In Reply to: Re: Rings true to me, what you said posted by somewhat more normal now on February 14, 2008 at 01:47:23:
Absolutely do not view AA as a cult (though some anti-cult orgs do) and find that it's traditions are what protect it from being a cult as an organization.
Like those oldtimers you talked about, there are some that form cults within and have their AA gurus to lead them around. I think that is probably more common in the deep south, where I live.
I had a very good friend within AA and we hung out a lot together, but then she got a sponsor that was more religious and she'd start telling me I needed to go to that group, it was "real" AA, and started lecturing me about how to think and it destroyed our friendship!
Years later I saw her and she had gotten away from all that, but it had been a loss to both of us. Nevertheless, a fun friendship before it.
I was thinking more about how after leaving TF, I was more vulnerable to getting into situations that were more controlling, for quite some time. A bad relationship, a whacky couple of workplaces, that sort of thing.
I am glad that AA is helpful to you.