Extracts
from the aacultwatch forum (old):
“My
female friend visited the Hampton Wick meeting about 2 years ago. I
guess the balance of the sexes has improved since then. Although I
would be wary of being approached by several people wanting
my phone number - it sounds similar to the cult practice of
"love bombing" - google it.
I have
another female friend in the fellowship, sober many years, who was
rudely shouted at by a male member of the Hampton Wick [Friday] group - a man called John B. Apparently this fellow is under the impression that he is a
"spiritual giant" and "elder stateman". He
deludes himself badly. No man who shouts at and attempts to bully
women is worthy of my respect, and there is nothing "spiritual"
or "gigantic" about that particular "guru".
This same person - John B - also told a newcomer struggling with
alcoholism that he wasnt a "real" alcoholic.
The man then left AA and ended up in hospital detox severely battered
by alcohol. Luckily this man is now in recovery, well away from the
dangerous and false diagnoses of John B and his ilk at Hampton Wick.
Your
expression "proper, by the book" What book? Please tell me
what AA book talks about a "strong sponsor".
What is a
"strong" sponsor as opposed to a "weak" sponsor?
I doubt
very much that any sponsor - strong or otherwise - at Hampton Wick
will help you to get closer to YOUR
HP. What happens at groups like Hampton
Wick is that newcomers are coerced into
following a sponsor, and the HP is their
(the sponsor's) HP by
default, not yours by discovery.
For
example, my Higher Power definitely does NOT want me on my knees
several times a day. I know this quite clearly because I have
worked the program for many years and have a conscious contact with
the HP of my understanding.
The Big
Book doesn't suggest that I follow a "strong"
sponsor, but a HP of my own understanding according to my conscience.
I get the impression that "strong" sponsorship is really just a cult speak euphemism for bullying and coercion. What do you think?”
Comment:
Yep! We'd say bullying!
The
Fellas (Friends
of Alcoholics Anonymous)
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