- Coercion (was: New here)

[Guest guest]

>

> This is indeed analogous to AA. And as with AA, it is certainly

> the right

> > of any citizen to seek support in any way he/she desires -- but

> coerced

> > involvement DEMANDS that the person pretend to need such support,

> whether or

> > not it is true.

>

> I see this as a separate issue. Because the state is coercing

> citizens to one group or the other does not necessarily mean that they

> have that much in common or that either group desires that people be

> coerced into attending them.

>

---------------

--

If the group did not desire that people be coerced into attending, they

would not " cooperate " by signing slips.

The state can ATTEMPT to mandate involvement with and membership in private

clubs and groups, but they really can't FORCE the issue without the active

cooperation of the groups and clubs.

My guess is that private groups which agree to report on people's

attendance -- maybe even on their " level of participation " -- are secretly GLAD

about coercion -- because they think, " Well, maybe we can 'save' some of these

people. " This is an arrogant attitude, IMO, whether it happens in XA or in

non-religious groups.

~Rita