Scientology Critical Information Directory

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Cynthia Kisser

Former Executive Director of the Cult Awareness Network


«Cynthia Kisser. Executive director of CAN. Sued by Landmark Education Corporation in the Circuit Court of Illinois. Landmark is a for-profit organization, and sued CAN, its president William Rehling, and Kisser. The Landmark cases continue against Rehling and Kisser. — P1.»

[Source: "Who's Who in Scientology" by Martin Hunt]


The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power

«According to the Cult Awareness Network, whose 23 chapters monitor more than 200 "mind control" cults, no group prompts more telephone pleas for help than does Scientology. Says Cynthia Kisser, the network's Chicago-based executive director: "Scientology is quite likely the most ruthless, the most classically terroristic, the most litigious and the most lucrative cult the country has ever seen. No cult extracts more money from its members."»

CAN, the Cult Awareness Network

«LESLEY STAHL (in studio): There was a time if you were worried about your son or daughter being in a cult, you could get help from a small, non-profit organization called the Cult Awareness Network, or CAN, for 20 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 anymore. But recently, the Cult Awareness Network was forced into bankruptcy, and its leaders blame the Church of Scientology.»

Conspiracy to Murder and to Plant Evidence of Federal Crimes

«Q. Is [the Church of Scientology] engaged solely in religious, charitable and humanitarian and community-oriented endeavors? And I am focusing on the word "solely."

A. I am sorry, I didn't see the word "solely." That changes things. No, that is a deliberate lie.

Q. What is the basis for your answer that it is not solely engaged in those things? Very briefly.

A. I would answer that with a question. Would you please tell me what is charitable, humanitarian and community-oriented about ordering the deaths of two individuals they perceive to be enemies of the church?

Q. And to what are you referring in that regard?

A. They ordered me to murder Cynthia Kisser and Ford Greene. Please tell me how that can be construed as charitable, religious, humanitarian or community-oriented. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Does it to you?»

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