Oxford Groups – absolutely NOT!

Extracts from the aacultwatch forum (old):

“........Some people seem to get confused with the Oxford Groups and early A.A. groups. The Oxford Groups were a different organization. When the alcoholic groups split from the Oxford Group they made it clear that they were not Oxford Groups. Nor were the four absolutes ever part of the A.A. program. Here are a few more bits on the Oxford Group absolutes:

“We are not saints… … …We claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection.” (Big Book, Chapter Five , How it works, page 60)

“When first contacted, most alcoholics just wanted to find sobriety, nothing else. They clung to their other defects, letting go only little by little. They just simply did not want to get “too good too soon.” The Oxford Groups’ absolute concepts – absolute purity, absolute honesty, absolute unselfishness and absolute love – were frequently too much for the drunks… … … ... ...”

“Besides, the Oxford Groups’ ‘absolutes’ were expressions peculiar to them. This was a terminology which might continue to identify us in the public mind with the Oxford Groupers, even though we had completely withdrawn from their fellowship.” (AA Comes of Age Pages 74-75).

“In Akron and vicinity they still talked about the Oxford groups’ absolutes: absolute honesty, absolute purity, absolute unselfishness, and absolute love. This dose was found to be too rich for the New Yorkers, and we had abandoned the expressions.”- Bill W. (AA Comes of Age Page 161)

“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 group of people; yet we found when we the word ‘absolute’ was put in front of these attributes, they either turned people away by the hundreds or gave a temporary spiritual inflation resulting in collapse.” - Bill W. (Pass It On page 172)”

“ …....Rejection of the "4 Absolutes" was part of the reason AA split away from the Oxford Groups. They do smack of sanctimonious religion and totalitarianism don't they! And of course they are ultimately unattainable....

I've always wondered exactly what "absolute Purity" is supposed to be. I know that the founder of the Oxford Groups, Frank Buchmann, admired Hitler, attended Nazi rallies in Germany, and held racist views. It always gives me a shudder when I hear the phrase Absolute Purity. It sounds like something that would resonate with the aims of the Third Reich, or a ranting hooded Ku Klux Klan preacher,... ( or an abusive AA cult sponsor who thinks he knows it all and is God's gift to AA and must be obeyed at all times).

What annoys me is when you hear people in AA referring to the 4 Absolutes in glowing or nostalgic terms - like they are some lost secret, or a worthy destination in recovery. Then of course you have the non-AA websites promoting these concepts. I've looked at several recently, including the David C Icons site, which warmly enthuse about the 4 Absolutes as if they were part of the AA program. Well, they are not, and never will be.   Their subtle re-introduction into the domain of AA by the likes of David C Icons, Dick B, Wally P etc  is a subversion of the fellowship and a perversion of the program of AA.”

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

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

Cult misquotes and distortions

Extract from our forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/aacultwatch under thread: “Cults Misquotes and Distortions”

“Re: David C Icons website.

First of all, I apologize for having to quote from the pernicious site in question, but this is necessary in order to expose it for the fraud that it is. Here is what the Blessed Icon and Jim W (his side-kick/lackey) write concerning Step 3

This is a decision to go on with the program and the practical consequences are that we decide to do the other steps and try to behave in accordance with the spiritual principles of honesty, unselfishness, love and purity, and that we will follow the guidance of our sponsors.... (by David C Icons & Jim W)

Well, er.... NO actually! Reading the Big Book pages 62 & 63, which cover Step 3, there is absolutely no mention of following the "spiritual principles of honesty unselfishness, love and purity." These principles are, of course, the so-called Four Absolutes of the Oxford Group cult. But that is NOT AA. AA broke away from the Oxford Group because it was narrow, authoritarian and dogmatic. One of the aims of the Big Book authors was that it be as open, democratic and inclusive as possible. That was the intention of the writers in order to maximize effectiveness and appeal of the Program. And what exactly does it mean to follow the principle of "purity" anyway ?? What kind of purity? Religious purity? Sexual purity? Racial purity ??? (a legitimate question if we recall the time/era in which the Big Book was written, and the political events taking place at that time!) Purity indeed!

While the BB talks about following the will of a Higher Power (of MY understanding, an important caveat) and contributing more to life, and being unburdened of self ... there is no specific recommendation of the Four Absolutes. Neither does it mention following the "guidance of a sponsor". There is no reference in the BB here about following any kind of human power or personality, or anyone else needing to be involved at all.

"But it is better to meet God alone than with one who might misunderstand." (Alcoholics Anonymous page 63)

It is all about God, and moreover, God as I understand Him, again an important distinction. The "God" of David C Icons website seems to be the "God" of the Oxford Group cult. Certainly NOT my God ! This is a sly deception on David C Icon's part - trying to impose his god on everyone by cunningly inserting the 4 Absolutes and his sponsor nonsense.

And who exactly are the “We” referred to in this paragraph and elsewhere throughout site. Ah, yes, David C Icons and Jim W – they seem to be saying they represent the Book, The Program and the fellowship. Well, they need to get over themselves, because they sure don’t !

Next in David C Icons Big Book travesty we read this ...

If we have followed all the suggestions given in the before, and are ready to follow all that our sponsor suggests further, then we can answer this question with a firm, ‘Yes’. (As we said before, for most of us, we learn to trust our Higher Power by first placing our trust in our sponsor.) by David C Icons & Jim W

Really!!?? What planet are these guy on ? (Ah, yes, planet Icon.)

Let's be clear and rigorously honest. The Big Book at Step 3 makes ABSOLUTELY NO requirement of following a list of "Daily Suggestions" (largely invented by the sponsorless David B). No mention of reading the Just For Today card. No mention of having to obediently follow the whims, fancies and dictates of a human power (aka sponsor). No mention of having to trust a human being before being able to trust one's Higher Power. (I guess our more religious fellows would call this a blasphemy/idolatry?) It certainly IS sponsor-idolatry if we have to put trust in a sponsor before trust in the God of our own individual understanding. The BB talks about following the will of this Higher Power, not the suggestions of some cockamamie Vision/Joys sponsor !

Next, unbelievably, we read this...

And then we read out the prayer, while on our knees. .... (by David C Icons & Jim W)

We read out the prayer on our knees ?? Do we indeed ! Where does it say that ? Well, of course, it doesn't, but David seems to have a "thing" about getting on his knees. As the saying goes -it takes all sorts! The BB does talk further down the page about taking the step "honestly and humbly" but that does not necessarily equate with kneeling, which is a religious posture. And a posture abandoned by the early fellowship. AA isn’t a religion.

Then to cap it all..

This step was better done with a sponsor: “We found it desirable to take this step with an understanding person…” {p63} (by David C Icons & Jim W )

The Book ACTUALLY says that it "better meet God alone than with one who might misunderstand." (Alcoholics Anonymous page 63)

Well David C Icons clearly misunderstands! "Desirable" and "better" do not mean the same thing. In fact the BB seems to imply that taking the Step alone is the better option.

We do not retake Step Three as we go through the programmer. (David C Icons & Jim W )

Where does it say in the Book that "we do not retake Step Three.." Well, guess what, it doesn’t. Ain’t that a surprise ! (And I won't comment on the spelling error, we all make 'em!)

Two more points about this appalling website/travesty of the Big Book.

Prior the Step 3 prayer the Big Book says : "Many of us said to our Maker..." (Alcoholics Anonymous page 63)

Note it says - MANY of us, NOT all of us. There is no command here that we ALL have to follow this set prayer at all. This is further emphasised after the prayer with these words.

"The wording was, of course, quite optional so long as we expressed the idea..." (Alcoholics Anonymous page 63)

Thus the wording is not mandatory or compulsory in any way. The prayer itself is more a template, than a formula everyone has to slavishly follow. In fact, this whole section on Step Three in the Book seems to be saying that what really matters is sincerity and integrity, not dogma or posturing. AA does not ask us to do or believe anything that might go against our conscience or culture. This is, of course, all missing from David C Icons’ deluded epic.

CONCLUSION. So, after a detailed perusal, we have here in the section of David C Icons website concerning Step Three the following:

LIES - regarding 4 Absolutes, Daily suggestions, sponsor obedience - all allegedly needed prior to taking step 3 a la Big Book. Having to kneel while saying the Step 3 prayer. Not taking Step Three again if we wish.

DISTORTIONS and MISREPRESENTATIONS - regarding the step was “better” taken with a sponsor. Assumption by implication that the God of our understanding is the same as David C Icon's god. Assumption that this god requires a specific posture while praying. The ambiguous and misleading use of the word “we” – which doesn’t actually refer to AA at all, or the founder members, but in fact, just a couple of chumps who decided to set up the site and build up a cult around it.

OMISSIONS - the allowing of difference and diversity of wording within the context of taking Step Three according to the BB, completely overlooked and missing from David C Icons effort.

5 lies, 4 distortions/misrepresentations, and 2 omissions. Not a bad score when you consider that was in just one page of the wretched website.”

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Later in the year/early next year we will be launching a mirror section in our forum to include AA conference questions (moderated). This will permit a more open discussion (allowing reference and links to “outside” sources) than is presently available on the AA website. Members will also be able to send private messages (and emails) to each other (also currently unavailable on the AA website)

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