The Primary Purpose Big Book Study Cult

…..... or how to exploit Alcoholics Anonymous' name! Don't miss out! Get a piece of the action! Sign up for your very own franchise NOW!

Extract from our forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/aacultwatch under thread: “TLM in Alanon UK?”

“The business behind the Primary Purpose Big Book Study Cult:

Joe McQ (Deceased) (Joe McQ of the “Joe and Charlie” Big Book Study Tapes)

Author of: “Carry this Message- a Guide to Big Book Sponsorship” (published 2002), “The Steps We Took” (published 1990)

Author of “Recovery Dynamics” Alcohol and Drug addiction treatment model: Kelly Foundation, Inc. 2801 West Roosevelt, Little Rock, AR 72204 http://www.kellyfdn.com/order.htm (Incorporated 1978)

Wolfe Street Foundation, Inc. 1015 Louisiana - Little Rock, AR 72202 http://www.wolfestreet.org/   http://www.kellyfdn.com/index.htm

Serenity Park Inc. 2801 West Roosevelt, Little Rock, AR 7220 http://www.serenitypark.org   http://www.kellyfdn.com/index.htm

Dr. Bob’s Home http://www.serenitypark.org/   http://www.drbobshome.org/

The Wilson House http://www.serenitypark.org/   http://www.wilsonhouse.org/index.html

List of Recovery Dynamics Treatment Centers http://www.kellyfdn.com/certifiedfacilities.htm "Kelly Foundation has assisted over 500 facilities across the United States and in 8 foreign countries since 1978." http://www.kellyfdn.com/about.htm

Recovery Dynamics in UK: Serenity House of the United Kingdom, 43 St. Nicholas Street, Bristol, United Kingdom http://www.serenityhouse.org.uk/index.asp  (Treatment Center: Alma, 29 Alma Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2ES)

An observation of Recovery Dynamics in AA:

“I have my doubts that “the Fellas” will be taken seriously, but I congratulate them on trying! We have a lot of Joe and Charlie worship in my area, we have a couple of treatment centers that use their “Recovery Dynamics” program. It is very strange to hear some young guy from a hard upbringing, no more than 25 years old, spouting 1930′s sentax [syntax] like a programmed machine, except with the fire of an evangelical preacher. That’s what Recovery Dynamics will give you though. That and the people in the treatment centers being forced to endure painful dental surgeries and other medical proceedures with no pain medication allowed afterward. Brain washing and torture.

The best slogan spouting examples of the most recent graduates of these RD treatment centers are kept on as “assistant staff”. In other words, they get to make the newer clients obsessively analyze the alcoholic motives of their recurring belly-button lint and the center pays them next to nothing for their trouble since they are eternally grateful for the love of the center.” (Border Collie Mix) October 28, 2011 at 10:39 AM (Leaving A.A.com, “News Stories”) http://leavingaa.com/

The Primary Purpose Group of AA (Dallas) http://www.ppgaadallas.org/

Founder Cliff B. (Source: Was This Group meant to be? by Cliff B.) http://www.kellyfdn.com/BigBookStudy/bbstudygroups.htm

The Primary Purpose Group of AA Big Book Study Guide by Cliff B and Myers R. (Source: Was This Group meant to be? by Cliff B.) http://www.kellyfdn.com/BigBookStudy/bbstudygroups.htm

http://www.ppgaadallas.org/study_guide.htm

Primary Purpose Big Book Study Groups: http://www.ppgaadallas.org/it_works!.htm

Chris Raymer

Linkedin Chris Raymer http://www.linkedin.com/pub/chris-raymer/40/a56/694?trk=pub-pbmap

Origins recovery centres: Staff: Chris Raymer http://www.originsrecovery.com/our-staff/chris-raymer/ 

Myers Raymer: http://www.originsrecovery.com/our-staff/myers-raymer/

Chris Raymer President at Mark Houston Recovery Center http://www.markhoustonrecovery.com/ (Source: Linkedin, Chris Raymer) (Mark Houston Recovery is now Benchmark recovery Center) http://www.benchmarkcenter.com/

Chris Raymer, Director of Alumini services at La Hacienda treatment center (Source Linkedin, Chris Raymer) La Hacienda Treatment Center: http://www.lahacienda.com/

Myers Raymer

Linkedin Myers Raymer http://www.linkedin.com/pub/myers-raymer/10/ab0/615?trk=pub-pbmap

Myers Raymer; Cliff B, Lost & Found Bookbindery, 327 Ingram Loop, Ingram, Texas 78025 http://www.bigbookfixer.com/

Myers Raymer, Raymer Bookbindery Inc. 885 Northfork Circle, Lewisville, TX 75057 http://raymerbook.com/

Cliff Bishop

Linkedin Cliff Bishop: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/cliff-bishop/1b/982/83b?trk=pub-pbmap

For more info search: “Cliff Bishop AA speaker” “Myers Raymer AA Speaker” “Chris Raymer AA Speaker”

Words of Bill W (A.A. Co-Founder):

“As we ponder protection, we see that our Traditions warn against the perils of public fame and power, against the making of compromising alliances, against professionalism.” (Bill W. The Language of the Heart p 316)

“That we must, at all costs, avoid the professionalization of AA; that simple Twelfth Step work is never to be paid for; that AAs going into alcohol therapy should never trade on their AA connection; that there is not, and never can be, any such thing as an ‘AA therapist’. (Bill W. The Language of the Heart page 29)

“The danger, of course, is the possibility that we may one day recklessly abandon the principle of personal anonymity at the top public level. This possibility arises from the fact that many of us AAs have been, and sometimes still are, possessed by enormous power drives. These are frequently fueled by an almost irresistible craving for money, approval, and public acclaim.” (Bill W. The Language of the Heart p 319)”

Comment:  We can't say we weren't warned! Ignorance is no longer a defence!

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

AA Minority report 2012 (continued)(6)

“It has to be seriously considered whether an A.A. group affiliated to a website is not in fact affiliated to an individual member’s private enterprise. Whether groups so affiliated to an outside enterprise can call themselves A.A. groups, whether GSO and intergroups ought to register groups so affiliated, unless the group and website are separately incorporated, giving no implication that the two are connected.

It has to be considered whether it is still wise for GSO to register groups without prior consultation with the local intergroup and whether certain groups which operate outside the A.A. service structure ought to be A.A. registered, when separately incorporated companies are competitively trading off the AA name and encouraging their own groups to operate both inside and outside AA:

http://www.aabacktobasics.org/

http://www.aabacktobasics.org/Faith%20With%20Works%20Pub%20Co/index.html

http://www.aabacktobasics.org/New-Court%20Ordered%20Back%20to%20Basics.html

Back to Basics AA meetings list:

http://www.aabacktobasics.org/B2B%20Meeting%20Locations.htm

Competitive public information:

http://www.aabacktobasics.org/Faith%20With%20Works%20Pub%20Co/New-Houck-Richmond-602.html

Back to Basics Foundation – (Donations accepted):

http://www.aabacktobasics.org/foundationpledge.htm

Back to Basics merchandise:

http://easycart.net/FaithWithWorksPublishingCo./12_Step_Bookstore_Discounts.html

It has to be considered whether it is wise to register groups that are directly or indirectly affiliated to non-AA 12 step treatment centre programs which trade off the A.A. name:

Kelly Foundation, Joe McQ’s “Recovery Dynamics”:

http://www.kellyfdn.com/about.htm (Donations accepted)

“Big Book Study” A.A. Groups:

http://www.kellyfdn.com/BigBookStudy/bbstudydirectory.htm

“Big Book study” A.A. groups directory:

http://www.kellyfdn.com/BigBookStudy/bbstudygroups.htm

Primary Purpose group of AA (Dallas) Big Book study groups directory:

http://ppgaadallas.org/it_works!.htm

A you-tube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCLXt7zzX1w

“Showcasing the work of the Kelly Foundation and Serenity Park with our partners in Japan: Serenity Park Japan and Serenity Program, Inc. Carrying the message and the legacy of Joe McQ to alcoholics and addicts around the world. Please contact the Kelly Foundation for more information: www.kellyfdn.com”

(Featuring the plaque of Joe McQ (Founder). Bill W, Dr, Bob. And the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (Scroll available from GSO).

Joe McQ memorials:

http://www.aahistory.com/joemcq/sign.php

http://archive.blisstree.com/feel/joe-mcq-16/

Charlie P memorials:

http://www.aahistory.com/charliep/sign.php

http://luginbuelfuneralhome.frontrunnerpro.com/runtime/3060/runtime.php?SiteId=3060&NavigatorId=54126&op=tributeObituary&viewOpt=dpaneOnly&ItemId=723627&LinkId=221

(Donations accepted)”

As Bill W. States:

“That we must, at all costs, avoid the professionalization of AA; that simple Twelfth Step work is never to be paid for; that AAs going into alcohol therapy should never trade on their AA connection; that there is not, and never can be, any such thing as an ‘AA therapist’.” (Bill W; Co-founder of A.A., A.A. Grapevine, June 1946, Language of the Heart page 29)

"Our membership Tradition does contain, however, one important qualification... .....We cannot lend the AA name, even indirectly, to other activities, however worthy. If we do so we shall become hopelessly compromised and divided. We think that AA should offer its experience to the whole world for whatever use can be made of it. But not its name. Nothing can be more certain.” (Bill W. ‘Tradition Three’, AA Grapevine 1948, Language of the Heart page 79-80)

The new dynamics to A.A. have exposed a double headed executive and created a situation in which neither A.A. Traditions nor warranties of Conference are withstanding. Clearly in Today’s A.A. a group can have another purpose or affiliation, contrary to warranty six:

“Finally, any two or three alcoholics gathered together for sobriety may call themselves an A.A. group provided that, as a group, they have no other purpose or affiliation.”

There appears to be no body ultimately responsible for ensuring that the provision in this warranty is upheld.

There is no clear ultimate authority of Tradition Two; neither the trustees and GSO, nor the A.A. group Conscience appear to have clear delegated and ultimate responsibility, since both the intergroup and GSO can register A.A. groups.

Paradoxically, the present authority GSO has to register groups, over and above the intergroup conscience, serves a “tyranny of very small minorities invested with absolute power” (Concept V) rather than the ultimate authority of the A.A group conscience within the intergroup. Therefore the ultimate authority in the A.A group conscience is hamstrung. There is now a strong case for the trustees and GSO to pass ultimate authority and responsibility for group registration directly to the A.A. Group conscience within the intergroups.

“A.A as such ought never be organised; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.” (Tradition Ten)

“A condition to be avoided at all costs is double headed business or policy management. Authority can never be divided into equal halves.” (Concept X)

“The main principles of Tradition Two are crystal clear: the A.A. groups are to be the final authority; their leaders are to be trusted with delegated responsibilities only.” (Concept I)

While the A.A. Service Structure deliberates, perhaps not yet adapted to the speed of modern communication and the newfound skills of our ubiquitous and ever perennial “promoter friend” (AA comes of Age page 130), the disaffected victims of coercion and misrepresentation are leaving, A.A. Is getting the public image of being a religious cult, and intergroups are experiencing strained relationships.

Extracts from conference question and committee responses, UK General Service Conference 2011, Committee 4, Question 2:

“Can Conference make suggestions on how groups and Intergroups can work better to carry the message to the still suffering alcoholic? - There is evidence that strained relationships between some Groups and Intergroups could be inhibiting the effectiveness of our primary purpose.” (AA service News 145, 2010)

“This committee found that strained relations between some groups and Intergroups can inhibit the effectiveness of our primary purpose…..” (Committee 4, Question 2) (AA Service news 147, 2011)

With 30 certified facilities worldwide (Kelly Foundation website) and nearly 400 treatment centres using Recovery Dynamics materials (“Carry This Message”, Joe McQ, rear cover) indoctrinating alcoholics in Joe McQ's hybrid A.A./Recovery Dynamics program, alongside subtle indoctrination of A.A. members via “Joe and Charlie” Big Book Study audio recordings, and a global affiliation of Primary Purpose Big Book Study A.A. groups, headed by the Primary Purpose Group of A.A. (Dallas), intergroups ought to prepare a strategy for de-programming any confused, brainwashed newcomers who believe they are on a dual purpose mission to educate A.A. and the still suffering alcoholic. Moreover, Public Information committees ought to be developing a strategy for informing the general public, especially emphasising the fact A.A. is not a religious organisation or an alcoholism education program.

“Of highest importance would be our relations with medicine and religion. Under no circumstances must we get into competition with either. If we appeared to be a new religious sect, we’d be done for. (AA Grapevine June 1955, Language of the Heart page 150)

“Education will not only pay off in numbers treated; it can pay off even more handsomely in prevention… … Now who is going to do all this education? Obviously, it is both a community job and a job for specialists. Individually, we AAs can help, but AA as such cannot, and should not, get directly into this field.” (Bill W. AA Grapevine March 1958. Language of the Heart page 186-187)

“Nothing however, could be so unfortunate for A.A.’s future as an attempt to incorporate any of our personal theological views into A.A. teaching, practice or tradition.” (Bill W. AA Comes of Age page 232)

“Beyond a Higher Power, as each of us may vision him, A.A. must never, as a society, enter the field of dogma or theology….. Lest we kill our usefulness by being bogged down in theological contention” (Bill W. Letter 1954, As Bill sees It page 116)

“If we recognise religion is the province of the clergy and the practice of medicine is for doctors, we can helpfully cooperate with both” (Concept 12, warranty 5)

“We have no doctrine that has to be maintained, no membership that has to be enlarged, We have no authority that has to be supported, no prestige, power, or pride that has to be satisfied” (Concept 12, warranty five)

Comment:

The problem of 'outside affiliation' has been clearly identified here - specifically the “Back to Basics” and “Primary Purpose” franchises (among others). Moreover the 'blurring' of the lines between AA proper and the various enterprises (in some cases clearly commercial) utilising the 12 Step method has led to widespread accusations that AA itself is profiting from the recovery “industry”. In most cases this is untrue - with the exception of literature sales. Income from this source is utilised to subsidise the activities of the service structure (in clear contravention of our own traditions ie. Tradition 7). Since a proportion of these sales go to outside agencies eg. treatment centres etc then effectively the fellowship is being subsidised by these (again a clear breach of the traditions). This problem has twice been acknowledged by the AA Conference in Great Britain and on both occasions our delegates have ducked their responsibilities. Third time lucky perhaps? Thus far the leadership, which should have been forthcoming, is more often than not entirely absent. It is time therefore for the groups (and members) – and quite rightly - to take direct responsibility (and be accountable) for the conduct of the fellowship. Inclusion in the AA directory should be administered solely by the relevant intergroups (ie. local Where to Finds). These local lists (and only with the approval of the local groups) should then be submitted to GSO for inclusion in the national register. (In this connection it may be that the intergroup itself is compromised eg. West Kent, Plymouth, 'Wessex Intergroup' et al, and steps may need to be taken to ensure that these elements of the service structure are similarly 'quarantined'). Any group which has an outside affiliation should be “delisted” and its members (qua group members) refused participation in the AA service structure. Groups which run websites (as argued above) should also be considered as having an outside affiliation and treated accordingly (eg. Road to Recovery, Design for Living etc). Additionally the service structure at every level should take care to ensure that ALL interested parties are notified of the “delisting” and therefore that these groups (and their representatives) may no longer be considered as being associated in any way with AA. All parts of the service hierarchy need to adopt a much more active role in ensuring that AA principles, programme, history etc (as outlined in AA conference approved literature) are communicated clearly not only within the fellowship but also to those agencies with which we cooperate. At the moment the message we are sending out is mixed, and frequently communicated by people who have little or nothing to do with AA. All of this boils down to a single important principle

WE ARE RESPONSIBLE …. OR ARE WE NOT!

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)