Orange:
No you are not a cult expert.
It is not "obvious" that AA is a "cult."
One last time.
Psychiatrist Robert Jay Lifton, who wrote the definitive book about thought reform (often called "brainwashing") also wrote a paper about cult formation.
See [
www.culteducation.com]
Lifton defined a cult as having the following three characteristics:
1. A charismatic leader, who increasingly becomes an object of worship as the general principles that may have originally sustained the group lose power.
2. A process [is in use] call[ed] coercive persuasion or thought reform.
3. Economic, sexual, and other exploitation of group members by the leader and the ruling coterie.
AA has no charismatic leader, such as a Rev. Moon, Jim Jones etc.
The author of its "big book" is dead and he never held a totalitarian position like a cult leader.
AA indoctrinates people through its techings, but does not use thought reform or coercive persuasion.
See [
www.culteducation.com]
Note the distinctions psychologist and cult expert Margaret Singer made between indoctrination and thought reform.
AA does not exploit its members.
There may be incidents involving specific individuals or sponsors, but this is not systemic abuse directed by a cult leader or ruling body.
If you don't like AA fine.
But please don't waste time and space here attempting to force a cult label on the group that has no basis in fact.