Determining whether or not an organization is involved in cultish practices can often be difficult. When it comes to whether or not AA is a cult, there are mixed feelings. For, while Charlie Sheen and others have suggested this is the case, there are others both inside and outside the organization whom disagree.
In fact, Sheen has suggested that the organization screwed up the actor's life for over 22 years, eventually taking control of family and friends. As might be expected, especially with the recent breakdown the actor experienced a few years ago, most people think the actor is crazy for criticizing the organization. While this is the case, Sheen is not alone when it comes to questioning whether or not this might be the case.
An author, L Allen Ragels even reposed the question in an article in the popular periodical, The California Sociologist. In the article, the author reviewed the position of two sociologists whom after posing as alcoholics and participating in every area of the program determined that such claims were true.
The piece discusses the findings when two sociologists posed as alcoholics and infiltrated the organization. Each individual attended meetings for several months posing as actual members, obtaining sponsors, attending meetings, social gatherings and following the program. While this is the case, neither of the individuals ever had issues with alcohol or drug abuse.
Upon completion of the covert operation and research project, the two determined that due to the methods of brainwashing and commands used in the program, it was in fact a cult. For, any group or organization which demands members or individuals follow a specific path without free will is participating in brainwashing. Whereas, as brainwashing is the center of every cult, the practice only added to the sociologists earlier conclusion.
The information in the article also suggest that since AA is involved in brainwashing individuals to believe in a certain way, that is proof enough the group is a cult. While a compelling case, there are others whom will disagree, such as those whom showed such shock at the claims Charlie Sheen made about the organization. Still, there seems to be an overflowing amount of evidence which suggest that the author of the article, Sheen and the sociologists are most likely correct in such an assessment.
Even prior to the existing organization, the original group from which AA was born, The Oxford Group, had also been identified as a cult. For, both groups ask individuals to renounce self-will and surrender to a generic "Higher Power, " whether holding a belief in God or otherwise. Since most alcoholics lack the power to connect or communicate with this entity, individuals are told to follow the commands and orders of upper level AA members and sponsors.
Unlike the negative self-image being promoted by requiring members to vocalize weaknesses and short-comings to one another in a public forum, the earlier group provided one-on-one counseling. Whereas, while there are now sponsors whom members can contact for support, most of these individuals lack the education or knowledge to accurately counsel individuals beyond explaining why having a drink might not be such a good idea.
In fact, Sheen has suggested that the organization screwed up the actor's life for over 22 years, eventually taking control of family and friends. As might be expected, especially with the recent breakdown the actor experienced a few years ago, most people think the actor is crazy for criticizing the organization. While this is the case, Sheen is not alone when it comes to questioning whether or not this might be the case.
An author, L Allen Ragels even reposed the question in an article in the popular periodical, The California Sociologist. In the article, the author reviewed the position of two sociologists whom after posing as alcoholics and participating in every area of the program determined that such claims were true.
The piece discusses the findings when two sociologists posed as alcoholics and infiltrated the organization. Each individual attended meetings for several months posing as actual members, obtaining sponsors, attending meetings, social gatherings and following the program. While this is the case, neither of the individuals ever had issues with alcohol or drug abuse.
Upon completion of the covert operation and research project, the two determined that due to the methods of brainwashing and commands used in the program, it was in fact a cult. For, any group or organization which demands members or individuals follow a specific path without free will is participating in brainwashing. Whereas, as brainwashing is the center of every cult, the practice only added to the sociologists earlier conclusion.
The information in the article also suggest that since AA is involved in brainwashing individuals to believe in a certain way, that is proof enough the group is a cult. While a compelling case, there are others whom will disagree, such as those whom showed such shock at the claims Charlie Sheen made about the organization. Still, there seems to be an overflowing amount of evidence which suggest that the author of the article, Sheen and the sociologists are most likely correct in such an assessment.
Even prior to the existing organization, the original group from which AA was born, The Oxford Group, had also been identified as a cult. For, both groups ask individuals to renounce self-will and surrender to a generic "Higher Power, " whether holding a belief in God or otherwise. Since most alcoholics lack the power to connect or communicate with this entity, individuals are told to follow the commands and orders of upper level AA members and sponsors.
Unlike the negative self-image being promoted by requiring members to vocalize weaknesses and short-comings to one another in a public forum, the earlier group provided one-on-one counseling. Whereas, while there are now sponsors whom members can contact for support, most of these individuals lack the education or knowledge to accurately counsel individuals beyond explaining why having a drink might not be such a good idea.
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