@sunshine1995 I think you have a big misconception of what AA is all about. AA does not want to be considered anything by anyone. They do not recruit as an organization. They may bring meetings to a youth camp or jail but that is to share their experience and what worked for them. Someone may decide that they want to try it.

If 25 states have really called it a religious organization I will bet you anything it is because AA takes in money to pay rent, electric, and buy literature. I am quite sure they have never applied for non profit status and I am sure the IRS is trying to figure out what box to put them in. AA seeks to not be involved in politics or outside affairs. The courts have forced the issue of mandatory meetings and not much AA can do about it. It is very loosely organized.

If sex offenders are preying on AA as a feeding ground that is horrible and makes me very angry. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. Anyone can come in and say that or not even say that and they are not going to get kicked out. They welcome anyone who walks it. They are not the police. I am sure if more experienced members are told something is going on they would call the police. Sex offenders also become teacher just for the reason of being around kids. That is not the fault of the teaching profession even though it may reflect badly on it. People become priest for the same reason. The Catholic church was in a position to do something about it, they can fire or excommunicate priest, but they chose to cover it up. AA cannot fire people or kick them out. They are not organized that way. They can call the police if they suspect crime.

There are some unwritten rules within AA as part of the culture. Men work with men and women work with women. That one is a strong one. You do not ask a girl out until she has a year sober. Experienced men will tell this to newer men who are hitting on a newcomer. No one should even get into a relationship until they have a year sober. My sponsors and experienced men told me that if I asked a girl out to have coffee and dinner with her for six months before even trying to have sex. The women stick together like glue and watch out for each other. There are unwritten rules and guidelines that are a part of the culture. Not everyone is going to follow them. There is no enforcement police. If sex offenders are using AA and committing crimes than members should call the police and I am sure they do.

AA is a philosophy not a religion. Its roots are christian and some of those traditions like the lords prayer have carried through. But it is totally up to the member to decide what spiritual believes they adopt. They can be atheist and use the group as their higher power for instance. The philosophy as it is written is the same in all groups but the groups themselves are going to vary widely based on local culture.

AA seeks to be anonymous and it primary purpose is to help alcoholics, period. It has a holistic approach to doing this based on personal and spiritual growth. That's how you stay sober. If you son's father is not a good father it has nothing to do with AA. It means he didn't adopt the lessons of AA. AA would teach him it is his responsibility to be financially and emotionally available to his son. If he chooses not to do that it is on him not AA.

Morality is something you are taught from somewhere. Some people are not taught it at all. AA is based on a common set of morals or spiritual principles. I think any segment of society or religion would agree with them. They are common. Honesty, trust, responsibility and the like. Anyone is free to join and agree with them or not.

It is not fair to judge AA and its philosophy on the behaviour of some of its members. There are some very sick people who have much bigger problems than alcoholism that come to AA. We are always encouraged to get whatever outside help we need be it physical or mental. The philosophy is to be good to yourself and take care of yourself and love yourself and others. It is not AA's job to cure mental illness although people with mental illness can be greatly helped in AA. AA's job is to help people get clean and sober and stay that way. It has been hugely successful for decades.

If you hate it that is fine. But to fear monger and make broad statements without knowledge (it would seem) disparaging AA is not fair. If it doesn't work for you that is fine. It works for me. I am not brain washed in the slightest. I freely chose to adopt the philosophy. My friend I mentioned earlier and is struggling has learned about AA to a degree and is probably going to choose not to adopt it and find another way.

AA is one way. Can't we talk about other ways without trashing AA?