The AA Preamble – contd

Here it is:

“Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions.

AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organisation or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.”

(our emphasis)

From the above it may be seen that AA forms NO affiliations or alliances with ANY of these organisational categories (which would, of course, include Alanon and Alateen – no exemptions are indicated here)

According to AA traditions:

“6.—Problems of money, property, and authority may easily divert us from our primary spiritual aim. We think, therefore, that any considerable property of genuine use to A.A. should be separately incorporated and managed, thus dividing the material from the spiritual. An A.A. group, as such, should never go into business. Secondary aids to A.A., such as clubs or hospitals which require much property or administration, ought to be incorporated and so set apart that, if necessary, they can be freely discarded by the groups. Hence such facilities ought not to use the A.A. name. Their management should be the sole responsibility of those people who financially support them. For clubs, A.A. managers are usually preferred. But hospitals, as well as other places of recuperation, ought to be well outside A.A.—and medically supervised. While an A.A. group may cooperate with anyone, such cooperation ought never go so far as affiliation or endorsement, actual or implied. An A.A. group can bind itself to no one.”

(our emphasis)

Again it may be seen from the above that AA (and its constituent groups) does not associate itself with any organisation either explicitly or implicitly.

Further:

“10.—No A.A. group or member should ever, in such a way as to implicate A.A., express any opinion on outside controversial issues—particularly those of politics, alcohol reform, or sectarian religion. The Alcoholics Anonymous groups oppose no one. Concerning such matters they can express no views whatever.”

From this it is quite clear that AA members are free to express their views on any subject they wish (including the conduct of the fellowship) and in any forum they wish subject only to the above proviso. Moreover the argument of 'no controversy' (so frequently deployed by those who wish to shut down all debate within AA) applies only to “outside controversial issues” eg. politics, alcohol reform, or sectarian religion. With regard to 'inside' controversial issues ie. those relating to newcomer abuse, sexual exploitation etc these are (and indeed should be) entirely appropriate subjects for discussion (and action). For our part we are fervent exponents of the notion that 'dirty linen' should be thoroughly exposed to full public scrutiny. This may appear rather unseemly but tends to have an accelerative effect on reform ie. it gets dealt with so much more rapidly!

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

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