I'm having a hard time putting myself in the shoes of a confused devotee of a possible cult, and a harder time trying to imagine what kind of impression the CAN site would have on me. I would probably just hobble confusedly back into the complex to knit wallets for the ruler.

The word cult has too often been twisted into a hate word labeling and marginalizing any group the person using the word doesn't like

Rarely we have been asked to convince someone to reconcile with an adult family member who no longer wants to speak to other members of their family. While we understand it can be a stressful situation, adults do have the right to speak or not speak to whom they chose. We will certainly help anyone ascertain if their family member is alive, healthy and doing well in their chosen path. But if they do not wish to communicate with someone . they have that right and we will not violate that.

The Cult Awareness Network cannot confirm or deny the mystic powers of kool aid, or the benefits of hitching a ride with a comet

OK, I made that last one up, but what the fuck? These guys are crazy.

Check out the helpful list of factual religious sites. 3 links for Christian and Islam sites, 4 for judaism, 1 each for Pagan and Wicca, 2 for Satanism and 11 for Scientology. I guess they're not trying to kid anyone.

The into infamy section is apparently where they attempt to discredit their detractors. I googled a couple of names there and found a wealth of information on the Church of Scientology, their practices and origins and it just gets weirder and weirder. I'm going to have to continue in two more posts as i sort through the zaniness. If I start to speak highly about L. Ron Hubbard, please call 1 800 556 3055.

The next posts will cover the messiah of Scientology and the OTIII level secret of Xenu.