While Alcoholics Anonymous has been known for helping millions of people overcome addiction to alcohol over the years, others have questioned the validity of the organization. For, there are some such as Charlie Sheen and others whom have suggested that AA is a cult. As such, these individuals often believe that rather than having helped in life, the impact and results have had far more negative effects.
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.
Authors, reporters and researchers have all tried to answer the question as to whether there are cultish aspects to the organization. In fact, the question dates back to the early 40s when a local author reposed the question in an article which appeared in the California Sociiologist.
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.
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.
Authors, reporters and researchers have all tried to answer the question as to whether there are cultish aspects to the organization. In fact, the question dates back to the early 40s when a local author reposed the question in an article which appeared in the California Sociiologist.
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.
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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