Hastings and Eastbourne cult groups

We quote:

“Hi Fellas,

I think this group has had a mention on your site before, [see here and here] however I feel it warrants inclusion on your cult group where to find. It is a personality led group rather than principle led, the personality in question is one Tim P. of Hastings you can hear his wonderful story on the Sidcup into action website where he refers to other AA groups in his locality as 'Devil worshippers' The reason I am writing this is when aahastings.co.uk was typed into my search this group's website came up. When the new intergroup of Hastings and Rother started up this group was not included because the group (in the shape of Tim P.) flatly refused to stop violation of traditions by numerous goings on at the meeting, and their obvious affiliation with Primary purpose although Tim P. refutes this. Literature sold there comes from The Paradise publishing company [Paradise Research Publications – see below]. Big book dictionary etc. etc. Gary B workshop DVD whoever Gary B is? Tim P's American sponsor I believe. They also combine the group with al-anon and C.A. with all donations going in one pot. They have sent out workshop flyers for their group and amazingly enough there is not a single mention of AA on them! The website of this group has a map reference using Google and this problem has already been addressed at conference i.e. the use of outside enterprises! There would not be a problem if they called it the Tim P. club they can even use the triangle and circle as we no longer have copyright. Anyhow fellas if this isn't a cult group well then I'm not an alcoholic!!

….....Keep up the good work”

and:

“Cult activity in East Sussex started with the Hastings Saturday night group. Initially the group was taken over by Tim P with the aid of cultists coming down from Kent: Gravesend and Strood areas. At the time the locals voted with their feet, left Tim and co. to brainwash the newcomers. The Eastbourne cult group was connected to the Hastings Saturday night group and the "There is a solution group" in Purley, North East Surrey Intergroup, which as you know is connected to the Primary Purpose Group of AA Dallas. Newcomers in the Eastbourne cult group were also taken to the Hastings and Purley cult groups. The Eastbourne cult group was using the Dallas primary purpose big book study guide and literature by Dick B. (published by Paradise Research publications Inc)[Dick B is a self proclaimed 'AA historian' whose agenda is essentially aimed at returning AA to its alleged uniquely (and therefore exclusive) fundamentalist Christian roots]”

 

Comment: It's interesting to note that this cult group (ejected by East Sussex Intergroup and subsequently rejected apparently by Hastings and Rother IG) is still listed under the latter intergroup in the online directory. Clearly the AA website “Meeting Finder” is no longer a reliable guide to AA groups (and hasn't been for some time in fact!). We'll be adding these two groups to our Cult: Where to Find (GB)

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our usual thanks to our reporters for the information 

Whitstable (East Kent)/Ealing (West London)/Cambridge

The word is that the “pointy headed ones” from the Tankerton Tuesday cult group are 'sniffing' around Whitstable Wednesday AA meeting again. They've tried before to gain control of this group when one of their members became secretary, and shortly after which a whole succession of clones turned up at the meeting with the usual scripted sharing which went something like this: “blah blah …. my sponsor ….... blah blah blah … always do what my sponsor says... blah blah.....my sponsor took me through the steps...blah blah blah … happy, joyous and free.. blah blah blah.. sponsor this.....blah blah.... sponsor that.....blah blah...” and so on ad infinitum and ad nauseam. Otherwise the infestation in East Kent seems to be largely contained with the cult groups either stagnating or in decline. There is now a clear delineation between the cult (referred to variously as “Step Nazis”, “Taliban”, “Visions” (or even “Visionaries” … God help us!) or just plain “cult”) on one hand, and genuine AA on the other, a trend which we hope will continue long into the future.... And now ... talking of infestations....

… the news is that the Ealing Tuesday Green Man Lane (9.45am) cult meeting has closed due to lack of support. This is one of the thirteen or so (at the last count) meetings that 'Happy Dennis' (so-called) had started up to propagate his bizarre version of AA and its programme. Happy Dennis himself is sponsored by David “The Icon” C (successor to David B, founder of the Visions cult in the UK), “The Icon” being the author of a cult website promoted by Dennis in his very own printed literature (in probable breach of copyright), this “Little Yellow Book” being distributed not only in the Ealing meetings but even further afield eg. Eastbourne. We are informed that his efforts seem to focus rather on quantity than quality but even here many of the Ealing cult meetings fail to attract more than a handful of punters. The viability of the operation rests finally on the low rents charged for the use of the facilities. The landlords of the Bayham Rd location (Ealing Centre for Independent Living: http://www.ecil.org/) for example charge a mere £5.00 per session which makes it an attractive proposition for anyone wishing to start up their own franchise. We have also received evidence that Dennis is using contact information derived from Share magazine to further propagate his “message”. Incidentally we observe that the Happy One's response to the Eastbourne letter (see below) - when it was communicated to him as an email attachment – clearly demonstrates his irresponsible and arrogant attitude with regard to all matters pertaining to AA and its traditions. We quote:

“... the text [Eastbourne letter] you attached to the email has nothing to do with me. I don't see any reason why this is a matter I should be involved with in any way”

(This sounds like a response you'd get from a “Murdoch testimony” doesn't it! We know nothing, see nothing, hear nothing! Nothing to do with us!! A bad case of DENIAL perhaps!).

He goes on to argue that the 13 groups included in his very own Where to Find (printed and distributed in breach of the traditions) are “independent” groups. Now does he mean “autonomous” groups (but leaving out the second part of Tradition Four - a much favoured cult tactic!) or does he mean completely independent of AA (in which case why are these groups still presented in the local and national Where to Finds if they are in fact not AA groups at all? Another question for South Middlesex Intergroup to consider perhaps?)

.. and continuing with our whirlwind tour of GB (note: the cult is not a localised issue!)..... a communication from Cambridge. We quote from some email correspondence (with that individual's permission):

“Ok, so I was a bit nervous of letting you know about the Saturday meetings in Cambridge, but now I feel I have to - I went there in February as I was convinced nothing else would work. I was called by a seemingly very lovely lady and encouraged to attend the 'A Vision For You' meeting that night. Well! How loved I felt! How understood! How cared for! I continued going for a few weeks and attended the womens meetings on a Tuesday, the 'beginners' meetings on a Sunday and one 'Primary Purpose' meeting on a Monday night. It all seemed wonderful and I felt 'blessed' to have them, until...at one of the 'womens'' meetings, a clearly, very distressed and unhappy lady told about how she had succumbed to drink and how ashamed she was. Oh My God! I felt so sad for her but all she got were dagger glares, tuts and no sign of help whatsoever. That scared me to be honest. However, I continued. Surely it was just a bad night for everyone? The 'lovely lady' who had called me became my 'sponsor' and I began to go to her house for 'big book' study. Hmm. Interesting. she was full of 'love and laughter' but something felt wrong. This is about me stopping drinking yes? Not you telling me that the only way is God? Not you making me do 'homework' and telling me that there are 'many people who are not alcoholics as they do not have a spiritual issue'? These people must be ignored, hated, kept out of 'our meetings'. I was frankly terrified by the passion. I read the Big Book, I tried to understand these mad people. I couldn't. I was 'loved' by some, sneered at by others. I was hugged, ignored...I told everyone that I had been diagnosed as 'bi -polar, I was told that is wrong, you have nothing but a disease called 'alcoholism' stay away from these doctors. I had to leave. I cannot believe that such people are allowed to peddle their nonsense. I am never ever going anywhere near AA again. How can this be happening. I am more than happy for you to publish this.

…......”

(edited to preserve anonymity)

Cheerio

(our usual thanks to all contributors)

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

Ealing update! The pressure mounts.....

Below is a copy of the letter of complaint sent by an Eastbourne group to South Middlesex Intergroup (forwarded to us by a member from South Middlesex - our usual thanks for this contribution. All edits are ours). We'll leave it to you to draw your own conclusions. However the Eastbourne group has demonstrated that they at least understand the meaning of the Traditions – and are willing to put them INTO ACTION – unlike the cult groups currently infesting Ealing. The ball is now well and truly in SMIG's court!

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

Happy Dennis (aka The Scourge of Ealing) – The Missionary!

It would seem that 'Happy Dennis' is not content with carrying the good word to the heathen of Ealing. No... He's spread his wings further afield, as far away even as deepest darkest Eastbourne. A missive was despatched by a member from that locality (to South Middlesex Intergroup) complaining about the activities of the new Messiah in their neck of the woods. Apparently the Happy One (who seems to have completely slipped his moorings with reality) was advising Eastbourne newcomers to check out a “non AA website that suggested to members not to take prescribed medication.” Moreover our correspondent indicated that: “This website address has recently appeared on the pink cards that list Ealing meetings and various SMIG members pointed out, as did the letter from Eastbourne, that such practice was not in line with AA’s Traditions. There was a general concern amongst SMIG members that some of these new meetings that are springing up will reduce numbers at other meetings and make the meeting of tradition 7 more difficult (duplicated rent costs etc) as well as contravene Tradition 4. Some members suggested that the Bayham Road and Green Man Lane meetings be deleted from the official AA meetings list if our Traditions continue to be transgressed. [name omitted] offered to write a letter to flag up these issues with the person concerned and for copies to go to London Region and York, and a number of SMIG members offered to meet at ….....'s home to help write this letter on behalf of our intergroup to express misgivings about certain developments in some Ealing meetings. A draft of this letter will be presented to SMIG at the next intergroup meeting in August for approval/amendments before it is sent off.”

So it would seem that South Middlesex Intergroup is finally lumbering into action (but only after being prodded quite a few times) to deal with the Ealing infestation. (Incidentally we have been informed that the Intergroup itself uses the Bayham Rd location (Happy Dennis' HQ) free of charge! Could there be a conflict of interest here??) The good news though is that all is not well even amongst the ranks of the “Blessed Ones”. Dissent has broken out and there are signs that the 'mission' is beginning to fray at the edges with at least one meeting already reverting to AA (to be confirmed). Moreover we are delighted to report that aacultwatch has been banned by the Ealing High Command! We are considered entirely unsuitable reading material for newcomers to the Fellowship. We wonder what they will do? You know what they say about forbidden fruit! All the more enticing! For our part we regard it as the highest compliment! So keep up the good work of publicising the site amongst cult members!

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

News from Eastbourne and Sheppey

"Hello. My name's ....I was in the fellowship since last January at the Eastbourne “There is a solution” AA group. I found that certain practices were being used and having looked at your site - it is a very big issue. I'm glad to say that this meeting has now moved ..... I would be happy to go into what has gone on within this group...

I feel very strongly about this situation within AA. I've seen quite a few people join the "There is a solution" meeting only to realise it seems to be a religious Christian only meeting. I myself have been intimidated to the point I don't go to real AA meetings. I stood up to the main GSR who takes the group as a whole to church - her choice of church, to meetings that they sit and try to take over - the sick meetings as they call them. I've been told by a person who was sacked twice from the group as being evil! - trying to stop their meetings .... this made me feel like leaving .....I've been told by them when I was part off to not go alone to SICK meetings, stop my medication prescribed by my GP, to keep ringing newcomers everyday, put pressure on them to stay in the group. You are instructed to read Joe Mq [circuit speaker] 12 steps and other non AA material. Also forced to a talk given by American speaker in Croydon in the summer at a cost of £15 per ticket. A friend was forced to kneel and pray to god or leave group! A person who was forced to go to church, baptised even though does not believe in god and then sacked when pressure was too much they drank again. The list goes on. I hope that this in some way helps you. Many thanks for your time"

We've also been informed by another AA member that a group has set up in Sheppey (West Kent) going under the title of Road to Recovery. We've no confirmation yet whether this group forms part of the cult network which uses the AA name as a cover for its activities - but the group title is rather suggestive - we'd be happy to receive any further information which either refutes or confirms that connection

Cheers

The Fellas
(as usual our thanks to the contributors)

Latest from Eastbourne

Re: Eastbourne: There is a Solution
Friday 19.30 Elim Church, Hartfield Rd

“The "new" Thursday and Friday meetings in Eastbourne failed to get the required 2/3 majority to be voted out. The Hastings one was voted out. I have a feeling that this is not the end of the story - members of the Friday group in particular were not seen in "mainstream" meetings for a while, but have started popping up here and there, always in pairs.....”

This, by the way, is not an unusual tactic for the cult - when the going gets tough this lot go underground thinking that if they hide and keep very, very, very still we won't notice them any more. Then when the heat's off they get up to their little tricks again. Well - we've got news for you – that isn't going to work any more – the going's going to get tougher and tougher and ….

Finally it would seem that the aacultwatch Cult 'Where to Find' is not being greeted with universal approbation – hardly a surprise – but even so you'd think that the cult would be grateful to us for giving them all that free publicity – but it seems not – rather the reverse. So (and as usual in the spirit of seeking to be helpful) we can save all those outraged cult members the time and trouble of sending us emails containing those apparently standardised (and transparently emotionally manipulative) comments and questions flying our way.

Q: How can we sleep at night?
A: Like babies. We'd find it a lot harder to do so if we did just stand by and do nothing while newcomers suffer (and in some cases die)

Q: Shouldn't we hang our heads in shame?
A: No. Rather the reverse in fact (see above answer)

Q: It's all just speculation and hearsay. You don't know what you're talking about?
A: Yes we do. It's all based on evidence supplied directly by aacultwatch members

Q: You're damaging AA unity and breaking the Traditions aren't you?
A: This is always an entertaining line of attack especially coming from the cult who are, after all, expert practitioners in both areas. AA unity is not going to be served by pretending that nothing is wrong with the Fellowship. The whole purpose of AA is to help the still suffering alcoholic. If we act in such a fashion that we not only fail to carry out this objective but indeed heap yet more suffering upon the new man or woman then what real function does AA have? Is there any point to its continued existence? Nor do we support the view that AA unity must be preserved at “any cost” - a ludicrous concept in itself and dangerous in its implications – we, as citizens, and as moral human beings, have a duty of care to our fellows which supersedes any adherence to a set of rules or guidelines. We operate within a wider community and are bound by its laws and by its socially and culturally defined principles. Any organisation that chooses to ignore the context within which it exists and fails to govern itself responsibly will finally come into conflict with those principles, and this to the detriment of all. Consequently the organisation degenerates to such a point that it exists only to perpetuate its own existence without regard to the welfare of its members, or those it is supposedly serving, and is thus rendered both irreversibly corrupt and essentially redundant.

To conclude we would remind you of the AA pledge:


I am Responsible.
When Anyone, Anywhere
Reaches Out For Help,
I Want The Hand Of A.A.
To Always Be There.
And For That,
I Am Responsible !

The final question is: Do you want the hand of AA to be extended, or that of the cult? We've made our choice – it's up to you to make yours!

(As usual our thanks to the AA member for the info)

Cheers

The Fellas

And now over to East Sussex Intergroup.....

We received the following information from a correspondent in the area:

"I live in Eastbourne and have been dismayed by the emergence of three new groups within the last 10 months or so. They all appeared to be running along the lines described on AACultwatch. Recently, at least one of these groups has closed due to lack of participants, but at least one has made its way into the East Sussex Intergroup list of meetings. There may still be another one operating - these two run under the name "There is a solution".

These groups have been a frequent topic for discussion at group consciences during the last six months (I regularly go to most meetings in Eastbourne) and have sparked off lively debate at Intergroup meetings. Indeed, this coming Tuesday (Sept. 15) there will be an extraordinary Intergroup meeting to air the matter after the renewed decision to include the Friday "There is a solution" meeting to the meeting list.

I hope that you will update the "Cult: Where to find" and "Area news" sections to include the "There is a solution" meeting in Eastbourne on Fridays at 20.00. The meeting was held at the Oasis Centre, Christ Church, Seaside Road, Eastbourne, but will more next Friday to Elim Church, Hartfield Road, Eastbourne."

Subsequently we learnt that the Intergroup had an:

"......Extraordinary meeting of East Sussex Intergroup last Tuesday (15/09) ........, but what I have heard so far is that the Hastings meeting is now off the Intergroup meeting list with a 2/3 majority and no abstentions, whereas the Eastbourne meetings still stay on (both votes failed to reach the 2/3 majority by a vote or two - with one or two abstentions)."

It is not clear yet whether this removal of the Hastings group from the Intergroup meeting list also means that they have been effectively removed both from the Where to Find and the withdrawal of the right to have GSR participation etc.

However this action clearly indicates that IT IS POSSIBLE to remove a group from an Intergroup (kindly take note other Intergroups - especially West Kent - which is riddled with cult members!!). We trust this action sends out a message LOUD and CLEAR that a group cannot behave any way it likes and expect to continue in this fashion indefinitely. Frequently the (usually misquoted) defence of Tradition Four (group autonomy) has been used as a justification for all kinds of irresponsible and downright dangerous behaviour. What the cult groups have failed to realise up until now is that other groups too have the right of group autonomy, and they too can make decisions guided solely by their ultimate authority - and that one of those decisions may now include the right to remove a rogue element from the Fellowship, one which does NOT act for the welfare of the AA member nor for the Fellowship as a whole. Of course such a decision cannot stop a group from operating but at least they can no longer claim the support of AA. We fully expect that they will continue to "trade" off the AA name and reputation for as long as possible but finally they have no future.
　
Cheers

The Fellas