j w b writejohnbaker@gmail.com johnwesleybaker.com 214.906.2878 j w b
Who Am I? I am John and I am an Addict. At least that's what I said for over 20 years of my life. My clean date is October 15th of 1995. I was not court ordered. I was not sent to treatment. I called the suicide hotline and confessed to using drugs. They transferred me to the NA hotline where I spent the next two-plus decades of my life. I went to meetings daily for years. Then perhaps 3 to 4 meetings a week.. I have worked the steps in many different ways in the 22 years that I was a member. I only identified as an atheist when I was young and when I was getting ready to leave the rooms. I attended both NA and AA. I spoke at conventions and was a group service rep for several groups. I chaired meetings. I sponsored people. I had sponsors. I am an Atheist, in the definitive sense, meaning I lack belief. I left the rooms after almost 22 years in 2017. Now I speak out against the programs. I firmly believe that 12 step fellow- ships have no positive impact on a persons “recovery”. And in many cases contributed to the persons relapse or death.
What this talk is about. There is too much to cover so I will focus on. 1) Showing that AA and NA are religious organizations. 2) Showing how they are used by our criminal justice system and mental health providers. If you would like to have me speak about other topics surrounding 12 step fellowships I would love to do so. Please visit my website. johnwesleybaker.com
Are Alcoholics and Narctocis Anonymous Religious 1) Bill Wilson created AA from the teachings of the Oxford Group. The Oxford Group is an evangelical Bible study that men attend to hear God's word and learn how to live Godly lives. It was founded by Dr. Frank Buchman, a Lutheran minister, in 1931. Buchman's main focus was to promote peace and reconciliation through a relationship with Jesus Christ. 2) NA was created directly from AA literature with minor changes. In 1953 Jimmy Kinnon created a fellowship for heroin addicts based on what he learned from AA. For legal reasons, AA world service suggested he change so of the verbiage. The addition of WE before each step and the replacement of alcoholic with addict. The purpose of this was not to move away from religion but to be more inclusive. 3) Just some references to religion. When the spiritual malady is overcome, we straighten out mentally and physically. - BB How It Works, p.64 We are seized with a rebellion so sickening that we simply won't pray. - 12&12 Step Eleven, p.105 Though he (bill wilson) could not accept all the tenets of the Oxford Groups, he was convinced of the need for moral inventory, confession of personality defects, restitution to those harmed, helpfulness to others, and the necessity of belief in and dependence upon God. - BB Foreword to Second Edition, p.xvi 4) The program is the 12 steps and they are Religious. In order to work the program you must work the steps. One third of the steps require a belief in a God often reffered to as Him.
Alcoholics Anonymous Steps * * * *
Narcotics Anonymous Steps * * * *
Narcotics Anonymouse Reading Bait &Switch
Are people forced to attend. Hazle v. Crofoot, 727 F.3d 983 (9th Cir. 2013) On appeal, the Ninth Circuit ruled that, as a matter of law, the jury was required to award Hazle monetary damages to compensate him for the violation of his constitutional rights and wrongful imprisonment. Hazle was awarded a new trial to determine the amount of damages, including the possibility of punitive damages. Pirtle v. California Bd. of Prison Terms, 611 F.3d 1015 (9th Cir. 2010) In affirming the District Court’s grant of habeas corpus, the Circuit Court noted Pirtle’s long-term abstinence and his insight and awareness of the need for continued abstinence. It noted Pirtle’s willingness to attend secu- lar substance abuse programs, but that since none were available to him, his failure to attend them could not serve as a basis for denying parole. Further, the Court observed in a footnote that “although the issue is not before us, it would likely violate Pirtle’s First Amendment rights to require him to attend AA as a condition of parole. See Inouye v. Kemna, 504 F.3d 705, 712-715 (9th Cir. 2007).” Inouye v. Kemna, 504 F.3d 705 (9th Cir. 2007) The 9th Circuit reversed and remanded, holding that it is established law that A.A. is religious in nature and that participation in the program cannot be coerced where a parolee objects to its religious content. Because the law on this point was clearly established, a reasonable parole officer should have known that such coercion was illegal; accordingly qualified immunity was not available. On remand, Inouye argued that punitive damages against Nanomori were warranted, and this argument withheld summary judgment. See Inouye v. Kemna, CIVIL NO 04-00026 (DC Hawaii 2009). From the smart recovery website
example of probation required attendance sheet.
example of medical board required attendance sheet.
And finally AA ruled Religious Protection United States Court of Appeals,Second Circuit. Paul COX, Petitioner-Appellee, v. David H. MILLER, Superintendent, Eastern Correctional Facility, Respondent-Appellant. Docket No. 01-2515. - Decided: July 17, 2002 https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-2nd-circuit/1260651.html Mr. C testified at trial: [O]ne night [Cox] called me up in the middle of the night � He was having trouble writing his fourth step and I said: What's the problem? And I remember specifical- ly, ironically saying, how bad could it be, you didn't kill anyone, did you? And then there was a long pause on the phone ... ...Mr. C told Mr. O about Cox's situation. O said that he wanted to call his father, an A.A. member and lawyer, to ask for advice. Sometime thereafter, O told Cox that his father had said to tell Cox: “[J]ust don't drink and [do] go to [A.A.] meetings.” O thought, however, that it also would be prudent for Cox to hire either “a private detective or a lawyer,” referring him to a lawyer named Keith McMillan. [sic] therapy and also not to talk to anyone else about [the Chervu killings].” B. New York's Cleric-Congregant Privilege The statute codifying New York's present version of the cleric-congregant privilege provides: Unless the person confessing or confiding waives the privilege, a clergyman, or other minister of any religion or duly accredited Christian Science practitioner, shall not be allowed [to] disclose a confession or confidence made to him in his profes- sional character as spiritual advisor. https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-2nd-circuit/1260651.html
Religion and 12-Step Programs johnwesleybaker.com
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