A Minority report (continued)(4)

“The advice given in David C’s Big Book Recovery website on professional counsellors, medication and step 5 are a direct contradiction with the Alcoholics Anonymous “Big Book” and the “Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions”:

“Those of us belonging to a religious denomination which requires confession must, and of course will want to go to the properly appointed authority, whose duty it is to receive it… … If we cannot or would rather not do this, we search for our acquaintance with a closed – mouthed, understanding friend. Perhaps our doctor or psychologist will be the friend. It may be one of our own family, but we cannot disclose anything to our wives or parents which will hurt them or make them unhappy.” (Alcoholics Anonymous, “Big Book” page 74,)

“This person may be one’s sponsor, but not necessarily so… … Perhaps, though, your relationship to him is such that you would care to reveal only a part of your story. If this is the situation, by all means do so… … It may turn out, however, that you’ll choose someone else for the more difficult and deeper revelations. This individual may be entirely outside of A.A. – for example, your clergyman or your doctor. For some of us, a complete stranger may prove the best bet.” (The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, page 62)

“An A.A. sponsor does not offer services such as those provided by counsellors, the legal, medical or social work communities, but may sometimes help the newcomer to access professional help if assistance outside the scope of A.A. is needed. (Questions and answers on sponsorship, page 14) http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/p-15_Q&AonSpon.pdf

“A.A. Does not….solicit members….follow up or try to control its members…. Make medical or psychological diagnoses or prognoses… … provide … … any medical or psychiatric treatment; offer religious services; engage in education about alcohol… … or any other welfare or social services; provide domestic or vocational counselling…” (Members of the clergy ask about Alcoholics Anonymous page 18) http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/p-25_membersoftheclergyaskaboutaa.pdf

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

It is a sad day indeed, when victims of abuse in A.A. seek support elsewhere; when the safeguards and procedures already available are not being used; when professional alcoholism counsellors write to the A.A. Grapevine, asking A.A. to read its own literature.

It is a sad day when a District Committee Member (D.C.M.) in the USA, does not appear to be able to find important information from within the A.A. Service structure; but instead, the concerned A.A. member feels the need to source it from a non AA UK internet forum:

“In this USA area, about 2 1/2 years ago in 2008, a Yellow cover book - "Back to Basics " by Wally P., began to be passed around; soon many were buying it and some malcontented [sic] people from a few AA groups began to gather to discuss the book. They were generally outspoken and not recieved [sic] well by AA groups and the strong opposition seemed to bond the malcontents to each other. They had a fixed idea of how the 12 steps should be done, an out of balance view of AA history and statistics. Like claiming that AA once had 75% success rate; and futher [sic] claimed AA lost that sucess [sic] rate when AA became organized!

The movement has grown more active and now "seeds" meetings and discussion rooms with individuals who push their views. Now, there seems to be an organized effort for 6 to 10 "Back to Basics" people to meet before a target meeting - they split up a few small groups - go to various tables or each Meeting Room and steer discussions into issues which give them a format to present half truths and thier [sic] "sprituality" [sic] claims.

Many of us "regular" AA people are concerned. It seems to me that your experiences are similar and may be repeated here in this USA area. I found your "Cultwatch" site on the Bing search engine. The information is valuable and appreciated by me and I have passed the web address on to a DCM friend”. (aacultwatch forum; subject entitled “Back to Basics movement”) http://forums.delphiforums.com/aacultwatch/messages/?start=Start+Reading+%3E%3E

There needs to be better communication within the fellowship.

This is a statement at the bottom of the page on Wally P’s Back to Basics website:

“After receiving notification from the General Service Office about our mission statement, the Board of Directors of the Back to Basics Foundation met in a special session and voted to change the wording of the statement so it would be in compliance with the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous.

The Board also voted to move all materials pertaining to other Twelve Step programs to separate web sites, so there would be no confusion about the primary purpose of the Back to Basics Foundation.

We ask for your patience in this matter because, at the present time, we have no means to accomplish this objective. We have no paid employees, and continue to operate with a negative cash flow. If it is God’s will, there will be sufficient individual donations to make the wishes of the Board of Directors a reality.

The Back to Basics Foundation is a 501 (C) 3, not-for-profit Corporation dedicated to saving the lives of alcoholics. Our modified mission statement is listed below” http://www.aabacktobasics.org/

Perhaps the A.A.W.S. Trustees ought to take note of Bill W’s leadership when passive negotiations fail with “Our promoter friend” turned “alarming poser” (A.A. Comes of Age page 130 -131), such as they have with Wally P; and when necessary, to call on support from the A.A. groups. If Wally P says his foundation “at the present time has no means to accomplish this objective,” then perhaps he needs some assistance. We are sure some two million A.A.s worldwide would be only too willing to help both another alcoholic and the Trustees as well.

“Strong letters … … … letters of a kind the sponsor might not like to receive” as Bill W. put it, is a powerful dissuasive tool for any Traditions violator. And as Bill W. recognised, the “right of petition” is recognised in any democratic society. It cuts both ways.

We wonder why warranties five and six have not been carried out to their full. Why information about Back to Basics has not been disseminated throughout the world service structure down to the G.S.Rs and a request to intergroup Public Information committees to inform the general public of misuses of the A.A. name.

“Privately, however we can inform Traditions violators that they are out of order. When they persist, we can follow up by using such other resources of persuasion as we may have, and these are often considerable…….. And to this end we shall need to maintain a continuous education of our public communication channels of all kinds concerning the nature and purpose of our Traditions……….. Whenever and however we can, we shall need to inform the general public also; especially upon misuses of the name Alcoholics Anonymous. This combination of counter forces can be very discouraging to violators or would be violators. Under these conditions they soon find their deviations to be unprofitable or unwise." (Concept 12, warranty five).

“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).””

Comment:

The AA Service Manual combined with the Twelve Concepts for World Service (2011-2012 edn). And see below for the relevant pages (Concept 12: Warranties 5 and 6 in full)

From the above it can clearly be seen that the Back to Basics movement is an entirely separately run organisation with its own financing, service structure, literature, meetings directory etc. As such it falls into the category of an “outside organisation” and under AA traditions an AA group which affiliate themselves with such are in breach of Tradition 3 (long form):

“—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)

In our view, and in accordance with the above tradition, (and with reference to the above mentioned warranties) where such a group is listed in any AA directory (local and/or national) it should withdraw its listing immediately or be removed. Moreover any GSRs associated with Back to Basics groups should exclude themselves (or be excluded) from service at AA intergroup level (and indeed at any level in the service structure). Steps should also be taken to inform all relevant outside agencies e.g via PI, HL etc that these groups are not affiliated with AA and should not be taken as such. In this way a clear demarcation will be established between the two entities. The same principles apply with regard to the Primary Purpose movement, and on similar grounds eg. separate meeting directories (although they still represent themselves as being part of AA). Nevertheless their continued – and deliberate - misrepresentation of AA recovery rates, their abusive sponsorship methods and moreover the existence of commercial interests operating within this grouping further disqualify them from any claim to be associated with AA. The Visions/Road to Recovery groups are for their part not so easily identifiable as a collective (although there is an unofficial network of these groups in existence with the usual emphasis on abusive sponsorship practices, anti-prescribed medication/counselling policies etc). In this case each group should be treated individually and where they fail to mend their ways (which is usually the case) should similarly be excluded from the service structure with all outside agencies being notified accordingly. It is only by applying such admittedly drastic methods that we can ensure that these groups (and their members) no longer inflict harm on newcomers and thereby bring AA into disrepute. Inaction on our part is no longer an option

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS See our UK and US “Cult Where to Finds” for a preliminary listing of these groups. However we believe that these represent just the tip of the iceberg!

Back to Basics movement

Firstly some of the meetings included in the Back to Basics (cult) Where to Find

Back To Basics Meeting
St Simon's Church
Waverley road,
Southsea, Portsmouth

Southport Tuesday
8:00 pm-9:00pm. Back To Basics Meeting
Quakers Meeting Rooms
Court Road
Southport,

Barnoldswick, Lancashire Tuesday
7:30-8:30 p.m. Back To Basics Meeting
Holy Trinity Church,
Skipton Road,
Barnoldswick

Aberdeen Wednesday
8:00-9:30 pm Back To Basics Meeting
St Marks Church
Rosemount Viaduct
Aberdeen,

“We accomplish our objective by coordinating the recovery efforts of the numerous Back to Basics A.A. Beginners' meetings and groups, answering questions as they arise, following up on Twelfth Step calls, and assisting groups with their registration at the local, area, and General Service Offices. We also conduct one day and weekend seminars based on the Back to Basics A.A. program and distribute recovery literature and other materials on the A.A. Beginners' meetings.”

It can be seen from the above quote that this movement is deliberately (and explicitly) co-ordinated to create an alternative service structure to that of Alcoholics Anonymous. Similarly they are actively engaged in subverting the Twelve Step call out system and encouraging their groups to register with the various AA service offices to further undermine genuine AA. They also advertise their “programme” which is based in part on genuine AA literature but largely too on outside sources and non-conference approved material. Their “objective” is to undermine AA and replace both its fellowship and recovery programme with a 'mongrel' version, one based on a misrepresentation of AA recovery rates and the largely fallacious claim that they are returning AA to its 'original roots' ie. pre-Tradition – the outcome can only be disastrous for all concerned!

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

AA Back to Basics

A tip-off to all London intergroups via the unofficial grapevine

Coming up soon….

‘The Messiah Complex World Tour’…

‘Undiluted’ Cult Workshop

Kingston United Reformed Church
Richard Mayo Centre
Eden Street
Kingston Upon Thames, KT1 1HZ

March 7- 9, 2014

Details of the world tour: http://www.aabacktobasics.org/

And a flyer for the Kingston event….

Yep, Wally P’s back on stage in 2014, with his brand new “Messiah Complex World Tour’’ coming to London in March with the ‘UNDILUTED’ show in Kingston. (Not be confused with Russell Brand’s ‘The Messiah Complex World Tour’ at the O2 Academy, Brixton, 9^th March, 2014). Like Wally, comedian Russell Brand is also back on stage with his brand new show -- "Messiah Complex". (A 'Messiah Complex' is a mental disorder where the sufferer thinks they might be God, and we think the show’s going to be hilarious) Now then, here’s a coincidence - Two ‘Messiah Complex’ comedy shows coming to town in one weekend! - an act of Providence even?  For details of the Russell Brand show see below.

With Wally P’s double act however, there’s the serious downside to any hilarity generated. AA groups in the UK may need to brace themselves for a fresh infiltration of hyped up cocaine addicts/ alcoholics infected with the ‘Wally Messiah Complex’, followed by a mass exodus of alcoholics to Rational Recovery. Symptoms of those so afflicted may be recognised by overt displays of “double think,” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doublethink and “duckspeak.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Newspeak_words The worst infected cases may also exude a vociferous harping back to the Oxford Group’s successful 75% failure in sobering up alcoholics - a classic example of the contradictory terms typically ejaculated in “duckspeak.”

Here’s a little insight into how the double-thinking, duck-speaking, Wally cult complex works in the USA, (an AA member’s post on our aacultwatch forum

(‘Back to Basics Movement’ thread, 22/02/11)

“In this USA area, about 2 1/2 years ago in 2008, a Yellow cover book - "Back to Basics " by Wally P., began to be passed around; soon many were buying it and some malcontented people from a few AA groups began to gather to discuss the book. They were generally outspoken and not recieved well by AA groups and the strong opposition seemed to bond the malcontents to each other. They had a fixed idea of how the 12 steps should be done, an out of balance view of AA history and statistics. Like claiming that AA once had 75% success rate; and futher claimed AA lost that sucess rate when AA became organized!

The movement has grown more active and now "seeds" meetings and discussion rooms with individuals who push thier views. Now, there seems to be an organized effort for 6 to 10 "Back to Basics" people to meet before a target meeting - they split up a few small groups - go to various tables or each Meeting Room and steer discussions into issues which give them a format to present half truths and thier "sprituality" claims.

Many of us "regular" AA people are concerned. It seems to me that your experiences are similar and may be repeated here in this USA area. I found your "Cultwatch" site on the Bing search engine. The information is valuable and appreciated by me and I have passed the web address on to a DCM friend.”

(Not anonymous) cult leader Wally Paton (pictured on left, with side kick) in Dallas, 12/7/01. (Photo Courtesy of Wally’s Faith With Works Publishing Company) http://www.aabacktobasics.org/Faith%20With%20Works%20Pub%20Co/index.html 

Comment: Our usual thanks to the AA member who alerted us to this cocaine addict’s enterprising event. Wally P’s Back to Basics, is a multi purpose 12 Step cult - not to be confused with Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous.

Of course, the twisting of history through an educational programme in which certain historical facts are selectively chosen whilst others are carefully erased, in order to present a half truth which is then laced with a few lies, is not a new idea. It is a well known method of millieu control http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milieu_control used by politicians, conmen, bankers, insurance brokers, cult leaders and totalitarian regimes, in order to control the masses. As George Orwell once wrote,

“…And if all others accepted the lie which the Party imposed – if all records told the same tale – then the lie passed into history and became truth. ‘Who controls the past,’ ran the Party slogan, ‘controls the future: who controls the present controls the past.’ And yet the past, though of its nature alterable, never had been altered. Whatever was true now was true from everlasting to everlasting. It was quite simple. All that was needed was an unending series of victories over your own memory. ‘Reality control’, they called it: in Newspeak, doublethink.” - George Orwell, (Nineteen Eighty-Four, part I, chapter III)

Since we’re still happily living in the uncontrolled reality of ‘oldspeak,’ our memories remind us of a number of things, too many in fact, to put on the blog all in one go. So we’ve decided to run a series of “Back to Basics Specials” between now and March 2014. In the mean time though, why not get back to basics and ponder the undiluted (or should we say uncensored) ‘oldspeak’ of the AA Co-founders in 1939 and 1940, as they appear in AA Conference Approved literature?

“Have definitely shaken off the shackles of the Oxford Group.” –Dr. Bob, 2^nd January 1940 (Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers p. 218)

“1. The principle of aggressive evangelism so prominent as an Oxford Group attitude had to be dropped in order to get any result with alcoholics. Experience showed that this principle, which may have been absolutely vital to the success of the Oxford Group, would seldom touch neurotics of our hue.” …. ….“3. 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 other group of people; yet we found that when the word ‘absolute’ was put in front of these atttributes, they either turned people away by the hundreds or gave a temporary spiritual inflation resulting in collapse.” “4. It was discovered that all forms of coercion, both direct, and indirect, had to be dropped….” –Bill W., 30^th October 1940. (Extracts, Pass It On p.172)

After you’ve had time to ponder, we also suggest taking a tip out of the undiluted Big Book p.102 http://www.aa.org/bigbookonline/en_bigbook_chapt7.pdf (the page we havent seen quoted by Wally) Then plan to pop along to one of the legitimate (non cult) social events to be held in London on the weekend, March 7- 9, 2014. There’s lots to choose from, but heres a few suggestions.

Russell Brand: “The Messiah Complex World Tour” 9th March 2014, O2 Academy Brixton

http://www.o2academybrixton.co.uk/event/59340/russell-brand-messiah-complex-world-tour-tickets

Ellie Goulding

9th March 2014, The O2, theo2.co.uk 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NKUpo_xKyQ

Mark Thomas: “100 Acts of Minor Dissent”

8th Mar 2014, Leicester Square Theatre  http://www.londondrum.com/events/?p=21492

The Stranglers

8th Mar 2014, Hammersmith Apollo http://www.londondrum.com/events/?p=23505 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnWVCWNnkQE

Verdi’s “Rigoletto”

7th Mar 2014, London Coliseum

http://www.londondrum.com/events/?p=22296

Might see you at the O2 Academy, we’re going to have a fun weekend!

Cheerio,

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

P.S. If any of these entertainments don’t grab your fancy, you could always nip along to the “most sordid spot on earth” (Big Book p. 102) - We’ll leave that one to your imagination! Or you can see more of Wally P. for free in AA Minority Report 2013. Click here

"Primary Purpose" and "Back to Basics" groups and meetings

The following meetings (GB) are listed on various "Primary Purpose/Back to Basics" directories (prominent amongst which is the Dallas Primary Purpose movement). The directories themselves are accessed via websites (some identifying themselves as being associated with Alcoholics Anonymous, others not so). These sites carry quite explicit, misleading and unproven information on AA and on AA recovery rates (and this to AA's detriment). This has have been brought to their attention by aacultwatch (together with evidence to the contrary - see following links: AA recovery rates; Primary Purpose - so far we have received no response). The inclusions of such separate directories are contrary to AA traditions and moreover a clear breach of one of AA's three legacies ie unity. We consider these groups (and the groups included in their directories) as being divisive, dishonest, and quite disingenuous, and moreover so far removed from the guiding principles of AA as to no longer constitute genuine AA groups. We are quite aware that some groups which propagate this misleading propaganda do not use either of the above titles in their group names. Equally however there are those that do utilise these denominations but which are in no way associated with this perversion of AA; this question must be left finally to each individual to make the appropriate judgement. However we would advise newcomers (and those who are in contact with newcomers) to be aware that groups which bear such titles (as well as those that use the terms "Big Book Study group", "Newcomers" or "Beginners" meetings, “Road to Recovery” - but bearing in mind the above caveat) should be approached with some caution. The profiles of these cult groups have been covered in some detail on our website.

England

Primary Purpose Big Book Study Group
Beckenham, Kent
Wednesday 19:15 hours
Downham Way Family Church

Line by Line Big Book Study Group
Brighton
East Sussex
The Crypt
St. George's Church
St. George's Road
Thursday 6:30 – 7:30 pm

Primary Purpose Group
Brighton, UK
Monday 7.30pm Millview Hospital

The Coleshill Primary Purpose Group
Coleshill near Birmingham
Sacred Heart Church
Wednesday 8:00 PM

The Halifax Primary Purpose Group
Halifax, West Yorkshire
The Ebenezer Centre
St. James Road

Maldon Big Book Study Group
Maldon, Essex

Eccles Big Book Study Group
Eccles, Manchester UK
Tuesday at 8:00 PM
Friends Meeting House
The Polygon, off Wellington Road
Eccles, Salford

Primary Purpose Big Book Study Meeting
259 Pitsmoor Road
Sheffield,
Mondays 7pm - 8.30pm

Southsea, Portsmouth
Monday
7:00-8:00 pm Back To Basics Meeting
St Simon's Church
Waverley road,
Southsea, Portsmouth

Southport Tuesday
8:00 pm-9:00pm. Back To Basics Meeting
Quakers Meeting Rooms
Court Road
Southport

Barnoldswick, Lancashire Tuesday
7:30-8:30 p.m. Back To Basics Meeting
Holy Trinity Church,
Skipton Road,
Barnoldswick

Women's Primary Purpose Group (Enfield)
Enfield, Middx
St Andrew's Parish Hall, Room 3, Silver Street
Tuesdays 7:30pm - 9:00pm

Enfield Primary Purpose Big Book Study
Enfield, Middx
Convent of the Holy Family
London Road
Saturdays 7:00pm - 8:00pm

AA Primary Purpose Big Book Study Group
Perranuthnoe, Cornwall
Wednesday 7.30-9.00pm
Perranuthnoe Church Hall

Purley There Is A Solution Big Book Study Group
Purley – South London & Surrey
Purley Reform Church
Brighton Road
Mondays 8:00 PM

Sunday Night Big Book Study Group
Stratford on Avon
Mulberry Street
Sunday - 7:30 – 9:00 PM

Toddington Primary Purpose
Toddington
Saturday 7:00 PM

Scotland

Aberdeen Big Book Workshop
Aberdeen
Thursday 7.30 - 9pm
St Peters Roman Catholic Church
Castlegate

Aberdeen
Wednesday
8:00-9:30 pm Back To Basics Meeting
St Marks Church
Rosemount Viaduct

Big Book Study Meeting
Edinburgh
Monday 8pm,
Apostolic Church Hall
New Street, Musselburgh

Priesthill Big Book Study,
Priesthill Community Hall
Priesthill Road
Pollok
Glasgow

Big Book Study Meeting
Edinburgh
Monday 8pm,
Apostolic Church Hall
New Street, Musselburgh

Motherwell Primary Purpose Group
Motherwell
The Baptist Church
Windmill Road
Monday night 8pm

Big Book Study
Dundee
Lochee West
Monday night 8pm

Wales

Johnston Primary Purpose Big Book Study
Johnston
Pembrokeshire
at "The Oasis”
Near Johnston Baptist Church
Tuesday evenings 8.00pm to 9.30pm

Re: Surrey St Sunday meeting (Croydon)

From our correspondent:

"Dear AA cultwatch,......

Two months ago some male members from the group began expressing concerns that during Sunday fellowship a group claiming to be 'Back to Basics' where using very assertive canvassing and recruitment techniques to get

men on their program. 

...... this group discuss, for example, that there is no need for a sponsor as it is not in the Big Book. All this of course occurred outside of an AA setting. Nevertheless I relayed my concerns, and those of the other men, to the all (apart from me) female committee. 

In the last week, things have progressed to the point that Back to Basics are now using the same room that AA have their meetings in to host post meeting group sessions. My phone calls to GSO confirm that Back to Basics is not endorsed by AA. B2B has crossed the line and is becoming increasingly clear that men are no longer returning to Surrey st meetings as they feel B2B is not 'in the spirit of AA'. 

B2B are subtle with their approach and never mention B2B when they share at either meeting. Please spread the word regarding Back to Basics and what is happening with AA in Croydon....." (edits to preserve anonymity)

Comment: Back to Basics has essentially been set up as Wally P's pension pot. It's a programme rip off that makes all sorts of claims to success rates (as yet unsubstantiated). It forms part of the Big Book recovery 'industry' where 'experts' of all shapes and sizes peddle their wares in the hope of making a few bucks (and massaging their already frail egos) on the side. But if you don't fancy the text based (overnight success 'guaranteed') approach then you can always opt to join the sponsor 'fetishists' (Road to Recovery, Joys of Recovery, Clancy I blah blah blah) club. Here you can happily dispense with the need to seek out a Higher Power .. one will be provided for you ... in the shape of yet another 'wise guy' (or gal .. let's not be sexist here!) who will happily organise your life for you .. No need to think for yourself or ask for God's guidance (if you're inclined that way). Just ring up your sponsor and they'll tell you ALL you need to know and do ... Or ...... you could just go along to a bog standard AA meeting, sit down, drink your beverage, munch on a biccie and listen to other people as they share their experience of getting and staying sober in the REAL world You might even chip in with a few thoughts yourself. And then you just go out and DO it! And guess what! That works as well! Who'd have thought it! It couldn't be that simple could it? Yep. It's just that simple....

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous .. and big fans of Keeping It Simple)

PS Thanks to our correspondent

Back to Basics/Primary Purpose

Extracts from the aacultwatch forum (old):

“In this USA area, about 2 1/2 years ago in 2008, a Yellow cover book - "Back to Basics " by Wally P.,   began to be passed around; soon many were buying it and some malcontented people from a few AA groups  began to gather to discuss the book.  They were generally outspoken and not received well by AA groups and the strong opposition seemed to bond the malcontents to each other.  They had a fixed idea of how the 12 steps should be done, an out of balance view of AA history and statistics.  Like claiming that AA once had 75% success rate; and futher claimed AA lost that sucess rate when AA became organized! 

The movement has grown more active and now "seeds"  meetings and discussion rooms with individuals who push their views.  Now, there seems to be an organized effort for 6 to 10 "Back to Basics" people to meet before a target meeting - they split up a few small groups - go to various tables or each Meeting Room and steer discussions into issues which give them a format to present half truths and their "sprituality" claims. 

Many of us "regular" AA people are concerned.  It seems to me that your experiences are similar and may be repeated here in this USA area.  I found your "Cultwatch" site on the Bing search engine.  The information is valuable and appreciated by me and I have passed the web address on to a DCM friend.” 

“Hi …....., you have given an a description of a couple of groups which started in my area in the UK a couple of years ago, though they are linked to Primary Purpose, they make similar distorted claims on statistics, preach "the first one hundred" this, the "Big Book authors" that; and make a big point that they are " recoverED." They also targeted other meetings in a similar way, which did not go down well especially when these groups also received the fallout of confused newcomers and complaints. There are 3 aabacktobasics groups in the UK, 2 in Scotland and one on the South Coast.

Leaving aside for a moment that aabacktobasics is a parasitic organisation riding on the back of AA, sucking finance and service time away from the AA World Service structure, the website and stuff on You-tube looks relatively harmless on the surface until you look closely at what's underneath. The content in the yellow books is disturbing. There is a clever manipulation of AA history and statistics, using selected bits of archive material, which meticulously removes all of the balanced viewpoints found in the official AA history. This leaves the reader with the impression the AA groups in the 1940s were following the Oxford Group absolutes. No mention that the earliest AA groups rejected these absolutes and split from the Oxford Group between 1937 and 1940. They say the most convincing lies are the ones laced with truth. I'm sure it will fool a lot of people who have little knowledge of official AA history.

The terminology in the yellow books is the opposite of AA and one of control, obligation and expectation on the newcomer. Before he has a chance to properly de-fog from alcohol and decide for himself whether he is an alcoholic, the newcomer is expected to start doing the steps, including a moral inventory of himself with his assigned sponsor. (No mention of the choice of being able to do this with someone outside AA, such as a clergyman or psychologist, as suggested in chapter 6 of the Big Book.) Then he is expected to sponsor another newcomer through the process after 4 weeks.

The defined guidance from "two-way prayer" is also disconcerting and of a type warned against in step 11. Thoughts (from God?) are written down, shared with others, rationalised and to be obeyed. It looks like a cult to me, complete with a figurehead as leader, Wally P; no doubt the executive director of the "not for profit" foundation and publishing company enjoys a very good salary.

Here is some online information which you might find helpful. It might be good idea to remind your intergroup public information committee of this line in Concept 12, warranty five: "Whenever and however we can, we shall need to inform the general public also; especially upon misuses of the name Alcoholics Anonymous."

http://www.aabacktobasics.org/

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

Independent competitive Public relations to AA:
http://www.aabacktobasics.org/New-Court%20Ordered%20Back%20to%20Basics.html

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

Independent competitive fundraising to AA, Back to Basics foundation:

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

Independent competitive literature and merchandise to AA;

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

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS To use “comment” system simply click on the relevant tab below this article and sign in. All comments go through a moderation stage

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

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)