We
will be publishing the report in full together with accompanying
appendices over the next few days (for the link to the report itself see below)
“Dear aacultwatch,
“Dear aacultwatch,
Please find attached minority report submitted for discussion at Conference (GB) 2013. This is a re-draft of a report rejected for discussion at conference 2012 for reasons reported in AA Service News, 149, winter 2011 (pages 16-17). http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/members/index.cfm?PageID=98&DocumentTypeID=10 A revised report was invited for conference 2013 as stated in issue 149: “…The Committee however did feel that many of the concerns and issues raised in the Report were reflected in some of the questions that were selected for the Conference agenda. Furthermore, the Committee’s response suggests that the member may wish to re-submit the Report in revised and condensed form for consideration for Conference 2013.”
The attached revised and condensed report was submitted with updated information acquired in 2012. This new information made it necessary to reconfigure the entire report. Although the central issues and concerns raised in the report are the same as in 2012, the report was rejected for Conference 2013 under Terms of Reference No. 7: "Submissions not accepted for reasons other than above." This further explained “..the principle of the report was based on “issues outside of AA GB”. Apart from these “other reasons” the report appears to comply with the criteria set out in the AA Service Handbook for Great Britain , - “a major subject or subjects of topical importance affecting the Fellowship in the widest possible way...”
The purpose of filing a minority report is given in Concept V:
“In
the light of the principle of the ‘Right of Appeal,’ all
minorities – whether in our staffs, committees, corporate boards,
or among the Trustees – should be encouraged to
file minority reports whenever they feel a majority to be in
considerable error. And when a minority considers an issue to be such
a grave one that a mistaken decision could seriously affect A.A. as a
whole, it should charge itself with the actual duty of
presenting a minority report to the Conference.
In granting this traditional ‘Right of Appeal’ we recognize that minorities frequently can be right; that even when they are partly or wholly in error they still perform a most valuable service when, by asserting their ‘Right of Appeal,’ they compel a thorough-going debate on important issues. The well-heard minority, therefore, is our chief protection against an uninformed, misinformed, hasty or angry majority.”
Concept V further explains:
In granting this traditional ‘Right of Appeal’ we recognize that minorities frequently can be right; that even when they are partly or wholly in error they still perform a most valuable service when, by asserting their ‘Right of Appeal,’ they compel a thorough-going debate on important issues. The well-heard minority, therefore, is our chief protection against an uninformed, misinformed, hasty or angry majority.”
Concept V further explains:
“Throughout
his political speculation De Tocqueville insisted that the greatest
danger to democracy would always be the ‘tyranny’ of apathetic,
self-seeking, uninformed, or angry majorities. Only a truly dedicated
citizenry, quite willing to protect and conserve minority rights and
opinions, could, he thought, guarantee the existence of a free and
democratic society. All around us in the world today we are
witnessing the tyranny of majorities and the even worse tyranny of
very small minorities invested with absolute power. De Tocqueville
would have neither, and we A.A.’s can heartily agree with him.”
The group conscience of Alcoholics Anonymous is no different to the group conscience in any society. It will become a “tyranny’ of apathetic, self-seeking, uninformed, or angry majorities” unless it is well informed. It cannot make an informed decision if it its uninformed or misinformed. If those elected and trusted to undertake the leadership in Tradition Two fail in their duty to undertake delegated responsibility and authority, to offer the type of leadership outlined in Concept IX, to lead and inform the majority, then a power vacuum will be created the society of A.A. This power vacuum will inevitably be filled with an “even worse tyranny of very small minorities invested with absolute power.” In layman’s terms such a tyranny of very small minorities invested with absolute power, are called cults and dictatorships. The responsibility of leadership in Tradition Two and Concept IX rests with all those in the service structure, from group to Conference. This responsibility also rests with all AA members at group level with any length of continuous sobriety.
A.A. GB is “but a small part of a great whole” (Tradition One) it does not exist in isolation from the social forces affecting A.A. as a whole, nor does it exist in isolation from the social forces affecting society at large. There is an increasing body of evidence that cults in society are becoming more numerous and sophisticated in their coercive techniques.
Information concerning Alcoholics Anonymous can be found at the International Cultic Studies Association.
The group conscience of Alcoholics Anonymous is no different to the group conscience in any society. It will become a “tyranny’ of apathetic, self-seeking, uninformed, or angry majorities” unless it is well informed. It cannot make an informed decision if it its uninformed or misinformed. If those elected and trusted to undertake the leadership in Tradition Two fail in their duty to undertake delegated responsibility and authority, to offer the type of leadership outlined in Concept IX, to lead and inform the majority, then a power vacuum will be created the society of A.A. This power vacuum will inevitably be filled with an “even worse tyranny of very small minorities invested with absolute power.” In layman’s terms such a tyranny of very small minorities invested with absolute power, are called cults and dictatorships. The responsibility of leadership in Tradition Two and Concept IX rests with all those in the service structure, from group to Conference. This responsibility also rests with all AA members at group level with any length of continuous sobriety.
A.A. GB is “but a small part of a great whole” (Tradition One) it does not exist in isolation from the social forces affecting A.A. as a whole, nor does it exist in isolation from the social forces affecting society at large. There is an increasing body of evidence that cults in society are becoming more numerous and sophisticated in their coercive techniques.
Information concerning Alcoholics Anonymous can be found at the International Cultic Studies Association.
http://www.google.com/cse?cx=001799989780590661597%3A5b8gyda5z5a&ie=UTF8&q=alcoholics+anonymous&sa0=Search#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=alcoholics%20anonymous&gsc.page=1
The following information is provided by Janja Lalich (Associate Professor of sociology, California State University) in “Take Back Your Life, Recovering From Cults and Abusive Relationships”(a book co-authored with Madeleine Tobias):
“There are cults, for example, that focus their recruitment activities in drug-rehabilitation programs, Alcoholics Anonymous, and other twelve-step programs, as that milieu tends to be a ripe hunting ground for potential members.” (p91)
“In cases where alcohol or substance abuse was or is a problem, attending meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous may help. However, we caution you to proceed into the 12-step world with your eyes open and your antennae up. Despite its successes, this is an area rife with abuses and incompetencies. Hustlers use 12-step programs as a hunting ground for income and glory. Some counselors and group leaders are not credentialed. Some programs are fronts for cults. Even a well-meaning program may inadvertently promote long-term victimization. Although these groups are set up to reduce codependency, many participants become completely dependent on their 12-step meetings and friends.” (p194)
The increasing prevalence of cults in society at large and cult infiltration of AA by 12-step cults is an issue that AA as a whole cannot ignore. The appendices to the minority report identify a number of 12-step cults and their leaders which are operating in AA. There is evidence these organizations are operating in AA GB. This is not an issue outside AA GB, but one affecting AA as a whole.
The minority report 2012 was co-authored by a number of AA contributors residing in 5 intergroups in two regions in Great Britain . The Minority report 2013 and its appendices contain significantly more contributions representing a minority opinion covering the breadth and depth of AA as a whole, via regional and conference reports, AA Grapevine articles, forum posts, from Great Britain , USA , Canada , Israel and Australia . The report also draws on A.A. experience dating back to the meeting of AA’s co-founders. Neither the 2012 nor the 2013 reports originated as aacultwatch reports, but represent a minority opinion of AA members. This said I believe any AA member who is not now A.A. cult watching is failing in their responsibility and duty to protect A.A. They are also failing in their responsibility to protect society at large. As a contributor to the 2013 minority report and since the conference steering committee has absolved itself of the actual duty of presenting a minority report to Conference, I have sent the report to you as a matter of conscience. I hope you make the report available on your website. Though evidently not acceptable to Conference, some AA members may appreciate the information at group level.
A tyranny of very small minorities invested with absolute power can only rise in a society when there is timid or apathetic leadership in the majority. In Concept V the submission of a minority report exercises the traditional A.A. “Right of Appeal.” The concept states “Though in practice this will be a seldom exercised right, its existence will always tend to restrain those in authority from unjust uses of their power.” One such unjust use of power would be for those in authority to dumb down free speech, to bury reports, to remain silent, to look the other way, for fear of controversy or harassment from bullies (cult leaders) or simply for their own convenience. This attitude appears to be prevalent throughout the AA service structure in Great Britain . Another abuse of power would be to withhold information by “failure to render proper reports of any significant actions taken.” (Concept III). Here in these situations, the politicians in Concept IX come out to play while dictators (cult leaders) rise to power.
I am reminded of the words of Bill W.
“For fear of controversy, our leadership should not go timid when lively debate and forthright action is a necessity. And for fear of accumulating prestige and power, we should never fail to endow our trusted leaders with proper authority to act for us. Let us never fear needed change. Certainly we have to discriminate between changes for worse and changes for better. But once a need becomes clearly apparent in an individual, a group, or in AA as a whole, it has long since been found out that we cannot stand still and look the other way. The essence of all growth is a willingness to change for the better and then an unremitting willingness to shoulder whatever the responsibility.” (From “Responsibility Is Our Theme”, Bill W. AA Grapevine July 1965, The Language of the Heart p 334)
Finally, AA Group/ Intergroup Chairmen and committee members at all levels might benefit from taking note of articles 19 and 20 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights when debates are in session. Article 19: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”Article 20: “(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.”
http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml These principles, apparently so offensive to the ears of bullies (cult leaders) and some group and intergroup chairmen, are expressed in the AA Twelve Traditions and Twelve Concepts for World Service. These are now available online for any AA member who can be bothered to read them. They are not an optional extra to the Twelve Steps, but the second and third sides to the AA program.
The following information is provided by Janja Lalich (Associate Professor of sociology, California State University) in “Take Back Your Life, Recovering From Cults and Abusive Relationships”(a book co-authored with Madeleine Tobias):
“There are cults, for example, that focus their recruitment activities in drug-rehabilitation programs, Alcoholics Anonymous, and other twelve-step programs, as that milieu tends to be a ripe hunting ground for potential members.” (p91)
“In cases where alcohol or substance abuse was or is a problem, attending meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous may help. However, we caution you to proceed into the 12-step world with your eyes open and your antennae up. Despite its successes, this is an area rife with abuses and incompetencies. Hustlers use 12-step programs as a hunting ground for income and glory. Some counselors and group leaders are not credentialed. Some programs are fronts for cults. Even a well-meaning program may inadvertently promote long-term victimization. Although these groups are set up to reduce codependency, many participants become completely dependent on their 12-step meetings and friends.” (p194)
The increasing prevalence of cults in society at large and cult infiltration of AA by 12-step cults is an issue that AA as a whole cannot ignore. The appendices to the minority report identify a number of 12-step cults and their leaders which are operating in AA. There is evidence these organizations are operating in AA GB. This is not an issue outside AA GB, but one affecting AA as a whole.
The minority report 2012 was co-authored by a number of AA contributors residing in 5 intergroups in two regions in Great Britain . The Minority report 2013 and its appendices contain significantly more contributions representing a minority opinion covering the breadth and depth of AA as a whole, via regional and conference reports, AA Grapevine articles, forum posts, from Great Britain , USA , Canada , Israel and Australia . The report also draws on A.A. experience dating back to the meeting of AA’s co-founders. Neither the 2012 nor the 2013 reports originated as aacultwatch reports, but represent a minority opinion of AA members. This said I believe any AA member who is not now A.A. cult watching is failing in their responsibility and duty to protect A.A. They are also failing in their responsibility to protect society at large. As a contributor to the 2013 minority report and since the conference steering committee has absolved itself of the actual duty of presenting a minority report to Conference, I have sent the report to you as a matter of conscience. I hope you make the report available on your website. Though evidently not acceptable to Conference, some AA members may appreciate the information at group level.
A tyranny of very small minorities invested with absolute power can only rise in a society when there is timid or apathetic leadership in the majority. In Concept V the submission of a minority report exercises the traditional A.A. “Right of Appeal.” The concept states “Though in practice this will be a seldom exercised right, its existence will always tend to restrain those in authority from unjust uses of their power.” One such unjust use of power would be for those in authority to dumb down free speech, to bury reports, to remain silent, to look the other way, for fear of controversy or harassment from bullies (cult leaders) or simply for their own convenience. This attitude appears to be prevalent throughout the AA service structure in Great Britain . Another abuse of power would be to withhold information by “failure to render proper reports of any significant actions taken.” (Concept III). Here in these situations, the politicians in Concept IX come out to play while dictators (cult leaders) rise to power.
I am reminded of the words of Bill W.
“For fear of controversy, our leadership should not go timid when lively debate and forthright action is a necessity. And for fear of accumulating prestige and power, we should never fail to endow our trusted leaders with proper authority to act for us. Let us never fear needed change. Certainly we have to discriminate between changes for worse and changes for better. But once a need becomes clearly apparent in an individual, a group, or in AA as a whole, it has long since been found out that we cannot stand still and look the other way. The essence of all growth is a willingness to change for the better and then an unremitting willingness to shoulder whatever the responsibility.” (From “Responsibility Is Our Theme”, Bill W. AA Grapevine July 1965, The Language of the Heart p 334)
Finally, AA Group/ Intergroup Chairmen and committee members at all levels might benefit from taking note of articles 19 and 20 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights when debates are in session. Article 19: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”Article 20: “(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.”
http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml These principles, apparently so offensive to the ears of bullies (cult leaders) and some group and intergroup chairmen, are expressed in the AA Twelve Traditions and Twelve Concepts for World Service. These are now available online for any AA member who can be bothered to read them. They are not an optional extra to the Twelve Steps, but the second and third sides to the AA program.
The Twelve Concepts for World service: http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/en_bm-31.pdf
The
Twelve Traditions:
http://www.aa.org/twelveandtwelve/en_tableofcnt.cfm
The
Twelve Traditions (short form) The Twelve Traditions (long form): http://www.aa.org/bigbookonline/en_appendicei.cfm
Keep up the good work.
Yours sincerely, ….[name omitted]”
Comment: None required
Cheers
The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)
[Kindly note that the “I-Say” forum reference numbers in particular (eg. #x) are not a reliable citation guide due to the 'floating' design of the numbering system. However with a bit of ingenuity (which most AA members possess) and patience the relevant sections may be be found without too much trouble. Cult members, of course, can always ask their sponsors for directions!]
Keep up the good work.
Yours sincerely, ….[name omitted]”
Link:
AA Minority Report 2013
Comment: None required
Cheers
The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)
[Kindly note that the “I-Say” forum reference numbers in particular (eg. #x) are not a reliable citation guide due to the 'floating' design of the numbering system. However with a bit of ingenuity (which most AA members possess) and patience the relevant sections may be be found without too much trouble. Cult members, of course, can always ask their sponsors for directions!]
