Alcoholics Anonymous is NOT a cult

More than 100,000 Americans die a year from alcohol (Vaillant, 435). AA is not a cult. Rather helps alcoholics to achieve sobriety so they live happy, useful lives. I would like to go ahead and thank my opponent for accepting this debate. I am looking forward to an intelligent debate, I do request only an opponent that has adequate time to spend on their responses and can respond in a timely fashion to join this debate. Oxford English Dictionary defined "cult" as: "Worship; reverential homage rendered to a divine being or beings" "A particular form or system of religious worship; especially in reference to its external rites and ceremonies" Definition of Alcoholics Anonymous: a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. (www.aa.org) For more definitions that will be use for the debate please see http://www.step12.com... For the purpose of this debate, the criteria for a cult is taken from Dr. Janja Lalich's and Dr. Michael D. Langone's checklist of characteristics Associated with Cultic Groups. See http://www.csj.org.... Because of the character limitations, the first round will be on items 1-11, then the second round will include items 12-15, and then we will just take it from there. 1.Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith founded Alcoholics Anonymous in 1935. Vaillant stated in ‘Alcoholics Anonymous: cult or cure?' that the AA's Twelve Traditions was Bill W.'s efforts to protect AA from becoming a cult. In the forward to the first edition of the AA Big Book, they state that there are more than 100 men and women who have recovered from alcoholism. The book is meant to show others how they recovered. In a quote taken from Vaillant, Mark Galanter defines ‘cults are charismatic groups with a high level of social cohesion, an intensely held belief system and a profound influence on its members behavior' (p.435). However, the purpose of AA is to provide members a set of disciplined suggestions to prevent relapse and alcohol-related deaths (Vaillant, p.435). 2.While some members may doubt, question, and reject the principles of the program, no one is ever "punished" in AA. In beginner meetings, members are encouraged to ask questions. 3.Although there is the use of prayer and "chanting" at meetings, members do not have to participate in these prayers. Besides their use is not excessive in nature, simply serve to open and close the meeting. It is suggested that members utilize meditation in their own practices in Step-11. But it is not required that members meditate, and if they do choose to, the way they do it is entirely up to them. Meditation is commonly perceived to be beneficial to humans in quieting the mind. 4.Tradition 4 states ‘Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.' G.E. Vaillant stated that ‘most of the AA service positions are unpaid and all jobs are frequently rotated (not good grammar, was it in a quote?) so that the consolidation of power cannot occur. The organizational chart of AA that has evolved is a pyramid on its head' (p.435). AA members do not govern; they are simply sharing their own experience, strength, and hope. The program of AA does not tell members how they should think, act, and feel. Often, members come in with maladjusted lifestyles and seek the advice from other members. However, this is something they seek on their own. 5.The primary purpose of AA is to carry the message to other alcoholics. This message is based on the experience, strength and hope of other members. The main objective of the Alcoholics Anonymous book, commonly called the Big Book, is to enable alcoholics to find a Power greater than themselves to solve their problems. This does not mean any particular Power, members can choose their own conception of a Higher Power. Members do not claim to have a monopoly on recovery from alcoholism, they claim they ‘merely have an approach that worked' (AA, p. 95) for them. They are not trying to save humanity, they are trying to save themselves. For many members, AA was the last house on the block for them. They could go no further down the totem pole - they had reached their bottom. They do want to be of service to other members, whether new or old, sober or drunk. 6.Alcoholics view themselves different than non-alcoholics because they are as it relates to alcohol. In "The Doctor's Opinion," Dr. Silkworth states ‘All these alcoholics have one symptom in common; they cannot start drinking without developing the phenomenon of craving…the manifestation of an allergy which differentiates these people, and sets them apart as a distinct entity.' The drinking of Alcoholics typically cause conflict in society. Most alcoholics suffer from the great obsession that somehow; someday they will control and enjoy his drinking (AA, p.30). 7.See point 4. 8.The 12th-Step of AA suggests that members are ‘to practice these principles in all their affairs. These principles include: honesty, hope, faith, courage, integrity, willingness, humility, love, discipline, perseverance, awareness, and service. There is one for each of the 12 steps, in that order. If these are the principles that are taught to the group, then they are certainly positive and not unethical. 9.Shame and guilt are often feelings that alcoholics suffer from, usually based on their own behaviors or inactions. Drinking excessively and not taking personal responsibility for feelings create shame and guilt. Alcoholics do not need to be pressured or persuaded into feeling guilty or shameful, they do so on their own. In the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, members are encouraged not to ‘wander morbidly around in the past' (Twelve and Twelve, p.88) due to guilt and shame. 10.No one is required to cut ties with family and friends. Alcoholism tears families apart. There is an entire chapter devoted to "The Family Afterwards," to help members get their family lives back in order. There is also a chapter written by wives to the wives of other alcoholics, to foster understanding and support. Sometimes, though alcoholics have unhealthy relationships that might be better dissolved. These unhealthy relationships might decrease the changes of the alcoholic's sobriety. Alcoholics who do not radically change their drinking related activities they had before they joined the group will more than likely not stay sober. This is not to say that members cannot go where alcohol is served, so long as they have a ‘legitimate reason for being there.' 11.‘Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with another alcoholic' (AA, p89). Vaillant found that new love relationships are important in recovery that it is helpful for ex-alcoholics to relate with people they have not hurt. Today, the way that many people come into AA is through the court systems or through treatment referrals. In conclusion, AA has taken many steps to ensure that they are not cult-like. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. It is not even that members do actually stop drinking. AA is based on a spiritual foundation of anonymity. There are no rules in AA, only suggestions that members can either use or discard. Works Cited Alcoholics Anonymous. New York, NY: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., 2001. Print. Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. New York, NY: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., 1981. Print. Vaillant, George E. "Alcoholics Anonymous: cult or cure?" Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 39.6 (2005): 431-436. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 20 Oct. 2009.