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Publisher To speak
At National
Cult Awareness Conference Friday
Robert Lobsinger, speaking November 1 at the Cult Awareness Network (CAN) annual national conference at the Sheraton Century Center Hotel in Oklahoma City, will detail the deceptive history behind Scientology and the establishment of Narcnon in Oklahoma. Lobsinger is owner and publisher of the Newkirk Herald Journal. He will speak at 12:00 noon.
When Scientology established its questionable drug treatment program, Narconon, at Chilocco Indian School in 1989, it was Robert Lobsinger who recognized Narconon's connection to Scientology, and he received a joint commendation from the Oklahoma Legislature for his courageous coverage of the Scientology issue in Oklahoma. The May 6, 1991 TIME Magazine cover story labeled Scientology "the cult of greed," and characterized the cult as being responsible for "ruined lives, lost fortunes," and federal crimes."
Despite controversial and exhaustive hearings on Narconon's Chilocco facility, it remains uncertified and the Oklahoma Mental Health Board has given Narconon until December 13th to comply with all state regulations. This makes Lobsinger's presentation to the national Cult Awareness Network particularly timely and important, providing facts crucial to the people of Oklahoma, on a cult which this month's Reader's Digest identifies with the headline "A dangerous cult goes mainstream."
Also featured as a speaker by CAN on November 2, will be William A. Kolibash, United States Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia. Kolibash successfully prosecuted the leader and a devotee of the infamous West Virginia-based hare Kirshnas earlier this year for racketeering activity, concluding murder and other crimes. A third devotee was convicted of mail fraud.
Kolibash will focus on successful prosecution of destructive cults where criminal activity exists.
Michael McNutt of the Daily Oklahoman and George Tomek of KFOR-TV of Oklahoma City will participate with Lobsinger in a program on November 2 on "Responsible Media Coverage of Cults."
CAN is a national
non-profit educational organization with 23 affiliates nationwide which
was formed in 1978, the year of the Jonestown murder-suicides of 913 followers
of Jim Jones of the Peoples Temple. It receives and responds to more than
15,000 inquiries annually concerning destructive cults and problems they
pose to society. CAN's 2,000 members include mental health professionals,
educators, clergy, law enforcement, ex-cult members and families victimized
by cults.