I lok up the Definition of cult I think No 4 is a good fit.
1
: formal religious veneration : worship
2
: a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents the cult of Apollo
3
: a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious (see spurious 2); also : its body of adherents the voodoo cult a satanic cult
4
: a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator, health cults
5
a : great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (such as a film or book) criticizing how the media promotes the cult of celebrity; especially : such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad
b : the object of such devotion
c : a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion the singer's cult of fans The film has a cult following.

This is a fear I actually have....I am not a Christian and from what I have read the 12 steps involve "praying" to a divinity and asking "His" help to move forward. Can I as a practicing pagan and Goddess worshiper still follow the original 12 steps?

Hello LillyMoon,

You can absolutely, one hundred percent still follow the original 12 Steps as a pagan. There is a great deal of misinformation and scaremongering about AA by angry and bitter people who have their own agendas and unresolved issues. These people are welcome to their opinions and are free to express them, but unfortunately, they do a lot of damage and as alcoholism is a fatal condition, their ranting can actually lead to unnecessary loss of life.

AA is just a collection of people who try to help each other to recover from alcoholism. There is no management structure in AA and every group is autonomous and free to run their own affairs. With such a set-up, there will always be well-run groups who adhere to the AA principles are others who are somewhat misguided. If a particular meeting is not to your liking, just look for a different one as there are many out there. In my own experience, I had to give it a bit of time as if I had let my prejudices lead the way, I would have walked out the door and would consequently have missed out on a great experience.

The Twelve Steps are based on spirituality, not religion. Many of the founding members of AA were atheists and agnostics and there were probably pagans there too. A person who believes in nothing is likely to lead an empty life so all that AA is suggesting is that you believe in some sort of power that is greater than yourself. As a Goddess worshipper, you already have a ready-made higher power so you should not have a problem with that. AA calls this higher power ‘a god of your understanding’ and that leaves it open to each individual to define what their higher power is going to be. Although I am a Christian, religion never enabled me to beat the alcohol problem, but belief in some sort of higher power as suggested by AA has brought about the miracle of recovery. For me, God is not an old bearded guy that sits on a throne and punishes people for their mistakes but instead, I view God as some sort of spirit of the universe – something unknown force out there that we humans cannot understand.

As I said, there are well-run AA groups and others that leave a lot to be desired. The big mistake that people make is in believing that recovery from alcoholism comes from attending many meetings. Recovery comes from changing your way of thinking so that you can better deal with life, and that change of thinking can be brought about through the Twelve Steps. Therefore, although you may hear a lot of stuff from misguided people at meetings, and indeed elsewhere, the main thing to remember is that you can get recovery by following the suggestions in the first 164 pages of the Big Book. If you hear religious stuff from some people at meetings, that is their own beliefs and not the AA philosophy. You can walk away but why not stay instead and a bit further down the line, you may actually be able to make changes by joining the group.

I know that AA has done a great job for some people. It has also failed others, including me. I have always been out there letting newcomers know that there are choices. To make a choice, one should be well informed. AA is based on the Christian Revival paradigm. When I read about this, I checked it out, by watching a Christian Revival on the tellie. Also, I pointed out that the courts in USA have ruled that it is a religious organization. The first case involved a member of my religion, Buddhism. The Appeals Court ruled that he could not be forced to go to AA, because it was contrary to his religious belief.

There is not wrong in saying that AA is religious. That is what the courts have ruled.
Religion is good fit some people. I don’t know why the AA guys are upset. The whole system is based on God, a higher power. This is an attraction for many to join AA.

As for it being a cult. The Mariam Webster definition:

4. a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator

This doesn’t mean that it doesn’t work. Many have found sobriety in AA.

This is a joke right?

Whether or not people find sobriety with the support of AA or an alternative isn't the importance here is it? Surely it's the fact that together we reach sobriety. What Bigbookbob has done is cast a stone to cause a ripple and is no doubt sitting back laughing at his antagonistic view point and the comments we are leaving. 20+ comments he certainly has reached a goal hasn't he!

I havent had to take a drink in five years thanks to the cult you call it. I was a slave to the bottle and would only live to go to the store to buy booze. So what if its a cult. The whole reason I was living was to drink, today I have found friends and new ideas on how to cope with life. Sure the word God is on the wall, but for me that is just a word.

My higher power is THE atom at the very center of the room. The one that is equidistant from the rear wall and the front wall, the same one that is equidistant from the two side walls, and the very same one that is equidistant from the ceiling and the floor. That atom has saved my life.

In addition to the whole hp thing there are about a million other things that get lost in this debate. The fact that I have some personality defects... i was full of fear and hate, aa allowed me to work on these, I also have many resentments against just about everybody... I have learned how to work thru these things and not have to be angry or hate filled... In addition I have hurt many along the way and I am working to make those wrongs right... bottom line is that I have the power to help myself. I have stopped blaming others for my shortcomings... I have started to take responsibility. Its all a mental temperance and now I am happier than I have been in over 5 years.

So what if it is a cult... I love it and it is crucial in keeping me sober. I dont sit around and moan about who and what you did or didnt do to me and how you gave me a mind f... thats about as childish as it gets... but the behavior of a very mature dry drunk. Basically like a kid at the beach that goes around wrecking others sandcastles because they are jealous. Oh well, I will keep on living the good life on the beach and hanging out with my cult.

Reminds me of a story about a large mountain... Many people climb the mountain, going up many different paths... But there is one guy at the bottom that says each one is wrong, never leaving the base.

1-2

I'm hangin' out with 1-2 on the beach called sober living. Hey, can you pass the sunscreen?

Well said Jeff. Let's move on...

I agree. Something in your life is not settled if you have a need to attack.

I'm 16 years sober in AA and am not christian or religious. It worked for me and I didn't experience any attempt at religious indoctrination. AA is just medicine to me.

I can echo what Jeff said ... I don't pray, meditate, i don't recite the lords prayer at meetings and i don't use the word god. The cool thing is, that's my choice, and i have never had 1 person question that.

If you think you have a problem with alcohol, don't rule out AA because of this post - this is one persons experience and it works for millions.

This is nearly comical and joined the site just to comment on this thread alone, Watching the unnecessary banter back and forth from insultuous to haughty i find is unbecoming of any brand of faith and healing or respect to others; love is the key principle at stake for each of us. Here's a contribution. There are "universal principles" (you can use God if you will as ultimately anything that keeps a drunk clean has to exist in something other than self --motivating that person--if its not even deduced to staying clean because it contributes to those that are in our immediate scope of influence), like Bob staying clean without AA of all the rest of us that choose AA--good will to all on your methods. I am a trained therapist with three master degrees and the highest certifications that the state of California offers. AA or the church as an organized religious place of worship holds no place or station in life to becoming a better person without alcohol -- both have principles to operate on as a human being--and judgement of one another only separates friends --try kindness practiced daily. I teach the bible daily and God says things of himself within that ought to be considered. AA says the same of Him and all are right when the principles for living are isolated, and acted upon. no ones a winner but the man who humbly agrees as AA and church to say that God is independent and integrated into both and He is even independent of both and needs neither a building or otherwise to work well on His own with each individual -- I suggest all read the book : The Critical Journey.

The challenge for many is the aspect of all or none when it comes to drinking. Per the Big Book, I'm not a "real" alcoholic. If a person is an Alcoholic type #4 (see the Chapter "Too Wives") or even a 2 or 3, it's obvious that drinking is not a good choice. I'll go to a meeting later today not because I embrace all of AA, but I still do like tradition #3.

I bet that BBB is either dead, drunk or still just angry and acting like a child without his bottle? The takeaway is that the choice is yours to make. Be happy or miserable Also I wonder is Imperm is either alive, drunk, or dead.

Are you kidding me? Wishing death on people because thay refuse to buy your AA nonsense. Who is fucked up now? Did AA teach you to be so arrogant and angry?