A.A. stays out of politics so it can remain focused on alcoholism
Political beliefs and public controversies exist throughout the world in which A.A. members live. A.A. does not settle those questions, adopt a political position, or use its name to advance one side.
The official A.A.W.S. material explains the boundary through apolitical identity, primary purpose, outside issues, public controversy, non-affiliation, individual member speech, public information, and protection of the A.A. name.
A.A. describes the Fellowship as apolitical
Information on Alcoholics Anonymous includes apolitical
in its direct description of A.A. (Information on Alcoholics Anonymous)
Apolitical describes A.A. as a Fellowship. A.A. is not a political organization, does not create a political program for members, and does not make political agreement a condition of seeking recovery from alcoholism.
Primary purpose determines what A.A. speaks about
Tradition Five gives each A.A. group one primary purpose
: carrying its message to the alcoholic who still suffers. (The Twelve Traditions)
A.A. speaks from experience about alcoholism and recovery. A political question may be important to individual members, but it is outside the task assigned to an A.A. group and can divert attention from the alcoholic seeking help.
Tradition Ten keeps the A.A. name out of public controversy
Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
(The Twelve Traditions)
The wording assigns no Fellowship position to an outside issue. An A.A. group, committee, service office, or other A.A. service does not announce a political view in A.A.’s name or turn an A.A. activity into a forum for public controversy.
A.A. is not allied with politics or political organizations
The A.A. Preamble says A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution.
(If You Are a Professional)
Non-affiliation means A.A. remains independent. Cooperation, shared space, or contact with an outside organization does not make A.A. part of that organization and does not authorize the organization to represent an A.A. political position.
A.A. neither supports nor opposes political causes
The Preamble states that A.A. neither endorses nor opposes any causes.
(If You Are a Professional)
An endorsement or opposition would assign A.A. a side in an outside dispute. A.A. therefore does not use its meetings, name, or service channels to campaign for or against a political cause; those channels remain directed toward recovery from alcoholism.
Individual members speak for themselves, not for A.A.
A.A.W.S. explains that members of A.A. speak only for themselves.
(What is an open meeting?)
A member may have and express personal political views. Those views belong to that individual and are not an A.A. position. When a member participates in political life, the member does so personally rather than as a spokesperson for the Fellowship.
Public information explains A.A. without entering political debate
A.A.W.S. says the Fellowship does not comment on public controversy but is happy to provide information about A.A. to anyone who seeks it.
(Speaking at Meetings Outside of A.A.)
A.A. can explain what it is, what it does, what it does not do, and how an alcoholic can find help. Providing that information is different from commenting on a political dispute or trying to persuade the audience toward a political conclusion.
The A.A. name stays separate from outside organizations
Guidance for members speaking publicly says, Do not link the A.A. name with other organizations.
(Speaking at Meetings Outside of A.A.)
Keeping the names separate prevents an outside organization’s political identity or message from being mistaken for A.A.’s. A.A. may be accurately identified and explained, but its name is not used to sponsor, validate, or become part of an outside political organization.