Cult Awareness Network 158909 225530041 2008-07-14T04:26:46Z Rjwilmsi 203434 no 'of' between a month and a year per [[Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style_%28dates_and_numbers%29#Longer_periods|MOS]] using [[Project:AutoWikiBrowser|AWB]] {{Infobox Organization |name = CAN, the NEW Cult Awareness Network |image = Logo NEW cult awareness network.png |image_border = |size = 150px |caption = Logo, (New) Cult Awareness Network |motto = |formation = 1996, purchased assets from "Old CAN" in [[United States bankruptcy court]]<br />1997, incorporated as Foundation for Religious Freedom [[Doing business as|DBA]] Cult Awareness Network |extinction = |type = [[Advocacy]], [[Freedom of religion]], [[Hotline]] |headquarters = [[Los Angeles, California]] |membership = |language = [[English (language)|English]] |leader_title = Chairman of the Board |leader_name = George Robertson |key_people = Stan Koehler, Secretary<br />Nancy O. Meara, Treasurer |num_staff = |budget = |website = [http://www.cultawarenessnetwork.org/ New CAN] }} The '''Cult Awareness Network''' (CAN) was founded in the wake of the [[November 18]], [[1978]] deaths of members of the group [[Peoples Temple]] and [[assassination]] of [[Leo Ryan|Congressman Leo J. Ryan]] in [[Jonestown]], [[Guyana]]. CAN is now owned and operated by associates of the [[Church of Scientology]], an organization that the original founders of CAN strongly opposed. Prior to its hostile takeover,<ref>{{cite web | first = Laurie | last = Goodstein | title = It's A Hostile Takeover Of A Nonprofit | url = http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=2362655&date=19961201 | work = [[Washington Post]] | publisher = [[Seattle Times]] | date = [[1996-12-01]] | accessdate = 2008-05-10 }}</ref> CAN provided information on groups that it considered to be cults, as well as support and referrals to [[exit counselor]]s and [[deprogrammer]]s. Supporters and detractors alike use the terms "Old CAN" and "New CAN" to refer to the two periods of the organization's existence.<ref>{{cite news | last = Keller | first = Rod | title = CAN | work = alt.religion.scientology, Week In Review | pages = Volume 3, Issue 17 | publisher = [[Operation Clambake]] | date = 1998-08-02 | url = http://www.xenu.net/archive/WIR/wir3-17.html | accessdate = 2007-10-28 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last =Ross | first =Rick | authorlink =Rick Ross (consultant) | title =Cult Awareness Network | work =Rick A. Ross Institute | date = | url =http://rickross.com/groups/newcan.html | accessdate = 2007-10-28}}"The so-called "reformed Cult Awareness Network" is "operated by the Foundation for Religious Freedom." According to the IRS/Scientology agreement this foundation is a "Scientology-related" entity."</ref><ref>{{cite news | last =Staff | title =From the Editor | work = New CAN: Cult Awareness Network | pages = Volume I, Issue 2| date =2001 | url = http://www.cultawarenessnetwork.org/update/001.002.html | accessdate = 2007-10-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last =Goodman | first =Leisa, Human Rights Director, [[Church of Scientology|Church of Scientology International]] | title =A Letter from the Church of Scientology | work =Marburg Journal of Religion: Responses From Religions | pages =Volume 6, No. 2, 4 pages | date =2001 | url =http://web.uni-marburg.de/religionswissenschaft/journal/mjr/goodman.html | accessdate = 2007-10-28 }}</ref> From 1978 until 1996 when the Cult Awareness Network was bought out by associates of the Church of Scientology in [[United States bankruptcy court]], CAN and its representatives were highly critical of Scientology, [[Landmark Education]], and other groups and new religious movements that it considered to have potentially harmful tendencies. The Cult Awareness Network referred to some of these groups as "[[destructive cult]]s." Cynthia Kisser, the then executive director of CAN, was quoted in the controversial 1991 ''[[TIME]]'' article, "[[The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power]]." These comments and other forms of criticism from CAN garnered the attention of the Church of Scientology and Landmark Education, and both separately began aggressive litigation proceedings against the organization. CAN was later driven into [[bankruptcy]] due to mounting legal expenses, and the organization was bought out in bankruptcy court by Church of Scientology attorney Steven Hayes in 1996. As a result of a legal settlement with Landmark Education, CAN agreed not to sell copies of ''[[Outrageous Betrayal]]'', a book critical of [[Werner Erhard]], for five years after it emerged from bankruptcy proceedings. The "New CAN" organization has caused both confusion and controversy among academics and its opponents. Some have characterized it as a [[front group]] for the Church of Scientology, pointing to its support of the group [[Aum Shinrikyo]], and its [[Scientology and psychiatry|criticism of psychiatry]]. However, the group promotes itself as a champion of [[human rights]] and [[freedom of religion]]. In December 1997, ''[[60 Minutes]]'' profiled the controversy regarding the history of the "Old CAN" and the "New CAN", with host [[Lesley Stahl]] noting: "Now, when you call looking for information about a cult, chances are the person you're talking to is a Scientologist." An August 2007 article in ''[[FOX News]]'' on the [[Wikipedia Scanner]] noted that Church of Scientology computers had been used to delete references between itself and the Cult Awareness Network on [[Wikipedia]]. =="Old CAN"== === Foundation === [[Image:Cult Awareness Network OLD logo.gif|thumb|right|150px|Logo, (Old) Cult Awareness Network]] The CAN predecessor, Citizen's Freedom Foundation ("CFF"), was founded in the wake of the 1978 [[Jonestown]] mass suicides, and was run for a time by [[Patricia Ryan]], the daughter of US Congressman [[Leo Ryan|Leo J. Ryan]] (D-[[Millbrae, California]]), who died from gunfire while investigating conditions at the [[Jonestown]] cult compound in [[Guyana]]. CAN evolved out of the CFF, of which [[Ted Patrick]] was "the prime force in organizing."<ref>{{cite news |first = James P. |last = Sterba |title = Parents Form Group to Fight Religious Cults' Hold on Young |work = [[New York Times]] |page = 18 |date = [[1974-09-02]]}}</ref><!-- note: the reference applies ''only'' to CFF being organized by Ted Patrick, not to any connection between CFF and CAN. --> The organization was originally headquartered in [[Chicago, Illinois]]. The "Old CAN" collected information on many controversial organizations and religious movements. Actor [[Mike Farrell]] was one of the members of the board of advisors of the "Old CAN", and Dr. [[Edward Lottick]] served as president.<ref name="csj1999" /><ref>{{cite news | last =Staff | title =Farrell the Human Rights Activist | work =Mike Farrel Online | publisher =L.A. van Aardenne 1998 | date = | url =http://www.mikefarrell.org/activist/humanrights.html | accessdate = 2007-10-29}}</ref> In 1990, the Cult Awareness Network established the "John Gordon Clark Fund", in honor of [[psychiatrist]] [[John Gordon Clark|John G. Clark]], who had given testimony about Scientology and other groups.<ref>{{cite news | last =Nagourney | first =Eric | title = John Clark, 73, Psychiatrist Who Studied Sects | work =[[New York Times]] | date = [[October 18]], [[1999]] | }}</ref><ref name="Schumaker">{{cite book | last = Schumaker | first = John F. | title = Religion and Mental Health | publisher = [[Oxford University Press]] | date = 1992 | pages = 242 | id = ISBN 0195069854 }}</ref> The fund was established to assist former members of [[destructive cult]]s.<ref name="Schumaker" /> By 1991, the Cult Awareness Network had twenty-three chapters dedicated to monitoring two hundred groups that it referred to as: "mind control cults."<ref name="time" /> The "Old CAN" also became the subject of controversy. [[Galen Kelly]] and Donald Moore, both of whom were convicted in the course of carrying out '[[deprogramming]]', are linked to the "Old CAN" by detractors [[Anson Shupe]] and Susan E. Darnell.<ref name="shupe">{{cite news | last = Shupe | first = Anson | coauthors = Susan E. Darnell | title = CAN, We Hardly Knew Ye: Sex, Drugs, Deprogrammers’ Kickbacks, and Corporate Crime in the (old) Cult Awareness Network | work =Presented at 2000 meeting of Society for the Scientific Study of Religion | publisher =[[CESNUR]] | date = 2000-10-21 | url = http://www.cesnur.org/2001/CAN.htm | accessdate = 2007-10-28}}</ref> Opponents of the "Old CAN" charge that it deliberately provided a distorted picture of the groups it tracked. They claimed it was "a Chicago-based national anticult organization claiming to be purely a tax-exempt informational clearinghouse on new religions."<ref name="shupe"/> In 1991, ''[[TIME|Time]]'' magazine quoted then CAN director Cynthia Kisser in its article "[[The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power]]." Kisser stated: "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."<ref name="time">{{cite news | last = Behar | first = Richard | title = Scientology: The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power | work = [[Time (magazine)|TIME Magazine]] | date = 1991-05-06 | url = http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,972865,00.html | accessdate = 2007-10-25}}</ref> This quote has since been referenced verbatim in other secondary sources discussing Scientology.<ref name="healy">{{cite book | last = Healy | first = David | title = Let Them Eat Prozac: The Unhealthy Relationship Between the Pharmaceutical Industry and Depression | publisher = NYU Press | date = 2004 | location = | pages = Page 58 | id = | isbn = 0814736696}}</ref><ref name="Signorile">{{cite book | last = Signorile | first = Michelangelo | title = Queer in America: Sex, the Media, and the Closets of Power | publisher = [[Random House]] | date = 1993-05-04 | pages = Page 275 | id = | isbn = 978-0679413097 }}</ref> === Landmark Education === According to the (Old) Cult Awareness Network's executive director, [[Landmark Education]] and the [[Church of Scientology]] were the two groups for which CAN received the highest number of inquiries from concerned relatives - twenty-five per month per group.<ref name="jackson">{{cite news | last = Jackson | first = Steve | title = When it comes to Landmark Education Corporation, There's no meeting of the Minds. | work = Westword | date = [[April 24]], [[1996]] | url = http://www.rickross.com/reference/landmark/landmark72.html | accessdate = 2007-10-28}}</ref> In an interview, CAN's executive director emphasized that the label "cult" with regard to Landmark Education was not important; but rather greater scrutiny of its practices was needed.<ref name="jackson" /> Specifically, CAN stressed concerning characteristics such as: "..the long hours during which the participant is in the organization's total control, receiving input from only one source, removed from any support system except for the seminar group itself."<ref name="jackson" /> In 1994, [[Landmark Education|Landmark Education Corporation]] sued the Cult Awareness Network for [[USD|USD$]]40 million, claiming that CAN had labeled Landmark Education as a cult.<ref name="matthews">{{cite book | last = Matthews | first = William Joseph | coauthors = John H. Edgette, Milton H. Erickson Foundation | title = Current Thinking and Research in Brief Therapy: Solutions, Strategies, Narratives | publisher = Psychology Press | date = 1997 | pages = 53 | id = ISBN 0876308191}}</ref> The case itself involved a dispute over the legality and applicable usage of what Matthews termed "cult indoctrination procedures."<ref name="matthews" /> CAN later settled and made a statement that it did not consider Landmark Education a cult, as part of the settlement agreement.<ref>{{cite news | last = Hukill | first = Tracy | title = The est of Friends | work = Metroactive | publisher = Metro Publishing Inc. | date = July 1998 | url = http://www.metroactive.com/landmark/landmark1-9827.html | accessdate = 2007-10-28 }}</ref> During the litigation proceedings between Landmark Education and the Cult Awareness Network, Landmark Education spent months attempting to compel legal [[journalist]] [[Steven Pressman]] to respond to deposition questions aimed at obtaining the [[Journalism sourcing|confidential sources]] he used for research on his book about [[Werner Erhard]], ''[[Outrageous Betrayal]]''.<ref name="skolnik">{{cite news | last = Skolnik | first = Peter L. | coauthors = Michael A. Norwick | title = Introduction to the Landmark Education litigation archive | work = Lowenstein Sandler PC | publisher = The Rick A. Ross Institute | date = February 2006 | url = http://www.rickross.com/reference/landmark/landmark193.html | accessdate = 2007-10-25}}</ref> Though the deposition questions were brought under the pretext of compelling discovery for use in Landmark Education's lawsuit against CAN, Pressman concluded that the deposition questioning was mainly a form of harassment.<ref name="skolnik" /> The discovery commissioner who entered an interim order in the matter, commented that: "..it does not appear that the information sought [from Mr. Pressman] is directly relevant or goes to the heart of the [CAN] action, or that alternative sources have been exhausted or are inadequate." The action against Pressman was dropped after the Cult Awareness Network litigation was settled.<ref name="litigation">{{cite news | last = Skolnik | first = Peter L. | coauthors = Michael A. Norwick | title = The Landmark Education Litigation Archive | work = Compiled by attorneys for Lowenstein Sandler PC | pages = Subsection, Pressman | publisher = The Rick A. Ross Institute | date = February 2006 | url = http://www.rickross.com/groups/landmark.html#pressman | accessdate = 2007-10-25}}</ref><ref name="skolnik" /> As a result of the Cult Awareness Network settlement with Landmark Education, CAN agreed to cease selling copies of ''Outrageous Betrayal'' for at least five years. From the resolution of the CAN board of directors: "In the interests of settling a dispute and in deference to Landmark's preference, however, CAN now agrees not to sell the Pressman Book for at least five years after CAN emerges from bankruptcy."<ref>{{cite news | last = Svoboda | first = William | title = Certified Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Cult Awareness Network, Inc. A California Not-for-Profit Corporation | work = Cult Awareness Network | date = 1997-11-03 | url = http://www.xs4all.nl/~anco/mental/randr/canresolution.html | }}</ref> CAN's executive director maintained that the purpose of Landmark Education's lawsuits was not to recover lost funds, but to "gag critics".<ref name="jackson" /> Along with Scientology, Landmark Education was granted access to Cult Awareness Network's files, which contained phone records and data on individuals who had previously sought information on these groups.<ref>Beebe, Jim., "Court gives Landmark Education Corp. (LEC) access to Cult Awareness Network (CAN) files." March 1999.</ref><ref name="1997bankruptcy">{{cite news | last = [[United States Bankruptcy Court]] | title = U.S. Bankruptcy Court Opinions - IN RE CULT AWARENESS NETWORK, INC., (N.D.Ill. 1997) | work = | pages = Bankruptcy No. 95 B 22133 | date = 1997-03-14 | }}</ref> === Church of Scientology's response === The Church of Scientology had long characterized the Cult Awareness Network as both an opponent of [[freedom of religion|religious freedom]] and a "hate group."<ref name="frantz">{{cite web | first = Douglas | last = Frantz | title = An Ultra-Aggressive Use of Investigators and the Courts | url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F01E3D71639F93AA35750C0A961958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all | work = | publisher = [[New York Times]] | date = [[1997-03-09]] | accessdate = 2007-10-30 }}</ref> In 1990, a woman named Jolie Steckart, posing as Laura Terepin, applied to volunteer for the (Old) Cult Awareness Network.<ref name="noah" /> [[Bob Minton]] later hired a private investigator to look into this, and in 1998 discovered that she was actually a "deep undercover agent", who was managed by David Lee, a [[private investigator]] hired by the [[Church of Scientology]].<ref name="noah">{{cite news | last = Noah | first = George | title = David Lee Exposed: The Real Story About John Fashanu's So Called Private Investigator | work = Nigeria Today Online | date = [[27 August]], [[2000]] | url = http://www.xenutv.com/print/africa/nigeria-lee-082700.htm | accessdate = 2007-10-28 }}</ref> Steckart had also attempted to infiltrate the Scientology-critical organization [[Fight Against Coercive Tactics Network]] or "FACTnet".<ref name="noah" /> In 1991, over fifty [[Scientologist]]s from across the [[United States]] filed [[civil suit]]s against the Cult Awareness Network, many of whom used the same [[carbon copy]] claims through influence from the [[Los Angeles, California]] law firm [[Bowles & Moxon]]. In addition, Scientologists filed dozens of [[discrimination]] complaints against CAN, with state human rights commissions in the United States. The Cult Awareness Network, which ran on a budget of [[USD|USD$]] 300,000 per year, was unable to cope with this amount of litigation. By 1994, it had been dropped by all of its [[Insurance|insurance companies]], and still owed tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees.<ref name="amlawyer">{{cite news | last =Hansen | first =Susan | title =Did Scientology Strike Back? | work =[[American Lawyer]] | date =June 1997 | }}</ref><ref name="frantz" /> Kendrick Moxon, chief attorney for the Church of Scientology, had stated that the lawsuits were brought to address discrimination against individuals who wanted to reform the Cult Awareness Network.<ref name="frantz" /> These fifty individuals had all simultaneously tried to join the organization.<ref name="linnsemuels">{{cite web | first = Virginia | last = Linn | coauthors = Semuels, Alana | title = PostScript: When scientologists aren't so clear | url = http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05212/546007.stm | work = | publisher = [[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]] | date = [[2005-07-31]] | accessdate = 2007-10-30 }}</ref> When the Cult Awareness Network's executive director turned down the applications for fear that the new Scientologist applicants would overtake control of CAN, they sued in separate lawsuits claiming religious discrimination.<ref name="linnsemuels" /> Though Moxon handled the litigation for all of the lawsuits, the Church of Scientology maintained that it did not provide the financial backing for the suits.<ref name="morganhardball">{{cite web | first = Lucy | last = Morgan | title = Hardball: When Scientology goes to court, it likes to play rough -- very rough. | url = http://www.sptimes.com/News/32899/TampaBay/Hardball.html | publisher = [[St. Petersburg Times]] | date = [[1998-01-28]] | accessdate = 2007-10-30 }}</ref> Moxon did acknowledge that his firm [[Moxon & Kobrin|Moxon & Bowles]] had represented the plaintiffs in the case at virtually no charge, and that Scientology churches "helped a little bit, but very little," with the litigation costs.<ref name="morgantobin" /> Daniel Leipold, the attorney who represented CAN in the suits, believed that the Church of Scientology did indeed have a role in the financial backing of the suits, stating: "for every nickel we spent, they spent at least a dollar."<ref name="morgantobin">{{cite web | first = Lucy | last = Morgan | title = Scientology sponsored suit against opponent | url = http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/24080867.html?dids=24080867:24080867&FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS:FT | work = | publisher = [[St. Petersburg Times]] | date = [[1997-12-23]] | accessdate = 2007-10-30 }} </ref> Leipold also stated that when he began to take statements from some of the Scientologist plaintiffs in the process of his defense of CAN, "Several of the plaintiffs said they had not seen or signed the lawsuits, even though the court papers bore their signatures."<ref name="morgantobin" /> One Scientologist plaintiff told CAN attorneys that he could not recall how he initially got the contact information of CAN officials, or who had asked him to write to the organization.<ref name="morgantobin" /> Another Scientologist later fired his lawyer and asked a judge to dismiss his own case against CAN, saying that Eugene Ingram, a private investigator for the Church of Scientology, had paid him three hundred dollars to have lunch where he agreed to be a plaintiff and signed a blank page for Church of Scientology attorneys.<ref name="morgantobin" /> CAN attorney Leipold stated: "Scientology planned, instigated, coordinated and sponsored a plan to subject CAN to multiple lawsuits in multiple jurisdictions in order to overwhelm and eliminate it or take it over and control it."<ref name="morgantobin" /> Frank Oliver, who was until 1993 an operative in the Church of Scientology's [[Office of Special Affairs]] division (OSA), asserted that his last assignment with the OSA branch was to assist Kendrick Moxon in developing a special unit to target the Cult Awareness Network.<ref name="ortega99">{{cite web | first = Tony | last = Ortega | title = Double Crossed | url = http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/1999-12-23/news/double-crossed/full | work = [[Phoenix New Times]] | publisher = [[Village Voice Media]] | date = [[1999-12-23]] | accessdate = 2007-10-30 }}</ref> Oliver stated that this unit was tasked with recruiting plaintiffs to sue the Cult Awareness Network, with the intention that these lawsuits would put CAN out of business.<ref name="ortega99" /> In a 2005 interview with the ''[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]'', a Church of Scientology spokesperson stated that the Church was not responsible for the litigation leading to CAN's bankruptcy.<ref name="linnsemuels" /> Church of Scientology leader [[David Miscavige]] appeared in his first ever interview with the media on the program ''[[Nightline]]'' on [[February 14]], [[1992]], and was interviewed by [[Ted Koppel]].<ref name="koppel">{{cite web | first = Ted | last = Koppel | title = Scientology Leader Gave ABC First-Ever Interview | url = http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=2664713&page=1 | work = [[Nightline]] | publisher = [[ABC News]] | date = [[1992-02-14]] | accessdate = 2007-10-30 }} </ref> Miscavige stated that he believed Scientology did not "lend itself well to the press," and he criticized a piece on Scientology that aired on ''Nightline'' shortly before his interview.<ref name="koppel" /> In his criticism of the piece, Miscavige asserted that ''Nightline'' correspondents had only interviewed members of CAN, stating: "For instance, something that isn't mentioned in there is that every single detractor on there is part of a religious hate group called Cult Awareness Network and their sister group called American Family Foundation. Now, I don't know if you've heard of these people, but it's the same as the KKK would be with the blacks. I think if you interviewed a neo-Nazi and asked them to talk about the Jews, you would get a similar result to what you have here."<ref name="koppel" /> Koppel then posited the notion that others critical of Scientology were less apt to come forward and speak publicly due to fears of potential recrimination from the Church.<ref name="koppel" /> In 1994, the Cult Awareness Network opened a counter-suit against the Church of Scientology, eleven individual Scientologists and the Los Angeles law firm of [[Bowles and Moxon]].<ref>{{cite news | last = Staff. | title = Hot-line buyer has Scientology ties | work = [[Chicago Sun-Times]] | date = [[December 1]], [[1996]] | }}</ref> In 1995, CAN, [[Rick Ross (consultant)|Rick Ross]] and two others were found guilty of [[Conspiracy (crime)|conspiracy]] to violate the [[Civil rights|civil right]] to [[freedom of religion]] of [[Jason Scott]], then a member of the Life Tabernacle Church. Ross was ordered to pay more than $3 million in damages; CAN was ordered to pay a judgement of [[USD|USD$]]$1 million.<ref name="frantz" /><ref name="larson">{{cite book | last = Larson | first = Bob | authorlink = Bob Larson | title = [[Larson's Book of World Religions and Alternative Spirituality]] | publisher = Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. | date = 2004 | pages = 434 | id = ISBN 084236417X}}</ref><ref name="deadly">{{cite book | last = Snow | first = Robert L. | title = [[Deadly Cults: The Crimes of True Believers]] | publisher = Praeger/Greenwood | date = 2003 | pages = 177 | url = | id = ISBN 0275980529}}</ref> Ross had been involved in hundreds of interventions with members of various religious groups over a 15-year period. Scott was allegedly kidnapped, and was forcibly confined for five days. The large damage award, plus a large number of additional civil [[tort]] cases brought against CAN by the [[Church of Scientology]], drove the "Old CAN" into bankruptcy in 1996, and its assets, including records, names and phone numbers, ended up in the hands of [[Scientologists]].<ref name="1997bankruptcy" /><ref name="cnn96" /><ref name="deadly" /><ref name="Baggini">{{cite book | last = Baggini | first = Julian | title = Making Sense: Philosophy Behind the Headlines | publisher = [[Oxford University Press]] | date = 2002 | pages = 201-203 | id = ISBN 0192805061}}</ref><ref name="larson" /> Ross went into bankruptcy as well, but emerged in December 1996 when Scott reconciled with his mother and settled with Ross for five-thousand dollars and two hours of Ross's services "as an expert consultant and intervention specialist."<ref>{{cite news | last =Goodstein | first =Laurie | title =Plaintiff Shifts Stance on Anti-Cult Group: Scientology-Linked Lawyer Is Dismissed in Move That May Keep Network Running | work =[[The Washington Post]] | publisher =[[The Washington Post Company]] | date =1996-12-23 | url =http://www.rickross.com/reference/scientology/scien416.html | accessdate = 2007-10-29}}</ref> Scott fired his attorney Kendrick Moxon the next day and retained long-time Church of Scientology opponent Graham Berry as his lawyer instead.<ref name="goodstein">{{cite news | last = Goodstein | first = Laurie | title = Plaintiff Shifts Stance on Anti-Cult Group: Scientology-Linked Lawyer Is Dismissed in Move That May Keep Network Running | work = [[The Washington Post]] | date = [[December 23]], [[1996]] | url = http://www.rickross.com/reference/scientology/scien416.html | accessdate = 2007-10-29}}</ref> Moxon, who had argued in the case that Ross and associates had hindered a competent adult's freedom to make his own religious decisions, immediately filed court papers seeking to rescind the settlement and appoint a guardian for Scott, whom he called "incapacitated." That effort failed.<ref name=ortega>{{cite news | last=Ortega| first=Tony | title=Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlatans. Clients of deprogrammer Rick Ross call him a savior. Perhaps that's why people he's branded cult leaders want to crucify him. | date=[[1995-11-30]]| accessdate=2006-04-27 | publisher=[[Phoenix New Times]] | url=http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/issues/1995-11-30/news/feature2.html}}</ref><ref name=ortega2>{{cite news | last=Ortega| first=Tony | title=What's $2.995 Million Between Former Enemies? Stunning settlement frees cult deprogrammer Rick Ross from almost all of $3 million judgment | date=[[1996-12-19]]| accessdate=2006-04-27 | publisher=[[Phoenix New Times]] | url=http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/issues/1996-12-19/news3.html}}</ref> In a 1996 joint hearing before the [[United States Congress]] on the [[Waco Siege]] entitled: ''Activities of Federal Law Enforcement Agencies Toward the Branch Davidians'', it was stated into the record that publicists for the [[New Alliance Party]] had circulated a report to Congress and the media called "What is the Cult Awareness Network and What Role Did it Play in Waco?".<ref name="congresshearing">{{cite news | last =Committee on the Judiciary. Subcommittee on Crime, United States Congress. House. Committee on Government Reform and Oversight. Subcommittee on National Security, International Affairs, and Criminal Justice | title =Activities of Federal Law Enforcement Agencies Toward the Branch Davidians, Joint Hearings before the United States Congress, House | work =[[United States Congress]] | pages =256 | publisher =ISBN 0160534259 | date =1996 | url = | }}</ref> Testimony was also entered into the record stating that: "Their report relied on Linda Thompson, organizations created or funded by the Church of Scientology and the Unification Church.." and a "long-time cult apologist".<ref name="congresshearing" /> =="New CAN"== ===Bought in bankruptcy court=== [[Image:United States Bankruptcy Court Seal.png|thumb|150px|right|Seal of the [[United States bankruptcy court]]. [[Church of Scientology]] attorney Steven Hayes bought rights to the Cult Awareness Network assets during its bankruptcy proceedings.]] After the litigation had driven the Cult Awareness Network to bankruptcy, [[Church of Scientology]] attorney Steven Hayes appeared in [[bankruptcy court]] and managed to win the bidding for what remained of the organization for an amount of $20,000: The name, logo, phone number, office equipment, and judgments that the organization had won but not yet collected.<ref name="goodstein" /> Initially, the Scientologists did not succeed in getting the CAN files, because of the threat of litigation against the bankruptcy trustee; the files were returned to the board.<ref name="1997bankruptcy" /> After Jason Scott sold his $1.875 million judgment to Scientologist Gary Beeny for $25,000, this made Beeny, who was represented by Kendrick Moxon, another Scientology attorney, CAN's largest creditor.<ref name="amlawyer"/> The CAN board then settled with Beeny by turning over the files to him instead of the possibility of being individually liable for the judgement.<ref name="csj1999">{{cite news | last =[[Fight Against Coercive Tactics Network]] Newswire | title =Original Cult Awareness Network, Inc. confidential records turned over to Scientologist | work =[[Cultic Studies Review]] | date =1999-05-17 | url =http://www.csj.org/announce/annoucement_archives/canarchives.html | accessdate = 2007-10-29 }}</ref><ref name=ortega2>{{cite news | last=Ortega| first=Tony | title=What's $2.995 Million Between Former Enemies? Stunning settlement frees cult deprogrammer Rick Ross from almost all of $3 million judgment | date=[[1996-12-19]]| accessdate=2006-04-27 | publisher=[[Phoenix New Times]] | url=http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/issues/1996-12-19/news3.html}}</ref> On December 12, 1996, a [[usenet]] posting by 'lah' (later reported by ''[[Time (magazine)|TIME]]'' magazine to be the account of one ''Sister Francis Michael'' of the [[Heaven's Gate (religious group)|Heaven's Gate group]]) in the [[newsgroup]] [[alt.religion.scientology]] applauded Scientology for their "courageous action against the Cult Awareness Network," which she accused of "promoting all sort of lies (including) cult activities."<ref>{{cite news | first = Elizabeth | last = Gleick | url = http://www.time.com/time/reports/cult/heavensgate/heavensgate1.html | title = Heaven's Gate | work = [[Time (magazine)|Time]] | page = [http://www.time.com/time/reports/cult/heavensgate/heavensgate3.html 3] | date = [[1997-04-07]] | accessdate = 2006-07-10 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last ="lah" | first =[[Usenet]] poster | title =Thanks for Actions Against CAN | work =[[Alt.religion.scientology]] | date =1996-12-21 | url =http://groups.google.com/groups?as_umsgid=199612220630.AAA19074@Spacestar.Net | accessdate = 2007-10-29}}</ref> This email was also reported on, and the full-text of the email was displayed, in an article entitled: "The business of cults", in 2000.<ref name="strempel">{{cite news | last = Strempel | first = Dan | title = The business of cults. Subsection: "A message from the 'UFO Cult'." | work = Fairfield County Business Journal | pages = Vol. 39 Issue 18, p1, 3p, 1 black & white photograph, 1 color photograph | date = 2000-05-01 | }}</ref> The subject of the email was: "Thanks for Actions Against CAN", and began with the text: "Here's a round of applause to the Church of Scientology for their courageous action against the Cult Awareness Network."<ref name="strempel" /> ===Public perception=== [[Image:CCHR.jpg|thumb|200px|left|An article published by the "New" Cult Awareness Network in 2000 on the group [[Aum Shinrikyo]] thanked the [[Citizen's Commission on Human Rights]] for their [[Scientology and psychiatry|research on psychiatry]].]] In her book ''Researching New Religious Movements'', Arweck wrote that individuals began to fear that Scientology would "..use CAN's name to cause confusion..", and these fears solidified with the appearance of "New CAN".<ref name="arweck">{{cite book | last = Arweck | first = Elizabeth | title = Researching New Religious Movements: Responses and Redefinitions | publisher = Routledge | date = 2006 | pages = Page 195. | id = ISBN 041527754X}}</ref> Opponents of the "New CAN" say that since 1996 it has become effectively a subsidiary organization of, and a [[front group]] for, [[Scientology]], as it exclusively promotes Scientology's point of view regarding religious groups and [[deprogramming|deprogrammers]].<ref name="cnn96" /><ref>{{cite journal | last = Kent | first = Stephen A. | authorlink = Stephen A. Kent | year = 2001 | month = January | title = The French and German versus American Debate over 'New Religions', Scientology, and Human Rights | journal = Marburg Journal of Religion | volume = 6 | issue = 1 | url = http://web.uni-marburg.de/religionswissenschaft/journal/mjr/kent2.html#7 | accessdate = 2007-05-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first = Ron | last = Russell | title = Scientology's Revenge - For years, the Cult Awareness Network was the Church of Scientology's biggest enemy. But the late L. Ron Hubbard's L.A.-based religion cured that -- by taking it over | url = http://www.xenutv.com/print/newtimesla-can.htm | work = [[New Times LA]] | date = [[1999-09-09]] | accessdate = 2007-05-07}}</ref> For example, a section of its website relating to the [[Aum Supreme Truth]] sect authored by Nick Broadhurst, a New Zealand Scientology Spokesman, <ref>{{cite news | last =Staff | title =What is Scientology®? Exhibit Tour creates strong interest in Australia and New Zealand | work =RehabilitateNZ | date =2002-2003 | url =http://www.rehabilitatenz.co.nz/pages/what-is-scientology-exihibition.html | accessdate = 2007-10-29}}</ref> stated that "...the media was unable to be see{{sic}} the actual source of the crimes at Aum, which of course was the psychiatric treatment, and which continues in hospitals around Japan today;" <ref name="broadhurst">{{cite news | last =Broadhurst | first =Nick | title =Preamble: Aum Supreme Truth | pages =See: Acknowledgement given to [[Citizen's Commission on Human Rights]] | date =2000 | url =http://www.cultawarenessnetwork.org/AUM/preamble.html | accessdate = 2007-10-29}}</ref> Broadhurst thanked the Scientology subsidiary [[Citizen's Commission on Human Rights]] for usage of material in his report.<ref name="broadhurst" /> Scientology is extremely [[Scientology and psychiatry|hostile towards psychiatry]]. The site does not contain any criticism of Scientology, unlike most other sites which claim to provide anti-cult information (other than those dedicated to other specific groups). In the Scientology publication IMPACT, Nr. 72, Scientologist and CAN VP Jean Hornnes explained: "We have successfully prevented deprogrammings and we have taken broken families and helped to put them back together by using standard LRH technology on handling PTSness."<ref>{{cite news | last =Hornnes | first =Jean | title =We have successfully prevented deprogrammings and we have taken broken families and helped to put them back together by using standard LRH technology on handling PTSness. | work =IMPACT magazine | publisher =[[Church of Scientology]] | date = Issue No. 72 | }}</ref><ref>Note: PTS means "Potential Trouble Source", see [[Scientology beliefs and practices]]</ref> In January 1997, shortly after the formation of the New CAN, brochures mailed out by the organization described Scientology as a way to: "increase happiness and improve conditions for oneself and for others."<ref name="frantz" /> Other news sources reported that the (New) Cult Awareness Network was owned by the Church of Scientology.<ref name="cnn96">{{cite news | last = Knapp | first = Dan | title = Group that once criticized Scientologists now owned by one | work = [[CNN]] | publisher = [[Time Warner]] | date = [[December 19]], [[1996]] | url = http://www.cnn.com/US/9612/19/scientology/index.html | accessdate = 2007-10-29 }}</ref> A December 1996 report by ''[[CNN]]'' had the headline: "Group that once criticized Scientologists now owned by one."<ref name="cnn96" /> One Scientologist was quoted in the report as stating that he believed the New Cult Awareness Network would stand for "religious freedom", however former director Cynthia Kisser was quoted as saying: "People are going to believe they're going to talk to an organization that's going to help and understand them in their time of crisis, and in fact, it could be a pipeline of information directly to the group they're most afraid of."<ref name="cnn96" /> In 1997, an article in ''[[The New York Times]]'' characterized the New CAN as an affiliate of the Church of Scientology, stating: "now it's in the hands of a Scientologist and proselytizes for the church."<ref name="whocanstandup?">{{cite web | first = Frank | last = Rich | title = Who Can Stand Up? | url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E01E4D61738F935A25750C0A961958260 | work = | publisher = [[New York Times]] | date = [[1997-03-16]] | accessdate = 2007-10-30 }}</ref> The New CAN has been accused of passing the name of a caller, a concerned mother, to the cult she was inquiring about, which resulted in further damaging the relationship with her daughter.<ref>{{cite web | last = Knapp | first = John M. | title = A Mother's Betrayal by the New CAN | publisher = Trancenet.net | date = 1997-07-18 | url = http://www.trancenet.net/groups/can.shtml | accessdate = 2007-02-23 }}</ref> Penn writes in ''False Dawn'' that the New Cult Awareness Network is "dominated by Scientologists".<ref name="penn">{{cite book | last = Penn | first = Lee | title = False Dawn: The United Religions Initiative, Globalism, and the Quest for a One-world Religion | publisher = Sophia Perennis | date = 2004 | pages = 126, 470, 471 | id = ISBN 159731000X}}</ref> In describing what he refers to as the "doublespeak" of the (New) Cult Awareness Network, Tuman states that Scientology and CAN utilize the term "religious freedom" as a hallmark of its defense against critics.<ref name="tuman" /> Tuman wrote that: "What seems to be the case is that the Cult Awareness Network has kept its same name and even its original mission statement, while shifting its concern 180 degrees, from investigating sects to protecting them (from "religious intolerance").<ref name="tuman" /> Tuman concluded his piece entitled: "The Strange Case of the Cult Awareness Network", by comparing the Web site of the (New) Cult Awareness Network to the 1956 [[cult film]], ''[[The Invasion of the Body Snatchers]]''.<ref name="tuman" /> [[Image:60 Minutes on Cult Awareness Network.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''[[60 Minutes]]'', "The Cult Awareness Network", [[December 28]], [[1997]] <br>([[Lesley Stahl]] pictured.)]] In December 1997, ''[[60 Minutes]]'' profiled the new management of the Cult Awareness Network, in a piece hosted by [[Lesley Stahl]], entitled: "CAN: The Cult Awareness Network".<ref name="60minutes">{{cite news | last = Staff. | coauthors = [[Lesley Stahl]] | title = The Cult Awareness Network | work = [[60 Minutes]] | language = [[English (language)|English]] | publisher = [[CBS News]] | date = [[December 28]], [[1997]] | url = http://www.xenutv.com/us/60min-can.htm | accessdate = 2007-10-29}}</ref> ''60 Minutes'' referred to the (Old) Cult Awareness Network as a comprehensive resource, stating it was: "..for 20 years the nation's best-known resource for information and advice about groups it considered dangerous."<ref name="60minutes" /> The current influence by the Church of Scientology was investigated, and Stahl commented in a [[voice-over]]: "Now, when you call looking for information about a cult, chances are the person you're talking to is a Scientologist."<ref name="60minutes" /> The Church of Scientology's [[Fair Game (Scientology)|Fair Game]] policy was described by Stahl; examples of the Fair Game policy were given on-camera from individuals such as [[Stacy Brooks]], as well as a private investigator hired by Kendrick Moxon. Moxon and Church president [[Heber Jentzsch]] also gave an interview, during which Jentzsch compared CAN to the [[Ku Klux Klan]] and the [[Nazi Party]]. <ref name="60minutes" /> The ''Time Magazine'' article "[[The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power]]" was also cited as a reference in the report.<ref name="60minutes" /> The piece concluded by displaying some of the pamphlets distributed by the (New) Cult Awareness Network, which included one called "Facts about Deprogramming" and another entitled "Fact vs. Fiction: Scientology: the inside story at last."<ref name="60minutes" /> The ''60 Minutes'' segment itself was later cited by secondary works on the history of the Cult Awareness Network.<ref name="tuman">{{cite book | last = Tuman | first = Myron C. | title = Criticalthinking.Com: A Guide to Deep Thinking in a Shallow Age | publisher = Xlibris Corporation | date = 2002 | pages = 82, 83, 205 | doi = | id = ISBN 1401052290}}</ref> In August 2007, a ''[[FOXNews]]'' article on the new [[Wikipedia Scanner]] reported that Church of Scientology computers had been used to delete references between Scientology and the Cult Awareness Network, in related articles on Wikipedia.<ref>{{cite news | last =Blakely | first =Rhys | title = Wal-Mart, CIA, ExxonMobil Changed Wikipedia Entries | work =[[FOXNews]] | publisher =Fox News Network, LLC. | date =2007-08-16 | url =http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,293389,00.html | accessdate = 2007-10-29}}</ref> ==In popular culture== The controversy surrounding the Church of Scientology and the (New) Cult Awareness Network was described in the 2002 play, ''[[Jesus Hopped the "A" Train]]''.<ref name="Guirgis">{{cite book | last = Guirgis | first = Stephen Adly | authorlink = Stephen Adly Guirgis | title = [[Jesus Hopped the "A" Train]] | publisher = Dramatists Play Service, Inc. | date = 2002 | pages = 25 | id = ISBN 0822217996}}<br>"Scientologists sued the Cult Awareness Network, bankrupted them, and took over the damn Cult Awareness Network! ... Same office! Same phone number! But when you call the [expletive] up, you speaking to one of them! What kinda help you think they gonna give you?"</ref> The character Angel tells Mary Jane that individuals who call the Cult Awareness Network looking for help will end up speaking with a Scientologist on the other end of the phone.<ref name="Guirgis" /> The play was nominated for a 2003 [[Laurence Olivier Awards|Laurence Olivier Theatre Award]], in the category: "The BBC Award for Best New Play of 2002."<ref>{{cite news | last =Staff | title = Laurence Olivier Award winners - complete list | work =London Theatre Guide | date =2003-02-14 | url =http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/awards/news/display?contentId=73296 | accessdate = 2007-10-28 }}</ref> == See also == {{Portal|Religion|Crystal_Clear_app_browser.png}} {{Portal|Scientology|Scientology e meter blue.jpg}} {{Portal|Spirituality|Crystal_Clear_app_browser.png}} *[[Alt.religion.scientology]] *[[Scientology and the legal system]] {{clear}} ==References== {{reflist|3}} == External links == *[http://www.cultawarenessnetwork.org/ New Cult Awareness Network], Official site of present organization *[http://www.religioustolerance.org/acm2.htm The "Old" Cult Awareness Network] - by [[Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance]] *[http://www.modemac.com/can/Marina/ Retrospect: Cult Awareness Network]: the collapse and takeover of CAN *[http://xenutv.bogie.nl/us/60min-can.htm "The Cult Awareness Network:" TV news story by ''60 Minutes'' on the end of CAN] {{cults}} {{Peoples Temple}} {{Heavensgate}} {{Scientology}} [[Category:Heaven's Gate]] [[Category:Organizations established in 1978]] [[Category:Organizations established in 1997]] [[Category:Peoples Temple|Cult Awareness Network]] [[Category:Scientology and the legal system]] [[Category:Scientology controversies]] [[Category:Scientology organizations]] [[Category:Researchers of cults and new religious movements|*]] [[sv:Cult Awareness Network]]