The Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes divorce picture has become clearer, and it isn’t pretty. At the center of it all, it seems that Katie is terrified of their daughter, Suri, being groomed for a life in Scientology with no real say in the matter. Katie Holmes has allegedly complained of being followed and spied on by the organization since filing for divorce, but officials from the Church of Scientology have stated that her claims are baseless. Though I’m sure they’re not. In all fairness to Scientologists, I know for a fact that they deal with the same thing when trying to open the doors of a new center.
Living over the hill from the Hollywood Scientology center, there’s an interesting meld of traffic that rolls through the ‘hood. I’m trying to be respectful, because I have friends who are Scientologists, friends who were Scientologists and friends who are curious about Scientology–all that’s to say, I really don’t know whether to call it a religion, movement or system of beliefs and life strategy.
It’s a tough code to crack, Scientology. If you want to know more, you must know someone who was once upon a time a Scientologist, or you have to pursue an interest or investigation in it yourself–and that’ll cost ya. I’ve gotten a lot of answers from folks, but I’ve probably got the same questions as you do.
Ultimately, the system of beliefs was developed by L. Ron Hubbard, a charismatic from Nebraska who settled in California after founding the Church of Scientology on the east coast.
I don’t know much about Scientology, but I do know that is supposed to “work” 100 percent of the time for its members. Especially so, for members like Tom Cruise. I’m curious how this fits into that scope.
It’s too bad they didn’t work out the “interfaith” component before they married. On the other hand, she has a right to change her mind if Scientology really bothers her.
She also has the “right” to be exploited during the trial process if Tom decides to break out the big guns. I think this is going to become an ugly battle of cultural differences.
Scientology as a religion is interesting. It was created by a Sci Fi author (Hubbard) who is on record as saying that “the real way to make money is to start a religion”. Few years roll by and he forms Scientology, which basically says everyone is the soul of an extraterrestrial refugee or something to that affect.
But do not confuse the Religion with the Church. The Church of Scientology is an evil organization. It is a FACT that they used to practice something they called “Fair Game”, in which case an individual can be declared an enemy of the church and harassed. With the goal of either that individuals eventual murder or suicide.
The Church has also broken into government facilities, brainwashed people, prevented people from seeking medical help, and generally abuses the law (or out right breaks it) when it deems it necessary. All it cares about is making money, and it has financially ruined many people to do so.
Hell, even their founder’s death is a sketchy scenario. It seems like ol’ Ron Hubbard may have been killed by some of his own ‘followers’.
It is no surprise to anyone really familiar with Scientology that this divorce was coming. Katie could either buy into the Church (literally and figuratively) or she was going to see first hand how they handle celebrities (which is different to how they handle your average person) and get scared for herself and for her child.
If I was her, I would be very concerned. The number of “accidental” deaths related to members leaving the church is statistically abnormal. Hell, there is a reason they aren’t allowed in Germany and several other countries and it has nothing to do with “religious” persecution, as its only the organization (the Church) that is banned from operating in Germany.
Anyways, if you want to learn some of the darker aspects of the Church of Scientology go here: http://www.xenu.net/
Unless you are inclined to believe bullshit, you’ll check out both sides of the story and see if the Church is something you would contribute to… IMO you can believe what you want, but that organization does not operate ethically.
“Katie Holmes has allegedly complained of being followed and spied on by the organization since filing for divorce, but officials from the Church of Scientology have stated that her claims are baseless.”
That’s because it was a PI hired by an attorney hired by the church. Multiple layers of deniability make for an “acceptable truth,” I.e. untraceable lie. Highly ethical, you know. If you want to seem some truly deranged culties at …work? google: Squirell Busters.
WHAT A LOAD OF SHIT!