Is AA a Real Cult?

Is AA a "real" cult? Some say yes, others scoff at the idea. 

I can't attest to whether or not the AA Organization fits the definition of a "real" cult, but I can say that for the most part, the groups that I attended do, as does the online AA community.

from Wikipedia:

"Cult pejoratively refers to a group whose beliefs or practices could be, reasonably or unreasonably, considered strange. The term was originally used to denote a system of ritual practices. The narrower, derogatory sense of the word is a product of the 20th century, especially since the 1980s, and is a result of the anti-cult movement, which uses the term in reference to groups seen as authoritarian, exploitative and possibly dangerous.
The popular, derogatory sense of the term has no currency in academic studies of religions, where "cults" are subsumed under the neutral label of "new religious movement", while academic sociology has partly adopted the popular meaning of the term."

My interpretation, based on what I have read by "cult experts",

(including but not limited to: Eileen Barker PhD., Isaac Bonewits, Steve Eichel, Shirley Harrison, Janja Lalich, Ph.D. & Michael D. Langone, Ph.D., James R. Lewis, Robert J. Lifton, and Steven Hassan.)
The word "cult" is too broad to come up with a checklist for "cult" that everyone can agree on. If you take the writings of many scholars and psychiatrists who specialize in mind control, however, a pattern of cult characteristics considered definitive by most authorities can be seen.

1) Separatism, or us versus them thinking

    (Yes for AA)

2) Aggressive recruitment

    (Yes for AA, see my "Promotion, not Attraction" post)

3) Deceptive recruitment

(Yes for AA, "don't give them the religious stuff too soon, etc.)

4) a simplistic, seemingly logical explanation for all of life's problems

    (Yes for AA, "selfishness, self-centeredness, just let go and let god")

5) intolerance of criticism

    (Yes for AA, come on, if you haven't seen this intolerance you're wearing blinders)

6) discouragement of individuality, critical thought, and analysis (of group    teachings, specifically), a need for obedience and dependency on the group

    (Yes for AA)

7) confession of former "sins"

    (Yes for AA)

8) sacred science; group has a higher purpose, the teachings come from god or someone who knows will of god 

    (Yes for AA)

9) demonization, of,  hatred of, and attempts to discredit  former members

    (Yes for AA; just look at AA member comments online)

         

In addition, according to some experts:

10) "the group is not answerable to the law" is the defining characteristic of a destructive cult

(Yes for AA, as regards 13 stepping and predatory member behavior, the organization refuses to take measures to prevent it. AA also justifies soliciting the courts to violate first amendment rights.)

I could go into lengthy explanations of each criteria but will exercise restraint at this point.

More, however, will be posted, as soon as it has been revealed....