“In many
Spanish-speaking communities throughout major U.S. cities, people
struggling with substance addiction turn to unlicensed rehab groups,
programs offering therapy ranging from testimonies to intensive—and
sometimes harsh— residential regimens. Of murky historical origin,
these rehab groups borrow from Pentecostal Christianity and self-help
culture, and frequently provide help to those unable to access more
mainstream care. Often using the name and adapted logo of Alcoholics
Anonymous, they are typically started and overseen by padrinos
(“godparents”), who are pastors, recovered addicts, or both.”
Cheers
The Fellas
(Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)
See also A new campaign
PS Thanks
to our contributor
Smells like Synanon. Control by abusive 'attack therapy' and social control.
ReplyDeleteI've read that, at least in Mexico, AA is almost entirely Catholic in membership, as the holy roller churches insist that conversion will 'cure' addicts and drunks of their sinfulness... No disease concept THERE.
Here are a few quotes:
ReplyDeleteFrom the Bible Book of James Chapter 5. verses 14-16 – Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned,he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.
From the Rule of St. Benedict. (Founder of Catholic monasticism circa 4th Century CE). - Hide no evil thoughts or secret sins from your Abbot, but confess them humbly. Concerning this, Scripture tells us, “Reveal your way to the Lord and trust in Him", [Bible: Psalm 36:5]
From the AA Big Book page 164. - Ask Him in your morning meditation what you can do each day for the man who is still sick. The answers will come, if your own house is in order. But obviously you cannot transmit something you haven’t got. See to it that your relationship with Him is right, and great events will come to pass for you and countless others. This is the Great Fact for us. Abandon yourself to God as you understand God. Admit your faults to Him and to your fellows.
See the similarities? The prayer-confession-shaming practice in monasteries 12 step rehabs and certain AA groups comes straight out of the Bible and also in many cases Catholic monastic tradition. Is this AA really non-aligned to any religion? Of course it isn't. The bias is both subtle, powerful and deeply ingrained. I came to AA to get sober, not to be inducted into a bible based krypto-catholic quasi-religious movement or cult. For me recovery means freedom, and I cannot be truly happy in sobriety unless I am free. My understanding of AA is that it is first and foremost a fellowship. I have found it is possible to stay sober long-term while discarding all the above religious influences completely. It did take me over 15 years in sobriety to find this level of freedom, and it wasn't easy, but I would never go back to the kind of quasi-religious burdensome program described in the article.
I dont get on my knees or suck up to a sponsor. That shit aint in the big book & it aint the AA program. Its catholic ritual stuff made up by cult jackasses who tell lies, steal AA money, shag newcomers & then think they are better than other folks in AA. But in reality they r nuthin. Just hypocrites in suits. I have my own HP & he wants honesty not hypocrisy & dress codes.
ReplyDelete