Question
1:
“Would
the Fellowship share experience and make recommendations on how to
make AA more visible to the general public, particularly by
increasing awareness and understanding of how the AA programme
works?"
Extract:
"Information
for Professionals, Frequently Asked Questions, GSO website:
Question
C: Is it a cult?
What
does this mean? It means that AA public relations are beginning to go
on the defensive. It means that the clarity of AA public relations
efforts at a national and local level are being blurred and
undermined by the behaviour of a minority of individuals and groups.
It means there is now some doubt in the public mind as to the motives
of AA.
As
the background to this question points out: “all too often the
media tend to focus on the problem rather than the solutions.”
Whilst I think on the whole, AA still has a very good public image,
this should never be taken for granted by the fellowship. Nor should
the maintenance of good relations with national media ever be
underestimated. They have the power to make or break an organisation,
and they will. Individual AA members and groups need to understand
this, because ultimately they are the ones who are responsible for
the behaviour and direction of AA as a whole.
There
have been a number of damaging national press reports in the Great
Britain in recent years, including 1998, 2000, 2001, 2009. To quote
from these:
“Those
who have been through its mill claim it is `authoritarian' and
`fascistic', employs brainwashing techniques and is cult-like in its
attitude to members.”
“AA
is bondage of another form. It is evangelical and rabid in outlook.”
"After
a year with AA, you're like a Moonie and you're probably in a
relationship with another AA member,"
“AA
only works if you're prepared to take it on as a religion.”
“A
number of ex-members and addiction treatment professionals have
accused it of having cult-like qualities and using brainwashing and
bullying methods that weak and vulnerable people are particularly
susceptible to.”
“A
federal appeals court found two years ago that "AA is a
religion" and a state court of appeal ruled: "Adherence to
the AA fellowship entails engagement in religious activity and
religious proselytisation."
These
quotes were all taken from national press in Great Britain. Like it
or not, this is the message that is going out from some AA groups in
Great Britain and the USA. It has been read by millions.
Concept
XI: “a single large public blunder could cost many lives and much
suffering because it would turn new prospects away.” There have
been at least four blunders in eleven years, that’s four too many.
How many new prospects have been turned away?"
Have
your say: Conference 2012 Discussion
Cheers
The
Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)
