Traditions Opinion-Free By admin Posted on October 1, 2017 3 min read 0 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Google+ Share on Reddit Share on Pinterest Share on Linkedin Share on Tumblr Tradition Ten – Overeaters Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the OA name ought never be drawn into public controversy. When I first joined OA in 1990, I assumed all members thought the way I thought and believed what I believed. I was sure we all felt the same about religion, politics, and social action. My first clue that I was wrong came from another OA member’s car. It had a bumper sticker with a slogan totally opposite my own political beliefs. I was shocked! How could one of those nice OA people believe in that? But my sponsor told me that we practice neutrality in all OA settings. (My mother always told me that proper ladies and gentlemen do not speak about religion or politics in public because it might upset others— she must have had an influence on some of our Twelve Step founders.) This is how we are able to get along and stay focused on recovery. To follow Tradition Ten, we do not discuss outside issues in OA settings. But what areas or topics are included in “outside issues”? “I was very surprised to find all that’s included,” one OA member told me. “We don’t speak for or against any specifics, for example, diet clubs; political ideas; religious institutions, beliefs, or practices; other Twelve Step programs; nutritionists; treatment centers; therapy; medical procedures for weight loss; vitamins; social issues; or world events. Here, we simply have no opinion on these things.” But does Tradition Ten say we can’t have any opinions, ever? Of course not. Outside OA, we are free to have our own opinions on anything and to live our own lives accordingly. I am so grateful we can all be in OA and not have to argue about any issues outside our Overeaters Anonymous Twelve Step program! I am learning more and more how to live and let live in all aspects of my life. — Alice, Nashville, Tennessee USA
