When it comes to support organizations such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, there are a number people whom have been helped over the years. At the same time, there are others such as Charlie Sheen whom suggest AA is a cult which ruins lives by controlling members, families and friends. In the case of the actor, Sheen suggest the cult ruined and stole twenty two years of life through false accusations and failed attempts in helping the actor overcome an addiction to alcohol and other substances.
In the case of Sheen, the actor suggested the organization not only ruined his life but also took control of others in the family. In this case, Sheen suggests that twenty two years of life was spent under the control of the organization. As such, the actor firmly believes that the control the organization has over individuals, family members and friends proves the organization is in fact a cult.
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.
For, even prior to the existing group, the original organization, The Oxford Group had far less control over the actions and beliefs of members than the current Alcoholics Anonymous has over present members. In addition, while a focus on a generic higher power is required, the past group seems to have worked more towards helping members overcome addictions than provide a required belief system or brainwashing members into believing in the same way.
Most damaging is the fact that the organization creates a place where members have to admit and repeatedly vocalize weaknesses and short-comings to other members in a public space. Whether or not the organization realizes, the process is one which promotes a negative image of members. As a result, a number of members often experience setbacks rather than making progress when it comes to overcoming addiction.
In the case of Sheen, the actor suggested the organization not only ruined his life but also took control of others in the family. In this case, Sheen suggests that twenty two years of life was spent under the control of the organization. As such, the actor firmly believes that the control the organization has over individuals, family members and friends proves the organization is in fact a cult.
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.
For, even prior to the existing group, the original organization, The Oxford Group had far less control over the actions and beliefs of members than the current Alcoholics Anonymous has over present members. In addition, while a focus on a generic higher power is required, the past group seems to have worked more towards helping members overcome addictions than provide a required belief system or brainwashing members into believing in the same way.
Most damaging is the fact that the organization creates a place where members have to admit and repeatedly vocalize weaknesses and short-comings to other members in a public space. Whether or not the organization realizes, the process is one which promotes a negative image of members. As a result, a number of members often experience setbacks rather than making progress when it comes to overcoming addiction.
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