So I was doing some reading today and came across an article about the Cult Awareness Network (CAN). CAN was started in 1978 in the wake of the Jonestown massacre. They had a goal of educating Americans about different harmful cults currently in existence. Interestingly enough they listed the Church of Scientology as a dangerous cult. In fact, in 1991 CAN’s director, Cynthia Kisser, stated that, “Scientology is quite likely the most ruthless, the most classically terroristic, the most litigious and the most lucrative cult the country has ever seen. No cult extracts more money from its members.”
That is a pretty amazing statement considering the current rise in popularity that the Church of Scientology is experiencing. It made me wonder why I had never heard of this organization. Further digging revealed that CAN was bought by the Church of Scientology in 1996. (See, I’m using all those invetigative journalism skills I learned in college.) That would explain why CAN was no longer actively pursuing Scientologists.
What is even more interesting is how CAN just dissappeared off the face of the earth. How did this happen? In 1997 the Church of Scientology renamed the organization The Foudation for Religious Freedom. They now spend their time educating people on their religious rights and freedoms.
It is scary when you think about it. An organization aimed at exposing cults (like Scientology) is suddenly purchased by Scientologists and now exsists to protect those cults from legal and verbal attack. Just something for you to ponder on this beautiful Thursday afternoon as you are stuck at your desk.
1 response so far ↓
Michelle // March 13, 2008 at 2:22 PM |
Whoa. Scary.
That was so much more interesting than actually working!
Btw Jenny, I miss you. Just thought you should know. We need to get together and plan sometime soon.