Adolf and Eva! And fashion faux pas in Hastings!

Our correspondent writes:

“Thanks chaps… 

.......

It [cult activity] appears to have mostly dissipated now certainly in Hastings.

There is one goon called Eddie (around 10 years insane) who has managed to pull a female mental case in NA / AA. They have combined, ruined the local NA meeting on a Saturday night in Hastings.

They are known as “Adolf and Eva”. A right pair of t*****s; nasty and very mean spirited to boot and very, very stupid, as you would imagine.

Eddie has fallen out with his old Cult boyfriend called Tim. Another preposterous idiot with a very inflated view of himself - and too large turn-ups on his jeans (not a great look?).

He is fairly high and dry now locally, since they all got the boot from Intergroup, although he creeps about various local AA groups. Most likely, still looking for newcomers to prey on and probably take to other cult meets in London, Kent to whoever these bozos hang out together.

If I may ask; how BIG problem is this now in AA….

It certainly seems to have died off around here but that does not mean anything longer term I guess. These clowns are probably always plotting something

Regards …..”

(edits to preserve anonymity)

Comment: Too true! The cult 'circus' may be coming to a town NEAR YOU! Be vigilant!

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous …. and always “dress[ed] becomingly”)

PS Thanks to our contributor

PPS For AA Minority Report 2013 click here

PPPS Plymouth Intergroup corruption

The words of the seer!

Yes! Finally.. it had to be done! Quite unable to resist temptation we took ourselves off to the Sidcup Into Action website barely able to contain our excitement for we too wished to hear the words of wisdom issue forth from the mouth of the great seer – Tim P! True enough there he was - though perhaps a little bit dated - with an audio file which just begged to be listened to! Hands trembling we clicked on the link and waited breath baited for the guru to hold forth. Well we have to be absolutely honest here. We actually only managed about the first ten minutes or so. Very rapidly some of the team were displaying signs of traumatic stress disorder: glazed eyes, drooping eyelids, tongues protruding from mouths accompanied by the frequent but sporadic twitching of the cheek muscles followed by a slight foaming between the lips. It soon became evident that our collective psyches were struggling to cope with sheer amount of verbal detritus issuing forth from Tim's buccal cavity; it was more than any mere mortal could possibly bear. However, even from this relatively brief exposure, we managed to deduce the substance of Tim's exposition. Firstly we were informed that he was a RECOVERED alcoholic - TWICE - (it could even have been more … you have to remember that the whole thing remains something of a nightmareish blur). Not only was he RECOVERED but it would seem that the unique nature of this truly remarkable condition had to be further emphasised by heavily stressing each individual syllable of the word as he uttered it - not merely RECOVERED but RE-COV-ERED! Now at this point it is necessary to recap somewhat for those of you who are not completely au fait with the unique hierarchical structure that subsists in AA. Of course most of you will have heard of 'newcomers' and 'old timers', and perhaps even 'bleeding deacons' and the like but there is yet another stratification system which is not so widely publicised within the fellowship. Mostly the AA membership is composed of what are known as 'alkies', or 'alcoholics' or 'ex-drunks'. These terms are not meant to be disparaging (or not at least within the AA context) but rather serve as apt descriptions (and reminders) of a condition which we would all be well advised not to forget. These lowly (or is it humble?) members comprise the majority of the membership sometimes referring to themselves as 'recovering' alcoholics thereby further emphasising the inconvenient fact that the whole process will never ever be 'done and dusted' or not at least until death intervenes. Unwitting fools that they are, however, they have achieved mere abstinence from alcohol and are yet to enjoy the full fruits of divinely inspired recovery. They must be satisfied merely with living their lives, going to work, raising families, helping others from time to time and all this done modestly and without speeches or even a fanfare. Theirs is a lacklustre rather mundane condition but then not all of us can achieve such spiritual and lofty mastery as that enjoyed by our next category: the RECOVERED ONES. Now these are of entirely different sphere, and almost beyond detection by us mere mortals who reside so ignorantly within their awesome shadow. These select few ILLUMINATI have entered the realm of eternal bliss as they choir endlessly and relentlessly their hallelujahs, their ecstatic mantra: “happy, joyous and free”! Naturally this elevated condition is not to be acquired so easily. There are certain prerequisites to its attainment which for the benefit of the ignorant (ie. you …. and maybe us!) we include a small selection herewith. Firstly - a thoroughgoing acquaintance with the blessed tome ie. the Big Book (Alcoholics Anonymous), its contents only to be revealed to the neophyte by the all knowing, all seeing, all POWERFUL SPONSOR – he or she who it is “suggested” (cult speak for 'must') you obey! So complex, so profound indeed are its “suggestions” that these may only be communicated to the novice via the offices of one fully inducted into the sacred craft. Therefore it is vital that such a one should have an 'approved' sponsor him/herself and thereafter onwards and upwards right up to the zenith of this holy lineage. The 'logos' must only be communicated by those who are full initiates in order to avoid any kind of corrupt interpretation or misconstruction of its abstruse contents. Indeed until the sponsee is at least able to quote chapter and verse at the drop of the hat they cannot be considered even as eligible for further and indeed deeper instruction in the mysteries of this esoteric text. (From time to time a 'Master of the Book' may be observed at meetings usually carrying a specially bound leather edition which serves to denote to others present that they are blessed with an 'authority's' presence). However it is insufficient merely to be conversant with the wording of the blessed text. No indeed! One must go forth and spread the Word to those poor heathens who comprise the remainder of the fellowship! Thus an exacting spiritual regime is required of the fledgling missionary (or “pigeon” as they are known in certain circles). As to the remainder we can only make scant allusion for after all we are not (yet) admitted to the novitiate. However we can say that one of the “suggestions” is that the “pigeon” ring two newcomers a day to ensure that these are directed towards and kept firmly upon the sacred path. But already we have revealed too much and do not wish to incur the wrath of the adepts of the Big Book.......

…..Anyway not wishing to completely flog the horse to death we think you get our gist! Many are called but few are chosen …...blah di blah di blah....

Of course the facts are the “programme” does not need any "special interpretation" (Dr Bob's words not ours!) let alone some kind of 'expert' sounding off on the subject! Anyone with a couple of brain cells - which would include your average 'drunk' - can pick it up, put it into action (if they wish) and reap the rewards.

Our advice then (for what it's worth) is: Keep It Simple, go to meetings (AA not cult) (see our Cult: Where to Finds), don't drink and maybe apply a bit of judgement. Now how hard is that?

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

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 

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