Extract from the AA Grapevine forum
re: VERY GOOD NEWS INDEED! -STEPS 1-12
"Submitted by anonymous on Mon, 2012-05-07 09:42.
Thank
you for taking the time to reply. No, I don’t particularly like
quoting old timers, but with all this myth and misrepresentation
about AA history in outside published literature and on the internet,
I feel that quoting Conference approved AA literature has now become
a necessary aspect to writing in the Grapevine magazine and forum; in
order to provide some balance to such misrepresentation. Otherwise AA
is in danger of loosing sight of its program and therefore in turn,
its good public relations and members. Quoting from Conference
approved AA literature shows up the many individual opinions that
were around in A.A. in the 1940s, and none is more special than any
other. I think it is important to distinguish what were individual
opinions or local group practices and what was and is now overall AA
policy. Quoting Conference approved AA literature might inspire
people to read it. It also sparks a healthy, lively debate and keeps
AA Tradition alive.
Here’s
another old timer quote; his remembering of 1942:
“…Most
of us in Akron didn’t like all this praying” said Oscar, “We
had enough of it in the Oxford Group. I still don’t like praying in
A.A. I don’t like the Serenity Prayer. New York brought it in, and
we resented it. We thought they were bringing back the Oxford Group…”
Oscar W. (Extract from Dr. Bob and the Good Old timers, p 271)
I read
what you asked, including appendix E, an interpretation of the steps
written by Clarence S, January 1972 ["How It Worked" the
story of Clarence S] . Afterward, I thought of what Dr. Bob said of
such interpretations:
“As
finally expressed and offered, they [The Twelve Steps] are simple in
language, plain in meaning. They are also workable by any person
having a sincere desire to obtain and keep sobriety. The results are
proof. Their simplicity and workability are such that no special
interpretations, and certainly no reservations, have ever been
necessary.” (Extract from Dr. Bob and the Good Old Timers p 227)
The
“How it worked” book is for me, a classic example of deviation
from Tradition Six, where problems of money property and prestige are
diverting us from our primary purpose. Too many alcoholics are
seeking personal distinction or are making money out of A.A. and in
so doing turning it into a cult-like religion. The adulation of
personalities before principles is a process corroding the
fellowship’s spiritual foundation of humility in Tradition Twelve.
Tradition Four (long form) tells me that if ever I wanted to write a
book which might affect AA as a whole, then I would consult with the
General Service Board before publication. Tradition One would tell me
to swallow my pride and throw my book in the trash if the trustees
weren’t too keen on my glorious idea. Our common welfare should
come first. Me second. (The Twelve Traditions (Long form) are in the
Big Book Appendix 1)
After digesting the appendix of this outside enterprise, I only got to chapter 9, the chapter where Clarence S is described as a prophet in his home town, followed by the biblical quote explaining a prophet is not without honor except in his own country. I had to stop. I couldn’t take it seriously after that. I laughed so much that I couldn’t even compose myself to write you this reply until now. The “Prophet” Clarence S!!! How high his pedestal, his disciples doeth build? For a moment, I had this wonderful vision of what AA could become in a couple of thousand years time, a bunch of alcoholics hanging around a shrine in Ohio, singing the psalms of Clarence, bright eyes skyward, eagerly waiting for their beloved prophet’s return.
I wouldn’t pay too much attention to what “the prophet” Clarence says or any other old timer for that matter, they were all just ex drunks with huge egos like me. Together though, I say they did make a fine group conscience with AA policy and Traditions; with a little help from something else, of course. Not to mention those oft’ forgotten non-alcoholic humans who manned the backup higher power generators in the Depts. of Psychiatry; Dr. Silkworth M.D., his accomplice “power-house” nurse Teddy, Dr. Harry Tiebout M.D. and others; standing by whenever the patients thought they were well enough to switch off the higher power and light up the fellowship with the emotional dynamite instead. Dangerous thing emotional dynamite, you need to put your charge in its right place, otherwise it can blow the whole thing. That’s why we’ve each been given a fire proof metal box called AA Traditions in which to keep our very own stick. You can read about “the prophet” Clarence S. in “Pass it On” and “Dr. Bob and the Good Old Timers” if you like, (Though note his title “prophet” is not used in these books). Apparently, “the prophet” was on a bit of a short fuse at times, clashed a lot with Bill W. I gather. No surprise there for me.
“..By
1942, Bill was not in such favour with Clarence and his faction in
Cleveland as in earlier days. In the years to come, there were
further clashes, over finances, policy, the start of the A.A. General
Service Conference, and other matters. The criticism was directed
more at Bill than Dr. Bob...” (Extract Dr. Bob and the Good Old
Timers p 270)
“..I
don’t know why we had that built-in animosity. Clarence didn’t
like Bill and would cuss him out, so you can see my animosity came
secondhand,..” (Oscar W.) (Dr. Bob and the Good Old Timers p 271)
In his
book Mitchell K states that Clancy S [should be Clarence S] was his
sponsor. Neither Bill W. nor Dr. Bob were fans of sponsor worship and
I was wondering where all this religious sponsor worship stuff and
Bill W. denigration was coming from. Bill passed away in 1971, His
old adversary Clancy [again - Clarence S] writes his own
interpretation in 1972. You might like to read appendix E:b,
Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age pp 309-319. Knowing about my
typical alcoholic “narcissistic ego-centric core” helps me
understand the nature of ego deflation in depth in Step One, I know
my ego comes back soon enough, once I stop applying the steps. Were
all nuts aren’t we? We believe our own egos and just keep on
denying it to ourselves, then delude ourselves that we’re being
honest when we’re not.
All
this diversion from principles to personalities reminds me of “Mad
Mitch” a now deceased Lieutenant-colonel in the British army.
(Don’t ask why, my head constantly pops full of random thoughts,
sometimes sane, often quite bizarre). If you like, you can find out
more about “Mad Mitch” by using the search terms “Mad Mitch
Mitchell.” (Not to be confused with the author Mitchell K) You can
also find out more about AA prophets in a minority report to
conference, using the search terms: “AA minority report (GB) 2012”
(AA prophets p 32) I suggest you read it, the AAs who compiled it did
a good job, a well researched and compelling document. That’s just
my opinion, though I wouldn’t take my self seriously.
Now
I’m stuck with this crazy vision of “The Prophet” Clarence and
Lt. Col. “Mad Mitch” Mitchell racing round and around the desert
in a heavily armed 4x4, bagpipers-a-blowing and
loudspeakers-a-preaching the book, as they go amidst their hot air
with lots of explosions and incoming fire. (Not unlike the scene in
my intergroup at the mo.) It’s going to cause me much mirth for the
rest of life. And today, well, I haven’t laughed so much since
yesterday, so thanks for giving me these thoughts!
For
“power-house” nurse Teddy, see The Language of the Heart pp
156,176
Keep it Simple- Keep it Conference Approved”
Comment:
Clarence S – yet another example of 'personalities before
principles'.
Cheerio
The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)
