Transcript for Cult Awareness Network Bankrupted and Bought by Scientology

There was a time, if you were worried about your son or daughter being in a cult, you could get help from a small, nonprofit organization called the Cult Awareness Network, or CAN

for twenty years the nation's best-known resource for information and advice about groups it considered dangerous.

Among them was Scientology, a church not known for turning the other cheek

But Church officials say Scientology is just another tax-exempt religion that helps millions of people worldwide, including actors John Travolta and Tom Cruise.

And while Scientology did attack its enemies in the past, Church officials say they don't do that any more.

But recently, the Cult Awareness Network was forced into bankruptcy, and its leaders blame the Church of Scientology.

Today, CAN is under new management.

ASHLEY: [answering a ringing phone] Hello, Cult Awareness Network.

Now when you call looking for information about a cult

chances are the person you're talking to is a Scientologist

Ashley's one; so is Bob. Everyone we met in the office was a Scientologist.

Last year, a member of the Church bought CAN's name, logo, and hotline number in bankruptcy court for $20,000.

STACY YOUNG: This is a dream come true for Scientology...

Stacy Young would know. She was a member of the Church for 15 years, including its elite Sea Organization.

She also worked in the Office of Special Affairs and was managing editor of its Freedom magazine.

She left in 1989, and has been a paid consultant in lawsuits against Scientology.

YOUNG: The Cult Awareness Network was the only organization in the country where parents could call and say, you know, "I've lost my child into this cult. What do I do?"

She says Scientology sets out to destroy anyone who criticizes it.

Someone who speaks publically against Scientology is targeted for a campaign of harassment, character assassination, financial ruin

there's a policy that says specifically, "If possible, ruin them utterly."

She's talking about a church directive

This One; 'The Fair Game Law', that says a person or group...

...that publicly criticizes the church is "Fair Game".

And can be "destroyed".

Stacy Young and Others do not believe the Church...

...when it says that it no longer harasses its enemies.

Now the Church says: "Scientology (originally known as Dianetics...) is a benevolent religion"

With anti-drug programs and literacy projects...

...that helps it's followers increase their confidence.

A central doctrine goes like this: 75 million years ago...

A tyrant named 'Xenu', transported people from outer space...

...to earth, drop them in volcanoes...

...then exploded Hydrogen Bombs on them.

That experience is the root of all human misery today.

Scientology offers to help people overcome that misery...

...charging as much as $50,000 in a year.

It's one of the reasons why 'Time Magazine' calls Scientology; "The Cult of Greed".