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Admin
http://what.thedailywtf.com/t/likes-topic-that-isnt/48093
Admin
What's the term you used before? "Nanny state"? You don't know what's good for you, someone else should do that for you?
Sorry, I don't like it. In either context. Doesn't "free will" also imply thinking for yourself and dealing with your problems on your own? Now, saying something or someone can help you with that, that's fine. Saying that it's impossible for you to do something without help? I don't see how that's healthy.
Pendant shield: I'm talking about mental states here, not physically impossible things.
Admin
Yeah. Plus, when you convince someone they're not strong enough to handle something, they pretty much can't, no matter if they could have before. Willpower's great that way.
Admin
I have. Still, free will is also a big Christian thing.
Admin
That's fine, but if someone has realized that they can't be responsible and need some help, why shouldn't they?
Admin
Help is fine. I said so myself. But what I read here (and heard before) they advocate complete surrender to a higher power. They are not saying pray or use this as an encouragement, they are saying "The higher power has to do this for you because you can't".
Also, to a non-Christian having that kind of attitude can make the whole thing useless and / or offensive, depending on their religious beliefs. I don't see a reason for making it the centre of the whole program - offering or directing people to (voluntarily participate in) religious services? Sure. Having a religious leader as a consultant people can turn to if they want to. Go ahead.
Excluding people if they don't accept the particular theology as a part of the process? Not cool.
Admin
TIL
Admin
Yes. I think that if you've resorted to an AA style program, you've just demonstrated the truth in that.
If you don't want to be a part of it, then don't do it. I really don't understand this. You're asking for chocolate chip cookies but without the chocolate chips.
Admin
You might be there for a support group? You know, sharing experiences and talking to people in the same shit as you are? People who understand you, who might have beaten the addiction already and can offer advice? I'm not as arrogant to say that I can understand all the problems an alcoholic faces. I can't offer relevant advice or support. Someone who went through that probably can.
And since AA is the largest (to my knowledge) organisation that deals with this in the country, it's logical that you have the best chance of meeting people who can help there, yes? Once again, "I need someone to talk to" is asking for help, not giving away control.
I'm just saying that the largest organisation, the one everyone knows about, caters only to Christians. And even then, many Christians should object to their specific stances, IMHO. I'm an ex-Catholic, and even though I never was much of a church person I'm pretty sure the Catholic dogma doesn't agree with it either.
If you're not a Christian, well, tough tits, chances of finding a support group in your area are slim to none.
Admin
Um, no. I've never been to AA, but I know lots of people who have. Although their view of a "higher power" does resemble the Christian view of God, they do not cater only to Christians. Your higher power can be Allah, Buddha, the alignment of the planets, or crystal energy, but if you mention Christ you'll be told to STFU. That may or may not be organization policy, and if not, it might vary between individual groups, but that has been the experience of the people I know.
And their advice, at least the ones in AA, will be to surrender to your higher power, because that has been what worked for them.Admin
I stand corrected on that point then.
But I still stand behind this being a bad advice.
Admin
I realise I'm late to the party but seriously, people have trouble getting their cars sorted through the Automobile Association? <!-- Alcoholism is not fun. I had alcoholic parents. Fortunately they figured it out for themselves how to deal with it. Also, atheism is alive and well in my family. -->
In other news, I enjoy the occasional beer (not that American swill but proper English brewed beer - served not quite chilled as it is supposed to be), the occasional cider (Rekorderlig if I can get it), and the occasional rum - I recommend Captain Morgan's - especially the spiced-with-vanilla one.
Hard cheeses are awesome, as are blue cheeses, as a kid I hated the taste but as I grew up I found them much more palatable.
Did I miss anything? :trolleybus:
Admin
If it is English brewed I doubt it is anything but proper.
Admin
Much better, IME, than the Belgian stuff...
Admin
I find that a bit meh. I tend to prefer a medium dry Somerset or Hereford.
That depends on which beers you're talking about. There are certainly some beers in England that are better than some beers in Belgium, but that's not really a very strong statement… ;)
Admin
Some of the ones from the Badger Brewery in Dorset are tasty, big fan of the Blandford Flyer for example. Doom Bar is also another tasty one IMO.
Admin
Ah, yes. Those are very good. :smiley:
I can also recommend the beers produced by Palmers in Bridport, Dorset. I don't think they sell any that are less than excellent…
Admin
Admin
:scream: