I thought it would be helpful to define what the pejorative term "cult" means and where it comes from. Cult Definition: Cult Cult Noun 1. Adherents of an exclusive system of religious beliefs and practices. 2. An interest followed with exaggerated zeal: "he always follows the latest fads"; "it was all the rage that season". 3. A system of religious
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

Hi Cipher, Thanks for the PM. I'm in a bit of a pickle seeing that because I don't have 10 approved posts here on the site I could not PM you back. In terms of Channeling I'm quite familiar with the crazy stuff going on at The Teaching Mission. This is a group associated with the Urantia Book of which I am a long time reader/student etc. I have no affiliation or settl
Forum: Coercive Persuasion and Undue Influence

* In AA the God concept is entirely a personal matter for the individual to define. One does NOT have to believe in anyone else's concept of God. In my home group we have 2 atheist', a Jewish man, two Sufis Muslims, 2 nature worshipers, a Christian Scientist, me a Urantia Book reader, and others that I'm not sure about. The spirituality of AA is quite progressive but without being
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

Bonnie wrote: Oh, well, I'd rather give a resentment than get one. Sure hope all this debate doesn't cause you to "take that first drink"! "Easy does it, there, Bub!" :D I already like you. Ok, I will agree to cut out the "disgruntled" stuff. QuoteHow do you "know" that: Quote: One such individual left AA and started RR Rational
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

QuotebonnieDear Colter: My criticism of "the program", which you refer to as "bashing", could also keep someone from getting hurt. I seriously doubt that this particular forum is a place where desperate alkies often come in search of help. This is the cult education website, and, IMHO, AA shares some characteristics with other recognized cults. Your reaction to my qu
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

QuotebonnieColter states; QuoteI've yet to meet an Alcoholic whose mental faculties were so superb that dependence on a group of drunks to stay sober adversely affected them. This is a judgement call, and is only his viewpoint. Perhaps his definition of "adversely affected" is different than mine. It's also a thinly-veiled put-down, implying that anyone who feels the
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

QuoteGulab JamonQuoteColterI've yet to meet anyone whose life was ruined by AA. I guess you missed my post about my friend who got "13-stepped" by an AA member and went back to drinking? 13th stepping is not a part of the AA program. Your referring to the behavior of an individual, not AA. Such immoral behavior is openly discouraged in AA meetings. It's not uncommon
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

I've yet to meet anyone whose life was ruined by AA. I've met alcoholics whose drinking was ruined by AA. I've yet to meet an Alcoholic whose mental faculties were so superb that dependence on a group of drunks to stay sober adversely affected them. AA is not for people who need it, it's for people who want it. If you don't want it by all means don't go.
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

Hello Bonnie and others, This is a very interesting topic considering my life long membership of AA. I'm also a Urantia Book reader and have studied all the major religions of the world. I'm a member of a Presbyterian church mainly for the sake of my wife and children but my primary spiritual focus is the quest for truth and meaning in life anywhere it may be found. In Bonnies n
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

Hi people, Nice to be here, this is my first post. I've read a fair amount on some other threads and stumbled onto this one, it has some good stuff on it and even some funny stuff. I've been in AA for 21 years and been to all kinds of meetings. I've been through many phases in my recovery "rigidity" being one of them. If AA is a cult then drinking is a cult as
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse