In the “meeting after the meeting” recently, a member confided that he was looking for a new sponsor. The recent Presidential campaign and election had put a spotlight on their disparate political and social beliefs. He explained that he had lost a connection with his sponsor due to the sponsor’s political views and wasn’t sure he wanted to continue in the relationship. I felt his pain and confusion.
My sponsor and I went through something similar during the 2020 elections. Before I wrote a Fourth Step about my resentment toward my sponsor (at my sponsor’s suggestion) and used that as a basis for real conversation, I had unfriended him on Facebook and blocked him on other social media (after taking a few polite jabs at him). We got through it with some bruises and some new understandings, but it had a pretty big impact.
This all made me wonder about sponsorship and “outside issues” as they are discussed in our Tenth Tradition, which states, “Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy.” Plainly, this tradition regards the entire AA fellowship, and blessedly, that wisdom has kept us whole and focused.
“Outside issues” are never really defined within the tradition, but on page 176 of our Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, there’s a humorous (to me) mention: “…as one oldtimer recently declared, ‘Practically never have I heard a heated religious, political, or reform argument among A.A. members.’”* Really? That thought is clarified on the next page, “Nor does it mean that the members of Alcoholics Anonymous…are going to back away from their individual responsibilities to act as they see the right upon issues of our time.”*
So, I can state any opinion I have on any subject to another member, including a sponsor, and not bump up against the Tenth Tradition, as long as I don’t say, “AA believes…” Whew! But should I sever a relationship with a sponsor or sponsee because of differences over politics or social issues? Can I separate the recovering alcoholic from their beliefs? Am I being true to myself if I do? Is the other person trying to practice the principles in all their affairs? Those are hard questions, especially in these times, but you told me this is a simple program, not an easy one.
*Reprinted from The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.
Bill M.’s Home Group is BYOBook, 9 am, Saturdays, at Faith Lutheran Church in Castro Valley. Hybrid Meeting – Zoom Code is 871-0897-4652. Passcode is 110619.
