62nd General Service Workshop Safety in A.A.: Our Common Welfare (April 2012)

The above document is cited as background material (see here) for one of the 2015 conference questions. Generally containing sensible guidance (apart from a tendency to state the 'bleeding' obvious') this document also illustrates how some of the the cult's pernicious philosophy is gradually insinuating itself into AA practice (most notably the cult obsession with sponsorship. And while we're on the subject what exactly is a “temporary” sponsor? Aren't they all? God forbid that you're stuck with a sponsor for eternity! That's got to be our idea of hell!). So, for example, we're told towards the end of page 2 (section 2) that apparently sponsorship leads to healthy people. 'Healthy' sponsorship may well contribute to others' well-being but the converse is equally true. Domineering, directive, dogmatic sponsorship leads to sponsees who either acquire equally bad habits and go on to promulgate them. or, alternatively, simply leave the fellowship for good believing that this form of abuse is the norm in AA. Moreover we are informed that there are different “styles” of sponsorship: “by example, guiding, directing etc” though the emphasis does seem to be on the former methods rather than the last. For our part we're unaware of any suggestion in ANY AA conference approved literature that the “directing” approach forms part of AA philosophy. On the other hand cult 'literature' constantly emphasises the 'necessity' of having a sponsor and doing EXACTLY what your sponsor says. According to the cult your sponsor should effectively be treated as your Higher Power (ignoring completely, of course, the guidance given in Tradition 12). Ironically, in this context, the workshop advises that sponsors “can also advise a sponsee when their behaviour is unacceptable.” We wonder how often this works in reverse? But now we come to one of the most widely circulated cult myths currently infesting AA: the so-called Twelve Promises. These are alluded to in the Big Book in the section where Step Nine is considered. In cult circles this is the point where seemingly a miraculous transformation takes place and the newcomer (up to this point considered a virtual 'basket case') is rendered a fully functioning autonomous human being (or what passes for such in cult circles). Thus, with respect to “new relationships” (sexual) these should not be engaged in “before getting through the Ninth Step”. Now we've never been at all clear as to what is precisely meant by “getting through the Ninth Step”. As you will all no doubt recall this step deals with making amends. “Getting through” sounds to us like finishing Step Nine. If that is the case then sorry folks – you'll be a long time waiting for your jollies! As far as we're aware nobody in the history of AA can ever have claimed to have finished Step Nine. A few moments thought should demonstrate why. Clearly this cult interpretation (apart from enforcing lifelong chastity upon those who aren't in existing sexual relationships) is intended to ensure that sponsees are kept well in check for ….well not quite eternity but certainly for a very, very long time – or at least until they finally crack and 'jump ship'! Evidently this Step Nine guidance is just plain daft!

On the other hand the document does go on to state that: “Sponsorship is not the matching of those who wish to dominate with those who want to be dominated. Don't tell sponsees what to do-share your experience, strength and hope. Sponsorship offers a guide to Step work and friendship.”

As we've said the article does contain some sensible advice although the authors seem to be unaware that there are gays in AA – hence the “same sex” advice hardly seems appropriate, and the emphasis on sexual predators is well founded but ignores other types of predatory conduct rampant within AA (eg. cult predators).

Finally the document makes reference to our “Primary Purpose” on a couple of occasions ie. staying off the 'sauce', but using capital initial letters. Nether the AA preamble nor the traditions use this form employing only lower case lettering in both instances. On the other hand the capitalised lettering is frequently used by the Primary Purpose movement which has similarly sought to spread its influence within the fellowship via so-called Big Book study groups, this outside organisation (with commercial links) communicating a similarly distorted message. Odd eh!

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)