Is AA a cult ?
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Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 453
I heard that asked in a meeting once and a lady spoke up who had been in a cult. She was horrified at the idea. She had truly suffered trying to get free from that cult. From what I understand of cults, AA is a far cry from it.
For one thing, they are too loosely organized. You can leave at any time. They don't demand money. (Passing around a basket into which you can toss a dollar in if you like isn't really demanding.) You can come and go as you please. Although certain members might have strong opinions, that's not the same thing as being under the sway of someone like a real cult leader.
I haven't been to a meeting in a long time and no one's been stalking me, trying to get me to go back.
Real cults can be terrifying, from what I've read. (Although they seem benign at first, of course.) I wouldn't use that term lightly (nor am I suggesting you are).
It's a question that gets thrown around occasionally, so it's definitely worth addressing!
For one thing, they are too loosely organized. You can leave at any time. They don't demand money. (Passing around a basket into which you can toss a dollar in if you like isn't really demanding.) You can come and go as you please. Although certain members might have strong opinions, that's not the same thing as being under the sway of someone like a real cult leader.
I haven't been to a meeting in a long time and no one's been stalking me, trying to get me to go back.
Real cults can be terrifying, from what I've read. (Although they seem benign at first, of course.) I wouldn't use that term lightly (nor am I suggesting you are).
It's a question that gets thrown around occasionally, so it's definitely worth addressing!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 211
Originally Posted by Dee74 
There's so many vast and varied opinions on AA from AA members themselves - thats not the hallmark of a cult.
I'd spend less time worrying about isolated opinions Realest.
D
I'd spend less time worrying about isolated opinions Realest.
D
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 16,945
Originally Posted by Realest
i am starting a discussion. It’s interesting.
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 99,760
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.
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.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 188
I think it's what secular people like to call it. To be honest, fiercely secular and atheistic people, who can be just as closed-minded, get on my nerves far more than religious or spiritual people. The crux is I think you aren't the centre of the universe and there are higher powers than you, which sometimes ties neatly into peoples' powerlessness over controlling addiction.
Guess what, there are higher powers than you, and I doubt some humility does any bad. A volcano is a higher power: you wouldn't want to get in a fight with it! Let alone the things science hasn't even discovered.
Guess what, there are higher powers than you, and I doubt some humility does any bad. A volcano is a higher power: you wouldn't want to get in a fight with it! Let alone the things science hasn't even discovered.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,775
Originally Posted by Realest
“is AA a cult?” That’s what lady in my group asked. And no one responded . I’ve sometimes asked myself if AA was a cult and others have too. What do you guys think?
But to be clear this is not the norm.
No Dogma Please
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,562
Originally Posted by FreshStartOk
I think it's what secular people like to call it. To be honest, fiercely secular and atheistic people, who can be just as closed-minded, get on my nerves far more than religious or spiritual people. The crux is I think you aren't the centre of the universe and there are higher powers than you, which sometimes ties neatly into peoples' powerlessness over controlling addiction.
Guess what, there are higher powers than you, and I doubt some humility does any bad. A volcano is a higher power: you wouldn't want to get in a fight with it! Let alone the things science hasn't even discovered.
Guess what, there are higher powers than you, and I doubt some humility does any bad. A volcano is a higher power: you wouldn't want to get in a fight with it! Let alone the things science hasn't even discovered.
To me the question is meaningless. What's more important to me is...does it work to keep some people sober?
And that's a yes.
It doesn't work for me, probably because, again, I'm one of those people. But I'm not going to call it a "cult" just because it ain't my thing.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 25,373
Originally Posted by Realest
after leaving AA and experiencing both sides of the coin I do not believe AA is a cult but it sure has some cult like members who have some very strong opinions
I went to AA for a while in the beginning of my sobriety. I agree that some members have some strong opinions, but reading this post of yours combined with all the other threads you've made in the 12 Step forum leads me to believe that you have a beef with AA.
Is that what all of this is about? Because really, I've found that holding on to this kind of resentment isn't something helpful for my sobriety.
There is a whole Secular section of Sober Recovery where they don't even allow 12 Step discussions, and the Newcomers section doesn't allow arguments over recovery methods. Maybe you would be more comfortable there. No sense beating a dead horse.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 211
Originally Posted by biminiblue
So I just have to ask...
I went to AA for a while in the beginning of my sobriety. I agree that some members have some strong opinions, but reading this post of yours combined with all the other threads you've made in the 12 Step forum leads me to believe that you have a beef with AA.
Is that what all of this is about? Because really, I've found that holding on to this kind of resentment isn't something helpful for my sobriety.
There is a whole Secular section of Sober Recovery where they don't even allow 12 Step discussions, and the Newcomers section doesn't allow arguments over recovery methods. Maybe you would be more comfortable there. No sense beating a dead horse.
I went to AA for a while in the beginning of my sobriety. I agree that some members have some strong opinions, but reading this post of yours combined with all the other threads you've made in the 12 Step forum leads me to believe that you have a beef with AA.
Is that what all of this is about? Because really, I've found that holding on to this kind of resentment isn't something helpful for my sobriety.
There is a whole Secular section of Sober Recovery where they don't even allow 12 Step discussions, and the Newcomers section doesn't allow arguments over recovery methods. Maybe you would be more comfortable there. No sense beating a dead horse.
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Join Date: May 2012
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Originally Posted by Realest
after leaving AA and experiencing both sides of the coin I do not believe AA is a cult but it sure has some cult like members who have some very strong opinions
I would also remind you of my previous post regarding argumentative posts about particular recovery methods. I suggest you accept that some people feel differently about things than you do and move on to a different discussion.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 211
Originally Posted by ScottFromWI
Every group in the world has people who have varying views. You will find people right here on SR that feel that "their way" is the best way and won't listen to what others have to say, and not just those that are part of 12 -step programs.
I would also remind you of my previous post regarding argumentative posts about particular recovery methods. I suggest you accept that some people feel differently about things than you do and move on to a different discussion.
I would also remind you of my previous post regarding argumentative posts about particular recovery methods. I suggest you accept that some people feel differently about things than you do and move on to a different discussion.
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