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 some cases, the people think Sheen is overreacting and that calling the organization a cult is a reach. Whereas, the actor is not the first to make such claims. For, as far back as the 1940s, sociologists were infiltrating the organization to prove whether such claims were true or false.
In fact, more than one reporter has questioned as to why the major media has no interest in investigating such claims. For, Sheen is not the first to make such claims. In fact, the question dates back to the 1940s. In an edition of the California Sociologist, L Allen Ragels reposed the question in an article titled Is Alcoholics Anonymous a Cult? An Old Question Revisited.
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.
Researchers and sociologists in more than one case determined that due to the brainwashing methods and commands used in the program, the organization to be a cult. For, the two believed that any group or organization which places demands on members or takes away free will to be involved in cultish practices.
While the suggestion that Alcoholics Anonymous is a cult that has ruined the lives of thousands of people is compelling, there are a number of past and present members whom would disagree. Still, the actor is not the first to make such claims. In fact, there are also current and past-members whom have been suggesting the organization is a cult for over 70 years.
The Oxford Group had been identified as a cultish organization long before transitioning into Alcoholics Anonymous. History of the organization, past and present, suggest the original group had far less control over the members and membership than the current one. In addition, while "higher power, " in the current organization has taken on a generic meaning, the earlier group seemed more focused on helping members overcome addiction rather than telling members how or what to believe.
Most damaging is the fact the organization continually ask members to admit and vocalize short-comings and weaknesses in a public forum on an ongoing basis. In doing so, the organization is forcing each member to reinforce a negative self-image. As a result, there are a number of members whom have left the organization, suggesting that Sheen, Rollins, Alexander and others are most likely correct in past and present assumptions that the organization is a cult.
In some cases, the people think Sheen is overreacting and that calling the organization a cult is a reach. Whereas, the actor is not the first to make such claims. For, as far back as the 1940s, sociologists were infiltrating the organization to prove whether such claims were true or false.
In fact, more than one reporter has questioned as to why the major media has no interest in investigating such claims. For, Sheen is not the first to make such claims. In fact, the question dates back to the 1940s. In an edition of the California Sociologist, L Allen Ragels reposed the question in an article titled Is Alcoholics Anonymous a Cult? An Old Question Revisited.
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.
Researchers and sociologists in more than one case determined that due to the brainwashing methods and commands used in the program, the organization to be a cult. For, the two believed that any group or organization which places demands on members or takes away free will to be involved in cultish practices.
While the suggestion that Alcoholics Anonymous is a cult that has ruined the lives of thousands of people is compelling, there are a number of past and present members whom would disagree. Still, the actor is not the first to make such claims. In fact, there are also current and past-members whom have been suggesting the organization is a cult for over 70 years.
The Oxford Group had been identified as a cultish organization long before transitioning into Alcoholics Anonymous. History of the organization, past and present, suggest the original group had far less control over the members and membership than the current one. In addition, while "higher power, " in the current organization has taken on a generic meaning, the earlier group seemed more focused on helping members overcome addiction rather than telling members how or what to believe.
Most damaging is the fact the organization continually ask members to admit and vocalize short-comings and weaknesses in a public forum on an ongoing basis. In doing so, the organization is forcing each member to reinforce a negative self-image. As a result, there are a number of members whom have left the organization, suggesting that Sheen, Rollins, Alexander and others are most likely correct in past and present assumptions that the organization is a cult.
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