AA definitely bridges a gap between the mainstream and "believers", whether the intent is nefarious or not...a side effect is forcing some who'd been able to avoid it their whole lives to at least think on the subject...even if it is on the subconscious level, manifesting as a revulsion/fear reaction to the material. Even mocking the subject is an acknowledgment of it. And commercialization is legitimization in this day and age, the next level up.