Under the shell...

...is a bitter pill.

A.A. members like to say, wistfully,
that there are 'beautiful mysteries'
inherent in their program.

They say that the Big Book and the
program are full of 'paradoxes,'
which is really just another way of
saying 'conundrums' or 'contradictions.'

Since that's more honest, let's go with that;
Contradictions and conundrums.
(It is, after all, supposed to be an honest
program....just run by liars and thieves; I
don't know how that's supposed to work!)

A lie is a lie, no matter how you dress it up.

A.A. peddles inconsistencies, bullshit, and
false hope. That's all.

No matter how they dress it up, a con is still
a con. And the worst of the worst can't even
run their own lives...that's why they're looking
to run yours.

Fore-warned is fore-armed.

**********************************

The Con of the Art (pt. 1)

12 Step groups are a con job, pure and simple.

Calling it something else and using the good intentions
of some to promote it doesn't change that.

It's a human pyramid scheme; a religious 'only
three more to reach my goal' shell game. Smiles
and careful phrasing don't distract from that.

People come on strong initially, overwhelming
newcomers so as to facilitate a false sense of
belonging; giving cheery and delusional testimonials,
making unrealistic promises, only focusing on upbeat
and Polly-annaish (unrealistic) ideals....
manipulate their emotions, build up
the sense that they are genuinely loved and accepted
and appreciated, and then....

The Whammy!

Make them realize that the continuation of all
these ebullient iterations is contingent upon their
willingness to adopt the mindset of the group.

If you don't get the prescription filled, you can't
have what you've been shown a picture of.
You can't just pull your weight and socialize,
and you can't politely overlook those steps...
you have to commit to the belief system or that
lovey-dovey smiles-a-popping support system
will dry up and blow away.

Of course, it isn't articulated quite so directly,
but the night-and-day switcheroo or emotions
that takes place...the looks of disappointment
and the freeze-outs and the eye rolls and the
condemning glances and the unreturned phone
calls all speak volumes.

Lovingness belongs to those who participate...fully.
If your are unwilling or unresponsive, you don't
get to play with the popular kids. (Who are all
generally actually the un-popular kids, now being
given their first taste of power...did you imagine
it would go well?!?)

Most don't like having it broken down like that, but
there it is.

(continued....)