Bill Wilson talking about the Traditions - Tradition Three

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous ...and rather fond of the Traditions too!)

Tradition Three, Grapevine, July, 1952, Bill W

See also Links and downloads

Editorial: On the 3rd Tradition, Grapevine, February, 1948, Bill W

See also Links and downloads

Conference Questions (2012) forum discussion (contd)

Committee No. 3

Question 2:

“Would the Fellowship review and re-affirm what constitutes an AA Group, within the Fellowship in Great Britain with specific reference to Traditions 4 - 6?

Background

The Traditions

Preamble

Concepts

Consider the contribution to the carrying of the message, financial and practical implications when deliberating each question.”

Extract:

“The preamble, traditions and concepts describe the principles which constitute an AA group. The closer a group of alcoholics adhere to these principles, the more they constitute an AA group. There is a boundary in AA Tradition relating to the use of the name Alcoholics Anonymous, which when crossed, a group of alcoholics cannot call themselves an AA group.

“Our membership Tradition does contain, however, one vitally important qualification. That qualification relates to the use of our name Alcoholics Anonymous. We believe that any two or three alcoholics gathered together for sobriety may call themselves an AA group, provided that, as a group, they have no other affiliation. Here our purpose is clear and unequivocal. For obvious reasons we wish the AA name to be used only in connection with straight AA activities.” (Bill W. ‘Tradition Three’, AA Grapevine 1948, The Language of the Heart page 79-80)

“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, The Language of the Heart page 80)

“Tradition six also enjoins the group never to go into business nor ever lend the AA name or money credit to any ‘outside’ enterprise, no matter how good.” (Bill W. ‘Tradition Six’ AA Grapevine 1948, The Language of the Heart page 83)

“If individual A.A.s wish to gather together for retreats, Communion breakfasts, or indeed any undertaking at all, we still say ‘Fine. Only we hope you won’t designate your efforts as an A.A. group or enterprise.” (Concept 12, warranty Five)

“Some years ago, numbers of AAs formed themselves into ‘retreat groups’ having a religious purpose. At first they wanted to call themselves AA groups of various descriptions. But they soon realized this could not be done because their groups had a dual purpose: both AA and religion”. (Bill W. ‘Problems other than Alcohol,’ AA Grapevine February 1958; The Language of the Heart page 222).

The preamble states: “AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution;” Therefore, if a group of alcoholics were to use principles contained in non A.A. published literature, attempting to re-enact carrying the alcoholic/Oxford Group Christian message of 1935-1939; (a time before Alcoholics Anonymous was formed as a non religious organization) then they could not call themselves an AA group. The Oxford Group was a religious Christian organization and an entirely separate organization to A.A.

It also follows that if a group of alcoholics were to use principles contained in non A.A. published literature, following non AA 12 step programmes, based on the Big Book; or which revive Oxford Group aggressive evangelism, the use of the Lord’s prayer in a group setting, offering spiritual guidance for it’s members, spiritual retreats, etc; or certain Tradition deviant religious or educational practices deployed by some early AA groups in the 1940s; then they could not call themselves an AA group. Their purpose, as a group, would be religious or lending the AA name to a related facility or outside enterprise. These group purposes would be outside the boundary in A.A. Traditions and General Warranties of Conference, therefore they could not call themselves an AA group.

“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”. (Concept 12, warranty 6)

The AA Group pamphlet, page 24, reminds AA members that “Regularly scheduled meetings, of course, are the chief activity of any AA group. The group continues to exist outside meeting hours, ready to offer help when needed.” Group activity therefore, includes that of any alcoholics gathered together as a group under the AA name, whether it be in a meeting, in member’s homes, in sponsorship, or anywhere.”

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

The use of the Lord's Prayer in AA meetings.....

“…... or why should we be so surprised when cult groups fail to abide by the traditions (which they largely do) when we ourselves so blithely ignore them?

“Tradition 3. Our membership ought to include all who suffer from alcoholism. Hence we may refuse none who wish to recover. Nor ought A.A. membership ever depend upon money or conformity. 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 affiliation.”

The AA Preamble:

“Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

Copyright © The AA Grapevine, Inc.”

(our emphases)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_lords_prayer

Whilst not claiming that a Wikipedia entry may be regarded necessarily as a definitive source it does seem quite evident that the Lord's Prayer is in fact Christian in origin and forms a central part of Christian practice. From this there follow some quite serious implications (if taken together with the above tradition and preamble), which suggest that any group that uses such a prayer demonstrates an outside affiliation and therefore (and according to that tradition) may not even call itself an AA group. Its members may hold whatever views, beliefs etc they like (individually) but even if every member of the group were a practising Christian (of whatever denomination) this group would still be in breach of this tradition. Moreover the prayer presents a set of ethical precepts (and concepts) which may be quite alien to any non-Christian attendees and although a moral review is a central component of the recovery programme (together with some indicated categories) there is no suggestion that such an appraisal should necessarily comply with a particular religious tradition (eg. as outlined in this prayer). Finally, although AA and its programme are undeniably derived (in part) from this tradition it could equally be argued that Christianity itself is based upon necessarily “pagan” origins. Whereabouts in the time line therefore does AA establish finally its foundations? In practical terms, and given the present public debate about the supposed “religiosity” of AA (and its possible negative impact on AA attendance), it is probably not very helpful for the membership (collectively) to engage in any practices which clearly have a primarily “religious” (and denominational) component - rather it would be better to focus on those that may be regarded as essentially “spiritual” (and which would be inclusive of all religions and philosophies).

Again referring to the above source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirituality

and in particular the following:

“Spirituality can refer to an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality;[1] an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being; or the “deepest values and meanings by which people live.”[2] Spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer and contemplation, are intended to develop an individual's inner life; spiritual experience includes that of connectedness with a larger reality, yielding a more comprehensive self; with other individuals or the human community; with nature or the cosmos; or with the divine realm.[3] Spirituality is often experienced as a source of inspiration or orientation in life.[4] It can encompass belief in immaterial realities or experiences of the immanent or transcendent nature of the world.”

None of the above definitions come into conflict with AA's traditions and taken together form an inclusive approach which avoids altogether any problems of affiliation (religious or otherwise).”

Think on that!

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

(PS Our usual thanks to this correspondent)

Ealing again!

Well it would seem that Tim W has been elected (?) to the job of responding to South Middlesex IG's letter of complaint (see below: 31/07/11 “CULT THUG BULLIES DISABLED PENSIONER OUT OF EALING MEETING” for another of Tim W's initiatives!). Presumably the Happy One has been sent to convalesce somewhere else (or indeed anywhere else!) whilst a more “reasoned” defence for the cult groups' conduct is advanced. It all looks very impressive. The traditions are cited, bits of AA literature are mentioned, group autonomy is alluded to (but of course leaving out that inconvenient second part). All very reasonable … and all less than candid. And so …....

4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.

and of course Tradition 3 (which is not mentioned at all in this disingenuous missive):

3. Our membership ought to include all who suffer from alcoholism. Hence we may refuse none who wish to recover. Nor ought A.A. membership ever depend upon money or conformity. 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 affiliation.

(our emphases)

The cult groups in Ealing were set up with absolutely no consultation with AA groups or intergroup, and with no regard whatsoever as to their impact on legitimate AA meetings. These groups produce (and promote) their own literature (in probable breach of AAWS copyright) and moreover circulate a version of the Where to Find which contains adverts for the cult website referred to in this “spokesman's” letter. We have in fact had ample opportunity to study this website and contrary to the assertions made in Tim W's response there is much in there which is NOT derived from the Big Book and other AA literature (ie. the section: Alcohol in Solid Form). Here a number of assertions are made about the employment of prescribed medication (specifically anti-depressants) in relation to mis-diagnosis (or otherwise) of a putative underlying condition (ie. alcoholism). None of these statements is made by anyone with any professional qualification, and in fact represent purely the opinions of the author. Apart from the questionable views expressed (and the misquotes from AA literature) what is of greater interest is the discrepancy between what is evident and what is “inferred”. This latter term is employed with great frequency in the course of Tim W's rebuttal. Naturally one might infer anything about anything – in its extreme form this might be termed “subjectivism” or even “solipsism” - or to put it another way – everything is open to interpretation. So for example some people might take the term “suggested” to mean:

1. To offer for consideration or action; propose.

2. To bring or call to mind by logic or association; evoke.
3. To make evident indirectly; intimate or imply.
4. To serve as or provide a motive for.

In the cult circles however the word assumes an entirely different guise - it is “inferred” as an imperative, and worse still something that may be imposed by one person upon another. Here we remind you of that central imperative about which all cult sponsorship revolves:

“Sponsor

It is suggested that you phone daily and do exactly what your sponsor tells you. If you don't have a sponsor, look upon every meeting you go to as a chance to find one.

NB If anything is unclear, ask your sponsor.”

(our emphasis).

(an excerpt from another cult website linked to the one cited above)

So although the position adopted by the cult groups is presented by Tim W as being quite reasonable and entirely in accord with the Traditions etc it is in fact far removed. This may be exemplified by contrasting what is currently included under the present 'redaction' of the aforementioned website with its previous version. This throws some light on the covert, intrusive and indeed voyeuristic (some might say perverted) tendencies of its authors.

Under the section Step Four “Sexual Conduct” the original version contained the following statement:

“In the inventory we should be prepared to include sex with: men, women, children, animals..... . and bottles”

This has now been edited out.

Now it might be “inferred” from the basic text of Alcoholics Anonymous that such matters should be included in the Step Four inventory. However we would assert that this is an inference that may not be drawn and on two fairly obvious grounds: legal and therapeutic. Two of the sex acts referred to would fall under criminal jurisdiction and if revealed to a “sponsor” would place both individuals at risk of prosecution; the “sponsee” for the criminal act itself, and the “sponsor” as an accessory should they fail to report the incident(s). These communications are not legally “privileged”. Therapeutically it does not require an enormous leap of the imagination to consider the impact that such revelations might have on both parties especially where the “sponsor” may not be trained to handle such disclosures.

We include this example here as indicative of the cult's underlying agenda in Great Britain and elsewhere (quite apart from their deliberate – and overt - manipulation of the Traditions to promote their objectives). The façade that is presented by Tim W et al is precisely that – a show of unity but one without any substance. The letter may sign off with the traditional “Yours in fellowship” but actions do in fact speak so much more eloquently than words......

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

(our thanks to our local reporter)

Ipswich Primary Purpose

“Hello,

My name is …... I am a member of AA , have been sober for nearly ….. years and regularly attend local meetings. I share your concern over the rise and development of cult groups and wish to offer my support to the efforts you are making.

I would like to make you aware of a group called Ipswich Primary Purpose. It was voted in by the local intergroup last summer at the first quarterly meeting which I attended….. There was little, if any, serious concern expressed and the only condition attached was that a link to a private therapists site from the groups site be removed. This has not been done but no further action has been taken by intergroup. The therapist is a retired senior staff member from the Priory. The Primary Purpose web site has other loose but visible links to other sites, one of which is to Dick B.* I have not attended any Primary Purpose meetings and cannot offer any evidence as to how they are conducted but the probability of a connection with the movement you have identified is sufficient for me to feel that I have grounds to raise the matter. I have spoken to one other member who did attend one of their meetings and found it disturbing. They can be found at ipswichprimarypurpose.co.uk.

I am one of the, I believe, growing number of people who feel that AA must change and adapt if it is to continue to be able to offer the compassionate support and understanding at group level that I have found to be so valuable. It is the perception of many people that AA has cult like characteristics. If the growth of the cult elements is allowed to grow unchecked this perception will be confirmed and almost certainly be exposed by the news media . AA is able to offer the only low cost (essentially free), long term,unconditional support service to people who cannot afford expensive private treatment and it would be a great sadness if complacency were to bring this to an end.

In fellowship,......”

(our edits)

* We received this communication some time ago and in the intervening period the above mentioned links have been removed. We note however some advertising for a Primary Purpose Mini Convention on the site (now past) and the use of a logo which again seems specific to this website. We have to assume that this is not an AA sponsored convention (ie. by the local intergroup) since it is not advertised as such (under AA Events on the AA website) nor does it carry the AA logo (which it may do if it falls under this category). For these reasons as well as its explicit use of the term “Primary Purpose” in the group title (although this is modified under the meeting list to “AA Primary Purpose”) its precise status as an AA meeting is questionable. If in fact this group is affiliated to the Primary Purpose movement we would say not (see here for a detailed analysis of this movement). Although the meeting is listed under the national Where to Find this does not imply that it is in fact an AA meeting (or run by an AA group). Under Tradition 3 (long form):

3. Our membership ought to include all who suffer from alcoholism. Hence we may refuse none who wish to recover. Nor ought A.A. membership ever depend upon money or conformity. 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 affiliation.

(our emphasis)

This group falls under the Eastern Region: South East Anglian IG

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

(our usual thanks to our reporter)

Tradition Three

Short form:

"Three—The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking."

Long form:

"3.—Our membership ought to include all who suffer from alcoholism. Hence we may refuse none who wish to recover. Nor ought A.A. membership ever depend upon money or conformity. 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 affiliation."

(our emphases)

Note: Both the Primary Purpose groups and other cult groups DO have other affiliations; these are therefore NOT AA groups, NOR should they be included in any Where to Find, and moreover their members should not be permitted to participate in the AA service structure at ANY level. Cult groups DO demand conformity - that is with their perversion of both the Fellowship and our programme. Cult groups DO attempt to "filter" out those who THEY JUDGE not to be alcoholic - which is NOT their call after all!!