Here it is:
“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 AA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions.
AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organisation 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.”
(our emphases)
Tradition Five:
“Five—Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.” (short form)
“5.—Each Alcoholics Anonymous group ought to be a spiritual entity having but one primary purpose—that of carrying its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.” (long form)
This last section of the preamble contains much for reflection especially when it comes to the notion of sobriety. Apart from its usual connotation (especially within the context of AA), ie. complete, life-long abstinence from the consumption of alcohol, the expression also suggests (from the above definitions) “gravity in bearing, manner, or treatment”, “seriousness or solemnity” and most importantly, from our perspective at least, “the quality of refraining from excess”. Therefore a sober individual will be one who necessarily embodies that attribute in thought, word and deed. But the very antithesis of this behaviour is exemplified by members of the cult who stridently proclaim the superiority of their recovery over all others and who eagerly lay down a whole raft of “suggestions” (cult speak for 'rules) with which failure to comply it is implied will lead to relapse. Newcomers are presented with a dogma which has little to do with either the AA fellowship or its programme. Some of the worst offenders are those who claim some 'special' acquaintance with the basic text of AA, 'Alcoholics Anonymous' (frequently referred to as the Big Book) but who seem by some extraordinary mischance to have failed to read Chapter Seven, “Working With Others”, where a number of proposals are put forward as to the nature of the relationship that might exist between existing members and people new to the fellowship (one example being the exposition of the text presented by 'circuit speakers' Joe and Charlie who, apart from a couple of passing references to the aforementioned chapter, fail to make any further comment on its content (an omission which reflects in particular Joe's disinclination to follow the advice contained therein, this part of his 'study' being more a reflection of his own prejudices than a serious attempt to make the text more accessible. So much for their 'Big Book study'!) For our part we suggest to anyone new to AA that they read the text for themselves (and any other AA conference approved literature) as a preliminary and then draw whatever conclusions they like. The AA programme does not require suspension of any or all critical faculties nor does it recommend the services of an 'interpreter' (self-appointed or otherwise). Moreover such an approach ensures the development of a more precise focus on the “principles” of the recovery programme rather than getting caught up with the various so-called 'personalities' in AA of which we have more than enough! eg. Joe, Charlie, Clancy, the Dallas Cowboys, sundry Davids (who seem to multiply with each passing day), and whole flotillas of Waynes (similarly) and so on ad infinitum... None of these are in any way 'essential' to recovery and may easily be dispensed with!
AA literature:
“Five—Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.” (short form)
“5.—Each Alcoholics Anonymous group ought to be a spiritual entity having but one primary purpose—that of carrying its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.” (long form)
This last section of the preamble contains much for reflection especially when it comes to the notion of sobriety. Apart from its usual connotation (especially within the context of AA), ie. complete, life-long abstinence from the consumption of alcohol, the expression also suggests (from the above definitions) “gravity in bearing, manner, or treatment”, “seriousness or solemnity” and most importantly, from our perspective at least, “the quality of refraining from excess”. Therefore a sober individual will be one who necessarily embodies that attribute in thought, word and deed. But the very antithesis of this behaviour is exemplified by members of the cult who stridently proclaim the superiority of their recovery over all others and who eagerly lay down a whole raft of “suggestions” (cult speak for 'rules) with which failure to comply it is implied will lead to relapse. Newcomers are presented with a dogma which has little to do with either the AA fellowship or its programme. Some of the worst offenders are those who claim some 'special' acquaintance with the basic text of AA, 'Alcoholics Anonymous' (frequently referred to as the Big Book) but who seem by some extraordinary mischance to have failed to read Chapter Seven, “Working With Others”, where a number of proposals are put forward as to the nature of the relationship that might exist between existing members and people new to the fellowship (one example being the exposition of the text presented by 'circuit speakers' Joe and Charlie who, apart from a couple of passing references to the aforementioned chapter, fail to make any further comment on its content (an omission which reflects in particular Joe's disinclination to follow the advice contained therein, this part of his 'study' being more a reflection of his own prejudices than a serious attempt to make the text more accessible. So much for their 'Big Book study'!) For our part we suggest to anyone new to AA that they read the text for themselves (and any other AA conference approved literature) as a preliminary and then draw whatever conclusions they like. The AA programme does not require suspension of any or all critical faculties nor does it recommend the services of an 'interpreter' (self-appointed or otherwise). Moreover such an approach ensures the development of a more precise focus on the “principles” of the recovery programme rather than getting caught up with the various so-called 'personalities' in AA of which we have more than enough! eg. Joe, Charlie, Clancy, the Dallas Cowboys, sundry Davids (who seem to multiply with each passing day), and whole flotillas of Waynes (similarly) and so on ad infinitum... None of these are in any way 'essential' to recovery and may easily be dispensed with!
AA literature:
Service Material
With regard to purchasing AA literature see our views here.
Cheers
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
With regard to purchasing AA literature see our views here.
Cheers
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
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