John Travolta Ready To Quit Scientology?

http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/49313/john-travolta-ready-to-quit-scientology? ^ | Monday 27th Jul 2009 | Entertainment Wise

[FreeManWhoCan]

John Travolta may be close to leaving the Church of Scientology, according to a new report.

The actor - along with fellow Hollywood heavyweight Tom Cruise - is one of the most high-profile members of the controversial organisation, and has been for 34 years.

But his faith in L Ron Hubbard's teachings is said to have been severely shaken by the death of his autistic son Jett following a seizure in January.

Those close to Travolta – who only publicly acknowledged his son's autism after the 16-year-old's death – say that the tragedy has prompted the actor to question his blind acceptance of Scientology's recommendations regarding Jett's treatment.

The 'Church' doesn't recognise autism as a clinical condition that requires treatment with conventional drugs, and instead promotes the use of detoxification programmes and vitamins to treat the symptoms.

"There have been strong rumours coming out of Scientology that John Travolta is disappointed that the religion was not able to help his son more," author and lecturer on Scientology, Rick Ross, tells the Daily Mail.

"It's led him to question his faith."

It's claimed Travolta wasn't happy when senior Scientology members instructed him to undergo sessions with an ethics officer, to establish whether he or his family's 'negative influences' might have contributed his son's death.

But cutting loose from Scientology after such a long time may not be easy, especially given the rumours that the organisation has files on Travolta's personal life, including his alleged homosexual encounters.

"I think it would be very difficult for John Travolta at this stage, given his history with the religion, to extricate himself from the Church of Scientology," says Ross.

"It would be a huge move on his part because Scientology keeps files on its celebrity members containing embarrassing personal information about them.

"And Scientology has proven in the past that it has a penchant for releasing that information to embarrass people who have left and who have said things it doesn't like.

"If celebrities leave, they tend to do it quietly and keep their mouths shut, because if they do speak out, they are opening themselves up to attack from Scientology.

"That's why I think Travolta will want to keep his problems with the Church private."

Travolta has led a largely reclusive existence in the six months following his son's death.

In a rare public sighting in Miami last week, the grieving actor looked bloated and dishevelled as he tucked into a cheeseburger and chips alone outside a fast-food restaurant.

[SunkenCiv]

Those close to Travolta -- who only publicly acknowledged his son's autism after the 16-year-old's death -- say that the tragedy has prompted the actor to question his blind acceptance of Scientology's recommendations regarding Jett's treatment. The 'Church' doesn't recognise autism as a clinical condition that requires treatment with conventional drugs, and instead promotes the use of detoxification programmes and vitamins to treat the symptoms.

Vitamins will be the only private alternative to Obamacare.