CULT THUG BULLIES DISABLED PENSIONER OUT OF EALING MEETING

It is understood, from various sources, that there was recently a nasty little incident at the Bayham Road Centre for Independent Living, Ealing, London W5. This Centre is currently providing a venue for several cult meetings masquerading as Alcoholics Anonymous. At the one of these cult meetings, a certain zealous young cult clone, Tim by name, objected to the sharing of an old Scottish man in his 70’s who had recently come back from a slip. The pensioner in question is disabled and needs to use a walking stick. He is a well known AA member in the area, having attended meetings in the Ealing locality for over 2 decades. Young Tim took issue with the rather robust and rustic “everyday language” of this tough old Scotsman. However it seems that patience, tolerance and “keep coming back” isn’t part of the message being carried at this cult meeting. Instead, Tim ranted at the old AA stalwart - “I FIND YOU OFFENSIVE, GET OUT!!”

We sincerely hope that the old chap managed to find a REAL AA meeting where he can get the help, understanding and support he clearly needs.

We understand that Tim is well known for informing all who have the stomach to listen to him how much he kneels, and lecturing us on how we should all kneel too. It would seem we have here the possible phenomenon of a cult “spiritual paradox” – The more they kneel, the more arrogant they become. He also ostentatiously prays in public, saying grace and crossing himself before eating his bacon sandwich at the coffee shop after the meeting. Hmmm, how very spiritual! Such piety masking such arrogance! Cunning, baffling and powerful indeed!

Still, we mustn’t be too hard on young Tim. He hasn’t exactly been given a good example, or the real message of AA for that matter. His sponsor is the yawningly dull and personality-challenged founder/gruppenfuhrer of the Friday Guildford Newcomers Cult Meeting, Jim W. Apparently, apart from his arrogance (which is considerable), Jim’s hair-style is the only personality trait worthy of any note. And who inspires Jim to such levels of tedium?

Well none other than David C Icons – the man of 1000 opinions, and author of the …........ Perhaps we can also add the title of “author of the Way of coercion, voyeurism and Dangerous medical advice”, as this same David C Icon is the co-author of the “recovery” website that is mentioned elsewhere in this website, and which has caused, and is still continuing to cause, division and disruption within AA, grossly corrupting and distorting the AA message to the unwary, and prompting dangerous and potentially fatal advice on medical, moral and psychological matters best left to professionals.

Meanwhile we wonder if the Ealing Centre for Independent Living, which expressly caters for the disabled, are aware of the bullying and abuse of a disabled pensioner that has taken place on their premises?

Here is a reminder of their address for any who might like to enquire.

Ealing Centre for Independent Living

1 Bayham Road
West Ealing
London W13 0TQ

Cheers

(our usual thanks to our reporters)

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

The 'Ealing project' – latest update!

Well the bizarre machinations in Ealing proceed apace – and seemingly day by day! Could this long-running 'soap' displace the hacking scandal aux Murdochs from headlining every newspaper? Probably not - but then these have departed already from that position of prominence so fickle are the press in their inky devotions! It would seem (or so the rumours go) that the 'brawn' behind this little attempt at empire building has done a 'runner' - or 'gone to ground' - for not a sight or sound (some would say thankfully!) of the Happy One has been seen for some little while now. But this is very much Dennis' MO apparently when it comes to 'facing the music'...... Start something up but leave somebody else to carry the can as the ordure well and truly hits the fan! Still the 'brains' (by 'brains' we actually mean 'control freak') behind the outfit is still very much in charge of operations, orders being issued by the High Command on an almost daily basis as the plot (and accumulating debris) thickens. This particular ego maniac goes by the name of David C who though British by birth is currently resident in the US. For those of you who are not familiar with the fellow he made his début performance in the UK back in the mid 80s, his novitiate undertaken at that well-known venue “The Joys of Recovery”(or 'Ploys of Recovery' as we prefer to call it), Collingham Gardens, under the tutelage of David B (the founder of the Visions cult and the source of that well-known but largely meaningless epithet 'Misery is Optional' - an expression which has only a minimal connection with AA's spiritual principles and derives rather from the somewhat obsessive and SELF-promoting pretensions of its author). On the departure finally of the head honcho to that “Great Meeting in the Sky” (the air ringing behind him apparently with cries of “This is NOT AA! This is NOT AA!” a much favoured mantra of his, and oft repeated at local AA meetings where he would happily (and apparently at length) harangue the assembled brethren with his particular take on the subject (and with such fervour that the members, some almost overcome with his devotion, would invite him most heartily to leave!)), David “The Icon” C took up the “spiritual tool-kit” bequeathed to him by his mentor, and proceeded to carry the cult's particularly perverse message to us the 'unbelievers” in AA. He was however not alone in his quest to save us all from our foolhardiness and assembled a motley crew of devotees to assist him in his 'holy' but largely SELF-appointed mission. One of these is of course the aforementioned 'Happy Dennis', a fellow who can really only be described as a “sandwich short of a picnic”, “not the full shilling”, “driving on only three wheels”, “a banana short of a bunch” (and so on in this general theme) and who has been so far “rocketed into a fourth dimension” (and quite probably a fifth or even a sixth!) that he will probably never make it back to Earth in one piece!

And here is the latest list for the Ealing 'project'. It is rather difficult to determine exactly how many of these are actually functioning at the moment and indeed which ones still subscribe to the cult 'ethos' of “carrying the message “ through bullying and coercion... but nevertheless here we go:

Mon 07:30 West Ealing: Great Feeling in Ealing, 1 Bayham Road Junction with Bedford Road. (seems to have reverted to AA)

Mon 13:00 West Ealing: Community Centre, Green Man Lane.

Mon 18:00 West Ealing: A Vision For You, 1 Bayham Road Junction with Bedford Rd.

Tue 07:30 Ealing: Healthy Feeling in Ealing, 1 Bayham Road Junction with Bedford Rd. (seems to have reverted to AA)

Tue 09.45 West Ealing: Big Book Happy Focus, Community Centre, Green Man Lane. (reported closed down due to lack of support)

Wed 07:30 West Ealing: A.M Reflections, 1 Bayham Rd Junction with Bedford Rd

Wed 13:00 West Ealing: Community Centre, Green Man Lane.

Wed 18:00 West Ealing: Community Centre, Green Man Lane.

Wed 19:30 West Ealing: Big Book Focus, Community Centre, Green Man Lane,

Thurs 07:30 West Ealing: Radian Feeling, 1 Bayham Road Junction with Bedford Road.

Thurs 09.45 West Ealing: Big Book Joyous Focus, Community Centre, Green Man Lane.

Thurs 13:00 West Ealing: Green Man Big Book Discussion Community Centre, Green Man Lane.

Thurs 18:00 West Ealing: Happy, Joyous & Free, 1 Bayham Road Corner of Bedford Road.

Fri 07:30 West Ealing: 1 Bayham Rd Junction with Bedford Road.

Sat 09:00 West Ealing: Wonderful Feeling in Ealing, 1 Bayham Road Junction with Bedford Road. (definitely cult)

Sat 18:00 West Ealing: 1 Bayham Rd, Junction with Bedford Road.

Sun 08:45 West Ealing: Sponsored Walks, 1 Bayham Rd Junction with Bedford Road. (definitely cult)

Sun 13:30 West Ealing: 1 Bayham Rd Junction with Bedford Road.

Sun 19:00 West Ealing: Step & Tradition, 1 Bayham Rd, Junction with Bedford Road. (definitely cult)

(We will update this list accordingly as soon as we receive information).

It should be noted that even those meetings that have reverted to AA were set up whilst failing to consider their impact on already existing AA groups in the area and certainly without consulting them in accordance with Tradition 4. There is still unfinished business to be concluded here!

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

(our usual thanks to our reporters)

Now this is what we call a REAL AA convention!

Bournemouth AA convention Saturday 6^th August 2011. For details see below:

Note: the complete absence of: frills, advertising of “circuit speakers” (from the US or anywhere else for that matter), gimmicks, “come ons”, promises of “instant ecstasy” (fourth dimensional or otherwise!), sponsorship (temporary or otherwise) and the fact that admission is actually FREE ie. this event is self supporting through the voluntary contributions of its members in accordance with Tradition 7.

Now compare and contrast the above with your average cult promotion!

Quote: "Frothy emotional appeal seldom suffices. The message which can interest and hold these alcoholic people must have depth and weight. In nearly all cases, their ideals must be grounded in a power greater than themselves, if they are to re-create their lives."

The Doctor's Opinion:

http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/bigbook/pdf/doctors.pdf

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

(our usual thanks to the contributor of this information)

Wessex (cult) intergroup – update!

Consultation letter from GSO (York) to South West Region and local intergroups. See below.

This should be interesting!

Cheerio

(usual thanks extended to our contributor)

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

Whitstable (East Kent)/Ealing (West London)/Cambridge

The word is that the “pointy headed ones” from the Tankerton Tuesday cult group are 'sniffing' around Whitstable Wednesday AA meeting again. They've tried before to gain control of this group when one of their members became secretary, and shortly after which a whole succession of clones turned up at the meeting with the usual scripted sharing which went something like this: “blah blah …. my sponsor ….... blah blah blah … always do what my sponsor says... blah blah.....my sponsor took me through the steps...blah blah blah … happy, joyous and free.. blah blah blah.. sponsor this.....blah blah.... sponsor that.....blah blah...” and so on ad infinitum and ad nauseam. Otherwise the infestation in East Kent seems to be largely contained with the cult groups either stagnating or in decline. There is now a clear delineation between the cult (referred to variously as “Step Nazis”, “Taliban”, “Visions” (or even “Visionaries” … God help us!) or just plain “cult”) on one hand, and genuine AA on the other, a trend which we hope will continue long into the future.... And now ... talking of infestations....

… the news is that the Ealing Tuesday Green Man Lane (9.45am) cult meeting has closed due to lack of support. This is one of the thirteen or so (at the last count) meetings that 'Happy Dennis' (so-called) had started up to propagate his bizarre version of AA and its programme. Happy Dennis himself is sponsored by David “The Icon” C (successor to David B, founder of the Visions cult in the UK), “The Icon” being the author of a cult website promoted by Dennis in his very own printed literature (in probable breach of copyright), this “Little Yellow Book” being distributed not only in the Ealing meetings but even further afield eg. Eastbourne. We are informed that his efforts seem to focus rather on quantity than quality but even here many of the Ealing cult meetings fail to attract more than a handful of punters. The viability of the operation rests finally on the low rents charged for the use of the facilities. The landlords of the Bayham Rd location (Ealing Centre for Independent Living: http://www.ecil.org/) for example charge a mere £5.00 per session which makes it an attractive proposition for anyone wishing to start up their own franchise. We have also received evidence that Dennis is using contact information derived from Share magazine to further propagate his “message”. Incidentally we observe that the Happy One's response to the Eastbourne letter (see below) - when it was communicated to him as an email attachment – clearly demonstrates his irresponsible and arrogant attitude with regard to all matters pertaining to AA and its traditions. We quote:

“... the text [Eastbourne letter] you attached to the email has nothing to do with me. I don't see any reason why this is a matter I should be involved with in any way”

(This sounds like a response you'd get from a “Murdoch testimony” doesn't it! We know nothing, see nothing, hear nothing! Nothing to do with us!! A bad case of DENIAL perhaps!).

He goes on to argue that the 13 groups included in his very own Where to Find (printed and distributed in breach of the traditions) are “independent” groups. Now does he mean “autonomous” groups (but leaving out the second part of Tradition Four - a much favoured cult tactic!) or does he mean completely independent of AA (in which case why are these groups still presented in the local and national Where to Finds if they are in fact not AA groups at all? Another question for South Middlesex Intergroup to consider perhaps?)

.. and continuing with our whirlwind tour of GB (note: the cult is not a localised issue!)..... a communication from Cambridge. We quote from some email correspondence (with that individual's permission):

“Ok, so I was a bit nervous of letting you know about the Saturday meetings in Cambridge, but now I feel I have to - I went there in February as I was convinced nothing else would work. I was called by a seemingly very lovely lady and encouraged to attend the 'A Vision For You' meeting that night. Well! How loved I felt! How understood! How cared for! I continued going for a few weeks and attended the womens meetings on a Tuesday, the 'beginners' meetings on a Sunday and one 'Primary Purpose' meeting on a Monday night. It all seemed wonderful and I felt 'blessed' to have them, until...at one of the 'womens'' meetings, a clearly, very distressed and unhappy lady told about how she had succumbed to drink and how ashamed she was. Oh My God! I felt so sad for her but all she got were dagger glares, tuts and no sign of help whatsoever. That scared me to be honest. However, I continued. Surely it was just a bad night for everyone? The 'lovely lady' who had called me became my 'sponsor' and I began to go to her house for 'big book' study. Hmm. Interesting. she was full of 'love and laughter' but something felt wrong. This is about me stopping drinking yes? Not you telling me that the only way is God? Not you making me do 'homework' and telling me that there are 'many people who are not alcoholics as they do not have a spiritual issue'? These people must be ignored, hated, kept out of 'our meetings'. I was frankly terrified by the passion. I read the Big Book, I tried to understand these mad people. I couldn't. I was 'loved' by some, sneered at by others. I was hugged, ignored...I told everyone that I had been diagnosed as 'bi -polar, I was told that is wrong, you have nothing but a disease called 'alcoholism' stay away from these doctors. I had to leave. I cannot believe that such people are allowed to peddle their nonsense. I am never ever going anywhere near AA again. How can this be happening. I am more than happy for you to publish this.

…......”

(edited to preserve anonymity)

Cheerio

(our usual thanks to all contributors)

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

Ealing update! The pressure mounts.....

Below is a copy of the letter of complaint sent by an Eastbourne group to South Middlesex Intergroup (forwarded to us by a member from South Middlesex - our usual thanks for this contribution. All edits are ours). We'll leave it to you to draw your own conclusions. However the Eastbourne group has demonstrated that they at least understand the meaning of the Traditions – and are willing to put them INTO ACTION – unlike the cult groups currently infesting Ealing. The ball is now well and truly in SMIG's court!

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

Happy Dennis (aka The Scourge of Ealing) – The Missionary!

It would seem that 'Happy Dennis' is not content with carrying the good word to the heathen of Ealing. No... He's spread his wings further afield, as far away even as deepest darkest Eastbourne. A missive was despatched by a member from that locality (to South Middlesex Intergroup) complaining about the activities of the new Messiah in their neck of the woods. Apparently the Happy One (who seems to have completely slipped his moorings with reality) was advising Eastbourne newcomers to check out a “non AA website that suggested to members not to take prescribed medication.” Moreover our correspondent indicated that: “This website address has recently appeared on the pink cards that list Ealing meetings and various SMIG members pointed out, as did the letter from Eastbourne, that such practice was not in line with AA’s Traditions. There was a general concern amongst SMIG members that some of these new meetings that are springing up will reduce numbers at other meetings and make the meeting of tradition 7 more difficult (duplicated rent costs etc) as well as contravene Tradition 4. Some members suggested that the Bayham Road and Green Man Lane meetings be deleted from the official AA meetings list if our Traditions continue to be transgressed. [name omitted] offered to write a letter to flag up these issues with the person concerned and for copies to go to London Region and York, and a number of SMIG members offered to meet at ….....'s home to help write this letter on behalf of our intergroup to express misgivings about certain developments in some Ealing meetings. A draft of this letter will be presented to SMIG at the next intergroup meeting in August for approval/amendments before it is sent off.”

So it would seem that South Middlesex Intergroup is finally lumbering into action (but only after being prodded quite a few times) to deal with the Ealing infestation. (Incidentally we have been informed that the Intergroup itself uses the Bayham Rd location (Happy Dennis' HQ) free of charge! Could there be a conflict of interest here??) The good news though is that all is not well even amongst the ranks of the “Blessed Ones”. Dissent has broken out and there are signs that the 'mission' is beginning to fray at the edges with at least one meeting already reverting to AA (to be confirmed). Moreover we are delighted to report that aacultwatch has been banned by the Ealing High Command! We are considered entirely unsuitable reading material for newcomers to the Fellowship. We wonder what they will do? You know what they say about forbidden fruit! All the more enticing! For our part we regard it as the highest compliment! So keep up the good work of publicising the site amongst cult members!

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

Wessex – the first brand new “all cult” intergroup!

It's finally happened..... THE INEVITABLE! Well it always does doesn't it? Have you noticed that! It was only a matter of time after all! Now it's widely known that the cult have been setting up their own groups in Alcoholics Anonymous for years (or taken over – or tried to take over - legitimate AA meetings) but they've gone for the BIG one finally and started their very own 'pure Aryan' intergroup! They, of course, have been infiltrating their members into AA intergroups for some time now (notable examples being of course Plymouth and West Kent amongst others) but this is indeed a new departure for the “pointy headed ones”. There were rumblings of such ambitions some little time ago when Wayne P - in a fit of pique - flounced off with the R2R (Road to Recovery) cult group in Plymouth and threatened to start up his own little empire. That flopped like a limp ….....omelette as so many cult projects do (after all - and when it comes down to it - they're “all mouth and trousers” …...or in Wayne's case perhaps we can dispense with the trousers....). However this time it's really, really, really serious. Official notification of the earth-shattering event has been despatched to the four quarters (well to GSO, region etc – see letter below) and the dread deed has been done! For those of you who are not “in the know” the history behind the unfolding of this little drama started with the continued rebuffs suffered by the Bournemouth R2R cult group (see our Cult: Where to Find) in its various attempts to join the local AA intergroups of Poole and Bournemouth. Neither of these was particularly interested in welcoming a bunch of nutters into their ranks (which is quite something when you think about it!). The group itself is a 'franchise' operated by Rik V (a sponsee, of course, of Little Wayne) though the group denies all knowledge of the connection. Let's see.... Road to Recovery Plymouth..... Road to Recovery Bournemouth .. always look for the similarities is what we say! Now Rik himself has something of an interesting pedigree. Apparently known as Rik the Vet locally (pedigree! Geddit! Oh for God's sake we're trying really hard here!) Rik is something of a floating voter when it comes to his many addictions. He was responsible – or so we are told – for starting up an NA group in Poole (Monday evenings) some moons ago. This was in conjunction with a fellow called (now don't laugh!) Matt the MESSAGE. The group operated under the 'spiritual direction” of dear Little Wayne (we told you …. DON'T LAUGH! THIS IS VERY VERY SERIOUS! Well alright. It's not THAT serious!). Apparently Rik and Matt tried to take over the local Narcotics Anonymous intergroup but were told to 'bog off' in no uncertain terms. Having failed to make the grade in Narcotics Anonymous they then went for the 'white powder up yer nose' option and metamorphosed the NA group into a CA group (Cocaine Anonymous) which apparently still operates today. Their members then went on to start the Bournemouth R2R ('AA'?!!?) cult group with Rik as their GSR. So there you have it! Rik is obviously a man of many and varied talents, and possessed moreover by an apparently inexhaustible predilection for not only ingesting, snorting, 'banging up' and even drinking various substances but also for starting - and transmogrifying (what a word! Wonder what it means?) - meetings of all hues and persuasions! Anyway.,,,,,despite their many efforts all was to be of no avail! But their pleas did not fall entirely on deaf ears. No! They found a sympathiser finally in the person none other than the now erstwhile chairman of the Poole intergroup, a 'dupe' … oops sorry.... a chap rather who goes by the name of Paul. It would seem that this fine fellow (albeit somewhat “soft in the head” as he has been described) decided to take the part of the R2R cult group and act as their advocate within Poole Intergroup. Despite the customary invocations (to the concepts, guidelines etc), and moreover a series of extensive lectures directed on his part towards to the 'ignorant heathen' of the local groups, these same 'ignorant heathen' decided to follow their own collective conscience (rather than the chairman's) and declined entry (repeatedly) of this cult group into their numbers. Shortly thereafter the chairman fell prey to some mysterious ailment and resigned his position on “health grounds” only to undergo a remarkable 'recovery” and rise 'Lazarus-like' as the inaugural chairman of the 'spankingly' brand new cult intergroup – Wessex. Somewhat interestingly (and perhaps unfortunately for them) he contrived along the way to drag his own home group into the ordure as well, this latter constituting the other 'half' of Wessex Intergroup!

POOLE ST ANN'S HOSPITAL, THURSDAY Meeting

19.30
St Ann's Hospital, Chaddesley Pines, 69 Haven Rd

It is not entirely clear whether the above group subscribes to the same dubious methods advocated by the cult (bullying, abuse, meddling and general thuggery etc). However if the members have voted to join the R2R group in this nascent intergroup one would find it difficult to draw any other conclusion. It was, after all, their free choice wasn't it! However one of the consequences (of which they might not be entirely aware) is that the group may no longer participate in South-west Region. Consequently the ex-chairman is also the ex-Region Employment Liaison officer and was “stood down” - or 'launched forth' - by the joint Bournemouth/Pole/West Dorset prison committee as their treasurer (in somewhat acrimonious circumstances so we understand). In the meantime Rik the Vet is keeping his head down while everyone else takes the flak! So nothing new there then!

And now to the letter itself:

Alcoholics Anonymous

Wessex Intergroup

[Address omitted]

Dear …..,

On 7^th June 2011 some members of the Fellowship from the Poole and Bournemouth area came together to form the Wessex Intergroup. This step was reluctantly taken as both Bournemouth and Poole Intergroups have for a number of years operated in a discriminatory manner against one group in particular, contrary to Tradition 3, denying them the opportunity to actively participate in the Service Structure of Alcoholics Anonymous. This was further exacerbated recently by the Poole Groups choosing to operate outside of the Guidelines and Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous in further denying them membership in a hostile and orchestrated manner and refusing to allow a full vote of the Intergroup.

This left the members who have formed this new Intergroup, if they wished to continue their primary purpose of Tradition 5 to carry the message to the alcoholic who still suffers, no option but to take this action. The new Intergroup will operate as an all inclusive body following the Guidelines, Traditions, Concepts and Warranties of the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. “When anyone anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of AA always to be there. And for that; I am responsible.”

At our inaugural meeting we have appointed the following Intergroup Officers. Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Telephone Liaison Officer, Prison Liaison Officer, Probation Liaison Officer, Health Liaison Officer and Employment Liaison Officer. All of these Officers will be active within the Poole, Bournemouth and surrounding areas and we will keep the Chairpersons of the local Intergroups informed of their progress in the interests of unity and to avoid duplication of any work being undertaken. We shall also be keeping the South West Region up to date with all of our actions as well as informing GSO of the contact details of all of our Officers.

We hope that we will be able to work in a spirit of openness and co-operation with all members of the Fellowship. “This we owe to AA’s future; to place our common welfare first; to keep our Fellowship united. For on AA unity depend our lives, and the lives of those to come.”

With love in Fellowship,

Paul P.

Chairman. Wessex Intergroup.

[Address omitted]

(our edits)

Comment: You will note the usual “victim mode” stance. This is a standard cult tactic when they don't get their own way (which we are happy to report is happening more and more frequently these days!). And of course it goes without saying that OUR interpretation of the traditions, guidelines etc is INEVITABLY WRONG whereas THE CULT'S interpretation is INEVITABLY RIGHT! We do love the language of 'harmony' portrayed in the communication though – but as usual it's all for effect! It represents no more than a series of standardised statements derived from a 'template' supplied by one of their 'gurus'. Remember..... Image not substance is what counts when it comes to your friendly neighbourhood cult!

Needless to say we shall be watching (and reporting) developments with great interest......and with especial attention to which groups choose to join the cult's alternative service structure.....In many respects this development is something of a 'win-win' outcome for Alcoholics Anonymous …... but we'll leave it to you to figure that one out!

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS. Our usual thanks to our local reporter.

More extracts on AA sponsorship from contributors to the aacultwatch forum

“….... I have noticed aacultwatch has used my reply [with permission] to you to make an article on Stop Press. I think it is good that they are promoting the use of A.A. literature. If they read this then they could add the following to the list, for these also give the attitude that an A.A. sponsor ought to have:

• “AA Comes of Age” page 279:

“The member talks to the newcomer not in a spirit of power but in a spirit of humility and weakness. He does not speak of how misguided the still suffering alcoholic is; he speaks of how misguided he once was. He does not sit in judgement of another but in judgement of himself as he had been”.

• Daily Reflections page 29 “Serving my Brother”
page 148 ” Giving without strings”
page 280 “Love without strings”
page 292 “Fixing me, not you”
page 352 “Love with no price tag”
page 361 “Honesty with newcomers”

It saddens me too, to see individuals abusing this fellowship by publishing their own personalised adulterations of this simple A.A. programme for their personal gain for prestige or money; and the misleading advice and suffering this has caused to people like yourself. You mentioned “In my opinion leaving a cult is just as difficult and painful as getting sober” I can believe it is, but as with your experience with alcohol I believe that you will be able to turn this experience into your own unique strength of character to benefit not only yourself but to give hope to others. I think you are doing this already, by sharing your experience, strength and hope on this forum.

It is good to see you have got some help with a counsellor, I know from my own experience that the A.A. programme can’t necessarily help me with all my life’s problems and I have been helped by professional counselling on a few things myself. The notion that the steps are some sort of spiritual cure all and the sponsor some sort of spiritual adviser, is coming from outside influences rather than A.A. publications.

“It would be a product of false pride to claim A.A. is a cure all, even for alcoholism” (Bill W.) --As Bill Sees It page 285, Daily Reflections page 122.

I have found “Living Sober” a very helpful and I usually suggest to newcomers that they get a copy as soon as they are able to (This is AA published, available from the GSO literature order form). Chapter 23 “seeking professional help” says: “Examining “case histories” of recovered alcoholics, we can see clearly that all of us have profited, at one time or another, from the specialized services of psychiatrists, and other physicians, nurses, counsellors, social workers, lawyers, clergymen or other professional people. The basic A.A. textbook, “Alcoholics Anonymous,” specifically recommends (on page 74) seeking out such help. Fortunately, we have found no conflict between A.A. ideas and the good advice of a professional with expert understanding of alcoholism.” I just hope you get as much personal freedom to live your life as you wish from the officially published A.A. Twelve Step programme as I have. “

And........

“I think you make a good observation, the same one as the co-founders. Bill W. described it when he gave the reasons for the alcoholics splitting away from the Oxford Group. Dr. Bob learned from his experience of what did not work and observed that it was better for him to let newcomers find their own higher power in their own time and manner:

“John S. (an Akron member beginning in 1940) remembered:………“At this time,-- January 1940--- he wasn’t making you get out of bed and surrender on your knees, to pray with you. I’m not sure if that would have worked too well with me” (Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers, page 275-276)

“4. It was discovered that all forms of coercion, both direct and indirect, had to be dropped. We found that “checking in the hands of amateurs too often resulted in criticism, and that resulted in resentment, which is probably the most serious problem the average alcoholic is troubled with” (Bill W. “Pass It On” page 172)

“For example, drinkers would not take pressure in any form, excepting 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 we had to make haste slowly. When first contacted, most alcoholics just wanted to find sobriety, nothing else.” (A.A. Comes of Age page 74).”

Come on in! Have your say here!

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)