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Tradition 10 (long form)

 No A.A. group or member should ever, in such a way as to implicate 

A.A., express any opinion on outside controversial issues-particularly 

those of politics, alcohol reform, or sectarian religion.  The Alcoholics

 Anonymous groups oppose no one. Concerning such matters they can express 

no views whatever.







From: Grapevine©, September 1948

Tradition 10



To most of us, Alcoholics Anonymous has become as solid as the Rock 

of Gibraltar. We like to believer that it will soon be as well known 

and just as enduring as that historic landmark. We enjoy this pleasant

 conviction because nothing has yet occurred to disturb it; we reason 

that we must hang together or die. Hence we take for granted our 

continued unity as a movement.





But should we? Though God has bestowed upon us great favors, and though 

we are bound by stronger ties of love and necessity than most societies, 

is it prudent to suppose that automatically these great gifts and 

attributes shall be ours forever? If we are worthy, we shall probably 

continue to enjoy them. So the real question is, how shall we always 

be worthy of our present blessings?





Seen from this point of view, our AA Traditions are those attributes 

and practices by which we may deserve, as a movement, a long life and 

a useful one. To this end, none could be more vital than our Tenth 

Tradition, for it deals with the subject of controversy -- serious 

controversy.





On the other side of the world, millions have died even recently in 

religious dissension. Other millions have died in political controversy. 

The end is not yet. Nearly everybody in the world has turned reformer. 

Each group, society, and nation is saying to the other, "You must do as 

we say, or else." Political controversy and reform by compulsion have 

reached an all-time high. And eternal, seemingly, are the flames of 

religious dissension.





Being like other men and women, how can we expect to remain forever 

immune from these perils? Probably we shall not. At length, we must 

meet them all. We cannot flee from them, nor ought we try. If these 

challenges do come, we shall, I am sure, go out to meet them gladly 

and unafraid. That will be the acid test of our worth.





Our best defense? This surely lies in the formation of a Tradition 

respecting serious controversy so powerful that neither the weakness 

of persons nor the strain and strife of our troubled times can harm 

Alcoholics Anonymous. We know that AA must continue to live, or else 

many of us and many of our fellow alcoholics throughout the world will 

surely resume the hopeless journey to oblivion. That must never be.





As though by some deep and compelling instinct, we have thus far avoided

 serious controversies. Save minor and healthy growing pains, we are at 

peace among ourselves. And because we have thus far adhered to this sole

 aim, the whole world regards us favorably.





May God grant us the wisdom and fortitude ever to sustain an unbreakable 

unity.