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 NBC’s 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 don’t understand,” declared Cruise. “It is a religion. Because it’s 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 don’t know the history of psychiatry. I do.”
Although such pronouncements have raised Cruise’s 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 magazine’s 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 can’t restrain myself.”
Tom Cruise is losing it !!!!!
That said,we do use too many drugs in this country.
That's your whole problem, Tom.
A nervous breakdown is never a pretty thing to watch.
Tom has just replaced drugs with a cult. Either way, the result is the same.
Boy he sure didn't look happy.
Keep talkin' Tom
It's a Religion, just like Kwanza is Christmas.
(and Islam is TROP)
TT
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.
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.
Please Tom...."restrain yourself". Gosh, the guy is just plain dumb when he opens his mouth. These stars are going to pay the price. There was a reason the studios used to "manage " the big stars. Why do you think they call it "Entertainment"...ha.
Though it hasn't been as widely publicized, Madonna's Kabbalah obsession has really caused her to do some off-the-deep-end things.
Talk show host Craig Ferguson (CBS after Letterman) spent his first 10 minutes of the show last night tearing into Cruise. He even played clips of the interview and mocked him.
It was awesome. :)
Best of all, he said "I hope one day celebrities learn to shut up about things they know *&$&$ about."
Maybe he's off his meds.....
susie
Craig Ferguson was making fun of him last night for the entire intro to his show last night. It was a sight to behold.
Good one,brytlea,good one!
Stupid, pretty-boy, Hollywood cultist.
And on this issue, he's 100% right!
Madonna is a has been. Her Kabballah scenario is pathetic.
The worst thing that can happen to a star,Madonna or Cruise, is that they become boring. They are there!
I can't wait until he (cruise) or someone else in his family has a mental breakdown/issue or something along those lines, and then they'll need proper treatment - at that point he'll change is mind.
Anyway, anyone who'd bother to follow some cult made up by some 2-bit supposed SF writer, has some serious problems in their life. I pity him.
Laura Ingraham was playing parts of Tom's last Oprah appearance and giving her commentary on it. It's been a long time since I laughed that hard.
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