Beware Of Cults

This is an interesting site. Not a blog, but rather a collection of essays focused on alcoholics anonymous, its accompanying 'big book' and '12 steps', its weird, philandering confidence trickster of a founder Bill Wilson (that was his real name, nothing anonymous there) and sinister partner in crime Dr Bob (Robert Holbrook Smith, who also has his full name and photos plastered anonymously all over the place) and other related releventia.

You may wonder why someone who doesn't battle with alcohol, as none of the residents of the PMC do, would want from a site like that, but it is pretty pertinent stuff. Even if you don't know / aren't related to an alcholic, someone who has been a part of AA and its derivatives (NA, AL-ANON, the list goes on) or someone who is connected with the recovery 'industry' in some way, you've probably seen it mooted as an effective 'cure' for alcoholism. The fact is its a lousy cure for alcoholism. In fact it is worse than doing nothing at all (really!).

But the site also explores cult in general (the moonies, scientology - Tom Cruise's and other Hollywood stars' cult of choice, and even Amway) and contains excellent advice and info on propaganda techniques (you need to know these 'cos you'll always get propaganda'ed at, even if you steer clear of any overtly cult org) and debating techniques as well (useful for those late night, beer fuelled 'debates' in the pub of course, well, not if you're an alcoholic however!).

Called the Orange Papers and maintained by a thoughtful, thoroughly diligent, erudite and funny Vietnam Vet, I recommend you take an hour (or three) off when you can to delve into it!

Other relevant sites if this whets your appetite include www.morerevealed.com,  the website of Rational Recovery, several South Park (from whom committed scientologist and voice of the late 'chef' Isaac Hayes quit after their mocking of that cult - funny he had no problem with poking fun at muslims, christians, mormons, jews et al) episodes including 'Bloody Mary' and 'Insheeption', and various youtube clips. Happy viewing and don't let the AA freaks intimidate you into surrendeing your brain!