We quote:
“Hi,
Great initiative, …... recently arrived ….. in Denmark to [discover] "a vision for you" had a stronghold here....
As far as I can determine the Clancy-clan of the Pacific group had their philosophy migrating to an airbase somewhere in Germany. A Dane picked it up and brought it to Denmark. He is out drinking this day. It's terribly unloving. There are some pretty better-knowing narrow-minded people running their own show (the mens-only group will reject a woman desperately seeking a meeting and having 1K in the pot that they go away on a yearly weekend self-developing ; ripping my hair out).
Nice thing is: that apparently Finland had AA splitting into two separate organisations. Simply because the hardliners with a Vision for You got the boot.
How are you doing with them over there? Having our fellowship high- jacked by bigots is awful enough as it is. ( I can stay away) But watching people relapsing because of their weird rules is even worse.
All best regards, in fellowship
“Hi,
Great initiative, …... recently arrived ….. in Denmark to [discover] "a vision for you" had a stronghold here....
As far as I can determine the Clancy-clan of the Pacific group had their philosophy migrating to an airbase somewhere in Germany. A Dane picked it up and brought it to Denmark. He is out drinking this day. It's terribly unloving. There are some pretty better-knowing narrow-minded people running their own show (the mens-only group will reject a woman desperately seeking a meeting and having 1K in the pot that they go away on a yearly weekend self-developing ; ripping my hair out).
Nice thing is: that apparently Finland had AA splitting into two separate organisations. Simply because the hardliners with a Vision for You got the boot.
How are you doing with them over there? Having our fellowship high- jacked by bigots is awful enough as it is. ( I can stay away) But watching people relapsing because of their weird rules is even worse.
All best regards, in fellowship
…...”
Our response:
"Hi ….....,
Thank you for your mail. We haven't put much on the site about what is going on in continental Europe until recently so it's interesting to hear from you. We always appreciate as much detail as people can supply about their own experiences of 'cult' activity. Our own efforts are mainly concentrated on exposing them and providing AA members with as much information as possible so they can make their own decisions. Essentially what is happening is that AA is beginning to split into factions in the UK with the 'dogmatists' going in one direction and the remainder of the fellowship in the other. Their hardline attitude simply drives newcomers away. In the long run if AA does not take action then the fellowship will simply disintegrate. Membership numbers are falling in the UK [down to 20,000 'regular' members - AA's own estimate] (but see *) and this is a trend we expect to see continue (not all due to cult activity we should say!). Nevertheless we remain optimistic that members will finally face up to what is going on and start to take the issue seriously - and act!"
(our edits)
Cheerio
The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)
PS Our thanks to our correspondent. Any further information would be welcome!
* Error - this figure refers only to a sample of groups. See here
Our response:
"Hi ….....,
Thank you for your mail. We haven't put much on the site about what is going on in continental Europe until recently so it's interesting to hear from you. We always appreciate as much detail as people can supply about their own experiences of 'cult' activity. Our own efforts are mainly concentrated on exposing them and providing AA members with as much information as possible so they can make their own decisions. Essentially what is happening is that AA is beginning to split into factions in the UK with the 'dogmatists' going in one direction and the remainder of the fellowship in the other. Their hardline attitude simply drives newcomers away. In the long run if AA does not take action then the fellowship will simply disintegrate. Membership numbers are falling in the UK [down to 20,000 'regular' members - AA's own estimate] (but see *) and this is a trend we expect to see continue (not all due to cult activity we should say!). Nevertheless we remain optimistic that members will finally face up to what is going on and start to take the issue seriously - and act!"
(our edits)
Cheerio
The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)
PS Our thanks to our correspondent. Any further information would be welcome!
* Error - this figure refers only to a sample of groups. See here
