"In some sections of A.A., anonymity is carried to the point of real absurdity. Members are on such a poor basis of communication that they don't even know each other's last names or where each lives. It's like the cell of an underground."
Bill W. in a letter, 1959 at p 241, "As Bill Sees It."
I think this quote says it all. ~Frank
Once one is fairly sober, and sure of this, there seems no reason for failing to talk about A.A. membership in the right places.
This has a tendency to bring in other people. Word of mouth is one of our most important communications.
—
Written by Bill W. in a letter dated 1962, later published in "As Bill Sees It" - The A.A. Way of Life - page 120
This comes from the Foreword to the First Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous:
"It is important that we remain anonymous because we are too few, at present to handle the overwhelming number of personal appeals which may result from this publication. Being mostly business or professional folk, we could not well carry on our occupations in such an event. We would like it understood that our alcoholic work is an avocation."
Translation: We must be anonymous because there are not enough of us to handle all the requests for help that we expect when this book hits the streets. If we were known, we wouldn't have time to earn a living. Our 12th-Step work is a sideline, not career.
P 25:2 The great fact is just this, and nothing less: That we have had deep and effective spiritual experiences which have revolutionized our whole attitude toward life, toward our fellows and toward God's universe. The central fact of our lives today is the absolute certainty that our Creator has entered into our hearts and lives in a way which is indeed miraculous. He has commenced to accomplish those things for us which we could never do by ourselves.
P 164:2 See to it that your relationship with Him is right, and great events will come to pass for you and countless others. This is the Great Fact for us.
Undue Anonymity
At first, this anonymity business made sense, but then I wondered if it also impaired the ability to communicate among ourselves.
Then I heard a Joe & Charlie tape where Charlie Parmin gave his first and last name. He apparently thought it fitting to introduce himself in a roomful of people who came to hear him talk.
Then I read material on the website of the Primary Purpose Group of Dallas - and there's this guy, Cliff B., who authors some truly interesting and thought-provoking material. I like knowing who the author is because it is customary in all my other activities. Should professionals and academics like economists present their ideas without associating the idea with their identity? "Wealth of Nations" by Adam S.? Is it always necessary and appropriate for one to refrain from properly identifying himself while addressing a troubling problem, alcoholism & the solution(s) if one qualifies as a member of Alcoholics Anonymous? Is it necessary to repudiate ones membership while retaining faith in the 12-Step program of recovery?