WHEN AND WHY A.A. BEGAN COOPERATING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
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In 1942, members from San Francisco brought the first A.A. meeting into San Quentin Prison at the request of Warden Clinton T. Duffy. This example led to A.A.’s cooperation with court systems, including direct communications with judges and parole and probation officials. The sole purpose of this Twelfth Step work, then and now, was to carry A.A.’s message to the still-suffering alcoholic. To fulfill that purpose, A.A.s have learned how to share A.A. information within court systems.
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Probation and parole officers, as well as judges, often require people involved in alcohol‑related offenses to attend A.A. meetings. Some A.A. members find it difficult to accept this “outside” policy in light of our Third Tradition, “The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.” Perhaps it’s helpful to remember that our Traditions apply to us, and aren’t affected by the regulations established by outside institutions—we cooperate without affiliating. By adhering to all Twelve Traditions, many groups welcome each newcomer regardless of how they got to the meeting.
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___________________________________________________ Oh, so we were asked to bring A.A. into these entities. OK. And we do not affiliate with the courts, but rather cooperate with them. Oh, and we do not violate our own traditions by allowing those slip signers into the meeting. Our traditions are guidelines for us to follow, but cannot be demanded of those from outside of A.A. Hmmm... makes sense to me. But to the radical atheist/A.A. hating treatment center professional trying to make a killing on the suffering alcoholic and addict by lining their pockets with the poor sick and suffering alcoholic, it's anti A.A. fodder.
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Next topic for discussion, What is A.A. to do about all those nasty criminals being sent to A.A.? Can A.A. screen out the hardened criminals from it's realm? Can any institution do this?
Didn't Jesus say something like?: the sabbath was made for man not man for the sabbath.
ReplyDeleteSo, could it also be said?: the steps/traditions were made for man, not man for the steps/traditions
Paul C
Excellent response.
DeleteGood point. I didn't know about the concept of using it as a guide for us within the program and the fact that we can't cast our guidelines out into the world until I read it at A.A. dot org. It makes so much sense when you see it in black and white. But to see the naysayers try to bash us over the head with our own guidelines is ludacris.
ReplyDeleteStandard PC tactic
ReplyDelete