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."