Tell Your Zoom AA Meeting Story
November 29, 2022
A Simple Program for Complicated People
January 4, 2023
We have received many calls and emails at the CDO with concerns that politics have been inappropriately being discussed at AA meetings. We have clear instructions from the Big Book on Page 132 and from our Tradition 10:
We intend the foregoing as a helpful suggestion only. So far as we are concerned, there is nothing obligatory about it. As non-denominational people, we cannot make up others’ minds for them. Each individual should consult his own conscience.
We have been speaking to you of serious, sometimes tragic things. We have been dealing with alcohol in its worst aspect. But we aren’t a glum lot. If newcomers could see no joy or fun in our existence, they wouldn’t want it. We absolutely insist on enjoying life. We try not to indulge in cynicism over the state of the nations, nor do we carry the world’s troubles on our shoulders.
When we see a man sinking into the mire that is alcoholism, we give him first aid and place what we have at his disposal. For his sake, we do recount and almost relive the horrors of our past. But those of us who have tried to shoulder the entire burden and trouble of others find we are soon overcome by them.
So we think cheerfulness and laughter make for usefulness. Outsiders are sometimes shocked when we burst into merriment over a seemingly tragic experience out of the past. But why shouldn’t we laugh? We have recovered, and have been given the power to help others.”
Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
Staff
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of the AA Cleveland District Office.
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4 Comments
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Dean H. says: We actually just posted a Dear Central Office article with a similar question. Dear Central Office: AA and the Law It doesn’t give any direct answers, but it does give us some things to consider when a similar question arrises.
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Ma says: This does not answer the question of ice storming a Spanish speaking meeting and detaining people…
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Dean H. says: It’s a good question and one that each group must decide for itself how to handle. Tradition 4 applies here “Each group is autonomous except in matters pertaining to other groups or AA as a whole.” Another article regarding police going to meetings is also a resource of information. AA and the Law It might be a good idea for each meeting to convein a group conscience to discuss. More on Group Conscience here: Informed Group Conscience Every AA group has it’s own way of doing things and it’s best to decide these things in a well-informed group conscience. We “do not wish to engage in any controversy” however, when an outside issue creeps it’s way into our rooms, it would be better that a group have the traditions in mind and make a well-informed decision ahead of time.
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Mark L. 
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