I personally disagree with changing the words in our preamble. I, like Alcoholics Anonymous has expressed, while in meetings of AA or representing AA, we do not have an opinion on outside issues. The Alcoholics Anonymous preamble tells us that A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
So in the same paragraph we are saying the complete opposite of what the preamble states if it is changed by our group -the preamble no longer stands in logic because it is a counter intuitive, a contrary statement... hypocrisy-a lie. This might be the most controversial issue and we are currently engaging in it.
If we are honest we need to say the following:
We of AA are endorsing an organization that is at its core, highly controversial and our primary purpose is to let you know that we are choosing this particular cause which is evident by us changing the words of our preamble to accommodate this particular cause, which is clearly an endorsement."
And that's fine, but we should no longer act as though we aren't engaging in outside or controversial issues. The whole thing should be rewritten if you change one word to endorse an organization.
Tradition 3 states that the only requirement for membership is the desire to quit drinking. So changing words in the preamble are not necessary based upon the opinion of those who want to change it. We never turn anyone away. Period. Everyone is welcome because of Tradition 3. We have always been inclusive, never exclusive.
That we are now being influenced by outside issues to rewrite our own text is just the beginning of the unraveling of the entire program in my opinion. Not because of those who don't identify with a gender, but by those who want to ensure they know we support them for not identifying with a gender. That is by definition again, an endorsement. No opinion, means no opinion. Only requirement for membership is the desire to stop drinking. Enough said.
It would be like me coming to a meeting and telling you the following if I had the arrogance to do so: "My personal spiritual text tells me I am called to be a saint and your AA preamble says we are not saints....so I need you to change that to accommodate my entire faith"...
You guys would tell me to suck it up because AA doesn't promote any outside issues, causes, sect, political views or denominations...and you would be right. I would have to accept that and make a decision if I wanted to recover from alcoholism, or get caught up in controversy over my particular beliefs or identities.
My disease always overrides my personal beliefs, causes, identities, or spirituality because I want to get well. I can go anywhere in the world or on the internet and indulge my politics, religion or any other outside issues all I want- but in AA, I was and should still be protected from my "outside issues" that cause a distraction from the AA group primary purpose to recover and help others to recover no matter who they are. Virtue signaling is not necessary because no one has ever been discriminated against or turned away thanks to Tradition 3.
The problem with changing words to accommodate an outside issue is that it will never stop. It is only a matter of time when someone is offended by the word God and they will go to some conference and decide to change that word too. "well, God is just a word....why can't we change it to tree..I personally identify God as a tree so you must all go along with this because I am me"
Many groups are not going along with this change because they see the bigger picture here...not just the superficial "what's the big deal, it's just a word and we want everyone to feel welcome" argument. They get that AA seizes to be AA once the foundation is broken.
If AA has no foundation, if it can be uprooted and words changed at any time to accommodate a political and outside agenda or issues-it is thereby changing the message of AA entirely as proved by the preamble change. The verbiage would obviously no longer make logical sense.
AA will just be another chaotic social club where people babble on and on about whatever ails them. This is a trend in many groups that are finding a way to chat about whatever they want and say it is a way to reach out to the newcomer. No, it's a forum to chit chat and vent....again, that's fine, but don't call it AA. It's a club that has lost its primary purpose. God has a way of steering newcomers toward the groups that haven't lost their site. If a group seizes to carry the message of AA, that group will seize to be and it is no longer producing good sobriety.
I assure you that once an untreated stubborn alcoholic or political organization gets its way, they will want more...never satisfied or content. They will not stop with just being offended by one word. Anyone now can poke holes in our text based upon an emotional response or political agenda because AA is no longer solid or intact. Changing our text is clearly an endorsement and to say otherwise is a lie. We are now open to influence just as AA was tested by the Rockefeller Foundation in the beginning.
Thankfully AA survived that and wrote our traditions. I am not sure AA will survive this. But the good news is that new spiritually supported groups will pop up from the rubble because the intact text is still in written form and the truth can't be lost to current social agendas. I highly suggest that those who hear me through the noise study the text and the traditions and start new groups to carry the message of AA void of outside endorsements, causes, or issues.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to be heard.
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self supporting through our own contributions. A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety