Page: 49
Step we are on: Step Two
Chapter: "We Agnostics"
Subject: Belief, Willingness, Racism, Bigotry, Worship, Intolerance, Faith
Good morning. Oh yes, they did go there. It applies.
- Instead, what did we do?
Instead, we looked at the human defects of these people,
- We sometimes do what?
and sometimes used their shortcomings as a basis of wholesale condemnation.
Wholesale? Yes! Do the words Racism or Bigotry come to mind here? The seeds of all intolerance are always spawned out of that force we know as resentment. It's just one more acerbic flavor for Evil's hatred.
Wholesale - Widespread, indiscriminate, incautious. ~ The Winston Simplified Dictionary – 1938
- When we resent others for being intolerant, what were we?
We talked of intolerance, while we were intolerant ourselves.
Intolerant – 1. Not allow in difference of opinion of belief to others, especially in matters of religion or morals 2. Inability to bear or endure.~ The Winston Simplified Dictionary – 1938
Whenever we resent others - even for their intolerance, we are also being intolerant too. Seeing the wrong in others without getting angry is true tolerance.
- Why did we miss the beauty of life?
We missed the reality and the beauty of the forest because we were diverted by the ugliness of some of its trees.
All Jews, all blacks, all doctors, all addicts, all whites - all people have common grounds that they own, but using individual flaws to bitterly apply with a broad brush to others is evidence of deep-seated spiritual sickness; a distraction from seeing one's own defects.
- What have some of us never done?
We never gave the spiritual side of life a fair hearing.
It's impossible to be connected to God and to grow spiritually when judging (resenting) others.
If spiritual dysfunction is a disease, then its pathogenesis lies in resentment.
Using the "N" word in referring to our fellows is a big deal, because it's a sign that something is wrong in us. Something vile spews Its hatred for God's Creation using our mind and tongue.
If spiritual dysfunction is a disease, then its pathogenesis lies in resentment.
Using the "N" word in referring to our fellows is a big deal, because it's a sign that something is wrong in us. Something vile spews Its hatred for God's Creation using our mind and tongue.
Intolerance melts away quite easily once we have been living the spiritual lifestyle proposed in the Big Book because we are no longer subject to ego-feeding hatred.
Peace and Love,
Danny S – RLRA
Real Live Recovered Alcoholic
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