(The
entire report is available here. Note: Downloads may take a few
seconds to complete).
“To
Alcoholics Anonymous from Alcoholics Anonymous - A call for moral
inventory and leadership in A.A.
This
document comprises an analytical and critical survey of the
Fellowship in 2011, discussing the complex dynamics surrounding
current events occurring in the USA, UK and Canada and relating these
to past events and to AA Traditions and Concepts.
The
discussion begins with two examples of active leadership, one by Bill
W. in the 1940s, the other by a committee in Santa Monica California
USA, in 1958; it then moves on to include current events. The outcome
exposes a hazardous departure from Tradition, serious and growing
internal divisions and public concerns. It also exposes a widespread
and hazardous misconception in the application of A.A. Traditions.
And a situation where neither A.A. Tradition, nor General Warranties
of Conference are withstanding
in today’s fellowship. This causes us to feel duty bound to place
this as a minority report before the UK General Service Conference
2012.”
Comment:
Largely self-explanatory. However (and briefly) the central thesis
of the report is that the service structure of AA (and the Fellowship
at large) have failed repeatedly to actively uphold the guiding
principles of the Fellowship, this inactivity resulting from a
consistent misinterpretation of these same precepts. In our view
(and as a direct consequence) there is developing within our midst a
movement that is wholly antagonistic to both the letter and spirit of
these principles but which represents itself as being a legitimate
exponent of the AA programme of recovery. Their directive,
manipulative, dogmatic and indeed punitive methods have resulted only
in an increasingly fragmented Fellowship and inflicted moreover
completely unnecessary suffering on those who are most vulnerable, and
who have come to us for help: the newcomer. Their 'philosophy' of
recovery runs directly counter to that of AA's, their methods founded
on a “revisionist” history of the Fellowship coupled with a gross
misrepresentation of the recovery programme. Moreover, and in order
to sustain their agenda, they rely upon unsubstantiated claims
concerning AA recovery rates to lend both support to their oppressive
methods and credence to their arguments. These groups and their
members seek to 'institutionalise' their abusive methods within AA,
their main instrument being the transformed role of the sponsor.
This role (in their hands) has effectively supplanted the central
concepts of “God” or “Higher Power” employed within the
Fellowship, the sponsor now taking the pre-eminent position. This
approach is enshrined in their statement: “Do exactly what your
sponsor tells you to do”. The dangers of this approach should be
all-to-evident to anyone sufficiently acquainted with the basic text.
(Note especially: Chapter Five: the “three pertinent ideas”; the
section on Step Three; and finally Chapter Seven – here you will
see a direct antithesis to the dogmatic methods espoused by the
above). As a direct result of these distortions newcomers have been
directed (or had pressure put upon them) to: discontinue prescribed
medication regimes (amongst other therapeutic interventions. This had
led in some instances to them taking their own lives); adopt
particular religious beliefs; sever links with family and friends
(entirely inappropriately); undergo financial and sexual exploitation
and so on. As a result of these kinds of exploitative conduct we
have labelled this movement a “cult” since they exhibit all the
defining characteristics of such; the term we think is entirely
apposite.
See
also the following links for background to the above:
The
Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)
