> sverige: > In other words, is it a disease, or is it a moral > condition? If it's a moral condition, then let's not call > AA's solution "christian," becau

> sverige: > In other words, is it a disease, or is it a moral > condition? If it's a moral condition, then let's not call > AA's solution "christian," because it is not. If it is a > disease, then let's treat it like one rather than using > the twelve steps I think that in AA alcoholism itself is considered a disease, with at least two components: an allergy of the body; and an obsession of the mind. The disease of alcoholism is considered to have far-reaching effects which are best dealt with by two things: staying sober and working the 12 steps and thereby having a spiritual experience. I'd say it's analogous to someone who's had a heart attack. The immediate crisis needs to be addressed at an emergency room. Then there are lifestyle and diet changes that need to happen, too. The heart attack might have been the initial problem that precipitated the crisis, but the lifestyle issues are the real cause. AA is a big organization, and there are certainly different interpretations, but I think it's fair to say that alcohol is certainly seen as the problem, but the underlying cause of the problem is seen to be the lack of a spiritual lifestyle. Hence the two-pronged approach. Very often Christianity is used because it's what's familiar. But I'd hardly call AA a Christian organization.