"Sadly we have lost a dear and active friend who dedicated many hours of his time to the tradition of real AA in Mid Kent.
Ian W was a powerhouse of a character and had joined AA many years ago. He was particularly effective with newcomers and ferried them to meetings all over the south east. Whilst he respected everyone else's anonymity, he had a total disregard for his own, in fact he was the only member we knew who was known by his surname instead of his first name!!
He was horrified by the rise of the cult and was passionate about halting their abuse and perversion of Bill and Bob's message.
He personally helped several "refugees" who escaped from the cult, one in particular who whilst in prison was told he could not be sponsored if taking medication.
Before he passed on he was told that things were changing, and indeed intergroups were voting to have these rogue meetings removed from the Where to Find and intergroup.
He was also assured that his efforts were not in vain and the work to marginalise and expose this harmful and dis-unifying element would continue.
So Goodbye Ian you will be much missed but never forgotten,
John Does Mate.
May 2010"
Saturday, 29 May 2010
Thursday, 27 May 2010
Tradition One – a question?
Short Form:
"One—Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity."
Long Form:
"1.—Each member of Alcoholics Anonymous is but a small part of a great whole. A.A. must continue to live or most of us will surely die. Hence our common welfare comes first. But individual welfare follows close afterwards."
Question: If it is the case that our common welfare should come first, but that this same common welfare is necessarily constituted as an aggregate of "small" individual welfares, and if even one of those "small" individual welfares is adversely affected, and thereby diminished (by say bullying on the part of a cult sponsor, discrimination on the basis of dual diagnosis etc) then surely the aggregated "common welfare" is similarly reduced. Therefore should it not rather be said that "individual" welfare and "common" welfare are correspondingly important and therefore it would be inaccurate to say that one should "follow close afterwards" ie. neither can be afforded a greater priority on this basis. Therefore the assertion that in some instances the "greater good" (in this case AA unity) may have to be sustained at the cost of a "lesser evil" (eg. the unnecessary suffering of a minority of members, or even a single member) cannot be valid?
Cheerio
The Fellas
"One—Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity."
Long Form:
"1.—Each member of Alcoholics Anonymous is but a small part of a great whole. A.A. must continue to live or most of us will surely die. Hence our common welfare comes first. But individual welfare follows close afterwards."
Question: If it is the case that our common welfare should come first, but that this same common welfare is necessarily constituted as an aggregate of "small" individual welfares, and if even one of those "small" individual welfares is adversely affected, and thereby diminished (by say bullying on the part of a cult sponsor, discrimination on the basis of dual diagnosis etc) then surely the aggregated "common welfare" is similarly reduced. Therefore should it not rather be said that "individual" welfare and "common" welfare are correspondingly important and therefore it would be inaccurate to say that one should "follow close afterwards" ie. neither can be afforded a greater priority on this basis. Therefore the assertion that in some instances the "greater good" (in this case AA unity) may have to be sustained at the cost of a "lesser evil" (eg. the unnecessary suffering of a minority of members, or even a single member) cannot be valid?
Cheerio
The Fellas
Friday, 21 May 2010
Some things never change - and some people never learn
The Strood/Rochester gang - or is it the Rochester/Strood gang nowadays? The word is that attendance is falling at Strood (Cult HQ West Kent) - seems that even some of their own members can't quite stomach this extremist approach. Still it's a caring sharing programme isn't it? Except when it comes to newcomers .......
.......for it would seem that yet another of these unfortunates (unfortunate, that is, to fall under the influence of cult propaganda) has been on the receiving end of their version of "tough love" (cult speak for "getting the cold shoulder"). The individual in question had apparently been accelerated through the programme and was up to step Four (under the guidance of that all-embracing icon of the cult recovery programme - "THE SPONSOR") and this in a matter of three months. Somewhat bizarrely they picked up a drink (Who'd of thought it! An alcoholic relapsing - well we never!!). Needless to say the experience was quite devastating and some might even say necessary - after all - if you're unconvinced "step over to the nearest bar....."! Compounding their bewilderment they simply could not fathom why they were not getting it!! There they were, sitting in a meeting, week after week, surrounded by the massed (or not so massed!) ranks of the "happy, joyous and free" brigade, row upon row of faces fixed in that rictus grin of enforced bliss, giving it large with yet another rendition of the cult anthem beginning with the immortal words "My sponsor says....." - and yet nothing! They were left instead with that gradually dawning - and perhaps bleak - reality - a life without alcohol! It would seem that a smile and another chorus of "My sponsor says..." was just not going to fix this problem! So now the real work begins - real sharing about real problems, and this with real people with a real solution - no more Disneyland recovery! No more pretending, no more papering over the cracks, no more playing to the gallery and putting on yet another performance to gain the approval of your SPONSOR or whoever happens to be flavour of this particular month! Time indeed for a REALITY Check!
Needless to say (but we'll say it anyway) the relapser was dropped like the proverbial hot potato by their SPONSOR. Well maybe it was time for a change anyway! But then the word got round and a second attempt to get a SPONSOR was similarly rebuffed - persona non grata is the alcoholic indeed who has the temerity to relapse whilst under the direction of a cult SPONSOR - it just doesn't look good at all!
Fortunately there is life after the cult experience - it's called Alcoholics Anonymous. The individual in question had sufficient wit to ring up the AA helpline where they were listened to, not patronised, not lectured, not told off and then subsequently referred to an AA meeting - a real AA meeting.
This incident reminds us of another occasion where a newcomer at the Strood meeting fell off the wagon. When they managed to finally get back to the room they were actually told to sit at the back and keep quiet as if they were some naughty school child! Something of a contrast with an AA meeting where they would be welcomed into the centre of the room and encouraged to speak up - if only to remind the rest of us what could so easily happen to ANY alcoholic who fails to maintain their "spiritual condition" (and this according to their own - not their SPONSOR's - conception of what this might constitute).
Finally a little nugget from down Bournemouth way. It would seem that the local branch of the cult - "Bournemouth: Road to Recovery" has made yet another attempt to join the Bournemouth intergroup:
"Hi Fellas, An update from Bournemouth Intergroup. Last Wednesday evening the Intergroup dealt with an application from the Bournemouth "road to recovery group" to be allowed to join the Intergroup. At the February meeting the Chairman invited all GSR's to ask their groups to consult their conscience and vote if the RTR group could be allowed to join in the Bournemouth service structure. All groups within Bournemouth did take part and the issue was widely and fairly debated and principles of AA were followed.
The resulting vote at the Intergroup meeting led to just 3 groups supporting the RTR application. The overwhelming decision by Bournemouth group members was no.
Keep at it fellas.
ps. That's about 5 years now."
It's a pity this cult group doesn't get the message. Still it is an effective way of dealing with a cult meeting - quarantine the contagion, deny it access to newcomers, prevent its members from gaining access to the AA service structure and then watch it wither and die (take note other Intergroups - e.g. West Kent).
PS Maybe Bournemouth: Road to Recovery are now getting some idea of what it's like to be given the cold shoulder - perhaps there's a God after all!!
Cheerio
The Fellas
(Our usual thanks to AA members for the above contributions - information is power!)
.......for it would seem that yet another of these unfortunates (unfortunate, that is, to fall under the influence of cult propaganda) has been on the receiving end of their version of "tough love" (cult speak for "getting the cold shoulder"). The individual in question had apparently been accelerated through the programme and was up to step Four (under the guidance of that all-embracing icon of the cult recovery programme - "THE SPONSOR") and this in a matter of three months. Somewhat bizarrely they picked up a drink (Who'd of thought it! An alcoholic relapsing - well we never!!). Needless to say the experience was quite devastating and some might even say necessary - after all - if you're unconvinced "step over to the nearest bar....."! Compounding their bewilderment they simply could not fathom why they were not getting it!! There they were, sitting in a meeting, week after week, surrounded by the massed (or not so massed!) ranks of the "happy, joyous and free" brigade, row upon row of faces fixed in that rictus grin of enforced bliss, giving it large with yet another rendition of the cult anthem beginning with the immortal words "My sponsor says....." - and yet nothing! They were left instead with that gradually dawning - and perhaps bleak - reality - a life without alcohol! It would seem that a smile and another chorus of "My sponsor says..." was just not going to fix this problem! So now the real work begins - real sharing about real problems, and this with real people with a real solution - no more Disneyland recovery! No more pretending, no more papering over the cracks, no more playing to the gallery and putting on yet another performance to gain the approval of your SPONSOR or whoever happens to be flavour of this particular month! Time indeed for a REALITY Check!
Needless to say (but we'll say it anyway) the relapser was dropped like the proverbial hot potato by their SPONSOR. Well maybe it was time for a change anyway! But then the word got round and a second attempt to get a SPONSOR was similarly rebuffed - persona non grata is the alcoholic indeed who has the temerity to relapse whilst under the direction of a cult SPONSOR - it just doesn't look good at all!
Fortunately there is life after the cult experience - it's called Alcoholics Anonymous. The individual in question had sufficient wit to ring up the AA helpline where they were listened to, not patronised, not lectured, not told off and then subsequently referred to an AA meeting - a real AA meeting.
This incident reminds us of another occasion where a newcomer at the Strood meeting fell off the wagon. When they managed to finally get back to the room they were actually told to sit at the back and keep quiet as if they were some naughty school child! Something of a contrast with an AA meeting where they would be welcomed into the centre of the room and encouraged to speak up - if only to remind the rest of us what could so easily happen to ANY alcoholic who fails to maintain their "spiritual condition" (and this according to their own - not their SPONSOR's - conception of what this might constitute).
Finally a little nugget from down Bournemouth way. It would seem that the local branch of the cult - "Bournemouth: Road to Recovery" has made yet another attempt to join the Bournemouth intergroup:
"Hi Fellas, An update from Bournemouth Intergroup. Last Wednesday evening the Intergroup dealt with an application from the Bournemouth "road to recovery group" to be allowed to join the Intergroup. At the February meeting the Chairman invited all GSR's to ask their groups to consult their conscience and vote if the RTR group could be allowed to join in the Bournemouth service structure. All groups within Bournemouth did take part and the issue was widely and fairly debated and principles of AA were followed.
The resulting vote at the Intergroup meeting led to just 3 groups supporting the RTR application. The overwhelming decision by Bournemouth group members was no.
Keep at it fellas.
ps. That's about 5 years now."
It's a pity this cult group doesn't get the message. Still it is an effective way of dealing with a cult meeting - quarantine the contagion, deny it access to newcomers, prevent its members from gaining access to the AA service structure and then watch it wither and die (take note other Intergroups - e.g. West Kent).
PS Maybe Bournemouth: Road to Recovery are now getting some idea of what it's like to be given the cold shoulder - perhaps there's a God after all!!
Cheerio
The Fellas
(Our usual thanks to AA members for the above contributions - information is power!)
Sunday, 16 May 2010
The World as Will and Representation
For all those of you who are so eagerly anticipating Bob's (see below) contribution to western philosophy, and the general spiritual well-being of mankind (only 33 days to go – or 0 years 1 months 2 days), we thought we'd offer this little warm up item by Arty S (German philosopher and acknowledged expert on notions of will and surrender). We appreciate that the main event will probably cast Arty's offerings into the shadows but give the guy a break! He was only trying to do his best! Click here for the Wiki page and then here for links to various online editions.
Remember – just for today – try not to be a mental loofah!
On a lighter note, and because quite frankly we were feeling just a teensy weensy bit frivolous, we thought we'd take a gander at what our little anti-cultwatch Tweeter was up to. It's been some time since we perused his (or is it a her?) offerings and we were mightily disappointed to see that the abuse rate has slowed up somewhat. Indeed there was something of a long gap between August last year and February this year. We do hope everything is all right with our little friend! Unfortunately there does seem to be a bit of recycling going on with this - now - trickle of innuendoes etc but it is quite amusing to see how far to the edge this one is going to push it as he/she pursues his/her desperate course. The more malign spirits within the team even speculated as to what we might do to nudge this one a little bit closer to the chasm's brink but then wiser counsels prevailed – and we made a cup of tea instead – but only of course after we had consulted our respective sponsors!
Coming soon – more news from Strood and Rochester – it would seem that they still haven't learnt from their mistakes (quelle surprise!) – and with the usual dire consequences for those newcomers who are unfortunate enough to fall into their grasp
Good reading
The Fellas
Remember – just for today – try not to be a mental loofah!
On a lighter note, and because quite frankly we were feeling just a teensy weensy bit frivolous, we thought we'd take a gander at what our little anti-cultwatch Tweeter was up to. It's been some time since we perused his (or is it a her?) offerings and we were mightily disappointed to see that the abuse rate has slowed up somewhat. Indeed there was something of a long gap between August last year and February this year. We do hope everything is all right with our little friend! Unfortunately there does seem to be a bit of recycling going on with this - now - trickle of innuendoes etc but it is quite amusing to see how far to the edge this one is going to push it as he/she pursues his/her desperate course. The more malign spirits within the team even speculated as to what we might do to nudge this one a little bit closer to the chasm's brink but then wiser counsels prevailed – and we made a cup of tea instead – but only of course after we had consulted our respective sponsors!
Coming soon – more news from Strood and Rochester – it would seem that they still haven't learnt from their mistakes (quelle surprise!) – and with the usual dire consequences for those newcomers who are unfortunate enough to fall into their grasp
Good reading
The Fellas
Thursday, 13 May 2010
"Being responsible" - not just an empty phrase!
"Hello fellas,
I want to applaud you for setting up this website. I'm over 30 years in recovery in AA,and have served at various levels from group to conference delegate. I witnessed the beginning of this cult some years ago and when I expressed my concerns was told AA will look after itself. Bill W himself said if AA does crumble it will come from within.These people are a serious danger to our unity and as your website has pointed out they have already caused more than enough disharmony. I believe it's my responsibility to tell the newcomer about the 'real AA' (group,intergroup,region,conference and GSB). Many members avoid commenting on this matter using phrases like live and let live etc, however being sober is speaking ones truth, well done for being responsible and informing us about this dark movement.
Jim"
(our usual thanks to this AA member for their contribution - both to this site and to the unity of AA)
I want to applaud you for setting up this website. I'm over 30 years in recovery in AA,and have served at various levels from group to conference delegate. I witnessed the beginning of this cult some years ago and when I expressed my concerns was told AA will look after itself. Bill W himself said if AA does crumble it will come from within.These people are a serious danger to our unity and as your website has pointed out they have already caused more than enough disharmony. I believe it's my responsibility to tell the newcomer about the 'real AA' (group,intergroup,region,conference and GSB). Many members avoid commenting on this matter using phrases like live and let live etc, however being sober is speaking ones truth, well done for being responsible and informing us about this dark movement.
Jim"
(our usual thanks to this AA member for their contribution - both to this site and to the unity of AA)
Saturday, 8 May 2010
Bromley Primary Purpose Big Book Study – closed
We are delighted to be able to confirm that the above meeting has bitten the dust, and been replaced by a genuine AA meeting. The cult group details have been removed from our cult Where to Find – hopefully the first of many! See details of new group below.
“I would be grateful if you could amend your website and remove the following meeting from it: Primary Purpose Big Book Study. Monday 19.45, Family Church, The Green, Downham Way, as this has now closed, due to a lack of enthusiasm or indeed interest.
The meeting has since re-opened as Monday Night Newcomers Meetings (same time, same venue). It is run within the guidelines of the 12 traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous specifically tradition 4 which states that each group ought to be autonomous...meaning it is not affiliated with any other group either inside or outside of Alcoholics Anonymous. Neither is it organised within Alcoholics Anonymous as an elite or fast track recovery programme. It does not promote specific, separate ideals or beliefs within Alcoholics Anonymous.”
“I would be grateful if you could amend your website and remove the following meeting from it: Primary Purpose Big Book Study. Monday 19.45, Family Church, The Green, Downham Way, as this has now closed, due to a lack of enthusiasm or indeed interest.
The meeting has since re-opened as Monday Night Newcomers Meetings (same time, same venue). It is run within the guidelines of the 12 traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous specifically tradition 4 which states that each group ought to be autonomous...meaning it is not affiliated with any other group either inside or outside of Alcoholics Anonymous. Neither is it organised within Alcoholics Anonymous as an elite or fast track recovery programme. It does not promote specific, separate ideals or beliefs within Alcoholics Anonymous.”
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