[Gmoney]

Ethnocentrism therefore is the tendency to believe that one's own ethnic group is centrally more important or in some way superior and that all other ethnic groups are measured down in relation to one's own. An individual will then judge other groups in relative to their own particular ethnic group or culture, especially with concern to language, behavior, customs, and/or religion.

The term "ethnocentrism" paints a very ugly picture, huh? Yet, I'm inclined to believe that most people (even those not in recovery) tend to believe that their own "group" is more important to them than groups they aren't a part of. Aren't Americans ethnocentric about being American? New Yorkers about being from New York? Dallas Cowboys about being a Dallas Cowboy? Okay...that might be a stretch...but I think you get my point.

To insinuate that a clarity statement promotes a belief of superiority (via ethnocentrism) in the members of NA is just plain untrue and only supported by your opinion. I can't speak for all members of NA, and neither can you. To acknowledge that I'm a New Yorker, and proud of it, doesn't automatically mean that I believe I'm "better than" a Floridian. Acknowledging and accepting differences exist isn't the same as bigotry.

This statement implies that all others adopt the same language, behaviors, and customs as the ethnocentric group which then leads us into a group sponsored defect of character defined in Step Six of It Works: How and Why known as self-righteousness.

More BS, Andy. The clarity statement suggests, asks, requests or invites others to assimilate...no different than what the NA program asks (that is...if you want what we have to offer). Your logic implies that the 12 steps and 12 Traditions are also an example of the defect of self-righteousness. The suggestions, requests, and invitations of attending meetings, doing step work, getting a sponsor, applying spiritual principles, getting involved in service, stop using drugs, and everything else associated with the "NA Way" is also what step 6 talks about, according to your logic.

Define who "WE" and "OUR" are and don’t implicate "Narcotics Anonymous" in such a statement either, THAT would satisfy nearly every little irk in my body. Groups and committees that dictate these using the word(s) WE, OUR, and Narcotics Anonymous imply in some way that they represent ME and/or NA and that simply isn’t so.

"This book is the shared experience of the Fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous...Because of the variety of addicts found within our Fellowship, we (not Andy) approach the solution contained within this book in general terms." ~ Basic Text, page xv

I often point out the above excerpt when I share with sponsees because every now and again one will point out to me that certain things written in our literature just plain old doesn't apply to them. I must admit that everything I've read in NA literature doesn't apply to me either:

"Our whole life and thinking was centered in drugs in one form or another - the getting and using and finding ways and means to get one more." ~ Basic Text, page 3

Simply put, when anything in the literature says "We" ...I don't take it personal if it doesn't apply. "Our" literature even says, "We are addicts and our problem is the disease of addiction."

If you feel that you don't fit the description, you don't have to. You can always try to find a Fellowship that caters to you. Good luck. NA cannot be all things to all people. And the example you used of:

Garry, Jane, John, Bill, Sally, and Tim (group members who voted for it) are presented with a dilemma (blah blah blah) ...

The Clarity Statment read in all of the meetings in my area says, "In NA we are presented with a dilemma..." - generally speaking...not Andy is presented with a dilemma. And for those groups that don't have an issue...let it fly. That's all...no biggie! If those 5 members make up the group...they are NA. Vote with your feet.