Читать книгу Our Twelve Traditions - Группа авторов - Страница 18

For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.

The only power and authority to be found in AA stems from the group conscience.

During our drinking, many of us rebelled against anybody trying to tell us what to do. Yet we discover in AA that there are no bosses, the Fellowship is both a democracy and, in the words of Bill W., “a benign anarchy”—a perfect combination for those of us who found it difficult taking orders.

Once we sober up, and perhaps even attend a group business meeting or two, we begin to see that the group conscience can provide sure guidance without the weight of personalities and ego—that no AA can give another a directive and enforce obedience.

“When one person wants the group or meeting to do it his (or her) way only,” writes Charlie W. in the story “Trusted Servants,” “that is when Tradition Two comes in, because it is the group conscience that should prevail.”

When facing difficult issues with the potential of tearing a group apart—to smoke or not to smoke, having open or closed meetings, being involved in the service structure or not—reliance on a loving God as expressed through the group conscience has often provided direction. Says the author of “When They Kept It Simple,” “The principles of our program can bring me back from my self-centered opinions to a sincere consideration of what is best for AA, and therefore what is best for me.”