Posted on 06/25/2005 8:24:06 PM PDT by phoenix_004
THE actor Tom Cruise has added to a growing reputation for eccentricity after a heated row on American television over his support for the Church of Scientology. Cruise, 42 whose new film, War of the Worlds, had its London premiere last week rounded on Matt Lauer, genial host of NBCs Today programme, when the subject of their interview turned to the controversial religion and the prospect of his fiancée Katie Holmes, 26, being converted.
Scientology is something that you dont understand, declared Cruise. It is a religion. Because its dealing with the spirit. You as a spiritual being.
The interview became more combative when he was asked about a public reprimand that he gave recently to Brooke Shields, the actress, for taking antidepressants rather than vitamins when she was diagnosed with postnatal depression.
Founded by L Ron Hubbard, the science fiction writer, in the 1950s, Scientology which claims more than 8m members worldwide teaches that psychiatry is Nazi science and that its medicines are all about mind control.
When Lauer said that many people had been helped by such drugs, Cruise dropped his famous smile and declared: You are glib. You dont know the history of psychiatry. I do.
Although such pronouncements have raised Cruises profile in the run-up to the release of the £100m film, there are signs that they may encourage some people to stay away.
According to a poll published last Friday by the MSNBC TV channel, 69% of viewers said Cruise was just plain wrong on the role of doctors and the use of drugs to alleviate mental distress.
Some 61% of Entertainment Weekly magazines readers, meanwhile, said they did not like the new ebullient Cruise as much as the quietly controlled superstar of yesteryear. And 41% said they would not go to see his new film as against 34% who said they would.
Until recently Cruise who has reached the status in Scientology comparable with that of a senior Church of England figure privy to its inner secrets followed the advice of Pat Kingsley, his veteran public relations adviser, to stay engagingly mysterious about his beliefs. Then Cruise sacked Kingsley and decided to start promoting his faith loudly.
Last week it was widely reported that when he was preparing to shoot Mission Impossible 3, due to start filming later this year, he tried unsuccessfully to convert his potential co-star Scarlett Johansson to Scientology.
On the War of the Worlds set Cruise paid for a cappuccino tent where crews could ask for an assist or interview, with Scientologists dishing out the coffee.
Cruise said that he felt liberated talking about such issues and dismissed scepticism about his three-month romance. In another part of the NBC interview he told Lauer: I have never worried about what other people think and what other people say. I am really happy. I cant restrain myself.
"Can you imagine if a Christian did this in the workplace, especially Hollywood? He would be put under the jail. Just let someone who belongs to a kook cult do it, and not a peep."
Paul,
Mel Gibson had mass on the set of "the Passion of the Christ"... It happens..
PS.. Has the sleeper awakened??? ;-)
Yep, that's why celebrities need handlers to wipe their chin and get them to their next business meeting where their lawyer does all the talking. These goofs are no good on their own.
Tom Cruise is a popular actor, ergo he is an authority on everything! (At one time our Western Civilization was healthy enough to forbid actors from remaining in town after sunset. Today they escape the most heinous crimes.)
If memory serves, Mel was making the movie on his own dime. He was, in essence, the boss. Had he been on the set of someone else's movie, doing the same thing, I would say the same as I've said about Cruise. Likewise, if Tom was producing his own movie, on his own dime, I would say go for it. It's the double-standard about which I was speaking.
Never been in a scientology bar, let along while on drugs.
let along = let alone
"I never worry about what other people think and what other people say."
If this is true, why promote any of his movies? If this is true, why TRY to convert anyone?
Just a theory, but it makes sense after looking at some of other 'EX' Scientology stories today.
The religion doesn't let go lightly, especially someone like Cruise. .
"....mass on the set of "the Passion of the Christ"...It happens."
It was a film on Christ. Quite appropriate to hold mass.
Then again, maybe "Mission Impossible" is quite appropriate to try and convert indivduals to Scientology.
LOL! Can't you just picture it?
It's still the most interesting thing he's ever done.
Tom Craze?
That would be too obvious I think. And fixable... If he is hurting Scientology though, that is a BAD thing... and something he can be expelled for.
This is a scientology bar on drugs.
This is a scientology bar with a side of bacon, sausage and buttered toast.
Any questions?
Cruise needs some Prozac.
These ''movie stars'' are constantly surrounded by an entourage of yes people who are constantly telling them how wonderful and marvelous they are. So when someone out in the real world actually disagrees with something they say'' they cant handle the truth''! THEY GO BALLISTIC!
"Any questions?"
Yes. Do you have any Grey Poupon?
Okay, the choice is
1. Drugs
2. Believing that your body is inhabited by 100 million year old space aliens waiting for the SpaceGod Xemu to restore the Galactic Confederation
I'll have the drugs.
Because there ain't a drug powerful enough for me to believe that #2 crap. :-)
Cool.
I wonder if Dave and Leno have joined in yet....
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