Re: Surrey St Sunday meeting (Croydon)

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

Cult meeting notice

More details (not mentioned on the AA website): the group is part of the Road to Recovery franchise ... Sharing MUST centre on sponsorship .. remember in the cult the Higher Power IS your sponsor ..oh! ... nearly forgot! No FUCKING swearing permitted!

What a load of bollocks!

The Fellas (Frigging Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS For other cults in AA check out Primary Purpose and Back to Basics (the latter a nice little earner!)

Hope for the Primary Purpose/Back to Basics Movement at Last

“TWELVE STEP RECOVERY PROCESS FOR LECTUREHOLICS”

by Emily Jensen, Associate Professor of English, Instructional Development Consultant Hartford Community College and Neil Davidson, Professor of Curriculum and Instruction University of Maryland. (College Teaching, 45(3), 102-103, Heldref Publications)

Comment: An excellent and informative article on what works and what doesn't. Our thanks to the AA member who drew this to our attention - Beware of meetings with a podium and neat rows of chairs!

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS See also Primary Purpose/Back to Basics

“Hard core” Back to Basics

Flier seen at meeting:

Our correspondent (US) kindly included a quote from Bill W (Responsibility Is Our Theme; The Language of the Heart, p 333; AA Grapevine July 1965)

"It is an historical fact that practically all groupings of men and women tend to become more dogmatic; their beliefs and practices harden and sometimes freeze ... But dogma has its liabilities. Simply because we have convictions that work well for us, it becomes very easy to assume that we have all the truth. Whenever this brand of arrogance develops, we are certain to become aggressive; we demand agreement with us; we play God. This isn't good dogma; it's very bad dogma. It could be especially destructive for us of AA to indulge in this sort of thing. Newcomers are approaching AA at the rate of tens of thousands yearly. They represent almost every belief and attitude imaginable. We have atheists and agnostics. We have people of nearly every race, culture and religion. In AA we are supposed to be bound together in the kinship of a common suffering. Consequently, the full individual liberty to practice any creed or principle or therapy whatever should be a first consideration for us all."

For a development of this theme see White, W., and Kurtz, E. (2010). A message of tolerance and celebration: The portrayal of multiple pathways of recovery in the writings of Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder Bill Wilson

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our thanks to our correspondent

See also:

AA Recovery rates
Primary Purpose/Back to Basics
Minority Report 2013

An Enquiry into Primary Purpose and Back to Basics AA Groups

A useful analysis on how corrupt practice has been introduced into AA via these two 'vectors'

See here

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

Cults and A.A. Conventions

An A.A. member’s escape from the clutches of a cult… 


“The Recovery Alliance Inc. (RAI), bills itself as a self-help organization dedicated to the advancement of recovery for what the group refers to as “obsessive-compulsive” persons, such as alcoholics, compulsive eaters, and compulsive gamblers. RAI practices the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), but claims to do it in a way that is more “pure” than AA and other “Anonymous” fellowships. RAI believes that the 12-step programs have been watered down over the years and no longer practice the true program of recovery as it was intended by its founders.

RAI is structured as a non-profit organization, with a board of directors and an organizational charter. Although the board elects a chairman, all the members’ activities, beliefs, and direction evolve from the founding member, Donald Gilroy. Gilroy teaches that the “illness” that members are recovering from is centered in selfishness and self-centeredness. To recover, members must commit their lives to selfless self-sacrifice. They are subjected to, among other things, rigorous and tiresome fund-raising, schedules, public humiliation, rigidly controlled diets, and other abusive conduct.

I wrote the following letter to RAI members two years after leaving the group.

March 7, 1992

Hi!

This week has marked two years since I left the Recovery Alliance, Inc. (RAI). I am writing this letter just to let you know what it’s like on this side. I have so much to say that I could go on for pages, but I will try to keep this as brief as possible.

I have seen you guys several times – fund-raising, of course. I saw you selling T-shirts in Seattle and raffle tickets at the Durham Fair. I have seen you at car shows, department stores, and at the fireworks. My first reaction when I see you is repulsion, but it is quickly followed by sorrow. I know what it is like for you, since you are all victims (yes victims do exist), just as I was.

It is interesting what I am able to see now that I couldn’t see then. For as long as I was there I knew that I was unhappy, but I was told that the problem was with my recovery, not my environment.

I remember making the decision to leave. It was like all of a sudden being struck with a bolt of sanity. I’m sure you all think it was because I had a boyfriend. Well, I made my decision a couple of months before I met him. After having been placed on probation, I remember standing in my room and thinking, “I can’t do this anymore. I want to leave.” It was not the first time I had ever had that thought, but this time it was different. This time it was followed by another thought, which was “I don’t care what the consequences will be.” As you observed, I made no attempt to meet the terms of my probation.

When I first left, I was quite confused. Fortunately, I quickly got help from some professionals who have experience with working with former members of RAI and other similarly destructive groups. They helped me see the insanity of the situation. The loss of freethinking. The emotional, sexual, and spiritual abuse we were all suffering. The psychopathology of Donald. I was helped by some books – Combatting Cult Mind Control by Steve Hassan and People of the Lie by Scot Peck.

Well, the consequences of my leaving were nothing like I expected. What am I like today? I’m basically a happy person. I have a good job in my field with a Fortune 500 company. I have a nice apartment (yes, with off-street parking) and a decent car. I have a handful of close friends and many acquaintances. Most of my friends are in 12-step programs, but some aren’t. I have good relationships with my family.

Most of all I have freedom. I probably average three AA meetings a week – sometimes more, sometimes less. If I’m tired or just don’t feel like going to a meeting, I stay home. Or I go somewhere else. I keep busy, but make time for myself too. I clean my apartment every week. I just finished reading a 1,000 page novel. On weekends I frequently get together with friends and go dancing, hiking, or on day trips. I have dated several guys in the last two years, and have had a couple of steady relationship, too.

How’s my relationship with God? Fine. I worship the god of my own understanding.

I am not overweight, nor am I underweight. I eat two or three meals a day, and sometimes, if I feel like it, I have a snack in between.

I am able to express whatever is on my mind, and I don’t have to follow any formula. I attend fairs and festivals as a participant, not as a vendor. I attend AA conventions as an AA member, not as a vendor – and not as a person with superior knowledge.

Not a Friday has gone by when I haven’t come home from a long work week and said to myself, “Thank God I don’t have to go to that awful meeting.”

I feel sorry for other former members who haven’t received the help they need. Many of them end up with tremendous guilt as a result of RAI’s teachings. Some have joined other destructive groups. One has died. Fortunately, however, most of us have been helped by the proper professionals and have been able to live happy lives.

I wish you all the best, and hope that you will soon realize the amount of control and deception taking place in your surroundings.

Sincerely,

Holly”

(Extract from “Captive Hearts, Captive Minds –Freedom and Recovery from Cults and Abusive Relationships” (Hunter House, 1994) pp. 8-10 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captive_Hearts,_Captive_Minds 

Comment: A book by one of the world's leading cult experts, J. Lalich, Professor of Sociology at California State University. Forward by M. Langone, Executive Director of the International Cul;tic Studies Association (ICSA)  http://www.icsahome.com/home  So, read all about it, cults have been targeting A.A. for some time.  Like the Primary Purpose cult, Back to Basics mob, Clancy I and the Pacific Group, RAI replays the same record, albeit stuck in a groove… “RAI practices the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), but claims to do it in a way that is more “pure” than AA and other “Anonymous” fellowships. RAI believes that the 12-step programs have been watered down over the years and no longer practice the true program of recovery as it was intended by its founders...” … Blah, blah, blah…

Watch out for those T-shirt vendors and lecturers at A.A. conventions - they may be victims in need of specialist counselling!

Cheerio, 

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

An Enquiry into Primary Purpose and Back to Basic AA Groups

See here

Extract:

“Primary Purpose internet links and other links to Back to Basics

A network of loosely linked Primary Purpose websites, hosted by individuals and groups now exists on the internet. This provides the international communication of Primary Purpose related articles, discussions, the sale of Primary Purpose/ Back to Basics related literature, website donations and links to other organisations. The Internet communication also facilitates the formation of affiliated AA groups; and the arrangement of seminars and conventions with international speakers, which can be arranged independently of local AA intergroups(5). The website network has become a separate “virtual” group conscience to that of AA.

Due to the subtle website links, some individuals and groups may be unaware that they have become part of the alternate group conscience and the implications this has regarding AA Traditions.”

Comment: An extremely useful and well-researched article (although we wouldn't refer to them as AA groups since they are by their nature outside organisations with their own Where to Finds, literature, financing together with their own outside affiliations etc). Unfortunately many of the links which appear in the research are no longer 'live' (a frequent occurrence on the internet). However their new locations may be found with a bit of judicious research

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

Back to Basics=Wally P= terminal boredom!

Every now and then we get an email from a Back to Basic's apologist giving us yet another history lesson (which version?) about AA, and the antecedents of the aforementioned Wally's unique take on the recovery programme. Again we are informed how badly AA is faring and how mislead we all are. Once again the same old entirely inaccurate quotes about AA recovery rates are rolled out (this happens with such mind-numbing regularity that we don't even bother to cite the corrective passage in the Big Book in response to these idiots anymore). According to this latest missive it's all Bill Wilson's fault! Apparently (or so our recovery 'expert' informs us) the rot set in with the publication of the “12 Steps and 12 Traditions” (authored by the infamous Bill Wilson, destroyer of AA). Thereafter we all became hell-bent (or so we're told) on stopping newcomers from doing the steps (or at least delaying them) instead of belting them through in double-fast time. The fact that they'll probably be as clueless at the end of the process as they were at the beginning is neither here nor there. So our SUGGESTION to all you recovery 'gurus' out there (and you do seem to be multiplying) is invest some of your not-so-hard-earned money from the sales of your dubious literature and buy some specs! That way you might overcome your congenital eye defects, which can be the only possible explanation for your inability to grasp some really REALLY 'basic' facts. Or perhaps you fall into that category of being “constitutionally incapable”. Or then again maybe you're just plain thick! Who can say!

For an analysis of the Back to Basics/Primary Purpose scam see: An Enquiry into Primary Purpose and Back to Basics AA Groups 

For an exhaustive, properly researched and ACCURATE presentation on AA recovery rates see: Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Recovery Outcome Rates - Contemporary Myth and Misinterpretation 

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Coming soon! (drum roll followed by wild applause). Our very own slightly irreverent and even occasionally critical commentary of the Big Book (in serialised form)! Everything will be given the 'once-over' (unlike, for example, Joe and Charlie who just leave out anything they don't agree with). We will quite naturally be charging you vast sums of money for the privilege of being on the receiving end of our penetrative insights – NOT! We will also be producing a wide selection of very expensive supporting literature (work sheets, flashy brochures, commentaries on our commentaries, CDs, DVDs, mpegs, jpegs, clothing pegs etc) together with all manner of novelty toys, badges, jewellery, deodorants, baseball caps and anything else we can think of to part you from your cash – NOT! Members of the team will also be available personally to take anyone with enough 'readies' through the recovery programme – NOT! Alternatively speakers can be provided for events GRATIS (subject to the usual provisions: first class food and accommodation, first class travel, first class groupies etc). Send email for details on dressing room requirements!! These alone will be spectacularly exorbitant! - NOT!

Back to Basics/Primary Purpose

Extracts from the aacultwatch forum (old):

“In this USA area, about 2 1/2 years ago in 2008, a Yellow cover book - "Back to Basics " by Wally P.,   began to be passed around; soon many were buying it and some malcontented people from a few AA groups  began to gather to discuss the book.  They were generally outspoken and not received well by AA groups and the strong opposition seemed to bond the malcontents to each other.  They had a fixed idea of how the 12 steps should be done, an out of balance view of AA history and statistics.  Like claiming that AA once had 75% success rate; and futher claimed AA lost that sucess rate when AA became organized! 

The movement has grown more active and now "seeds"  meetings and discussion rooms with individuals who push their views.  Now, there seems to be an organized effort for 6 to 10 "Back to Basics" people to meet before a target meeting - they split up a few small groups - go to various tables or each Meeting Room and steer discussions into issues which give them a format to present half truths and their "sprituality" claims. 

Many of us "regular" AA people are concerned.  It seems to me that your experiences are similar and may be repeated here in this USA area.  I found your "Cultwatch" site on the Bing search engine.  The information is valuable and appreciated by me and I have passed the web address on to a DCM friend.” 

“Hi …....., you have given an a description of a couple of groups which started in my area in the UK a couple of years ago, though they are linked to Primary Purpose, they make similar distorted claims on statistics, preach "the first one hundred" this, the "Big Book authors" that; and make a big point that they are " recoverED." They also targeted other meetings in a similar way, which did not go down well especially when these groups also received the fallout of confused newcomers and complaints. There are 3 aabacktobasics groups in the UK, 2 in Scotland and one on the South Coast.

Leaving aside for a moment that aabacktobasics is a parasitic organisation riding on the back of AA, sucking finance and service time away from the AA World Service structure, the website and stuff on You-tube looks relatively harmless on the surface until you look closely at what's underneath. The content in the yellow books is disturbing. There is a clever manipulation of AA history and statistics, using selected bits of archive material, which meticulously removes all of the balanced viewpoints found in the official AA history. This leaves the reader with the impression the AA groups in the 1940s were following the Oxford Group absolutes. No mention that the earliest AA groups rejected these absolutes and split from the Oxford Group between 1937 and 1940. They say the most convincing lies are the ones laced with truth. I'm sure it will fool a lot of people who have little knowledge of official AA history.

The terminology in the yellow books is the opposite of AA and one of control, obligation and expectation on the newcomer. Before he has a chance to properly de-fog from alcohol and decide for himself whether he is an alcoholic, the newcomer is expected to start doing the steps, including a moral inventory of himself with his assigned sponsor. (No mention of the choice of being able to do this with someone outside AA, such as a clergyman or psychologist, as suggested in chapter 6 of the Big Book.) Then he is expected to sponsor another newcomer through the process after 4 weeks.

The defined guidance from "two-way prayer" is also disconcerting and of a type warned against in step 11. Thoughts (from God?) are written down, shared with others, rationalised and to be obeyed. It looks like a cult to me, complete with a figurehead as leader, Wally P; no doubt the executive director of the "not for profit" foundation and publishing company enjoys a very good salary.

Here is some online information which you might find helpful. It might be good idea to remind your intergroup public information committee of this line in Concept 12, warranty five: "Whenever and however we can, we shall need to inform the general public also; especially upon misuses of the name Alcoholics Anonymous."

http://www.aabacktobasics.org/

http://www.aabacktobasics.org/Faith%20With%20Works%20Pub%20Co/index.html

Independent competitive Public relations to AA:
http://www.aabacktobasics.org/New-Court%20Ordered%20Back%20to%20Basics.html

http://www.aabacktobasics.org/Faith%20With%20Works%20Pub%20Co/New-Houck-Richmond-602.html

Independent competitive fundraising to AA, Back to Basics foundation:

http://www.aabacktobasics.org/foundationpledge.htm

Independent competitive literature and merchandise to AA;

http://easycart.net/FaithWithWorksPublishingCo./12_Step_Bookstore_Discounts.html"

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS To use “comment” system simply click on the relevant tab below this article and sign in. All comments go through a moderation stage

PPS For new aacultwatch forum see here. Have your say!

Primary Purpose/Back to Basics

See here

Extract:

“A loosely connected international network of websites has created a “virtual” Primary Purpose intergroup, facilitating the global communication of an ideology and a cause which comes from literature and website sources outside of AA. This website network has enabled the formation of affiliated AA groups in at least eleven countries, by like minded AA members who share this ideology and cause. This cause appears to be the introduction of Oxford Group principles and methods, which were criticised by Bill W. as not being inclusive to all alcoholics; and to teach an interpretation of the AA programme, sourced from outside of the group conscience of AA.”

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

Primary Purpose and Back to Basics

See here

AA Back to Basics

A tip-off to all London intergroups via the unofficial grapevine

Coming up soon….

‘The Messiah Complex World Tour’…

‘Undiluted’ Cult Workshop

Kingston United Reformed Church
Richard Mayo Centre
Eden Street
Kingston Upon Thames, KT1 1HZ

March 7- 9, 2014

Details of the world tour: http://www.aabacktobasics.org/

And a flyer for the Kingston event….

Yep, Wally P’s back on stage in 2014, with his brand new “Messiah Complex World Tour’’ coming to London in March with the ‘UNDILUTED’ show in Kingston. (Not be confused with Russell Brand’s ‘The Messiah Complex World Tour’ at the O2 Academy, Brixton, 9^th March, 2014). Like Wally, comedian Russell Brand is also back on stage with his brand new show -- "Messiah Complex". (A 'Messiah Complex' is a mental disorder where the sufferer thinks they might be God, and we think the show’s going to be hilarious) Now then, here’s a coincidence - Two ‘Messiah Complex’ comedy shows coming to town in one weekend! - an act of Providence even?  For details of the Russell Brand show see below.

With Wally P’s double act however, there’s the serious downside to any hilarity generated. AA groups in the UK may need to brace themselves for a fresh infiltration of hyped up cocaine addicts/ alcoholics infected with the ‘Wally Messiah Complex’, followed by a mass exodus of alcoholics to Rational Recovery. Symptoms of those so afflicted may be recognised by overt displays of “double think,” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doublethink and “duckspeak.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Newspeak_words The worst infected cases may also exude a vociferous harping back to the Oxford Group’s successful 75% failure in sobering up alcoholics - a classic example of the contradictory terms typically ejaculated in “duckspeak.”

Here’s a little insight into how the double-thinking, duck-speaking, Wally cult complex works in the USA, (an AA member’s post on our aacultwatch forum

(‘Back to Basics Movement’ thread, 22/02/11)

“In this USA area, about 2 1/2 years ago in 2008, a Yellow cover book - "Back to Basics " by Wally P., began to be passed around; soon many were buying it and some malcontented people from a few AA groups began to gather to discuss the book. They were generally outspoken and not recieved well by AA groups and the strong opposition seemed to bond the malcontents to each other. They had a fixed idea of how the 12 steps should be done, an out of balance view of AA history and statistics. Like claiming that AA once had 75% success rate; and futher claimed AA lost that sucess rate when AA became organized!

The movement has grown more active and now "seeds" meetings and discussion rooms with individuals who push thier views. Now, there seems to be an organized effort for 6 to 10 "Back to Basics" people to meet before a target meeting - they split up a few small groups - go to various tables or each Meeting Room and steer discussions into issues which give them a format to present half truths and thier "sprituality" claims.

Many of us "regular" AA people are concerned. It seems to me that your experiences are similar and may be repeated here in this USA area. I found your "Cultwatch" site on the Bing search engine. The information is valuable and appreciated by me and I have passed the web address on to a DCM friend.”

(Not anonymous) cult leader Wally Paton (pictured on left, with side kick) in Dallas, 12/7/01. (Photo Courtesy of Wally’s Faith With Works Publishing Company) http://www.aabacktobasics.org/Faith%20With%20Works%20Pub%20Co/index.html 

Comment: Our usual thanks to the AA member who alerted us to this cocaine addict’s enterprising event. Wally P’s Back to Basics, is a multi purpose 12 Step cult - not to be confused with Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous.

Of course, the twisting of history through an educational programme in which certain historical facts are selectively chosen whilst others are carefully erased, in order to present a half truth which is then laced with a few lies, is not a new idea. It is a well known method of millieu control http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milieu_control used by politicians, conmen, bankers, insurance brokers, cult leaders and totalitarian regimes, in order to control the masses. As George Orwell once wrote,

“…And if all others accepted the lie which the Party imposed – if all records told the same tale – then the lie passed into history and became truth. ‘Who controls the past,’ ran the Party slogan, ‘controls the future: who controls the present controls the past.’ And yet the past, though of its nature alterable, never had been altered. Whatever was true now was true from everlasting to everlasting. It was quite simple. All that was needed was an unending series of victories over your own memory. ‘Reality control’, they called it: in Newspeak, doublethink.” - George Orwell, (Nineteen Eighty-Four, part I, chapter III)

Since we’re still happily living in the uncontrolled reality of ‘oldspeak,’ our memories remind us of a number of things, too many in fact, to put on the blog all in one go. So we’ve decided to run a series of “Back to Basics Specials” between now and March 2014. In the mean time though, why not get back to basics and ponder the undiluted (or should we say uncensored) ‘oldspeak’ of the AA Co-founders in 1939 and 1940, as they appear in AA Conference Approved literature?

“Have definitely shaken off the shackles of the Oxford Group.” –Dr. Bob, 2^nd January 1940 (Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers p. 218)

“1. The principle of aggressive evangelism so prominent as an Oxford Group attitude had to be dropped in order to get any result with alcoholics. Experience showed that this principle, which may have been absolutely vital to the success of the Oxford Group, would seldom touch neurotics of our hue.” …. ….“3. The principles of honesty, purity, unselfishness, and love are as much a goal for A.A. members and are as much practiced by them as by any other group of people; yet we found that when the word ‘absolute’ was put in front of these atttributes, they either turned people away by the hundreds or gave a temporary spiritual inflation resulting in collapse.” “4. It was discovered that all forms of coercion, both direct, and indirect, had to be dropped….” –Bill W., 30^th October 1940. (Extracts, Pass It On p.172)

After you’ve had time to ponder, we also suggest taking a tip out of the undiluted Big Book p.102 http://www.aa.org/bigbookonline/en_bigbook_chapt7.pdf (the page we havent seen quoted by Wally) Then plan to pop along to one of the legitimate (non cult) social events to be held in London on the weekend, March 7- 9, 2014. There’s lots to choose from, but heres a few suggestions.

Russell Brand: “The Messiah Complex World Tour” 9th March 2014, O2 Academy Brixton

http://www.o2academybrixton.co.uk/event/59340/russell-brand-messiah-complex-world-tour-tickets

Ellie Goulding

9th March 2014, The O2, theo2.co.uk 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NKUpo_xKyQ

Mark Thomas: “100 Acts of Minor Dissent”

8th Mar 2014, Leicester Square Theatre  http://www.londondrum.com/events/?p=21492

The Stranglers

8th Mar 2014, Hammersmith Apollo http://www.londondrum.com/events/?p=23505 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnWVCWNnkQE

Verdi’s “Rigoletto”

7th Mar 2014, London Coliseum

http://www.londondrum.com/events/?p=22296

Might see you at the O2 Academy, we’re going to have a fun weekend!

Cheerio,

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

P.S. If any of these entertainments don’t grab your fancy, you could always nip along to the “most sordid spot on earth” (Big Book p. 102) - We’ll leave that one to your imagination! Or you can see more of Wally P. for free in AA Minority Report 2013. Click here

aacultwatch forum

Extract from our forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/aacultwatch under “Inverness 12 Step Group”

“Hi I recently visited Inverness a few weeks ago was speaking to a few of the members up there. There seems to be a Back To Basics group which there has been discontent with other groups and also Intergroup. The group started of as a Back To Basics Group but [because] off all the controversy decided to change their name to Inverness 12 Step recovery group. But they still have the same format and scripts as they had before. I think this group should be added to the list. “

“Thanks …..., I agree with what you say, but I also think these groups ought to be de-listed by the intergroup and GSO as well. Part of the problem is lack of information. You can find a bit of info on the AA Grapevine "What's on Your Mind Forum", Traditions section http://www.aagrapevine.org/forums/i-say-forum (It was a while ago now so you'll need to keep turning the pages until you get to the Back to Basics discussion). The AA Minority Report on the top of the aacultwatch blog http://aacultwatch.blogspot.co.uk/p/aa-minority-report.html also gives some info in Appendix 1C Wally P. The other part of the problem is AA doesn't appear to have much in the way of communication within the fellowship when it comes to this sort of thing, but I suppose it is the first time in history that AA has had to deal with globally spread cults.”

(minor edits)

Comment: Switching names (or re-branding) isn't quite going to fool anyone is it? Something rather more substantial is going to have to change! 

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

The Big Book Study Movement

Final Report: Leinster (Eire) Intergroup Sub-Committee (September 2008)

Source: Alcoholics Anonymous General Service Conference of Ireland

Alcoholics Anonymous News Sheet – update – Dec 2008/Jan 2009

Extracts:

“No group or individual should deem themselves an authority on how to interpret the Big Book on behalf of others. The steps are suggested and experienced sponsors are wise enough not to give newcomers hard and fast directives. There are no authorities in AA and even self-appointed teachers have “feet of clay”.

“Our knowledge of recovery has been received in the Fellowship through the experience of one Alcoholic sharing with another Alcoholic and it was not received on an instructive basis or in a classroom atmosphere”.

“Many times we have heard an argument supported with one part of a tradition whilst the second part is completely ignored. This phenomenon seems to occur, quite often, in Tradition 4. “Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or AA as a whole. Autonomy seems to be used as an argument, to explain or defend, why a group ought to do what a certain member wants it to do”.

“Sponsorship

In AA sponsor and sponsored meet as equals, just as Bill and Dr Bob did”.

“The Internet and Website

Conference, (a collective Group Conscience of all the Groups in Ireland, both North and South) requested that there be only one website for Alcoholics Anonymous in Ireland and that the Groups, if they chose, would list the times, dates and places of meetings, as in the Directory, without the contact names and phone numbers, in the interest of unity. Conference felt that if Groups started to host their own websites [eg. The Road to Recovery (cult) group Plymouth], it might create competition between them and would dilute the very purpose of what was intended, which is simply to inform the public and their members, of where and when meeting [sic] are held”.

And finally:

“Tradition 5 …..The unique ability of each AA to to identify himself with and bring recovery to the newcomer in no way depends upon his learning, eloquence or any special individual skills”.

(our emphases – in bold print)

Comment: As we've said before (see The Big Book Study Movement is outside of the Structure of Alcoholics Anonymous In Ireland) the General Service Conference of Ireland seems to be light years ahead of its GB equivalent. They have identified the problem, discussed it and evolved a clear strategy to deal with the issues raised. What a contrast they are with Great Britain's service structure which seems barely able to acknowledge that a problem exists at all let alone begin to respond to it! Ostrich-like they bury their heads in the sand in the hope that these dogmatists will just go away (see Minority Report 2013 and Primary Purpose/Back to Basics). We repeat our previous question to our “trusted servants” (??): Precisely how many newcomers have to suffer and die before clear action is taken to exclude these meetings (Primary Purpose, Back to Basics, Visions) from our fellowship? How long are AA members going to continue to inflate the egos (and the pocket books) of the sundry circuit speakers, Big Book 'experts' and other parasites by subscribing to their so-called 'workshops' and assorted 'study guides' together with all the other accessory junk they produce? In fact just when is “I AM RESPONSIBLE” going to be something more than a mere form of words to be mouthed meaninglessly at AA meetings?

Over to you

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our thanks to the member who obtained a copy of the newsletter from GSO Ireland

First the 12 Steps – then the 6 Suggestions – now the 7 Questions....

What next! First we had the 12 Steps …. then the 6 Suggestions (c/o the cult) ...... now the 7 Questions (according to the Wizard of Oz .. the artist formerly known as Clancy I)......


We came across this listing fairly recently (together with a gushing tribute from one of his adherents). The formulation is in itself unremarkable (and we're not going to repeat it here for that reason) simply reflecting a restatement of what is already covered quite adequately in existing AA (conference approved) literature (the Steps, Just for Today card etc). However what is of interest are the accompanying comments.


According to the commentator at least this approach is particularly helpful for “hardcore cases” (?) some of whom it appears have even been “referred” to the aforementioned Wizard! Moreover it has been “discovered that they are very effective when dealing with rock-bottom newcomers and with the high-bottom intellectual types” (are there any other kind?) and even “oldtimers who were struggling through a difficult period” (that seems to cover pretty well everyone then!)


So far so good (if not demonstrating a rather overenthusiastic tendency towards placing people in categories … so much easier than relating to them directly!). The 'fan' then goes on to specify further conditions:


“I never give the newcomer the questions without also setting a time for them to complete their writing. Normally, I’ll give them the questions and expect them to be finished with their writing by the next day, and I’ll have them call me so that we can get together and discuss their answers and apply the solution to their problems.”


It is unclear whether this too forms part of the Wizard's method but we suspect so given his reputation. However the apparent contradiction to this accelerated process demonstrates itself clearly at this point especially if one takes into account the concluding comments (and yet more conditions!):


“If the newcomer procrastinates and doesn’t meet the deadline for the questions I usually consider that they are not yet serious enough to approach their problem and I move on to help someone else.”


Now of course it could be argued that given the nature of the questions themselves the proposed time schedule is far too optimistic. If in fact the newcomer is serious about their recovery then they would probably require a lot more time to consider fully the implications of the questions, introspect accordingly, and then formulate their responses in a considered and reflective fashion. In light of this an overnight “cramming session” hardly suffices. What seems to be more important, or at least from the perspective outlined above, is that they conform to some rather arbitrarily determined schedule set by the 'examiner' (as these appear to be). Moreover the issue as to whether the newcomer is procrastinating seems to revolve around whether they meet the “deadline” imposed on them or not, and where failure implies instant dismissal. This mechanistic approach should be contrasted with that exemplified in the book “Alcoholics Anonymous” (Chapter 7, Working with Others) where there could not be discovered a greater antithesis. Throughout the text it is again and again emphasised that the “prospect” should not feel under any pressure, and be encouraged rather to take the lead than be treated as if they were some kind of errant school child. Unfortunately for the control freaks in our midst (and we include the above) this approach simply will not do! Whatever formulation you come across whether it be the Joe and Charlie so-called “Big Book Study” (where Chapter 7 is virtually ignored), the 'Dallas Cowboys' (aka Primary Purpose), the Back to Basics gang (see Primary Purpose link), the Visions mob (aka Road to Recovery, Joys of Recovery), all place the emphasis on 'control' by some kind of human authority rather than reliance on a Higher Power (one that is probably NOT human). The agenda is set by the 'controller', the outcome is 'dictated', and failure to 'comply' is punished with a range of sanctions. Finally the 'object' of their 'message' is generally treated thus rather than as a real human being - and disposed of accordingly!


For our part though we think we'll stick with the original method – a couple of alkies just trying to help each other! No deals.. no contract!


Cheers


The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

The Four Absolutes

Extract:

“I have no doubt that David C was the author of the sexual conduct section, and the recommended reading list, and indeed much of the rest of the document as well. It is in his distinctive cold mechanical style and has his "spiritual fingerprints" all over it. The entire document is called "Companion to the Big Book" and was given to me some years ago now by a young woman who was greatly distressed at having been given this document at the Kingston Hill meeting ( now Hampton Wick [Friday]). She shared at my home group and was in tears about it. I asked her to give me the document, which she did the following week. The entire document runs into nearly 60 pages, only 2 of which I scanned and posted to you. This young lady, who has since left AA, told me that John B was most annoyed at her when she threatened to send it to GSO in York. …..... Until I saw your website I really didn’t pay all that much attention to the document, I read through it briefly …..... and then put it away. It was sitting on my book shelf largely ignored for years!

Here is a quote from the AA beginners website discussing Step 12, It is also found word for word in the document "Companion to the Big Book"

“We have also come across other ways of testing whether our behaviour is right. Perhaps they might be helpful to you: If we are faced with a choice, it is often easier to say what is not God's will. For example, it cannot be God's will that we do anything dishonest, impure, selfish or unloving (these were the guides used by a lot of the early AAs).”

Now this idea is taken from a book by Wally P called Back to Basics........ It was supposedly the practice of the early Oxford Group members to "discern" the "will of God" by applying the Four Absolutes to any idea or inspiration one had "received" during morning meditation and "quiet time"

[Note: the Four Absolutes themselves are supposedly derived from a book by Dr R Speer: “The Principles of Jesus”. The Four Absolutes. See also: What did A.A. learn from the Oxford Group and why did they leave them?]

Of course, all this stuff about what the Oxford Group did, and applying the Four Absolutes etc, arrogantly assumes that you believe in the same Higher Power - the same God - as Bill W and the founders; and indeed the same God as David C and his collaborator. Unfortunately for them I don't. I have a Higher Power of my own understanding who doesn't send cryptic messages via "quiet time" which need to be tested by applying Four Absolutes, and then have to be further endorsed and verified by an approved sponsor …...... Real awkward customer I am!”

(our edits)

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our usual thanks to this contributor