“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

Reflections - Ernie Kurtz - Chapter 3: Shame & Mentoring

Reflections - Ernie Kurtz - Chapter 2: Spirituality

Reflections - Ernie Kurtz - Introduction

Reflections - Ernie Kurtz - Chapter 1: The Early History of Alcoholics Anonymous

The Social Thought of Alcoholics

“Concern about alcoholism historically involves concern about the social thought of alcoholics. Alcoholics Anonymous "works" by changing the social thought of its members. Yet also for historical reasons, large differences exist between the wisdom-orientation of the social thought of Alcoholics Anonymous and the knowledge-orientation that characterizes the social thought of modern professionals. Empirical testing of these historical generalizations suggests that understanding those differences is essential to establishing rapport between treatment professionals and A.A. members.”

Source: The Social Thought of Alcoholics, Kurtz E, and Kurtz LF, Journal of Drug Issues, Vol. 15(1), 119-134, 1985

See also Links and downloads

A caution for “bleeding deacons” and “AA show-offs” everywhere!

A Message of Tolerance and Celebration: The Portrayal of Multiple Pathways of Recovery in the Writings of Alcoholics Anonymous Co-Founder Bill Wilson

William White, M.A. and Ernest Kurtz, Ph.D. 

Try this article on for size! 

Cheerio 

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)