Conference Questions (2013) forum discussion (contd)

Committee No. 2 

Question 1:

Share experience on getting articles on AA in the local press and make suggestions on how the Fellowship can get articles into the national press.

Background

1. Members are having some success on getting articles on AA in their local newspapers
2. The Fellowship has not succeeded so far in getting articles on AA in the national press.

[See also: The Traditions, Preamble and Concepts]

Extracts:

“ I would say the press articles are significant rather than interesting. The Washingtonian movement collapsed after getting a “black eye” from the public (The Language of the Heart, p 5). According to one estimate, numbers in the Washingtonian movement reached up to around 600,000 before the movement collapsed. AA is only around four times larger than the Washingtonian movement. The reason why AA has grown is down largely to the maintaining of positive public relations. I don’t think it is a pity that Guideline 19 precludes me from including links to the press articles. I think I have made my position clear and given reasons for it in the committee 6, question two topic. You can read them easily enough online by pasting the newspaper name and article title into your search engine. I suggest you read them. Here are a few quotes from a number of the articles:

“Some get turned off “when someone comes up to you as a new member of AA and tells you, ‘if you don’t find God, you’re going to die a drunk’,” “That rigidity is very religious, very intolerant and very hurtful to a number of recovering alcoholics who are looking for an avenue to get sober.” “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."

Perhaps the press articles might go some way to explain why one of the most frequent questions asked by professionals on the GSO (GB) website is: c) Is it a cult? (Information For Professionals, FAQs). Last Year I twelve stepped an alcoholic being detoxed on a hospital ward. The doctor referred him to several agencies for help after he was discharged, but not AA. I asked him if the doctor gave a reason. He said it was because the doctor thought AA is “unquantifiable.” ”

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

See also AA Minority Report 2013