Diverse Opinions
EACH of the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous remain utterly vital to the continued survival of our Fellowship. Tradition Ten in particular provides immense wisdom and guidance in how AA as an organisation must relate to the increasingly divided world around it. Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions explain how the origins of this Tradition are found within the case of The Washingtonian Society (12&12 p.178) Bill describes them as a forebearer to AA, a Fellowship of alcoholics seeking to help one another. However, the Society was soon drawn into controversy when their members began taking public stances on divisive political issues of the day, including slavery. Within a few years, their public reputation had been so thoroughly damaged that they could find little success in reaching or aiding alcoholics.
Therefore, Tradition Ten was devised to avoid Alcoholics Anonymous being subject to such public scrutiny by remaining forever apolitical. This Tradition is vital to all three legacies of our Fellowship: Recovery, Unity and Service. In removing the danger of public controversy or disrepute, we ensure the alcoholic and their family cannot be dissuaded from joining for such a reason. The sole thing we stand for or promise to them is a solution to their alcoholism. We are not reformers or activists, but rather alcoholics looking to remain sober by working with those who still suffer. Similarly, personal experience has demonstrated the importance of avoiding discussing outside issues like politics at the group level.
In an especially divided current climate, and given the indiscriminate nature of our disease, each group will be populated with members of extremely diverse backgrounds, beliefs and political affiliations. Hence, it is vital to leave politics and other controversial topics at the door. Instead, we should focus our collective attention on assisting newcomers, conducting our service and maintaining the unity of our Fellowship. As Tradition One reminds us, “…personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.” (12&12 p.129) If tribalism and the inevitable resentments attached are allowed to take hold, we can be of no use to ourselves or others. In my home group’s experience, both the recovery of the newcomer and that of the veterans in the Room rely on strict adherence to the principle of Tradition Ten.
Another area in which Tradition Ten can prove vital is service work such as Public Information. Whether it be sharing with a group of alcoholics at a rehabilitation centre or speaking to healthcare professionals in a formal setting. It is vital that we do not provide an opinion on any outside issues that may be raised. This could include other forms of alcohol recovery programmes or specific social policies that may impact alcoholics. The only thing we can offer is the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, alongside the freedom and recovery that they provide. When conducting service, I need always remember that I am representing our Fellowship when performing PI work. This means I must aid in our primary purpose by not commenting on any outside issue regardless of my own personal beliefs.
However, Tradition Ten does not solely apply to the on-the-ground actions of AA members within the community. It is just as, if not even more relevant as we move further down the service triangle. For example, this year’s Questions for Conference process accepted questions about non-alcoholic drinks. This poses the risk that AA might appear to hold an official position on topics that do not affect AA’s primary purpose, which could potentially conflict with Tradition Ten. I am grateful that our trusted servants on Committee Six declined to provide a response; their observance of Tradition Ten guaranteed that our principles were upheld.
The legal definition of safeguarding does not map neatly onto AA’s structure, particularly in relation to Tradition Ten. It does not apply to Alcoholics Anonymous in any sense, as we are a collection of self-regulating, peer-to-peer support groups. Our ultimate authority is outlined in Tradition Two as “…a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience.” (12&12 p.132) In my opinion, safeguarding policies have no place in AA, as they suggest a service user-provider relationship wholly alien to our Programme, our Fellowship and our Traditions. Tradition Ten is a fundamental part of how Alcoholics Anonymous has maintained its miraculous success in providing a second chance to millions of alcoholics the world over.
If we wish for the Fellowship to survive in its current form, we should always keep this Tradition in mind at our home group, when conducting service and perhaps most crucially of all when considering issues that may undermine our Traditions and alter how we enact our primary purpose.
GREG T, Plymouth