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Self-disclosure: I am indeed a white cis person feeling her way around social justice, but I'm a fledgling at actually expressing my thoughts on it all. Also, trigger warning here and in the linked post for bullying dismissal, rape culture mentions, disability issue denial...pretty much the whole gamut of offensive things.

I've been looking for something to get my writing juices flowing, and I think I've finally found it!

Anyone around fandom lately has probably seen this essay by _dahne_ about the recent trend in fandom of examining privilege. Some fans are realizing that certain types of language can be hurtful---often without realizing it, because the nature of the privilege beast is that certain attitudes are so ingrained that we're not conscious of where our stereotypes and assumptions come from, or even that we're perpetuating them.

If that was confusing, I'll be getting into more concrete examples as I respond to the essay. Back to the point, though, other fans are resistant to the idea of 'policing' their language. Others see the justice advocates' point but worry that the tone of the arguments is causing people who would otherwise be sympathetic to close their ears. The arguments on our secrets comms, fandom comms, and anon comms bother people. That much is apparent.

So _dahne_ proposes a solution that I disagree with, to put it mildly. Take a moment to read the essay if you haven't already, the discussion's pretty lively! Everyone from every side of the fence will find something they agree with and disagree with, no problem. But I'd like to lay out my position so that people know where I stand and have a free opportunity to defriend me ;)

---or hopefully try to articulate a defense of the 'PC' side.
( The meat, so to speak, of the response starts here )

People who know me will know that I sometimes make reference to a 'cult' meeting that my mom forces me to attend on Tuesdays. Today, I thought it was high time to explain what I actually mean by that statement. Sounds pretty scary, right? When people hear the word 'cult', it usually conjures up images of groups like Heavens Gate---compelling members to commit suicide so they could hitch a ride on a comet. Or like Scientology---compelling their members to isolate from outsiders and spend thousands upon thousands of dollars to learn to think a certain way and eventually discover the millenia-old secret of an intergalactic war.

The group I'm talking about doesn't portray all those characteristics. As far as I know, it hasn't driven its members to suicide. And as far as I know, though it asks for more and more money there is absolutely no requirement to give it to remain in the group. Members may dissociate with people outside the group on their ownm but it's not outright enforced the way it is in many other cults.

The cult I'm talking about, of course,is the twelve step program. If a self help group for people you've heard of is called _________ Anonymous, it is almost definitely one of these. They purport to cure different addictions such as alcohol, narcotics, gambling, overeating, sex, and more. In actuality, this 'cure' comes with a price that is not often advertised---a religious conversion to a very specific form of Christianity.

I'm sure some of you are gaping at me in shock. These groups, especially Alcoholics Anonymous (henceforth referred to as AA) have widespread acceptance and influence in American society. Some of you reading this may even be members of a twelve step group. If you are, please know that I am not judging you personally or asking you to leave. I could never do that. There is nothing wrong with going to a religion for comfort in hard times, and I am not advocating abolishing AA or forcing it to change. My only argument is that a religion should start advertising itself as exactly that, not as a 'cure'.
( All about the 12 step program, for the uninitiated )

One last thing---I applied my knowledge of twelve step programs to this cult test and scored 26 points. A group getting 10 points or above is a cult, and mainstream religions usually get 5 to 10 points.
( The answers I chose on that test )
I think that about covers everything I wanted to explain. Any questions, comments, or debate, feel free to leave here.