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)

Hampton Wick (Friday)/Detroit Joys of Recovery connection!

Well anyone who might doubt the cult is an international movement need look no further than the Hampton Wick (Friday) cult group and the Detroit Joys of Recovery offshoot. The word is that the current secretary (Hampton Wick) is a chap who goes by the name John C (and who is married to someone called Kristin). Now of course this all might be an enormous coincidence but then wasn't it a John and Kristin C who played 'mummy and daddy' to the Detroit gathering? Over the past few years we've had a number of complaints about this group and its activities – the usual stuff: directive and dogmatic (cascade style) sponsorship (and with group consciences that are not quite what they seem), anti-prescribed medication, “shunning” (if you don't toe the party line) and so on and so forth. It would seem that their “mission” is to bring the 'true word' back to the dear old motherland, and to which end they moved here a number of years ago. We wonder how they're getting on with Billy the Kid? How many top heavy egos can a group contain before the usual 'falling out” happens?

But then we shall see what we shall see won't we!

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS There is a now a new grouping at Bayham Road - BRAG - Bayham Road Amalgamated Groups (?) They have one steering committee for all 18 meetings. Apparently not all the meetings are cult although cult members have a large presence on the committee. It includes people from the 'Happy Dennis/Jim W (David C)' sponsorship line, and someone from Road to Recovery too! Thus the virus spreads!

CULT THUG BULLIES DISABLED PENSIONER OUT OF EALING MEETING

It is understood, from various sources, that there was recently a nasty little incident at the Bayham Road Centre for Independent Living, Ealing, London W5. This Centre is currently providing a venue for several cult meetings masquerading as Alcoholics Anonymous. At the one of these cult meetings, a certain zealous young cult clone, Tim by name, objected to the sharing of an old Scottish man in his 70’s who had recently come back from a slip. The pensioner in question is disabled and needs to use a walking stick. He is a well known AA member in the area, having attended meetings in the Ealing locality for over 2 decades. Young Tim took issue with the rather robust and rustic “everyday language” of this tough old Scotsman. However it seems that patience, tolerance and “keep coming back” isn’t part of the message being carried at this cult meeting. Instead, Tim ranted at the old AA stalwart - “I FIND YOU OFFENSIVE, GET OUT!!”

We sincerely hope that the old chap managed to find a REAL AA meeting where he can get the help, understanding and support he clearly needs.

We understand that Tim is well known for informing all who have the stomach to listen to him how much he kneels, and lecturing us on how we should all kneel too. It would seem we have here the possible phenomenon of a cult “spiritual paradox” – The more they kneel, the more arrogant they become. He also ostentatiously prays in public, saying grace and crossing himself before eating his bacon sandwich at the coffee shop after the meeting. Hmmm, how very spiritual! Such piety masking such arrogance! Cunning, baffling and powerful indeed!

Still, we mustn’t be too hard on young Tim. He hasn’t exactly been given a good example, or the real message of AA for that matter. His sponsor is the yawningly dull and personality-challenged founder/gruppenfuhrer of the Friday Guildford Newcomers Cult Meeting, Jim W. Apparently, apart from his arrogance (which is considerable), Jim’s hair-style is the only personality trait worthy of any note. And who inspires Jim to such levels of tedium?

Well none other than David C Icons – the man of 1000 opinions, and author of the …........ Perhaps we can also add the title of “author of the Way of coercion, voyeurism and Dangerous medical advice”, as this same David C Icon is the co-author of the “recovery” website that is mentioned elsewhere in this website, and which has caused, and is still continuing to cause, division and disruption within AA, grossly corrupting and distorting the AA message to the unwary, and prompting dangerous and potentially fatal advice on medical, moral and psychological matters best left to professionals.

Meanwhile we wonder if the Ealing Centre for Independent Living, which expressly caters for the disabled, are aware of the bullying and abuse of a disabled pensioner that has taken place on their premises?

Here is a reminder of their address for any who might like to enquire.

Ealing Centre for Independent Living

1 Bayham Road
West Ealing
London W13 0TQ

Cheers

(our usual thanks to our reporters)

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)