We're looking for a word to describe AA members who subscribe to the philosophies and practices of the early days of AA
- when the Big Book was the primary tool of all AA members,
- before the "Twelve and Twelve" essays were thought to replace our Basic Text, the Foreword thru page 164,
- before "discussion" meetings watered down the program and confused newcomers (who are now the old-timers that now serve as our teachers)
We're looking for a word to describe people like Joe McQ. and Charlie P of "Joe & Charlie", like Cliff B of the Primary Purpose Group of Dallas, Texas, like "the twins" of Texas-Chris R and Myers R, like Barefoot Bob, like Mike L of the Carry This Message Group in West Orange, New Jersey, like Peter M of Union, NJ, Like Mark H of Dallas...
These dedicated AAs are often described as "big book thumpers", "Nazis", or "Fundamentalists". A less comon word is "orthodox".... the fellows of Iceland reportedly use the term "Taliban". Unfortunately, these words have negative connotations.
We're looking for a word, an adjective, that gives a good impression - a positive image of those who learn, do, and teach the lessions of the "First One Hundred" who carried the message so well that it got to millions all over the world before it became watered down and, unfortunately, much less effective in bringing miracles into the lives of those who apply the lessons of the 12-Step Program of Recovery.
What ideas or suggestions can you offer here to get a thoughtful discussion rolling?
"Fundamentalism" defined
fun·da·men·tal·ism (fŭn′də-mĕntl-ĭz′əm) n. A usually religious movement or point of view characterized by a return to fundamental principles, by rigid adherence to those principles, and often by intolerance of other views and opposition to secularism.