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Harold's Journal
Editorial Opinion By RWL - 31 October 1991
That 'Anti-Religious Hate Group'...
Many of you have been told by Scientology that I am a member of the Cult Awareness Network, which it calls a "national anti-religious hate group."
But as usual, they are wrong on all counts. First, I am not a member of CAN. Until Scientology tried to sneak their Narconon unit into Chilocco, I had no idea there even was a Cult Awareness Network. But thank goodness there is.
Second, this "anti-religious hate group" boasts highly credentialed clergy of all religions. It even has a healthy sprinkling of Scientology "ministers" among it's ecumentical ranks.
Third, CAN "hates "no one. It was born of the love parents and family members have for the victims of destructive cults. CAN's purpose is to educate. It monitors the activity of some 200 destructive cults, be they political, psychotherapy, commercial, religious, or just weird in nature.
The common denominator of all destructive cults is that they operate on the illogical and immoral principal that the end justifies the means. Most destructive cults also have a single source authoritarian leadership, and a body of "protected" knowledge, made available only to the most trusted inner circle of members. Many destructive cults also employ the techniques of mind control.
CAN gathers facts that identify these socially destructive organizations and makes that information available to anyone who asks.
Legitimate, commercial
concerns do not feel the need to attack the Cult Awareness Network. Legitimate
Political organizations have felt no need to lambast CAN. The scientific
community feels unthreatened by CAN. Genuine religions see no need to
denigrate CAN.
Suppose CAN came out with some ridiculous claim that GM was really a "cult". Would GM spend a fortune harassing CAN members? Would they demonstrate at CAN functions? Would they protest the designation with all the fury and wrath at their disposal?
No I suspect they
would laugh. Because the claim would melt under the slightest scrutiny.
And that, of course, is why CAN doesn't claim GM is a cult. Because it
simply isn't.
But for some reason, Scientology, which claims it is not a cult, feels it necessary to attack CAN; to demonstrate at it's conferences; to spread disinformation and innuendo about its members; and to whimper and whine to the media about its rights being violated. Methinks they doth protest too much.
Funny how only the cults get worked up about the Cult Awareness Network. Funny how Scientology, which claims to have the bridge to total freedom (however confidential they try to keep it) can be so vehemently opposed to a tiny group like CAN which only works to protect freedom of thought.
Could it be that
they have another agenda for your thoughts?