AA MINORITY REPORT 2017 (revised)

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Thursday 30 August 2012

San Francisco Bay area - "Nursery" groups


A correspondent writes:

Hi!

I am writing you from San Francisco, CA USA. I wanted to tell you what I know about AA cults in the SF Bay Area.

In San Francisco, all "high noon" meetings revolve around one insane guy who sponsors everyone, marries newcomers and publicly humiliates anyone who is on meds.

In nearby counties, Clancy I. has extended his reach. Los Angeles Pacific Group transplants have started several meetings in the Bay Area - all under the "Nursery" banner. They are, as some have alluded to on other sites, actively "seeding" and taking over other meetings.

I have left AA due to this dangerous cult called Nursery.

If you would like me to send you a list of cult meetings in the SF Bay area, I can do that, at least a list of meetings that I know of.

Thank you so much for your continued work. The Internet is really putting the spotlight on the abuses going on in AA at this time. I think we are just at the tip of the iceberg.

Thanks,
Anonymous”

and, as promised:

Hello!

Below is a list of official and unofficial Nursery (Pacific Group) meetings in the San Francisco Bay Area. The 'official" nursery groups are all listed as such. The rest of the meetings listed below have either been started by Nursery members or have been taken over by Nursery members. Nursery members are in the process of taking over or starting meetings in nearby counties and in San Francisco proper, but I have not listed them here due to their transitional nature. If I remember or come across any more of their meetings, I will email you.

I do not know if Nursery was started by Clancy I. I do know that the leaders of the nursery meetings and the core group of men who go to these meetings are either sponsored or grand-sponsored by Clancy I. Their wives have set up their own meetings as well. Let me know if I can be of any more help.

Nursery Meetings Contra Costa/Alameda County, California, USA

Sunday:
7PM 12 Steppers St. Luke's Lutheran Church 2491 San Miguel Drive. Walnut Creek, CA

Monday:
7:30 Nursery #2 Men's Stag 451 Moraga Way (St Mark's Ch) Orinda, CA,
7:45 Nursery #4 Men's Stag 955 Moraga Rd (Methodist Ch) Rm5 upstairs Lafayette, CA
8PM Nursery #5 Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church 3rd Floor 1801 La Cassie Ave. Walnut Creek, CA

Tuesday:
8:15 Nursery #1 303 Hudson St at Manila Ave Oakland, CA

Wednesday:
6PM Beginner's Workshop 2491 San Miguel Dr (St Luke's Church) Walnut Creek, CA
8PM Nursery #3 2491 San Miguel Dr (St Luke's Church) Walnut Creek CA
7:45PM Lamorinda Men's 10 Irwin Way (Fellowship Hall) Orinda, CA

Thursday:
7pm Diablo Group 1550 Diablo Rd (St Timothy's) Danville, CA
7:30 Room To Grow 242 W. Linda Mesa Ave (Danville Women's Club) Danville, CA

Friday:
6:30pm Friday Night Young Peoples 222 W El Pintado (Pres Church) Rm 100 Danville, CA

Saturday:
6:30 Saturday Night Young Peoples 193 Mayhew Way (AA meeting room) Walnut Creek, CA”


Comment: We're always interested to hear more about such developments!

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our thanks to our correspondent

Tuesday 28 August 2012

Cult groups (update and addition to GB Where to Find)


YORKSHIRE

Halifax Primary Purpose Group
Saturday 10.30 The Ebenezer Center, St. James Road
[Contact: comes under Ebenezer Centre Tel: 01422 342654]
(outside affiliation with the Primary Purpose movement)

Harrogate Back To Basics Meeting
Wednesday 6:30 Harrogate Baptist Church. Victoria Avenue,
[Contact: comes under Baptist Church]
(described in the AA directory as a Big Book multi-meeting group but affiliated with the Back to Basics movement – a US separately incorporated “not for profit” outside enterprise)

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

Sunday 26 August 2012

Conference Questions (2012) forum discussion (contd)



Question 2:

Would the Fellowship ask itself the question: “Are there too many meetings and not enough groups?”

Background

Pamphlet ‘The AA Group’
The Home Group: Heartbeat of AA
Consider the contribution to the carrying of the message, financial and practical implications when deliberating each question.”

Extracts

In reply to …...., some useful information can be found in the minority report which has been mentioned in a number of posts elsewhere on this forum and on the website on which it has been posted. The report can be found by placing “AA minority report 2012” into a search engine. Other sites which also come up in the search, aagrapevine.org and the site that is helping people leave AA, may also provide some information.

The lack of information is a problem. AA is dealing with what are apparent local situations when in fact they are being induced by a number of globally organized outside organizations. For example, the “Emotional Sobriety” workshop flyer that was picked up at one of the AA meetings in my area is identical to ones which were distributed in London,(GB) and in Perth, Australia; The only difference are the dates, times and venues. The organization is based in the USA. (Examples of these flyers can be found displayed on the website which provides a link to the minority report)

The “Emotional Sobriety” organization is not mentioned in the minority report but it can be found by placing the terms “stepping ahead into emotional sobriety” into a search engine. The 12 step guide that it produces is a workbook. Whenever I look at the workbook’s content I think of the plight of June W’s flatmate:

I am concerned that we are not reaching people who cannot read well or cannot read at all. I am new to the program and making my way through the Steps. I struggle to understand the "Twelve and Twelve," even with a college degree and help from my sponsor and other AAs. Meanwhile, my roommate, also newly sober and with a grade school education, can't make any sense of her Step workbook and is about to give up. How many people do we lose this way?....... (June W. Gaithersburg, Md. “Dear Grapevine, Shut Out” (Extract) A.A. Grapevine November 2010) http://www.aagrapevine.org/

When I read things in the workbook such as “G.O.D. × 3 = The “Conversion” Process” or “1° (G.O.D × 3) × 2.5× 8 × 30 = 42.5”, I can’t make sense of it either.


I think initially there needs to be a greater awareness within the fellowship and then it is a matter for an active individual and group conscience at all levels. A silent majority is no majority at all.

Contributions to the AA Grapevine “I Say” forums from these guardians of AA Tradition among others, give me hope that AA still does have a good future, but it is now time for the reservists to come up and fortify the front line. In their groups, intergroups and at all levels.

TWELVE STEP WORK: “SPONSORS”
Beware of the institutionalized outside sponsorship system that pry on you instead of pray for you. When all else fails try A.A.” (Anonymous on Tue, 2011-11-29 00:23.)

Beware of "pigeon hunters";those very eager to latch on to a newcomer. Tho usually well intentioned are often far off the AA beam.” (Anonymous on Tue, 2011-10-11 09:07.)

MAGAZINE DISCUSSION TOPIC: “THANK YOU”
There is no place for labels in A.A.
The outside sponsorship system around A.A. lacks humility and there victims are keep away from A.A friends of the whole a true fellowship not a followsit.” (Anonymous on Wed, 2011-11-16 11:34.)

SUGGEST A TOPIC: “IS THE OUTSIDE SPONSORSHIP SYSTEM KILLING AA?”
Is the outside sponsorship system killing A.A through there personalities - Personality is simply another persons reality not always Gods. Does the outside system undermined the 3 pertinent ideas of A.A. itself? LOUD YES Does the outside system undermined the promises of A.A. to intuitively handle situations? LOUD YES Is the outside system miss used inside A.A - Take a closer look victims.” (Anonymous on Sun, 2012-02-05 09:05.)

SUGGEST A TOPIC: “RE: MEMBERSHIP DECLINE - BIG BOOK SALES”
Quote "I wonder if the "requirements" thrown at newcomers turns them off?" The Outside sponsorship system in A.A. UNDERMINES A.A's ideas!!!
How? Read A.A's 3 "PERTINENT" ideas. The Outside sponsorship system in A.A. UNDERMINES Gods promises to A.A's
How? You will intuitively be able to handle situations. The outside sponsorship system has been around a long time and so has evil” (Anonymous on Thu, 2012-02-02 17:53) http://www.aagrapevine.org/



Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

Friday 24 August 2012

A rock as a sponsor? The pros and cons.....




Yes … the humble rock..... Who would have thought it! But we have to confess to a certain lack of originality here. The first time the concept of a Pet Rock surfaced was in the 1970's in California (now there's a surprise!). But (as with all works of genius) sometimes the full implications and ramifications are not always immediately apparent, and it was only after some considerable meditation upon the subject that it struck us there were considerable advantages to be gained by having a rock as a sponsor as opposed to a human power - especially of the cult variety. Here are but a few:

RELIABILITY

Firstly - rocks are remarkably reliable. They hardly ever fail to be where they're supposed to be. Take Ayers Rock in Australia for example. It's been around for absolutely ages and can always be found in almost precisely the same spot. But can you say the same for a human sponsor? They are always moving here and there, maybe doing a bit of 'ducking and diving' … you can never find them when you want to … and when you don't want to … guess what ….. they always turn up don't they! Of course this kind of rock is not particularly mobile and it would be very much the case of Mohammed going to the mountain etc! But then there's always a down side isn't there? That's life though ain't it!

CONSISTENCY

Again rocks come out well ahead on consistency. Of course there are always going to be a few exceptions (like pumice etc) but by-and-large your granitic types tend to hang around in pretty much the same form for aeons. Diamonds in particular are well known for their durability. So come on girls! Not only can they be your best friend but they can also be your sponsor too!

SOBRIETY

Have you ever come across a rock that's worse the wear for drink? We rest our case!

SERENITY

Again … have you ever seen an angry rock or one that's lost its temper (we don't count legendary rocks by the way – as in the Odyssey)! Again we rest ….


THEY DON'T GIVE ADVICE

In all of recorded history there has not been one single (credible) instance of a rock that answered back or gave unsolicited advice. Go and talk to your rock and you can be guaranteed a receptive silence for as long as you want!

PATIENCE

Rocks are well renowned for their generally patient and forbearing nature. No matter how long you want to rant, blame, moan or generally go into one........a rock will NEVER walk away!

HONESTY

A rock never tells lies (well except for Fools' Gold of course – but then the lie actually exists in the eye of the beholder!)

CONFIDENTIALITY

You'll never find a rock gossiping or telling tales (not even under the guise of “checking with their sponsor” ….. well obviously their sponsor would be another rock of course – and the mother lode probably! So it wouldn't really count!)


DEFECTS OF CHARACTER GENERALLY

Of course all rocks have their FAULTS (geddit!) but by and large you won't find one that's selfish or envious.... or even greedy! Yep! You'd have to go a long way even to find a lustful rock of any description!

PORTABILITY

With the obvious exception of the above and other assorted sizeable aggregates (eg. the Alps, K2 etc) rocks can be portable and even worn around your neck …. mind you it sometimes feels like that when you've got a cult sponsor! Of course we would be more than happy to supply (through our subsidiary “Rocks to Go” - a not-for-profit corporation) an array of rubble set in some most attractive clasps and settings. For the more discerning amongst our clientèle we can even provide special custom leather bound limited editions which can be shown off to great effect when attending meetings. We also provide (and included in the price) a full set of instructions on how to use your rock: workbooks, guides and the like (between you and us there's no real need for any of this stuff but the presentation pack looks so much better when it's filled with all this accessory junk.....plus you can in fact pick up a rock anywhere! But for some reason people feel happier when they've paid an arm and a leg for their stone! One born every day eh! But good business for us)

SHAPES AND SIZES

Naturally rocks come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, colours, textures and densities ….... their geomorphology really is quite outstanding. Some even glow in the dark! Now you can't do better than that can you? Be honest! Who can say the same with a cult sponsor! But they all look the same (that fixed manic grin as they chant in unison: we're happy, joyous and free.... suited and booted and ALWAYS BUT ALWAYS on their BESTEST ever behaviour – or in public at least (who said performance art was dead!) ....... STRAIGHT out of 'Clones R Us'.... Nah! Not even in the same league! With a rock you get something of substance, something original, something unique, something durable ….. and …... excellent company at a ROCK concert!

And so on ad infinitum. We could extol the virtues of the rock till the cows come home! But don't take our word for it! Take the plunge! We dare you! Get out there and find yourself a rock! You'll never look back – we GUARANTEE it!

BUT REMEMBER! A ROCK IS FOR LIFE AND NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS!

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous …. and …... all naturally occurring, homogeneous inorganic solid substances having a definite chemical composition and characteristic crystalline structure, colour, and hardness ......  everywhere!)

Monday 20 August 2012

A RECOVERY GRATITUDE LIST (definitely NOT cult-sponsor approved!)


From one of our correspondents:

“I haven’t had a drink today, and I haven’t been to a cult meeting today.

I am free of alcohol. I am free of cult-sponsor/cult-group co-dependency. (Nice one!)

I can live my own life without constantly having to defer to an abusive and unaccountable self-appointed puffed-up person called a sponsor who attends a cult meeting.

I can practice the program in a way that makes sense to me – just the Big Book and AA suggestions.

I can choose for myself what meetings I go to, not have a cult-sponsor dictate to me what meetings I must go to.

As the Big Book suggests (page 47) , I can choose my own understanding of a Higher Power without have one imposed upon me by a cult-sponsor who may have a sick, fanatical religious agenda (e.g. such as Potty Dotty or David C Icons).

As the Big Book suggests (page 47) , I can also have my own understanding of spiritual expressions, without having to adopt a cult-sponsor’s understanding; which may be tainted by a his/her own sectarian and whacky fundamentalist religion.

As the Big Book suggests I can follow my conscience. I have a free will and a free conscience, and I can be a free and independent sober person.

I can think freely, and not be told what I must think or feel by a cult-sponsor who is clearly mentally deranged (eg such as “Happy Dennis” and others).

In meetings I can share whatever I need to in order to help myself, without having to please a cult-sponsor or fit into his group-think.

I can choose to have a partner/girl-friend, without needing to ask permission from a cult-sponsor who can’t actually make a close intimate loving relationship himself (eg, such as Happy Dennis, David C Icons, or David B).

I can take whatever job I want, without the job having to be approved by a cult-sponsor, who is only interested in recruitment/attendance numbers at his cult home group.

I can make my own decisions in life, and not become “infantilized” by having all my life decisions approved by a cult-sponsor. I can grow up into a responsible adult person.

I am free to make mistakes and learn from them.. and I don't need to drink on them either.

I can experience all emotions, express them, process them properly, and learn from them.

I can grow emotionally, psychologically and socially. I don’t have to end up emotionally frigid, isolated or childish. (eg like Happy Dennis, or David C Icons)

I can find, and have, genuine friends, not mindless and insincere cult cronies who are only my “friend” provided I repeat their sponsor-approved mantras, slogans and group-think activities.

I don’t have to spend money travelling to far away cult-meetings to do chairs etc, because the local meetings are not cult-sponsor approved or considered good enough.

I don’t have excessive phone bills caused by having to ring at least 2 newcomers every day.

I don’t have to suffer the rudeness and arrogance of a cult-sponsor who shouts and lectures down the phone. Or who slams the phone down if I ring a few minutes late. Or who engages in similar angry sick practices, which he calls “recovery” or even “spirituality” but the rest of the sane real world would call bullying and abuse.

I don’t have to worry about doing a long list of made up daily tasks (so-called suggestions), none of which, I have found, are actually necessary for sobriety.

I don’t have to waste money travelling to far away cult “conventions” and pay an exorbitant attendance fee. I can go to local Intergroup organised conventions that follow the Traditions.

I don’t have to squander money in pricey coffee bars and restaurants for the “meeting after the meeting”. I can choose not to go to the café after the meeting if I don’t want to go. Or go if I feel like it. I am free to choose either option.

If I am ill, I can take whatever medication recommended by a qualified doctor, and take it without scruple. I don’t have to ask an arrogant crazy deluded and unqualified cult-sponsor (e.g. Happy Dennis and others) whether I can take life saving medicine.

I can share my step 5 with whoever I want, inside or outside of AA. It is my business, nobody else’s.

I don’t have my confidences betrayed by a cult-sponsor who talks about my personal issues with others behind my back, sometimes under the guise of “seeking guidance from his sponsor”.

If I need the help of a counsellor, or psychiatrist or therapist of any kind, I am free to take such help, as AA recommends. I don't have my recovery damaged by a cult-sponsor dictating to me that he is the only source of truth, wisdom and advice.

In step 12, I can help others in a way that is spontaneous and genuine, and from the heart; and not have to tick boxes or follow some tedious sponsor-dictated quota.

I don’t have a hypocrite cult-sponsor who lectures others on humility and his so-called “marvellous” road to recovery, and demands high moral standards from others; while behaving like a selfish and irresponsible 'letch' in his own life (e.g. Mike Quinones, Wayne P(antsdown), King Clancy the First, and other suchlike hypocrites).

If I want to, I can explore what ALL the religions of the world have to say and make use of what they have to offer, or not as the case may be. I don't have to follow a list of approved books made up by a cult-sponsor who tries to steer his sponsees towards his own dour brand of religion. ( e.g. David C Icons and his so-called "helpful book" list).

I can listen to modern music and visit modern art galleries without a narrow minded cult-sponsor lecturing me about how "self-expression is not in accordance with the program" as he understands it.. (e.g. like David C Icons does)

I can be sober, reasonably happy and enjoy true freedom, without having a cult-sponsor.

Last, but not least, I can go to a sauna if I want to. (I’ve never been to one, but at least I have the option!). And I don’t need to be afraid of meeting a homosexual, or anyone else, there, or anywhere. I don’t have listen to, or be infected with the nasty, sanctimonious bigotry of a cult-sponsor (like David C Icons for example)

All the above.. and more... is my experience, not my opinion. Phew ! Yes, an awful lot to be grateful for !!

FREEDOM ROCKS!”


Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)


PS Our usual thanks




Saturday 18 August 2012

Derby City/Derbyshire IG – the missives fly thick and fast … and rather flimsily!


We've received various communications now on the subject of the ““Murky goings-on in Derbyshire” involving the current wrangle between some of the Derby City meetings and the respective intergroup. What we have so far managed to conclude from these is someone somewhere is telling rather large 'porky pies'! To date we haven't decided conclusively who is but when we do then you can be quite sure that the hammer will fall!

The latest development in this saga however relates to a letter of complaint (purportedly) sent by Derbyshire NHS to the Intergroup:

The contents of the letter is clear, alcoholic service users of the Crisis team within Derbyshire have experienced extremely unhelpful and very abusive behaviour at the aforementioned group [Derby City] and the NHS are advising intergroup that they will no longer be recommending that their service users go to this meeting.”

But in response to a query from the Derby City meetings Derbyshire NHS (Derby Crisis Intervention Team) responded thus (allegedly):

Letter from Mental Health Crisis Team boss [Richard Morrow]

Hi …..,

Thank you for raising this with me earlier and the further information. I have made some further enquiries today following on from our conversation earlier.

I am going to write a letter to the Intergroup PO Box address requesting that someone contact me in relation to the letter that has reportedly being sent from the team.

I will be clearly stating that to my knowledge no communication has been sent on behalf of the service and that any comments received should not be considered the representative view of the Crisis Team or Derbyshire Healthcare Foundation Trust and should be disregarded.

I will further request that a copy be made available to me so that I can raise with any potential source the upset and disharmony that this can cause.

I will send a copy to you via e-mail which you are free to retain and use as you see fit.

I would just like to add that if a member of my team has played any part in the difficulties you and your group are currently experiencing then you have my unreserved apology.

Any comments of this nature are unsolicited and in my opinion inappropriate and do not reflect the opinions of myself, my team or indeed Derbyshire Healthcare Foundation Trust.

Sincerest regards,


Derby City and County South CRHTT”

(It should be noted that in neither instance were original copies of the above communications provided hence the use of the terms “purportedly” and “allegedly”)


Furthermore an allegation has been made that the General Service Office (York) instigated a series of “mystery calls to the [local] helpline” and that on the basis of these “confirmed the unsuitability of our members [ie. of Derby City group] for service”.

Apparently when GSO was queried about this by a representative of the Derby City group they provided the following reply (or as reported):

The general secretary tell me that GSO have in fact never so much as received a complaint about us in 15 years, let alone opened a QA [Quality Assurance] department.......GSO have promised me a letter commenting on claims made as to their actions in this matter.”

In connection with the (alleged) suspension of Derby City group members from participation in the telephone responders' service the following policy statement applies (as set out by Derbyshire Intergroup):

"The group nominates the following members who are being sponsored into telephone service, either as a responder (permanent or reserve) and/or a 12 Stepper. All people listed must be regular attenders of THIS group (that means they attend this group most weeks). By putting their names on the form, the group is saying that they believe these people are able to carry the message of recovery to newcomers under the guidelines, and that they are reliable in performing service."

and:


The forms are available via DIG and NLIG; so by definition any group in contact with their appropriate area intergroup has access to the form and therefore into the formal service mechanism. There are no rules, written or otherwise, that exclude any specific group or members from formal service. A group would simply need to attend intergroup to collect a form, complete it and return it. The accusation that "the cult dupe "in charge of" the helpline is driving this campaign. He has decreed that no-one who attends our meeting is ever to be allowed to do helpline or 12-step work under any circumstances" is simply untrue.”


and so it continues...... so much for AA unity!

But it would seem that we're not the only ones who are taking an interest in what precisely is going on in Derbyshire AA. We've recently been contacted by a reporter from the Derby Telegraph as follows:


Hi there,

I am a reporter at the Derby Telegraph. I have just read the posting http://aacultwatch.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/murky-goings-on-in-derbyshire-another.html with interest.

If you could keep in touch regarding anyone that may come forward with any information regarding AA meetings in the area would it be possible to see if they would be willing to come forward, anonymously if that is how they feel most comfortable, to talk about their experiences.

Thanks very much and hope to hear from you soon.”

Comment: The above represents the shape of things to come. If Alcoholics Anonymous is unwilling to put its house in order (and this sooner rather than later!) then inevitably others will take action! If we are unable to provide a safe environment for newcomers (and here we are not referring solely to the situation in Derbyshire but nationally) then there can be no other outcome than the referring agencies will discontinue recommending us to their clients and patients. If we cannot meet the absolute minimum standards of care and respect for those who come to us for help then we really don't deserve the trust of the society within which we operate. We continue to receive reports concerning vulnerable members who have committed suicide because of pressure placed upon them to desist the use of prescribed medication (the most recent in the Bournemouth area). The controlling, intrusive and abusive 'sponsorship' styles characteristic of the cult members who operate within AA are still very much in evidence. These practices simply extend licence to those 'control freaks/narcissists' who wish to 'play God' whilst simultaneously rendering their sponsees (or rather 'victims') impotent, and even regressed into an almost infantile state of dependency on their human 'Higher Power'. These departures from AA principles are a blight on the fellowship and if left unchecked will lead without doubt to its dissolution.

And where does the responsibility for all this rest? Take a look in the mirror …..

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our usual thanks to our various correspondents

Thursday 16 August 2012

The Primary Purpose Big Book Study Cult … or As Joe Sees It! (contd)




Extract from our forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/aacultwatch under thread: “TLM in Alanon UK?”


Here's the first post about the problem I have with Joe McQ's portrayal of the relationship between early A.A. and the Oxford group. The beginnings of A.A. are complex because A.A. began simultaneously both in New York and Akron. It is noted in the foreword to 'Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers' that a joint biography of the Co-founders was planned, but this proved impractical; therefore the biography of Dr. Bob and the development of A.A. in the Midwest was published in 'Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers' and Bill W's biography and the development of A.A. in New York was published in 'Pass It On'. The development of AA in the Midwest around Akron is only half the story. In this post I'll focus on a couple of issues I have with Joe McQ's version of events and the development of A.A. in New York.
Joe McQ writes very simply about the Oxford Group as though it was a successful and positive influence; Bill W got his ideas for the AA program from the Oxford Group in Akron.

''Buchman was immediately successful. People who followed this procedure were changed. The Oxford groups grew and spread. Realizing that these five basic principles ' these tenets ' were the foundation of Christianity (and other religions worldwide), Buchman called his movement 'First Century Christian Fellowship'' (Carry this message p14)

After visiting with the Oxford Group members in Akron, Bill went back to New York with a better understanding of their program. And he went back with knowledge of the powerful dynamics he had learned in Akron: the problem, the solution, and the program of action'' (Carry This Message p18)

Bill expanded the Oxford Group's tenets, and this is what he, Dr. Bob Smith, and the 'first one hundred' got sober on. Although they got sober in the Oxford Groups, Bill felt that alcoholics needed to change more drastically than other members of the Oxford Groups did. He realized the tenets needed to be adapted and the meetings made separate for alcoholics. When he wrote the steps in 1938, Bill Wilson did a lot more than just put them together. He found a language alcoholics were more likely to respond to.”(Carry This Message p 19)

The Oxford Group wasn't as successful as Joe portrays, it mostly failed in sobering up alcoholics. The relationship between the Oxford Group and early AA wasn't as simple, nor was it as positive. Joe doesn't mention the Oxford Group's negative side of coercion or the development of A.A. in New York. It can be seen from the extracts from Conference Approved literature below that Bill W. and Ebby T. were with the Oxford Group in New York. Bill W started going to the Oxford Group meetings in December 1934 in New York. The first pre-formative AA meetings in New York were held in 1935 at Bill W's house in Clinton Street. Perhaps if these meetings had not been suppressed by the Oxford Group in 1935, Bill might have had more success with sobering up alcoholics in the early days in New York. The alcoholics attending the Oxford Group Calvary mission in New York were instructed by the Oxford Group not to attend the meetings at Bill's house. After about six months of early failures in trying to sober up alcoholics in New York by preaching the Oxford Group message, Bill changed his approach on the advice of psychiatrist Dr. Silkworth. He tried Dr. Silkworth's approach shortly after with Dr. Bob when he made a trip to Akron. It is clear that Bill W. was not getting a better understanding of the Oxford Group program and the “powerful dynamics he had learned in Akron” as Joe McQ insinuates, but that he was carrying his own developing A.A. program to Dr. Bob in Akron. At this time, it was based on Bill's previous six month experience of trying to sober up alcoholics in New York combined with the advice gained from Dr. Silkworth. The following are extracts from AA Conference approved literature:

After Bill's release from Towns on December 18, he and Lois started attending Oxford Group meetings at Calvary House, adjacent to Calvary Episcopal Church.” (Pass It On p127)

In those early months of 1935, Bill Wilson preached the Oxford Group message to anybody who would listen. He spent long hours at Calvary Mission and at Towns, where Dr. Silkworth, at the risk of his reputation, gave Bill permission to talk with some of the patients.” (Pass It On p 131)

My new Oxford Group friends (the religious group in which Ebby had made his, first, but not final recovery) objected to the idea of alcoholism as an illness, so I had quit talking about the allergy 'plus- the- obsession. I wanted the approval of these new friends, and in trying to be humble and helpful, I was neither. Slowly I learned, as most of us do, that when ego gets in the way it blocks communication” (Bill W. The Language of the Heart p 247)

In that fall of 1935, a weekly meeting took shape in our Brooklyn parlour. In spite of much failure, a really solid group finally developed. There was first Henry P., and there was Fitz M., both out of Towns Hospital. Following them, more began to make real recoveries.” (Bill W. Alcoholics Anonymous Comes Of Age p74)

"While Lois later admitted that their success rate was low during the 1935-36 period at Clinton Street, she pointed out that many of the alcoholics Bill worked with during that time did recover later on. In other words, Lois said, the seeds of sobriety were being planted, to take root slowly." (Pass It On Page 166)

Tension began to develop between the main group at Calvary Church and Bill's struggling band of alcoholics. The Oxford Group leaders resented the fact Bill was holding separate meetings for alcoholics at Clinton Street. They criticized his work with the alcoholics as being 'narrow and divisive' The alcoholics, on the other hand, felt they needed these special meetings because many of the nonalcoholic O.G. members did not understand them. Jack Smith, one of Sam Shoemaker's assistants, disapproved of Bill's work and finally brought the conflict out into the open. In an informal talk at a Sunday Oxford Group gathering, he made references to special meetings 'held surreptitiously behind Mrs. Jones's barn.' The atmosphere of the Oxford Group then became 'slightly chilly' toward the Wilsons. Near the end of 1935, the alcoholics living at Calvary Mission were instructed not to attend the meetings at Clinton Street. 'This not only hurt us but left us disappointed in the groups' leadership,' Lois remembered.1" (Pass It On p169)

1. This incident led Sam Shoemaker to apologize to Bill later, after he himself had broken with the Oxford Group in 1941. Shoemaker wrote: 'If you ever write the story of A.A.'s early connection with Calvary, I think it ought to be said in all honesty that we were coached in the feeling that you were off on your own spur, trying to do something by yourself, and out of the mainstream of the work. You got your inspiration from those early days, but you didn't get much encouragement from any of us and for my own part in that stupid desire to control the Spirit, as he manifested Himself in individual people like you, I am heartily sorry and ashamed.” (Footnote: Pass It On page 178)

After some six months of violent exertion with scores of alcoholics which I found at a nearby mission and Towns Hospital, it began to look like the Oxford Groupers were right. I hadn't sobered up anybody.” (Bill W. 'A fragment of A.A. History: Origin of the Twelve Steps, AA Grapevine July 1953, The Language of the Heart p 198)

There was, though, one bright spot. My sponsor Ebbie, still clung precariously to his newfound sobriety. What was the reason for all these fiascos? If Ebbie and I could achieve sobriety, why couldn't all the rest find it too? Some of those we'd worked on certainly wanted to get well. We speculated day and night why nothing much had happened to them. Maybe they couldn't stand the spiritual pace of the Oxford Group's four absolutes of honesty, purity, unselfishness, and love. In fact some of the alcoholics declared that this was the trouble. The aggressive pressure put upon them to get good overnight would make them fly high as geese for a few weeks and then flop dismally. They complained too of another form of 'coercion ' something the Oxford Groupers called 'guidance for others.' A 'team' composed of nonalcoholic Groupers would sit down with an alcoholic and after 'quiet time' would come up with precise instructions as to how the alcoholic should run his own life. As grateful as we were to our O.G. friends, this was sometimes tough to take. It obviously had something to do with the wholesale skidding that went on.” (Bill W. 'A fragment of A.A. History: Origin of the Twelve Steps' AA Grapevine July 1953, The Language of the Heart page 199)

Just before leaving for Akron, Dr. Silkworth had given me a great piece of advice. Without it A.A. might never have been born. 'Look, Bill,' he had said 'you're having nothing but failure because you are preaching at these alcoholics. You are talking to them about the Oxford Group precepts of being absolutely honest, absolutely pure, absolutely unselfish, and absolutely loving. This is a very big order. Then you top it off by harping on about this mysterious spiritual experience of yours. No wonder they point to their finger to their heads and go out and get drunk. Why don't you turn your strategy the other way around? Aren't you the very fellow who once showed me that book by the psychologist James which says that deflation at great depth is the foundation of most spiritual experiences? Have you forgotten that Dr. Carl Jung in Zurich told a certain alcoholic, the one who later helped sober up your friend Ebby, that his only hope of salvation was a spiritual experience? No, Bill you have got the cart before the horse. You've got to deflate these people first. So give them the medical business, and give it to them hard. Pour it right into them about the obsession that condemns them to drink and the physical sensitivity or allergy of the body that condemns them to go mad or die if they keep on drinking. Coming from an alcoholic, one alcoholic talking to another, maybe that will crack those tough egos deep down. Only then can you begin to try out your other medicine, the ethical principles you have picked up from the Oxford Groups. “ (Bill W. Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age pp 67- 68)

Shortly after this history-making conversation, I found myself in Akron, Ohio, on a business venture which promptly collapsed. Alone in the town, I was scared to death of getting drunk. I was no longer a teacher or a preacher, I was an alcoholic who knew that he needed another alcoholic, as much as that one could possibly need me. Driven by that urge, I was soon face to face with Dr. Bob. It was at once evident that Dr. Bob knew more of spiritual things than I did. He also had been in touch with the Oxford Groupers at Akron. But somehow he simply couldn't get sober. Following Dr. Silkworth's advice, I used the medical sledgehammer. I told him what alcoholism was and just how fatal it could be. Apparently this did something to Dr. Bob, On June 10, 1935, he sobered up, never to drink again. When, in 1939, Dr. Bob's story first appeared in the book, Alcoholic Anonymous, he put one paragraph of it in italics. Speaking of me, he said: "Of far more importance was the fact that he was the first living human with whom I had ever talked, who knew what be was talking about in regard to alcoholism from actual experience".” (Bill W. 'A fragment of A.A. History: Origin of the Twelve Steps' AA Grapevine July 1953, The Language of the Heart pp 199-200)

The Oxford Groupers had clearly shown us what to do. And, just as importantly, we had also learned what not to do as far as alcoholics were concerned. We found that certain of their ideas and attitudes simply could not be sold to alcoholics. For example, drinkers would not take pressure in any form, excepting from John Barleycorn himself. They always had to be led, not pushed. They would not stand for the rather aggressive evangelism of the Oxford Groups. And they would not accept the principle of 'team guidance' for their own personal lives. It was too authoritarian for them. In other respects, too, we found when first contacted most alcoholics just wanted to find sobriety, nothing else. They clung to their other defects, letting go only little by little.“ (Bill W. Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age p 74)

One of the first insights Dr. Bob and I shared was that all true communication must be founded on mutual need. Never could we talk down to anyone, certainly not a fellow alcoholic. We saw that each sponsor would have to humbly admit his own needs as clearly as those of his prospect. Here was the foundation for AA's Twelfth Step to recovery, the Step in which we carry the message.” (Bill W. 'The Language of the Heart' The Language of the Heart p 247)

Until the middle of 1937 we in New York had been working alongside the Oxford Groups. But in the latter part of that year we most reluctantly parted company with these great friends. Naturally enough they did not think too highly of our objective, limited as it was to alcoholics.” (Bill W. Alcoholics Anonymous Comes Of Age p 74)

Bill had friends in the Oxford Group who understood his view of the situation. One of them was John Ryder, a New York advertising executive who knew Bill in the days of the Calvary Mission. Ryder made these comments about Bill's separation from the Oxford Group: 'I was, or felt, quite close to Bill Wilson in the early days before A.A. was started. Herb Wallace, a close teammate of mine, spent much time with Bill, caused him to take a public speaking course at the Downtown Athletic Club; but I think the 'group' proper disowned Bill when he proceeded on his guidance to create a special group for A.A.'s. At that time, if you were associated with the 'group,' your guidance seemed to be of questionable worth unless okayed by Sam Shoemaker or Frankie Buchman or one of his accredited representatives.” (Pass It On p173-174)

The Oxford Group disapproved of the alcoholics' concentration on their problem to the exclusion of other group concerns. Lois even said that the 'Oxford Group kind of kicked us out,' that she and Bill were not considered 'maximum' by the groupers. ('Maximum' was used by the Oxford Group to define the expected degree of commitment to group activities.)” (Pass It On p174)

1937 Bill and the New York alcoholics separate from Oxford Group. More than 40 alcoholics are now staying sober.” (Pass It On Page 407)

....but by counting everybody who seemed to have found sobriety in New York and Akron, they concluded that more than 40 alcoholics were staying dry as a result of the program!” (Pass It On page 178)

In 1938, Frank Amos, an assistant to John D. Rockefeller Jr., made several reports to Rockefeller about the newly forming A.A. In one report he put the membership as follows: "Of the 110 members then in the program, 70 were in the Akron-Cleveland area, the report said" (Dr. Bob and the Good Old Timers p135) (This leaves 40 members in New York)

In 1939 Dr. Silkworth published a medical paper in which he stated:'These ex-alcoholic men and women number about one hundred at present. One Group is scattered along the Atlantic seaboard with New York as a center. Another and somewhat larger body is located in the Middle West' (Dr. W.D Silkworth M.D. (A New Approach to Psychotherapy in Chronic Alcoholism, Journal Lancet, July 1939; Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, appendix E:a, p 303)

To sum up, the first problem that I have with Joe McQ's account of early AA history is his insinuation that Bill got his ideas for the A.A. program from the Oxford Group in Akron, and as Joe put it, 'Bill went back to New York with a better understanding of their program.' It can be seen from the above that this statement should be the other way around. Bill took his own developing A.A. program to Akron and sobered up Dr. Bob, who couldn't stay sober with the Oxford Group until he met Bill. Secondly, it can be seen from the above that Joe McQ's reference to 'the first one hundred' 'got sober in the Oxford Groups' is simplistic. At the time the book Alcoholics Anonymous was published in 1939, the New York group had already been separated from the Oxford Group for some two years. It is unlikely that all the 'first one hundred' got sober with the Oxford groups. Those of the 'first one hundred' who joined the New York group after 1937 would have got sober in this group rather than the Oxford Groups. “


Cheerio


Comment: It's interesting what you can learn just by reading a bit of AA (Conference Approved) literature isn't it!


The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)