From our correspondent:
"Dear AA cultwatch,......
Two months ago some male members from the group began expressing concerns that during Sunday fellowship a group claiming to be 'Back to Basics' where using very assertive canvassing and recruitment techniques to get
men on their program.
...... this group discuss, for example, that there is no need for a sponsor as it is not in the Big Book. All this of course occurred outside of an AA setting. Nevertheless I relayed my concerns, and those of the other men, to the all (apart from me) female committee.
In the last week, things have progressed to the point that Back to Basics are now using the same room that AA have their meetings in to host post meeting group sessions. My phone calls to GSO confirm that Back to Basics is not endorsed by AA. B2B has crossed the line and is becoming increasingly clear that men are no longer returning to Surrey st meetings as they feel B2B is not 'in the spirit of AA'.
B2B are subtle with their approach and never mention B2B when they share at either meeting. Please spread the word regarding Back to Basics and what is happening with AA in Croydon....." (edits to preserve anonymity)
Comment: Back to Basics has essentially been set up as Wally P's pension pot. It's a programme rip off that makes all sorts of claims to success rates (as yet unsubstantiated). It forms part of the Big Book recovery 'industry' where 'experts' of all shapes and sizes peddle their wares in the hope of making a few bucks (and massaging their already frail egos) on the side. But if you don't fancy the text based (overnight success 'guaranteed') approach then you can always opt to join the sponsor 'fetishists' (Road to Recovery, Joys of Recovery, Clancy I blah blah blah) club. Here you can happily dispense with the need to seek out a Higher Power .. one will be provided for you ... in the shape of yet another 'wise guy' (or gal .. let's not be sexist here!) who will happily organise your life for you .. No need to think for yourself or ask for God's guidance (if you're inclined that way). Just ring up your sponsor and they'll tell you ALL you need to know and do ... Or ...... you could just go along to a bog standard AA meeting, sit down, drink your beverage, munch on a biccie and listen to other people as they share their experience of getting and staying sober in the REAL world You might even chip in with a few thoughts yourself. And then you just go out and DO it! And guess what! That works as well! Who'd have thought it! It couldn't be that simple could it? Yep. It's just that simple....
Cheers
The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous .. and big fans of Keeping It Simple)
PS Thanks to our correspondent
...... this group discuss, for example, that there is no need for a sponsor as it is not in the Big Book. All this of course occurred outside of an AA setting. Nevertheless I relayed my concerns, and those of the other men, to the all (apart from me) female committee.
In the last week, things have progressed to the point that Back to Basics are now using the same room that AA have their meetings in to host post meeting group sessions. My phone calls to GSO confirm that Back to Basics is not endorsed by AA. B2B has crossed the line and is becoming increasingly clear that men are no longer returning to Surrey st meetings as they feel B2B is not 'in the spirit of AA'.
B2B are subtle with their approach and never mention B2B when they share at either meeting. Please spread the word regarding Back to Basics and what is happening with AA in Croydon....." (edits to preserve anonymity)
Comment: Back to Basics has essentially been set up as Wally P's pension pot. It's a programme rip off that makes all sorts of claims to success rates (as yet unsubstantiated). It forms part of the Big Book recovery 'industry' where 'experts' of all shapes and sizes peddle their wares in the hope of making a few bucks (and massaging their already frail egos) on the side. But if you don't fancy the text based (overnight success 'guaranteed') approach then you can always opt to join the sponsor 'fetishists' (Road to Recovery, Joys of Recovery, Clancy I blah blah blah) club. Here you can happily dispense with the need to seek out a Higher Power .. one will be provided for you ... in the shape of yet another 'wise guy' (or gal .. let's not be sexist here!) who will happily organise your life for you .. No need to think for yourself or ask for God's guidance (if you're inclined that way). Just ring up your sponsor and they'll tell you ALL you need to know and do ... Or ...... you could just go along to a bog standard AA meeting, sit down, drink your beverage, munch on a biccie and listen to other people as they share their experience of getting and staying sober in the REAL world You might even chip in with a few thoughts yourself. And then you just go out and DO it! And guess what! That works as well! Who'd have thought it! It couldn't be that simple could it? Yep. It's just that simple....
Cheers
The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous .. and big fans of Keeping It Simple)
PS Thanks to our correspondent
In the U.S. 'Back to Basics' groups have infiltrated legitimate intergroups. You can find them listed in real meeting schedules. I haven't heard of them specifically discouraging sponsorship. But they are the chief venue for the 'work the steps in 4 meetings' stuff...the 'Table Mate'/'Detroit Pamphlet' magic recipe.
ReplyDeleteMore cult pointy hat loonies..Its the eyes that give them away(along with the synchronised sharing)..got a similar bunch down in the Portsmouth area who's high priest of madness is a weirdo called "boxer frank"...rmour has it he's never boxed in his life!!...The usual pyramid scheme sponsorship..good old frank claims to have over 1000 sponsees bless him! But its the eyes...check them out...they have a very strange look..a mixture of fear and total madness! quite a scary bunch...avoid like toxic waste!
ReplyDeleteI recently did a chair at the Sunday Surrey street meeting. The main reason I agreed to do this was that two separate woman that I know had complained to me that they were being passively bullied by woman in this meeting. They were told if that did not agree to do certain things they could not be sponsored. Where is the love and tolerance. I think I know the author of the back to basics text above and he is as bad as the wally p brigade shouting at newcomers to be quiet all under the watchful eye of Mother superior D.
ReplyDeleteAll of these so called Recovered Alcoholics have one thing in common they go to Aylesford Priory and cry to God but hardly any of them genuinely smile, especially if you dont see there point of view.
Still we all have a journey so go within or go without.
Peace andLove to all