Court Ordered AA; 'Alcoholics Anonymous and Oliver Cromwell'

'ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS and OLIVER CROMWELL'
by Christopher Bruce Deile

Alcoholics Anonymous helped me a great deal, and much of it I agree with. However, it's very abusive. I quit alcohol and drugs July 18, 1985. Yet over the years AA members have caused me tremendous harm socially and economically. Thus I've been homeless 10 years due in lareg part to past involvement in AA.

AA teaches belief in a generic god since speaking of Jesus Christ is largely taboo. AA's "Big Book" teaches to avoid religious terminology when working with newcomers. Guided through the "12 Steps" with a sponsor (spiritual guidance counselor) a spiritual foundation is formed with no acknowledgement of Jesus Christ. Hence "God as you understand Him"; i.e., generic--no name. If you're specific, AA members might censor, ridicule, and ostracize you. And follow you to places of employment, using malicious gossip and slander behind your back to incite co-workers and management against you. Homelessness ensues, and you begin signing in to shelters, providing your name, social security #, and the name of your employer once work is found. The harmful cycle continues as (secret/anonymous) AA members often work in these ["non-profit"/govern ment] social service positions and use that information against you (another reason why motels requiring a credit card to rent a room make it much more difficult for homeless people to gain safe shelter). MORE>>>>

Eminent theologian Reinhold Niebuhr referred to the "moral ambiguity of all righteous people in history" (in 'The Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb and the Architecture of an American Myth'; Gar Alperovitz). So why within a program where love and tolerance of others is the code would people be segregated for moral reaasons? Although I celebrate my heterosexuality today (relatively speaking as loneliness and halitosis have been my constant companions for many a year now), those identifying themselves as gay attempting to desegregate AA by speaking openly in the regular meetings also risk persecution. Perceived as threatening AA's "primary purpose" ['12 Traditions for group survival'], no matter how carefully one relates their 'sexual orientation' to alcohol, relegation to "gay special interest" meetings has been the norm. Likewise, those speaking of AIDS in the gay special interest meetings may also be rejected (even though members in most any AA group may speak of a cancer diagnosis in relation to alcohol and receive support). Chuck M. quit AA when he was prevented from sharing of having AIDS in a gay meeting--(Tucson, AZ; 1992). No easy thing when members are taught repeatedly that those who quit attending meetings get drunk. Therefore HIV-positive members most likely accept furhter segregation [Ed N. and Damon G. began a meeting called 'Positively Sober'; Tucson; 1993]. Otherwise, not conforming risks persecution both wihtin the rooms of AA and in one's private life. MORE>>>>>

Notice how the site www.orange-papers.org is anonymous. Orange does not reveal their real name. That's very smart when criticizing an alleged cult. Whereas with myself, I'm known and have suffered the consequences of questioning AA. Again, I was involved in AA for well over 10 years.

(this was removed from yesterday--reposting)

AA is religion, but not Christianity...only the appearance of that when meetings are opened with 'The Serenity Prayer' and closed holding hands reciting 'The Lord's Prayer', etc. Since the Supreme Court ruled AA a religious program there should be no court ordered/forced attendance of Alcoholics Anonymous--"a voluntary program" of "attraction not promotion". Because court ordered AA has been ruled unconstitutional, that means it no longer qualifies. But as a means of getting around the ruling, it's offered as a choice--"AA or Siberia, it's your choice, we're not forcing you".

In countries with extreme punitive measures, people seldom drink and rive. Drunk driving requires stricter laws--not forced religion; be it a "spiritual program" teaching belief in and reliance upon a universal deity, or one with a specifc deity. Otherwise, court ordered AA is akin to oliver Cromwell as a Universalist (see #29 below). MORE>>>>

Forum moderators are sabotaging posts here. My last two posts (above) were on here yesterday when I posted article 'Alcoholics Anonymous and Oliver Cromwell' in full. But today they had to be reposted. Similarly, on Seattle forum, three of the posts were removed. Changing the meaning of what is written = libel.

Hey. My last paragraph was removed (again). Here it is [it follows paragraph ending with "Otherwise, court ordered AA is akin to Oliver Cromwell as a Universalist"]:

Alcoholics Anonymous is a secret society, hence "anonymity". Anyone might be an AA member--lawyers, judges, FBI, CIA, Blackwater, George W. Bush--even Sarah Palin...another reason to pray Palin does not become the next President. See www.orange-papers.org for a very thorough critique of AA. I disagree with Orange's emphasis on self-reliance as the solution to addiction, but see link #29 about Reinhold Niebuhr tying the Oxford Group (AA's origin--AA co-founders Bill W. and Dr. Bob were Oxford group members) to Hitler and Nazism in 'The Christian Century' magazine; 1936. Also, Google 'A Struggle Inside AA' for Newsweek article containing allegation of AA being a cult.

hey, i don't mean this to hurt your feelings but i notice in your posts that there are themes of persecution. i used to be very paranoid before someone told me and i got on Risperdal for it. i recognize in your statements the same kind of distorted thinking patterns that i used to have. my life is so much better now! i used to be so stressed out by these thought patterns and felt isolated because of them...

Yeah, and Harvey Milk was accused of the same thing before he was shot to death point blank by Dan White. I haven't seen the latest film on him though (starring Sean Penn as Harvey Milk). But saw the documentary of his murder many years ago (where they conveyed his being erroneously accused of having a persecution complex--he was being persecuted). But since you've replied after I just posted on Anchorage Daily News (referring to this particular link) I will assume you are like the rest from the ADN chat forums, using ad hominem to cause trouble (trolling). Like there, I stopped replying to comments. Will do same here. So do not engage in flaming, I will not respond.

someone who cares wrote:

hey, i don't mean this to hurt your feelings but i notice in your posts that there are themes of persecution. i used to be very paranoid before someone told me and i got on Risperdal for it. i recognize in your statements the same kind of distorted thinking patterns that i used to have. my life is so much better now! i used to be so stressed out by these thought patterns and felt isolated because of them...

My dad gave me 2 pieces of advice I will never forget and hope that I will use tot the best of my ability
1) when in a conversation and I am referring to myself and another person, I should always say the other persons name first instead of mine. Ex. instead of saying "me and harry went to the store today", use "harry and I went to the store today". My dad was trying to tell me that I might be a little too self centered.
2)When I am pointing my finger (index) at someone, take a quick look at how many fingers are pointed back at me. There you will see the real culprit