AA is definitely, no question about it, a cult. I have said this for years, and it's good to finally see it being discussed more openly. I've only read the first and last pages of the thread, but can imagine the debate inbetween.
There are some good points about AA - there are many people who have successfully replaced their dependence on alcohol with a dependence on meetings. This has no doubt saved many lives and marriages. I'm guessing many people on the thread have said how it helped or saved their dad / sister / friend. Yes it does help many people.
However, to those who say it's just people sitting round drinking weak tea and telling stories: no it isn't. It is a cult, by any way that you choose to define cult, it meets the criteria. Just because it's a cult doesn't necessarily make it evil though. I haven't read these documents that the OP mentions, I just speak from personal experience. There are positives and negatives to the organisation.
I was a member of AA for about 2 years, about 15 years ago. I had eating disorders as a teenager and after a few years treatment via the NHS, started attending a 12-step programme for food (called OA). We were encouraged to attend AA meetings as well, because there were thousands more AA meetings than OA meetings, and any 12-step programme is the same in principle. Although it could be said that I 'abused alcohol', it was only in the same way that just about every other young adult does... there's no way by any stretch of the imagination I was an alcoholic, but within a couple of months I was identifying as an alcoholic and a fully-fledged member. Attending conferences. Trying to recruit new members. I did this because I genuinely though AA was this amazing organisation who could help anybody.
As a vulnerable person, you are welcomed into this ready-made family with open arms. You go from being socially isolated to being in the middle of this engaging group of people. However, you are very much encouraged to cut ties with non-AA members. You are controlled by your sponsor to a frightening degree. Total obedience is required.
This is hard to write about because everything has a flip side. There are some wonderful individuals acting as sponsors, helping others to overcome their addiction to alcohol and rebuild relationships with family & friends. There are others though who actively seek to isolate & control. I have seen people, one a very good friend, be completely pulled out relationships with everyone on the outside world, including family, by the manipulation of their sponsor.
I left because I didn't need that social support any more. It was difficult though, as your identity becomes very wrapped up in being 'different' and needing outside help. I'd made the decision I didn't want that identity anymore and made a massive effort to change every aspect of my life. (It worked by the way :)) (Oh yes, and because I wasn't actually an alcoholic!!! Although everyone who drinks is an alcoholic by AA standards...)
I'm going to have to stop now as I could go on and on writing about my experiences in AA!!!
One more thing - although it's called a '12-step' programme there is actually a well known 13 step, called 'Fuck a Fresher'. This refers to how some of the old hands are real sexual predators, actively preying on attractive & vulnerable new-comers. It is one of the 'bonuses' of having been in the organisation for a long time...