What do you think is a cult? For me, it'd have to be alcoholics anonymous, hands down. All the tell tale signs are there: Group leaders ignore or discourage questions and forbid criticism and dissent. Members who question the group leader or group tenets are considered to be traitors and a danger to the group as a whole. Outsiders who question or criticize the group are viewed as persecutors and are given labels like “anti,” “apostate,” or “suppressive person.” Doubting members are encouraged to focus solely on the doctrine of the cult and isolate themselves from outside influences. The leader/leaders become impatient, anxious and even angry, when a potential member expresses the desire to make a careful and informed decision before joining. Cult leaders convince members to forfeit their critical-thinking ability in return for a sense of belonging, authority and purpose.

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I had direct experience with the cult of Alcoholics Anonymous. When I first became homeless in 2022, I was placed in a halfway house in San Antonio. They told that that while staying there, I was required to attend AA meetings. I told them I'm not a drinker and don't drink in the 1st place. I was told "by staying here, you are an alcoholic by default. If you want to live here, you have to attend AA 5 days a week." That already was a huge red flag. However, I didn't want to go back onto the streets. I still went anyway to avoid starting trouble.

Right away at the very first meeting, it reminded me of a cult. There was chanting lines from 'the big book'. They tell people that they 'don't push a religious or political agenda', yet in a single meeting the word "God" was directly referenced 47 times in one 60 minute meeting. There were direct quotes used from the bible. There was people crying like at a church. Stripping of self worth. Bashing of homosexuals. They checked off every single item on every single list of every single list indicating a cult I have ever read. Their success rate is less than 8%. Compared to anyone who decides to quit on their own (self remission, as it is referred to), which has a success rate of almost 25%. Ask any member of the cult of AA, they'll blame the low success rate on people who 'didn't stick with it'. Imagine if you get treated for cancer, the treatment wasn't working, and they blame you for the treatments not working??

So what do you think?? What do you think is a cult?? AA?? NA?? Any places that check off these particular checkmarks?? Comment below.