Is it just me or is thier philosophy a little crazy....I'm powerless to alcohol....have to surrender to my higher power etc.....cult much?
2006-08-23 05:08:42 · 6 answers · asked by hittykkiod 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Before the internet, there were thousands of us walking around wondering, "Am I the only one that thinks these people are NUTS????" Now there are at least a dozen groups on Yahoo alone that are anti-AA. And the vast majority of the people who participate are sober, while others has CHOSEN to moderate, something AA claims cannot be done.
Even if you don't think it's a cult, it has very cult-like methods; they only feed you a little bit of the religious dogma at a time. They tell you, "It's spiritual, not religious", BULL! Every time a higher court has ruled, the final outcome has been that AA is at least "religious in nature".
the courts:
The New York Court of Appeals.
The Second District Court of Appeals.
The Third District Court of Appeals.
The Seventh District Court of Appeals.
The Tennessee Supreme Court.
In the beginning, they tell you to choose a "God of your understanding", but as you get deeper in the program, your God has to be the same micro-managing, miracles-on-demand God as everyone else; that's called a "bait and switch", a business practice that is illegal.
All that might not be so bad if AA actually worked, but it doesn't. Only 5% of the people who join are able to get sober in AA. By some strange coincidence, 5% of the people who try quitting on their own succeed. However, AA has a MORTALITY rate that is 4 times higher than those who attempt it on their own.
I tried AA on and off for 20 years and never was able to stay sober for more than 6 months. They had taught me I was powerless, that I had a disease, and only God could help, He couldn't CURE me, but He could grant me a daily reprieve. (The God I was brought up with could raise the dead, but their god can't cure alcoholism??? I can do that, I quit drinking.)
Once I took some responsibility for myself and turned my back on those people, I've been able to stay sober for 5 years.
2006-08-23 16:58:44 · answer #1 · answered by raysny 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
AA has nothing to do with Jesus AT ALL.
It has nothing to do with religion, either. NOTHING!
As far as being a 'cult'....hey, if it works...it works, right?
I'd rather be involved in a so-called 'cult' and live alcohol-free, than to die a horrible death or be sent to the insane asylum!
I grew up an Agnostic and became quite addicted to alcohol.
I've been sober for 16 years through AA and I'm still an Agnostic.
You don't have to do anything that AA suggests. There are no rules. The only requirement for 'membership' is the desire to stop drinking. That's it.
Again, if it works, it works.
What's the big deal?
It's worked for hundreds of thousands, and none of them have gone religious-crazy far as I know.
The AA philosophy is to stop drinking....period.
Pick up a copy of Alcoholics Anonymous and read about it.
It's really not as bad as it seems....and has absolutely nothing to do with being a cult. It's just a group of people who want to stop drinking. Can't see anything wrong with that!
Some of these people have absolutely no idea of what AA involves. There's not ONE mention of Jesus or Christ or Christianity in the AA book. NOT ONE!
If you think you're an alcoholic....you probably are.
If you've never been 'powerless over alcohol', then you have absolutely no idea what it's like...so making negative comments about something you know nothing about is ridiculous.
If you think AA won't work for you, you are wrong.
YOU work for it...not the other way around...IT doesn't work for you. You have to do some serious, honest work in order to be successful.
Anyone who has not succeeded in stopping the drink while they're in AA has not followed the simple....yes, SIMPLE steps toward recovery.
It's not for everyone, that is a fact. Some people will hold on to their addiction as if it's the only thing in the world they have left.
But those that haven't actually worked the program cannot have any idea of what it's about....because they haven't worked it!
2006-08-23 12:23:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't agree with it either because personally I believe that once you are not in an active state of using, that even if only for that moment, you are not an addict. I never understood the whole premise of admitting potential defeat before it even happens.
It does work for some however and if it isin't good fpr you then don't do it. It is like religion. Personal and a choice based on preference. Some people are weak like that and need babysitting and support.
Personally... If I were an alcoholic, HAVING to attend meetings would be my reason to never drink again!
2006-08-23 12:15:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're a alcoholic asking that question, you just haven't gotten to the point that it make sense to you, but you will. If you're not an alcoholic, and that's your attitude, it'll never make sense to you so quit worrying about it.
2006-08-23 12:14:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
its more brainwashing than cult like...but they will make you love jesus and **** to be part of their group
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholics_Anonymous
i went when i was younger and it was a load of crap...most of the people there stories were lies and ****..i had two differnt people tell me about 2 years after that they never really even drank or did drugs much they just wanted attention and some friends
2006-08-23 12:13:09 · answer #5 · answered by nicole 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
lol no but i remember that south park episode..
2006-08-23 12:13:42 · answer #6 · answered by The Sheepdog 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋