’t. Ain’t that a surprise ! (And I won't
comment on the spelling error, we all make 'em!)
Two
more points about this appalling website/travesty of the Big Book.
Prior
the Step 3 prayer the Big Book says : "Many
of us said to our Maker..." (Alcoholics Anonymous page 63)
Note
it says - MANY of us, NOT all of us. There is no
command here that we ALL have to follow this set prayer at all. This
is further emphasised after the prayer with these words.
"The
wording was, of course, quite optional so long as we expressed the
idea..." (Alcoholics Anonymous page 63)
Thus
the wording is not mandatory or compulsory in any way. The prayer
itself is more a template, than a formula everyone has to slavishly
follow. In fact, this whole section on Step Three in the Book seems
to be saying that what really matters is sincerity and integrity, not
dogma or posturing. AA does not ask us to do or believe anything that
might go against our conscience or culture. This is, of course, all
missing from David C Icons’ deluded epic.
CONCLUSION.
So, after a detailed perusal, we have here in the section of David C
Icons website concerning Step Three the following:
LIES
- regarding 4 Absolutes, Daily suggestions,
sponsor obedience - all allegedly needed prior to taking step 3 a la
Big Book. Having to kneel while saying the Step 3 prayer. Not taking
Step Three again if we wish.
DISTORTIONS
and
MISREPRESENTATIONS
-
regarding the step was “better” taken with a sponsor. Assumption
by
implication that
the God of
our understanding
is the same as David C Icon's god. Assumption that this god requires
a specific posture while praying. The ambiguous and misleading use of
the word “we” – which doesn’t actually refer to AA at all, or
the founder members, but in fact, just a couple of chumps who decided
to set up the site and build up a cult around it.
OMISSIONS
- the allowing of difference and
diversity of wording within the context of taking Step Three
according to the BB, completely overlooked and missing from David C
Icons effort.
5
lies, 4 distortions/misrepresentations, and 2 omissions. Not a bad
score when you consider that was in just one page of the wretched
website.”
Cheerio
The
Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)
PS
Later in the year/early next year we will be launching a mirror
section in our forum to include AA conference questions (moderated).
This will permit a more open discussion (allowing reference and links
to “outside” sources) than is presently available on the AA
website. Members will also be able to send private messages (and
emails) to each other (also currently unavailable on the AA website)
