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TRUE TOLERANCE:

The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.

– Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, page 139 –

I first heard the short form of the Third Tradition in the Preamble. When I came to A.A. I could not accept myself, my alcoholism, or a Higher Power. If there had been any physical, mental, moral, or religious requirements for membership, I would be dead today. Bill W. said in his tape on the Traditions that the Third Tradition is a charter for individual freedom. The most impressive thing to me was the feeling of acceptance from members who were practicing the Third Tradition by tolerating and accepting me. I feel acceptance is love and love is God’s will for us.

From the book Daily Reflections. Narrated by Father Martin A.I. Cloned Voice. Copyright 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services Inc.