An AA member sent us details of a "A Nationwide Recovery Conference with [name]" This event is to take place in the US in May, and lasts two days. The headline for the conference is "A New Way Out". This convention seems to emanate from an individual who runs a website bearing his name. There is frequent reference to Alcoholics Anonymous in the material but this is qualified with allusions to the "early AA fellowship" as founded in Akron on June 10, 1935. Briefly, the contention is that the early programme was significantly based on the Oxford Groups (which was a Christian movement), and that early "Akron" AA was characterised by extensive reference to, and dependence upon, Christian teachings. This, in fact, would seem to be the case, and we do not dispute these assertions at this juncture. We have summarised the document below (original on file). It may be divided up into: an introduction, pre-conference details, outline of proceedings, a list of sponsors (in this instance referring to those individuals or organisations (churches etc) who have funded and/or endorsed the convention), and two disclaimers. At the convention there are opportunities to view, and purchase, a range of literature relating to the subject matter of the gathering. It is quite evident from the speakers, proceedings and biblical references that this is a Christian gathering.
We quote: (please note disclaimer)
Learn the Exact Program of AA Recovery
As founded in Akron on June 10, 1935, and practised by the early AA fellowship.
Find Out The Rarely Revealed Secret
As to why the first group in AA had a 75% success rate!
The New Way Out is through reliance on our Creator, coming to Him through Jesus Christ, and learning about them in the Good Book—a way out of alcoholism, addiction, and life-controlling problems. A way out that early AAs employed with unquestionable success. And a way out wherever you are today, right now—in prison, in church, in a homeless situation, in the VA or Armed Services, in treatment, in therapy, in a 12-Step fellowship, or in despair. You just need to know that God loves you and wants to help you if you choose.
This Conference is NOT an A.A. event; and, consequently, concerns about violating A.A.'s Traditions and/or about non-Conference-approved literature are not appropriate topics for discussion nor will such concerns be entertained during the meetings. This history conference is not associated with, nor allied with, nor in any way connected with Alcoholics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. We suggest that all who receive and attend the program and who plan to invite others--which we are strongly encouraging you to do--should so inform all those whom they invite.
Gloria Deo
Come join those of us who support our own fellowships and programs, seek knowledge of our Christian roots, understand the importance of relying on God wherever the need exists, and wish to help others establish their relationship and fellowship with the Creator.
A place and opportunity for motivated, experienced, believers in the love and power of God and the value of recovery fellowship work today. With one-on-one and group discussions of programs, literature, conferences, centers, archives, forums, guidebooks, media, and meetings
Theme: “Here’s what we are doing. Here are the problems we encounter. Here’s how we are dealing with them. Here’s how we can help others present recovery history, Christian roots, and help others establish a relationship with God, recover with God’s help, and pass it on.”
Here’s where you can meet experienced like-minded believers; establish new contacts; and share your own work, accomplishments, needs, and plans.
(Again we would remind you that we have edited out most of the details since these have no direct bearing on the discussion)
Firstly, we should say that that we have no problem with such conferences as these for it is made clear (twice) that this is NOT an AA event; anyone is entitled to meet for whatever reason, and indeed anywhere, in pursuit of whatever goal they like (within the law of the land). However, there is yet again that reference to recovery rates of 75% (and elsewhere on the site itself, of 93%). We have gone into considerable detail (as have others - click here for link) to point out that these claimed recovery rates have no evidence to support them, and rely solely upon a misinterpretation of a quote from the book Alcoholics Anonymous. Moreover, the claim that the Akron version of AA history (and as outlined here) presents the "Exact Program of Recovery" is dubious, to say the least; this view is necessarily partisan, and very much based upon those fallacious recovery rates already mentioned. Furthermore, this information is presented as if it was some kind of esoteric knowledge, carefully concealed from general view. These “recovery rate” figures are not a "Rarely Revealed Secret" and are easily examined by viewing any copy of the relevant text (click here). The rest of the quote is included simply to exemplify the general tone of the convention. Again, we could hardly take issue with alcoholics forming outside affiliations with other alcoholics for the purposes of communicating any means that they consider to be efficacious in ensuring their own (and others) survival. But we would like to state that AA itself makes it absolutely clear within its Traditions that membership is not dependent upon adhering to a certain set of religious beliefs - or any at all, for that matter - nor is there ANY evidence that commitment to such a particular stance enhances, in any respect, the individual's prospects for getting, and staying, sober.
For our part we would encourage such initiatives as these conventions if they prove to be helpful in alleviating suffering. However, we would equally encourage them to further distance themselves from AA by ensuring that at all such events - and in their literature etc - it is made absolutely clear (in any form of communication that they have with the general public, AA members or with other organisations) that they are NOT AA conventions, their literature is NOT conference approved, their views are NOT representative of the Fellowship or of the programme of AA, and that any groups associated with them are NOT AA groups. We would further encourage those groups currently operating under the aegis of AA who hold such views, or who propose methods of recovery which are not in line with AA literature, or who repeatedly breach the Traditions, to remove themselves from the various Where to Finds, withdraw from commitments within the service structure of Alcoholics Anonymous, and generally cease to promote their own agenda within AA, especially in the light of the fact that these methods are quite unproven or, worse, are demonstrably dangerous. We refer specifically to those who advocate (irresponsibly) the cessation of prescribed medication as being essential to recovery, as well as those who practise sponsorship "idolatry". Neither of these form part of the programme of AA (as presented in the basic text) and are indeed contrary to both the programme of AA, and the Traditions of the Fellowship.
