Alcoholics Anonymous: Cult or Cure?
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.93 (686 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 1884365124 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 208 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2014-04-21 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
In critiquing the 12 steps, which are the heart of the AA recovery program, he leans heavily on the work of psychologist Albert Ellis. From Library Journal Bufe ( The Heretic's Handbook of Quotations , See Sharp Pr., 1988) scrutinizes Alcoholics Anonymous, delving into the organization's origins and development. He also objects to AA's espousal of individual culpability for alcoholism, which does not acknowledge socioeconomic influences. Tracing its roots to the Oxford Group movement, which was a revival of the Church of England begun in 1833, he demonstrates how major tenets of AA are derived from Oxford Group principles. He includes colorful details concerning organization founders. The appendix includes descriptions of secular-based alcoholic recovery programs, and also a secular version of the 12 steps.- Carol R. Bufe considers the AA religio-spiritual emphasis anathema. Despite his purported objectivity, his secular bias is very much in evidence.
The greatly expanded second edition includes a new chapter on AA's relationship to the treatment industry, and AA's remarkable influence in the media.. This well researched, painstakingly documented book provides detailed information on the right-wing evangelical organization (Oxford Group Movement) that gave birth to AA; the relation of AA and its program to the Oxford Group Movement; AA's similarities to and differences from religious cults; AA's remarkable ineffectiveness; and the alternatives to AA
Charles Bufe is coauthor of Resisting 12-Step Coercion and author of The Heretic's Handbook of Quotations and An Understandable Guide to Music Theory.
A Customer said Exhaustive research, legitimate opinions. Bufe has done his homework, as the pages of actual text only slightly outnumber the pages of footnotes. The writing is concise, and at times quite entertaining.Perhaps the most interesting information revealed in the book: Based on AA's own numbers, the organization's success rate (that is, people who get sober and stay sober) is between "Exhaustive research, legitimate opinions" according to A Customer. Bufe has done his homework, as the pages of actual text only slightly outnumber the pages of footnotes. The writing is concise, and at times quite entertaining.Perhaps the most interesting information revealed in the book: Based on AA's own numbers, the organization's success rate (that is, people who get sober and stay sober) is between 2.9% and 7%, depending on how charitably one chooses to interpret the numbers.If there is a drawback to this book, it is Bufe's consistent injection of his displeasure with all religious thought or activityat least that's how it came across to me. He could have presented his case without attacking all religi. .9% and 7%, depending on how charitably one chooses to interpret the numbers.If there is a drawback to this book, it is Bufe's consistent injection of his displeasure with all religious thought or activityat least that's how it came across to me. He could have presented his case without attacking all religi. Shannon B McCain said A good history of AA. In "Alcoholics Anonymous, Cult or Cure," Bufe gives us an intelligible analysis of the largest recovery group in the United States and perhaps the world.He gives the reader an in depth history of the foundations of Alcholics Anonymous - which are clearly religious in nature. He also does an excellent job of analysing the 1"A good history of AA" according to Shannon B McCain. In "Alcoholics Anonymous, Cult or Cure," Bufe gives us an intelligible analysis of the largest recovery group in the United States and perhaps the world.He gives the reader an in depth history of the foundations of Alcholics Anonymous - which are clearly religious in nature. He also does an excellent job of analysing the 12 step process and the 12 traditions of AA. His bibliography of sources is commendable and lend credibility to his monograph.I would highly recommend this book to those medical professionals who are considering sending patients to AA for "voluntary" treatment. The courts should also take a look at this book - AA simply does. step process and the 1"A good history of AA" according to Shannon B McCain. In "Alcoholics Anonymous, Cult or Cure," Bufe gives us an intelligible analysis of the largest recovery group in the United States and perhaps the world.He gives the reader an in depth history of the foundations of Alcholics Anonymous - which are clearly religious in nature. He also does an excellent job of analysing the 12 step process and the 12 traditions of AA. His bibliography of sources is commendable and lend credibility to his monograph.I would highly recommend this book to those medical professionals who are considering sending patients to AA for "voluntary" treatment. The courts should also take a look at this book - AA simply does. traditions of AA. His bibliography of sources is commendable and lend credibility to his monograph.I would highly recommend this book to those medical professionals who are considering sending patients to AA for "voluntary" treatment. The courts should also take a look at this book - AA simply does. P. Howden said A Great Read!. I like this book, it is easy to read & very informative!After spending a year in Alanon and getting abused and ignored by my so called friends, largely because I rejected the 1"A Great Read!" according to P. Howden. I like this book, it is easy to read & very informative!After spending a year in Alanon and getting abused and ignored by my so called friends, largely because I rejected the 12 steps & dared to think for myself, this book is helping me to understand why this happened.I am so grateful to Charles Bufe, Jack Trimpey, Stanton Peele and Ken Ragge for having the courage to tell the truth.. steps & dared to think for myself, this book is helping me to understand why this happened.I am so grateful to Charles Bufe, Jack Trimpey, Stanton Peele and Ken Ragge for having the courage to tell the truth.