A bit more investigation might be warranted Jeff. Character defects are simply things like greed, envy, or gluttony. These things most certainly exist.
As for guilt and brow beating, this is rare. On the contrary. Face to face support and encouragement, from people who know of the problem first hand, is nearly always the case.
As for AA being a religion based program? It's an odd sort of religion that accepts people with any, all and no belief as members.