(extract from the
Grapevine forum – I-Say)
“Sponsorship
Submitted by Anonymous
on Fri, 2011-10-07 05:40.
The sponsorship concept
today, added to the incessant chanting, is one of the main reasons AA has become
viewed by many as a cult. The general public sees us as a cult because that is
what we have become. There are groups where members are told to get a sponsor
before you leave the meeting today. Some groups actually assign sponsors to
newcomers. Imagine an alcoholic telling another alcoholic what to do! And we
have AA members who take a few classes and become AA guru's both in and outside
the meetings. One of the very first impressions I had of AA was the sense of
freedom I felt. There were no demands, no requirements at all. I was not even
ordered to "keep coming back". I was allowed to listen and and become a sober
member of AA without any fanfare. In Alcoholics Anonymous we all come together
as absolute equals, newcomers, and oldtimers. We need the newcomer as much as he
needs us. There is no system of hierarchy or patriarchy. But anyone who attends
the AA meeting of today knows that this is only a theory. Today's AA is a system
of preachers, teachers, advisors, counselors and guides. Many are under the
umbrella of sponsorship. Let's lose that title.”
Comment: Perhaps now
would be a good time to stop shooting ourselves in the foot!
The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)
