Is there any logic in the concept of weakness as an aspect of strength? The answer to this question is obvious to any rational human being. The answer is a resounding "NO".

How does this pertain to the prevailing mindset of A.A. as it is today, let's look at the first step, as it's worded versus the way it is interpreted. I quote directly from the Big Book:

The underlined italics are to point out the two points that the rank and file of A.A. have altered, or misinterpreted in a very disastrous way. The words WERE, and HAD BECOME refer to the past tense, not the present tense. If I reworded the first step to agree with the common interpretation, it would go something like this.

I have been amazed at the amount of bright people in A.A. that have never caught this lethal reinterpretation. They also down play the result of this interpretation, as just a harmless matter of semantics. What are the implications of living by the first step in the present tense? One is a feeling of futility, and weakness. That any success is not of your own effort, or conviction, why? Because you have no power against the great demon alcohol. So if this is the case you can't exert any control over any other area of your life, due to the fact that you've discarded the only means at your disposal, the ability to arrive at a logical conclusion. It's the difference between coming to believe, and coming to realize.

When I drank I was powerless over alcohol, but when I arrived at the conclusion that it was killing me I exerted the greatest force known to man, my mind. The facts of reality presented me with two options, live or die. I came to realize that my life could be manageable if I pursued a path of reason. The logical result of this course is the strength, and the moral courage to see alcohol not as an unending threat, but as the toothless tiger that it really is. I have become powerful over alcohol. I didn't surrender to win; I fought back!

One of the results of the current interpretation of the first step is seen in the newcomers. I have talked with one in particular over the last year, or better put tried to keep A.A. from destroying his self-esteem, and thirst for knowledge. The last time I spoke with him I was saddened to see that he had adopted the false interpretation of the first step. He saw himself as small and insignificant, just one little part of a mysterious whole, powerless over his life or his destiny. It would be easier to see a man shot dead, than to watch the slow process that his so called protectors employ to bleed him to death.

In the past he called me for advice in dealing with a situation in his life, he was righteously indignant over accusations that were being leveled against him that were unjust. The cause of his frustration seemed to be the advice that he received in A.A. I told him to analyze the situation objectively, to make sure that his anger was honestly justified in light of the facts, A.A. told him not to get in his head. A.A. told him he had no right to be angry. A.A. told him that he couldn't judge his attacker, but find where he was at fault, and humbly take it. I told him to judge his attacker with ruthless honesty, and stand and fight for what you judge to be just. I told him if he is honest with himself he has every right to defend his integrity. I told him it is a moral imperative to think, and judge. A.A. told him to pray, and wait for the answer. I told him to seek an answer actively. A.A. told him to read the Big Book, I told him to read anything he could get his hands on, because the only path to truth is knowledge. A.A. told him his greatest liability is his mind, I told him it is his greatest asset. I won the battle, but fear I've lost the war.

This is just one example of the many I've observed in the last ten years. Once the wall of God drops behind their eyes they cease to exist in a truly human sense, they have become powerless! Where in this mystic mud pit can a person find a shred of self worth? The answer is nowhere. Remember, "It's a we program, not an I program". This is not ego deflation, but all out war on self-esteem.

Most people who make it to A.A. generally have little or no self-esteem left. Convincing them that they are powerless robs them of the one shred they have left. How can they succeed in life if they see nothing of value worth living for? To me the answer is obvious, they can't.