Alcoholics Anonymous is NOT a cult

I would like my opponent to point out where the article clearly states that the checklist usually defines "dangerous cults. " I see where they state that ‘The following list of social-structural, social-psychological, and interpersonal behavioral patterns commonly found in cultic environments. ' I appreciate that he pointed out that Dr. Lalich's and Dr. Langone's checklist is an analytical tool. However, as the advocate I had the initial responsibility of defining terms, in which I used their checklist to do so. The article clearly states that their checklist ‘may be helpful in assessing a particular group or relationship. ' My opponent asked me what sort of "Higher Power" an atheist could call upon. Some members use the group as a power greater than themselves, using the G. O. D. as an acronym for Group Of Drunks. When active alcoholics come into AA for help, they see that other people are staying sober, and they are drunk. They then turn to the power of the group, which is indeed more powerful than their own strength. Others have been known to use Mother Nature as their Higher Power. Another acronym that has been useful is G. O. D. = Good Orderly Direction. This seems to help atheists and agnostics swallow the word God in a way that works for them. Since tradition 4 states that "Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or AA as a whole, the Agnostic AA groups can format their meetings differently, but they are still AA meetings. Rebuttal 2: My opponent has successfully provided an example that would lead one to believe that Christianity is therefore not a cult, when using the checklist of common behavioral patterns found in cults. Rebuttal 3: I appreciate my opponent's opinion, but that is all it is. Where are the facts in this case? I would argue that the Agnostic groups consider themselves a part of AA. My argument still remains the same from the previous round. Rebuttal 5. AA originally had 6 steps (A. A. , p. 263): 1. Complete deflation. (as in ego) 2. Dependence and guidance from a Higher Power. (not God) 3. Moral inventory (as in right vs. wrong) 4. Confession 5. Restitution 6. Continued work with other alcoholics. Please notice that "God" is not used at all, highlighting the importance of the higher power. AA was built upon a spiritual foundation that evolved from the intellectual experience of 3 men who were seriously suspicious of all organized religions (Vaillant, p. 434). I was not avoiding the answer to your question about what is the first thing that comes to mind when ‘Higher Power' is mentioned. I was attempting to avoid a forced dichotomy here. I am Christian and my opponent is an atheist (according to his Debate. org profile. ). What is true for me does not necessarily reflect the rest of the world. My opponent has stated that what I have previously stated does not deny the fact that the "Higher Power" is assumed to be God. I would like the audience and my opponent to be mindful of the fallacy of composition, or that what is true of a part is true of the whole. Surely, neither one of us can speak for the rest of the world in relation to what others think when they hear the term Higher Power. I would also argue that my opponent is attempting to make an ad populum argument. He is attempting to justify his claim that most people think of God when they hear the phrase Higher Power on the basis of its alleged popularity. Other reported examples of a Higher Power include science, Budda, Nature, consciousness, existential freedom, the twelve-step group (or AA as a whole). Whatever or whoever an individual claims their Higher Power to be is is not important, so long as the Higher Power is greater than the individual (Baker). According to Vaillant, "over the last 20 years AA membership has increased 10-fold in Hindu India, in Buddhist Japan, and in Catholic Spain. Membership has also risen exponentially in atheistic Russia" (p. 435). I am curious to see if my opponent will interject his personal opinion and state that these examples are also religious in nature, as he did for the previously mentioned conceptions. His opinion does not represent the opinions of everyone else. Rebuttal 11: Tradition 11 (from the long form) states their ‘public relations should be guided by the principle of attraction rather than promotion" (12 & 12, p. 192). Nonetheless, I would like to continue assessing AA based on the remaining items of Dr. Lalich's and Dr. Langone's checklist. Item 12: "The group is preoccupied with making money. " The seventh tradition states that ‘Every AA group ought to be fully, self-supporting, declining outside contributions. ' This tradition was put into place so that the financial situation would not be disruptive to the program of AA. When it was first started, people were trying to bequeath money and property. They debated on this topic for some time, since they were relatively broke at the time. However, wisdom was shared that taking outside contributions might divert AA from their primary purpose of carrying the message to alcoholics. The trustees declared for the principle that AA must always stay poor (Twelve and Twelve, p.165). AA does not own any property, which is unlike cults (Vaillant, p. 435). Item 13: "Members are expected to devote inordinate amounts of time to the group and group related activities. " New members are encouraged to go to 90 meetings in 90 days, but this suggestion was actually adopted from treatment facilities. When AA was founded, there were certainly not even 90 meetings available, so this would not even be possible. No one is expected to go to meetings, it is their own choice to attend however many meetings they want. There are members that practice the program of AA, but never go to meetings. Item 14: "Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members. " Members are encouraged to interact with other members to gain experience, strength and hope; but they are certainly not required. There are some recovery houses that might incorporate the program of AA, but they are not directly affiliated with AA. Item 15: The most loyal members feel there can be no life outside the context of the group. They believe there is no other way to be, and often fear reprisals to themselves or others if they leave the group. Some may worry that AA removes freedom of action. Vaillant compares the 12 steps to that of the rigidity of post-coronary exercise programs, stating that their purpose is not to take and individual's autonomy away but to provide a set of disciplined that will serve as a type of relapse prevention, so members will not "relapse and die" (p. 435). Many members claim that AA gave them back their life. They mean that with alcohol, they did not have a life other than the bottle. "The Family Afterwards" chapter of the Big Book states, ‘we aren't a glum lot…. We absolutely insist on enjoying life' (p. 132) In conclusion, AA is a fellowship and not a religion. AA has consciously integrated principles to steer clear of cultic exploitation. The preface to Alcoholics Anonymous plainly states: ‘AA is not a religious organization' (Vaillant, p. 434). My evidence that AA is not a cult has come from academic resources and opinions from experts. My opponent continues to interject his own personal opinions. I look forward to the final round of our debate, but I am sure the debate of whether or not AA is a cult will continue.