It seems
(or so we've heard) that the Plymouth R2R cult group, not satisfied
with inserting their sticky fingers into AA's business, now have
designs on DAA (Drug Addicts Anonymous). A member drew our attention to their
activities recently. DAA (for those of you who've never heard of
them – which included us) seems to be in many ways similar to NA
but eschews their literature in favour of AA's. Apparently in the
Plymouth area there was a bit of a bust up a couple of years ago and
some NA members severed their links with Narcotics Anonymous and
swapped over to the DAA format. Moreover it would seem - there being
something of a dearth of home-grown sponsors - they've shipped in a
few of these from the Road to Recovery (cult) group, who, as we all know, are
more than willing to evangelise at the drop of a hat! In the process
the R2R gang have also somehow managed to draw a local Christian
treatment project called Ovis Farm into their web. The latter of
course have no idea what they've let themselves in for! But they
will soon enough!
Prompted
by this news we cast our eyes over the R2R site – it's always good
for a laugh - and came across a couple of 'gems' including one by Alexis K in
which he holds forth on his experience of Tradition One. Here his summation “Unity comes
from a choice to tolerate, not from a demand to conform” might
be considered admirable, that is until both its intent and advocate
are subjected to closer examination! In the hands of a cult member
tolerance is an entirely one way process ie. we (the cult) do what we
like - and you (AA) put up with it! The cult hierarchy are quite
happy to ride rough-shod over any tradition, concept or guideline
devised by AA if it does not suit their purpose, one which
essentially boils down to self-(will)power and control of others (see Step Three, AA, pp. 60-62). Any attempt to criticise this conduct
will be met either with indifference or an air of assumed hurt (something along the
lines of “But we're only trying to carry the AA message” etc). The
only message though that the cult are actually interested in transmitting is one of
personal power, this made incarnate in the cult Sponsor – he or she
who must be obeyed in all things and whose will may not be thwarted!
But Alexis himself is, of course, a well practised exponent of the cult
mentality. Who could forget (and we're certainly not going to let
you!) his exemplification of these lofty principles of “tolerance”
at the AA Conference! As usual it's a case of “Do what I say and not what
I do”
The
other piece of “fool's gold” for offer on the site comes under
the title “Parable of a Sponsor”. Here the heroine of the title
offers some Zen like guidance to a stray sponsee who has fallen by
the wayside! The very title of the piece sends a shiver down our
collective spines....... it's only a matter of time before we hear
the first report of a cult sponsor walking on water! We await this
news with breath all baited!
Cheerio
The
Fellas (Friends
of Alcoholics Anonymous)
PS
Our usual thanks to our local correspondents
