Anonymity is maintained not so much for the protection of the individual as for the protection of the program.
Reflections from those in a 12-step program provide a glimpse of theunderlying principleof this tradition.
She notes that no guru can prevent you from taking the first drink.
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“This program is a ‘we’ thing for many reasons.
Deifying a person not only harms the followers but the followed.”
This translates into practices of not using honorifics.
A judge isn’t “Your Honor” at a meeting.
A priest isn’t “Father.”
All are equal, and all are just one drink away from being drunk.
There is no rich man or poor man, are all equals.
That love comes from taking the risks of resting on the principles rather than giving in and playing God.
Rather than become the message, you arecarrying the message.
Otherwise, your sobriety is at risk, and so is AA as a whole.
