Angry Cruise defends Scientology bar on drugs

[ckramer]

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.”

link

[Cha]

1. "genial host" ..Please!

Not when lauer is interviewing Democrats..like Michael Moore and Kitty Kelly comes to mind.

[Merusault]

2. Ugh

I used to think Tom Cruise was tolerable, but lately he irritates the hell out of me. His new movie looks like it's going to be a piece of crap.

[minnesotaDFLer]

3. scientology?

sounds good but could someone explain it?

[Eikon]

5. http://www.xenu.net/

[minnesotaDFLer]

10. what a bunch of ass holes

like the same things dont apply to like every other religion in the world. but in the section "what is scientology" they dont actually tell you what it is, they just say it brainwashes you.

so i mean, is like believing in the power of medicine and science? or what?

[William Seger]

15. Nope, it's science fiction

And I don't mean that as a metaphor: it's literally based on science fiction. The major premises are that people and animals are the embodiment of spiritual beings called "Thetans" who have existed tens of trillions of years, who have manifested themselves throughout the universe on many planets and who came to Earth as aliens; that all your problems (physical and mental) are really just bad thought patterns ("engrams") in your "reactive" mind (which coexists with your "analytical" mind); that these engrams are caused by traumatic experiences in all your past lives; and that only Scientology-trained "auditors" can detect these engrams with a device called an E-meter. But don't worry; Hubbard also discovered that you can be "cleared" of all these engrams -- if you can afford to pay for the (increasingly expensive) eight levels of Operating Thetan training.

[shanti]

8. i dunno about the movie

saw the trailer and it looks like an exciting thriller! now tom....

[VegasWolf]

4. Just hold the L Ron Hubbard booklet over the spot that hurts and pay

your tithes.

[Maat]

6. Thanks for the post ... that was ... uh ... interesting.

See, I am on the fence about his beliefs - just in the sense that I enjoy attending Church of Religious Science (positive thinking, not Christian Science, we go to doctors), as well as UU, and I am a panentheist, or a person who believes that we are all divine, and that Spirit is both within and without. And I wouldn't want anyone to criticize my beliefs - at least incessantly.

On the other hand, no one tells me with whom to associate, what to believe, attempts to control my assets or keep me isolated, and no one tells me what to do at all. And I have read the 'Operation Clambake,' and realize Scientology has some very, very dangerous cult-like practices.

I respect his right to practice his faith, as I respect everyone's right to do so; but, I also respect the rulings of the US Supreme Court, who has repeatedly stated that conduct may be regulated, even if that regulation impinges on religious practices, as long as the law is not AIMED directly at (harassing) a faith (or lack thereof). No one should be allowed to kidnap, isolate or physically abuse anyone.

I don't know ... thoughts?

[DanCa]

7. Tommy Tommy Tommy

Show me your fucking degree than well talk. Sorry I have parkinson's and am having a dopamine drop . Oh Tommy can you say chemical imbalance I know you can.

[Maat]

9. That's one thing that I learned in my social work years ..

how some of the drugs were able to help Parkinson's, thank Spirit!

[bullimiami]

11. genial host? how about vile little mushroom.

lauer sucks. he is a foul little network tool.

[Neshanic]

12. Tom's Pandora's closet. STFU and act Tom, pick up paycheck.

Whatever gets you through this current life, and guides you to your own forty virgins, a meadow, living on a cloud, or finding yourself among aliens that control your life....well that's your business.

That's the big mistake celebrities make, and discover to their horror that people either don't give a shit, or find out that they are possibly certifiable. Nobody gives a rats ass what you believe in Tom..until you opened your BIG YAP about how other people should be, do, or believe. Nobody asked your opinion on post-partum depression, and since you dumped the only agent that could obviously handle you and your wild-eyed over the top nutso act, now you have opened the pandoras box that is what you believe. You could of just not said anything. It's not like Karl Rove in his dead animal skin, kneeling in front of whatever pig-god he worships, is letting people know about even his dogmatic slant.

You get paid handsomely to do actually nothing but hit a spot, and get filmed. Your religion is your own business. What you do with it is your own fucking business. Shut up and act. That's what you get paid for.

[Floogeldy]

13. Tom gets all the babes!

B-)

[madrchsod]

14. he gets them then they

run for thier lives! mimi rogers to miss cruz...hot hot hot but not for tommy boy toy. he`s l ron`s lover....