I have known some very opinionated AA members but that doesn't make AA a cult. You are free to disregard those with whom you disagree. The program itself is "suggested", not forced on anyone. The 'religious' aspect of it is due to some members who are very religious. The AA program itself is not religious, but spiritual.
I attended meetings my first year sober and never saw any evidence it was a cult., just a program that's very important to some members.