Should NA Allow Other Reading Into The Meetings IE Bible, AA BigBook, Jehova, Vodo?

[Chance]

Yes NA Should Allow Other Reading to Endorse NA In The Meetings

No NA Should Not Allow Other Readings To Endorse NA In The Meetings

No Opinion On The Subject

Other

[doorknob]

I think you're using the word endorse incorrectly. Other reading material cannot endorse NA. It could work the other way around, but I don't think that is necessarily the case. Just because someone shares something with the group doesn't mean that it represents the whole organization. I think people should be able share ideas and material that have helped them regardless of it's source.

[BigSis]

My concern would be that if someone READ from an non-approved literature, another newcomer might make assumptions about what program is or is not about.

My home group is strict about this - no inspirational daily readers, no psych books, no motivational or spiritual mottos.... DURING the meeting.

[Chance]

The use of literature, speakers, and announcements of other fellowships in our meetings constitutes an implied endorsement of an outside enterprise

How are we using the word endorsement wrong when that is what is quoted out of the NA Basic Text? No one said that this represents the whole organization but it does effect NA as a whole. We do have guidelines to follow.

[Phinneas]

I'm not sure what your intent with this post is, VIC? NA already has guidelines and traditions that answer this question - only NA literature and readings are approved to be used in meetings is my understanding. That means no outside sources and no opinions on outside issues. Those traditions and suggestions are there for a reason... so this question isn't really open for debate, IMO.

[doorknob]

Originally Posted by Chance

How are we using the word endorsement wrong when that is what is quoted out of the NA Basic Text?

The way you stated it in the poll is incorrect. NA would be doing the endorsing and the readings would be getting endorsed. Subject and predicate stuff... no biggie.

[Thundar301]

this is a touchy subject, to heavy for me to deal with , I am still concerned more with my own recovery and if it effects my recovery negitively then and only then do I need to do something to not comprimize my recovery, if that is being greedy then so be it , but I know if I don't have my recovery I have done all this for nothing.

[Gmoney]

No NA Should Not Allow Other Readings To Endorse NA In The Meetings

I think it should read:

[No] NA should not allow readings that endorse outside organizations, groups or fellowships in meetings.

"To Endorse NA" is incorrect because it's about attraction, not promotion. Feel me? I know what you meant, but you simply wrote it wrong, that's all.

[Chance]

Yep I am wrong with the way in which I worded it, Please accept my apologies I am wrong what can I do to make it right? Hey Phinny I guess that I was just trying to make a point which wasn't right either. Thanks

With Love and Respect

Vic

[FELONIOUS]

Heeere we go again! LMAO!!!

Steve.

[andyaddict]

Narcotics Anonymous should neither endorse NOR OPPOSE any causes. NA has no opinion on what member's use to supplement their recovery. However, in keeping with the spirit of our Twelve Traditions and primary purpose, the opinion of Narcotics Anonymous (i.e. our literature) must stay focused on what we do best - a 12 Step approach to recovery from drug addiction - nothing more and nothing less, for that is all we have to offer.

The group can be organized (i.e. format and its readings). The Ninth Tradition does not exempt our service boards and committees from structure (group committees consists of voting members of the group... group conscience... steering committee... etc.); what the Ninth Tradition does do is prevent that structure from finding its way to the member, or "NA as such."

The Tenth Tradition guards us from taking sides for, or against, outside issues. The Ninth Tradition guards us from making rules that may support of oppose such issues as they apply to the member. And Tradition Two prevents us from appointing officials to enforce such rules, all while allowing a "desire" to be the one and only requirement asked of our members.

a

[Peter]

"Should NA Allow Other Reading Into The Meetings IE Bible, AA BigBook, Jehova, Vodo?"

A resounding NO.

[lucyo]

it states in the basic text tradition 6, and the guide to local service, that outside literature should not be read in our meetings.
i came to na to stop using drugs and find a new way to live. if i wanted that new way to live to be how they do it in AA or in church, that's where i'd be... not in an NA meeting.

this isn't anything goes anonymous, lets mix all the 12 steps up together and include a little church in there with it... its narcotics anonymous.

[Alera]

A resounding NO.

I remember well how uncomfortable I was holding hands during the Lords Prayer at the end of meetings. There was a lot of talk about religion, not just HP. There was often a bible out at one of the meetings. Sure, you say it's just one of the meetings, but where I live a small clique pretty much run all the meetings. It was a major turnoff for me.

[Peter]

[quote=Alera;1312326]I remember well how uncomfortable I was holding hands during the Lords Prayer at the end of meetings. QUOTE]

I was rebuked at a meeting once because I refused to say the Lord's prayer.

Beautiful prayer, but it don't belong in an NA meeting.

[dontcareinmi]

Who cares what people read? I want to hear from their book as much as I want to hear your comments yet if they want to share something that helped them make it through the day they will not get an argument from me. There is no need to be so rigid and to lay down the law.

[Peter]

We can not censor peoples sharing, but I don't think that is what this thread is about.

The thread is whether NA should endorse the reading of other material other than NA Literature.

[andyaddict]

Originally Posted by Peter

We can not censor peoples sharing, but I don't think that is what this thread is about.

The thread is whether NA should endorse the reading of other material other than NA Literature.

OH, well absolutely not, nor would we need to.

My only argument is that there are many that even after many years of experience in NA cannot differentiate between a member and a group or a sharing and a reading. SOME people think that if a tradition warns a "group" of readings of outside organizations that the same should apply to the member... completely circumventing the freedom from rules, governing bodies, and extra requirements asked of a member other than their desire to stop using.

When the Basic Text speaks of restricting groups from readings and speakers it is referring to the "Group's Steering Committee," or in other words the home group members that arrange the "organized" format of the meeting.

a

[lucyo]

Originally Posted by andyaddict

OH, well absolutly not, nor would we need to.

My only arguement is that there are many that even after many years of experience in NA cannot disertain between a member and a group or a sharing and a reading. SOME people think that if a tradition warns a "group" against readings of outside organizations that the same should apply to the member... completely circumventing the freedom from rules, governing bodies, and extra requirements asked of a member other than their desire to stop using.

When the Basic Text speaks of restricting groups from readings and speakers it is refering to the "Group's Steering Committee," or in other words the home group members that arrange the "organized" format of the meeting. This keeps "NA" itself from endorsement, but places no such restrictions upon any member who attends the meeting - INCLUDING the home group members themselves.


a

in IWHW, in tradition 6 it says "when NA's identity becomes too closely tied to the identity of another organization, the clarity of our primary purpose is muddied, losing some of its power...
By esablishing boundaries, the 6th tradition helps our groups avoid some of the problems that commonly arise between oranizations...
We use NA literature and speakers in our meetings to help us fulfill NA's primary purpose...
it's important to remember that we as NA members and groups are responsible for observing our Twelve Traditions."

that last sentence lets me know its not just up to the 'group' to apply the traditions, but also for the individual.
although you've explained why you believe the way you do, i still don't see it, after reading our literature, not just the Basic Text, but also IWHW, you could really think it's ok for a group to ignore it when someone reads from the bible.
if we let it slide, and just wait and hope for them to 'get it' by following the examples of others, and more and more people start reading from the bible, cause we're being so patient, tolerant and accepting, and they dont get it...
do you not think the primary purpose could get muddied if half the group if not more are sitting there reading from the bible in meetings? wouldn't it be best for the unity of NA to explain to these people why its not ok to read the bible during meetings?

[andyaddict]

Well at least you've opened you book dear. Now, what practical proposed solution can you bring forth through your interpretation of Tradition Six and still make it stick when it comes to Traditions Two, Three, and Nine? Inquiring minds want to know.

a

[lucyo]

Originally Posted by andyaddict

Well at least you've opened you book dear. Now, what practical proposed solution can you bring forth through your interpretation of Tradition Six and still make it stick when it comes to Traditions Two, Three, and Nine? Inquiring minds want to know.

a

quote from tradition 2 "An atmosphere of recovery in our groups is one of our most valued assets, and