The cult seem to have a particular liking for the 12 Concepts of AA. For most members of AA these remain something of a mystery.
However here’s a very brief intro:
“The “Twelve Concepts for World Service” ……… are an interpretation of A.A.’s world service structure. They reveal the evolution by which it has arrived in its present form, and they detail the experience and reasoning on which our operation stands today. These Concepts therefore aim to record the “why” of our service structure in such a fashion that the highly valuable experience of the past, and the lessons we have drawn from that experience, can never be forgotten or lost.” (The AA Service Manual combined with 12 Concepts of World Service. 2006/2007 edition)
For the cult the attractions of the Concepts are threefold.
Firstly, as already indicated, they are largely unknown to the vast majority of AA members. They can be cited (and usually quoted out of context) with impunity by those who would use them as a weapon against the principles of AA rather than as a support for the 3rd Legacy of AA (Service) for which they were intended. They represent for most members the language of the AA bureaucracy, an increasingly opaque form of communication from which most sane human beings will retreat in confusion. However they endow the user of this medium with an apparent authority that is non-existent in fact; as with everything else in AA they are guidelines, not rules, and therefore should be treated accordingly (but not with contempt).
Secondly we refer you to concept 5 (short form).
"5. Throughout our structure, a traditional "Right of Appeal" ought to prevail, so that minority opinion will be heard and personal grievances receive careful consideration."
This is hardly a controversial statement and represents the sort of conduct you would expect in any well-run organisation. It has a unifying effect and ensures that grievances do not go underground to fester but are openly reviewed and considered. However in the hands of the cult it is deployed as a weapon. Their interpretation of this particular concept is quite radical but entirely in accord with their philosophy “We are right and you (the rest of us) are wrong”. (See Trans 3 in the Transcription section). Now it may well be the case that the minority are right and the majority wrong. It does happen that way sometimes and it is a real nuisance when you are the lone voice and there you are, surrounded by fools – it is called democracy. Some might argue that the democratic process is inefficient and that other forms of government would get the job done much better (we refer you to Hitler, Stalin, Mao Tse Tung, Genghis Khan etc). In the cult’s hands however the shift is away from merely being “heard” and grievances receiving “careful consideration”. They would argue that their view should prevail – because they are right and the rest of us are wrong; in other words, their view should be given prominence and weight above those of the majority. It is interesting to note that when they do not get their own way the petulant response is much that one would expect of a child that has been told that – no – it can’t have more sweeties. They jump up and down and say it’s all so unfair and that people just don’t understand – but then it could be that they (the cult) are wrong and we (the rest of us) are right.
(Incidentally this particular concept was sadly lacking in the West Kent Intergroup meeting. The officers of that particular body were reluctant to even extend the right to be heard to the majority let alone the minority)
Thirdly, Concept 12:
"12. The Conference shall observe the spirit of A.A. tradition, taking care that it never becomes the seat of perilous wealth or power; that sufficient operating funds and reserve be its prudent financial principle; that it place none of its members in a position of unqualified authority over others; that it reach all important decisions by discussion, vote, and, whenever possible, by substantial unanimity; that its actions never be personally punitive nor an incitement to public controversy; that it never perform acts of government, and that, like the Society it serves, it will always remain democratic in thought and action."
This particular item in the cult’s armoury is used as a deflection technique (relevant section highlighted). It is frequently misquoted and interpreted to provide the cult with an apparently unassailable defence against any kind of criticism or action taken to limit the damage that they are inflicting on our society. If an AA member or AA group should choose to exercise their right to intervene when it sees harm being done to other members the cult will characterise this as “punitive”. They seem to be unable to distinguish between “punitive” and “surgical” (see Area News – West Kent section – A Dark Day etc); the cry of “witch-hunt” will go up together with the disingenuous complaint of “being bullied”. The cult is adept at using their minority role to evoke sentiments of pity – the oppressed underdog who simply wants to be loved by its master.
[Note: for those of you who may take heart from their “minority” position – remember it only takes 10% of the Fellowship to do 90% of the work – it is a short step from this position to 10% of the Fellowship controlling our society]
In line with our view that AA operates within a wider social context than that bounded by guidelines, traditions, concepts etc here are another set of concepts – in every instance, to a greater or lesser extent, the cult violates them:
Article 1. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 3. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 4. No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5. No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 12. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Article 13. (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
Article 18. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Article 19. Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Article 20. (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
(Our emphases)
However here’s a very brief intro:
“The “Twelve Concepts for World Service” ……… are an interpretation of A.A.’s world service structure. They reveal the evolution by which it has arrived in its present form, and they detail the experience and reasoning on which our operation stands today. These Concepts therefore aim to record the “why” of our service structure in such a fashion that the highly valuable experience of the past, and the lessons we have drawn from that experience, can never be forgotten or lost.” (The AA Service Manual combined with 12 Concepts of World Service. 2006/2007 edition)
For the cult the attractions of the Concepts are threefold.
Firstly, as already indicated, they are largely unknown to the vast majority of AA members. They can be cited (and usually quoted out of context) with impunity by those who would use them as a weapon against the principles of AA rather than as a support for the 3rd Legacy of AA (Service) for which they were intended. They represent for most members the language of the AA bureaucracy, an increasingly opaque form of communication from which most sane human beings will retreat in confusion. However they endow the user of this medium with an apparent authority that is non-existent in fact; as with everything else in AA they are guidelines, not rules, and therefore should be treated accordingly (but not with contempt).
Secondly we refer you to concept 5 (short form).
"5. Throughout our structure, a traditional "Right of Appeal" ought to prevail, so that minority opinion will be heard and personal grievances receive careful consideration."
This is hardly a controversial statement and represents the sort of conduct you would expect in any well-run organisation. It has a unifying effect and ensures that grievances do not go underground to fester but are openly reviewed and considered. However in the hands of the cult it is deployed as a weapon. Their interpretation of this particular concept is quite radical but entirely in accord with their philosophy “We are right and you (the rest of us) are wrong”. (See Trans 3 in the Transcription section). Now it may well be the case that the minority are right and the majority wrong. It does happen that way sometimes and it is a real nuisance when you are the lone voice and there you are, surrounded by fools – it is called democracy. Some might argue that the democratic process is inefficient and that other forms of government would get the job done much better (we refer you to Hitler, Stalin, Mao Tse Tung, Genghis Khan etc). In the cult’s hands however the shift is away from merely being “heard” and grievances receiving “careful consideration”. They would argue that their view should prevail – because they are right and the rest of us are wrong; in other words, their view should be given prominence and weight above those of the majority. It is interesting to note that when they do not get their own way the petulant response is much that one would expect of a child that has been told that – no – it can’t have more sweeties. They jump up and down and say it’s all so unfair and that people just don’t understand – but then it could be that they (the cult) are wrong and we (the rest of us) are right.
(Incidentally this particular concept was sadly lacking in the West Kent Intergroup meeting. The officers of that particular body were reluctant to even extend the right to be heard to the majority let alone the minority)
Thirdly, Concept 12:
"12. The Conference shall observe the spirit of A.A. tradition, taking care that it never becomes the seat of perilous wealth or power; that sufficient operating funds and reserve be its prudent financial principle; that it place none of its members in a position of unqualified authority over others; that it reach all important decisions by discussion, vote, and, whenever possible, by substantial unanimity; that its actions never be personally punitive nor an incitement to public controversy; that it never perform acts of government, and that, like the Society it serves, it will always remain democratic in thought and action."
This particular item in the cult’s armoury is used as a deflection technique (relevant section highlighted). It is frequently misquoted and interpreted to provide the cult with an apparently unassailable defence against any kind of criticism or action taken to limit the damage that they are inflicting on our society. If an AA member or AA group should choose to exercise their right to intervene when it sees harm being done to other members the cult will characterise this as “punitive”. They seem to be unable to distinguish between “punitive” and “surgical” (see Area News – West Kent section – A Dark Day etc); the cry of “witch-hunt” will go up together with the disingenuous complaint of “being bullied”. The cult is adept at using their minority role to evoke sentiments of pity – the oppressed underdog who simply wants to be loved by its master.
[Note: for those of you who may take heart from their “minority” position – remember it only takes 10% of the Fellowship to do 90% of the work – it is a short step from this position to 10% of the Fellowship controlling our society]
In line with our view that AA operates within a wider social context than that bounded by guidelines, traditions, concepts etc here are another set of concepts – in every instance, to a greater or lesser extent, the cult violates them:
Article 1. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 3. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 4. No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5. No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 12. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Article 13. (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
Article 18. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Article 19. Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Article 20. (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
(Our emphases)
