One of the more exasperating YouTube arguments that I always
seem to get roped into is the one where an irate AA member
jumps in and posts angry comments under an anti AA video,
claiming that the AA fellowship doesn't want the court-ordered
attendees but can't stop the courts from sending them to AA.
I can clearly see the picture.
A few serious sober seniors are gathered together in a dingy church basement,
with Big Books on lap, heads bowed in prayer. holding out the "hand of AA" to
a shaky but resentful drunk driver who's been ordered by the judge to go to AA.
He doesn't want to be there.
He's not happy about being forced to listen to all the "Higher Power" nonsense.
He has no intention of accepting the offers of help with his drinking that these
kindly AA members are extending out of the goodness of their sober hearts.
As soon as the meeting is over, the reluctant newcomer leaves.
The older members stay behind for casual conversation and coffee.
I can just see all the old-timers gathered together in the room,
the wise, grey-haired old men, and the kindly little old ladies.
They sit anxiously on folding chairs and a beat up old couch.
The men sit with knitted brows, each one deep in thought.
The ladies wring their hands in an agony of helplessness.
They know that AA won't work for those who are forced to attend,
but they don't have the power to stop the wise but misguided judge.
He keeps sending more and more of these unwilling drunks to AA.
Whatever is AA to do?
AA isn't to blame if the courts use meetings as a dumping ground.
Or is it?
Well, yes, as a matter of fact AA Is to blame.
The myth of AA as helpless victim of the US courts is bunk.
AA members believe it, and they're quick to argue about it
with anyone who dares to suggest that AA might be even
partially responsible for mandated attendance because of
the strong ties AA has forged with the US court system.
What AA's defenders aren't quick to do is visit the GSO website
and read up on the activities of the GSO and CPC committees,
the ones who "Cooperate with the Professional Community".
AA members don't Want to know exactly how the CPC
committees "carry the message" to the community at large.
portion of a sample letter from the CPC workbook
I've been ranting and raving about this for far too long.
I had no idea of exactly how AA grows the fellowship
until I happened upon the GSO website and started to
read the newsletters and instruction pamphlets there.
AA has a detailed set of guidelines intended to maximize
the CPC committees' effectiveness when approaching
professionals such as judges, attorneys, policemen and
probation officers, doctors, therapists, social workers,
even middle school and grade school administrators,
in order to educate about AA and encourage them
to send as many alcoholics as possible AA's way.
AA wants You to join the fellowship!
But don't take my word for it; go to aa dot org.
(I apologize, but I don't want to post any links).
Read the available information for yourself.
There's a good search engine on the AA site.
It will lead you to many PDFs that go into detail
about the topics I've mentioned in this post.
I suggest you start with the CPC Workbook,
and continue your reading with an article titled:
C.P.C.
Committees Find Ways
To Connect with
Our
Professional Friends, one article among several
published in a GSO box 459 newsletter from 2002.
If you care to look, you'll find plenty more to read.
The website presents a much more accurate picture
of AA than you're ever going to get from any of the
sanctimonious alkies in some dingy church basement.
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