Cruise has been going on about Scientology a lot more than Scientologists normally do. I've seen more than a few in interviews squirm around to avoid telling people what the hell it's all about. Here's Cruise openly trying to convert people. Last year Cruise gave an interview to Rolling Stone magazine and said that Scientology was "the shit."
If I was on that set and was an actor of the same (or at least similar) power-level as Cruise, I'd probably say something to him. Religion is fine and all--we all have a right to believe what we want, but Tom, is it very professional to set up a booth for your religion at the workplace?
Cruise's sister and spokeswoman says the booth is Cruise's gift. Right, but it's only a gift for people who are willing to accept the Scientology strings attached to it. What if Spielberg started forcing everyone to obey the sabbath? (If the director obeys it, there's not much everyone else can do in the meantime.) What if the Catholics on the set had a confession booth next to Tom's Scientology booth? Hey, could any Arabic members of the crew set up an America-hating madras?
OK, so that's taking it too far. But then, isn't religion overtly in the workplace taking it too far, too?
Who likes gifts with strings attached anyway?
"Here's this car, but you have to believe that Jesus was an alien. Enjoy!"
From what I understand, Scientology believes that humans are all aliens simply wearing human shells. Again, this is according to what little I've heard about their actual beliefs--they are said to believe in a master-alien-type-dude called "Xenu." When he comes to Earth, all humans (or maybe just the Scientologists) will ditch their human shells and zoom off into space.
I'd love for any Scientologists out there to set me straight on what your beliefs are. I've studied about a half-dozen religions and only yours isn't completely up front about your beliefs.
In the meantime, you can check out the official Scientology website (you look it up, I'm not doing favors for any religion) for the official story or check out Xenu.Net for Operation Clambake--the site that claims to represent the fight against the Church of Scientology on the 'Net. Anyone that is questioning a religion, is likely to get a link from me.
UPDATED 6/24/5: For more on Scientology and my relaxed quest to get to the bottom of it, check out the following post:
http://thepete.com/the-official-whats-up-with-scientology-page/
Read more about the specifics of Tom's booth at the New York Metro website.
From NewYorkMetro.com:
"Intelligencer: February 21-28, 2005"Tom Cruise Wants to Assist
With on-set Scientology.
In the upcoming Steven Spielberg remake of War of the Worlds, one family fights for survival when Earth is invaded by Martian war machines. But on the set of the movie, there’s been an invasion of another sort: Scientologists! Tom Cruise, the film’s star and the religion’s most well-known adherent, has set up a Scientology tent with a volunteer minister. “It’s a gift from Tom to the crew,†says Lee Anne De Vette, Cruise’s sister and spokeswoman. “You can receive what’s called an assist there,†a Scientologist practice that, as she describes it, seems to be a glorified mini-massage. “If someone has an injury in a certain part of their body, if their back is killing them, they can come in and get an assist. It’s something that helps the body get in better communication with itself.†Actual Scientology literature is available, too, in case “someone walks in looking for a solution.†All of which has caused a certain amount of grumbling. Scientology watchdog Rick Ross says that he’s received e-mails from crew members wondering, “Where are the booths for the Catholics and the Jews?â€
—J.B.
Let me set you straight on Scientology by saying, first of all, that going to "Xenu.net" to find out what Scientology is all about is like trying to find out about Judaism from a Palestinian schoolteacher. I guarantee you whatever blather is slapped onto that site is 100% untrue and is some nut case's twisted version and erroneous misunderstandings about what is possible the world's most ethical, understandable and practical religion available to mankind. There is a small, easy to read book by L. Ron Hubbard called "The Fundamentals of Thought" that will give you the best and most basic overview of Scientology's basic tenets. Read it in an hour or two and you'll know that Scientology is an "applied religious philosophy" that shows people how to overcome obstacles so they can achieve their goals, obtain happiness and attain an understanding of their true spiritual nature. But don't take my word for it! Read the book. Another good and easily accessible book is "Scientology: A New Slant on Life." You can get these at the library or bookstores. Have fun.
ReplyDeleteHa! Well, allow me to "set you straight" about setting people straight. While I do appreciate that you were kind enough to stop by and post, unfortunately, suggesting we read a book by the founder of a religion doesn't do much to provide an unbiased explanation of said religion.
ReplyDeleteYou can tell me what Scientology is, but I'd like to know how it works. Why are some things secret? Who is your God? Is there a heaven? I can walk up to any member of Christianity, Islam or just about any other religion and get a reasonable explanation of it. Jews believe in the golden rule, Muslims believe Allah is God and Muhammed was his prophet while Christians, well, we all know what they believe.
I'd like to know what Scientologists believe.
One of the main reasons for being religous is to have an explanation of how and why things work. What happens after you die? What happens if you're bad? These are all questions I'd like to have answered by a Scientologist. I don't want to hear "go read this book, it will explain it."
Say stuff like that and it sounds like you're just trying to sell books.
Again, I appreciate you taking the time to post and I don't mean to be disrespectful, I feel that people can believe what they want--just don't expect me to keep my opinion to myself. I know I'm being judgemental, but in the end, what does my judgement mean? It doesn't have to mean anything to a person secure in his or her faith (or lack there of). So, don't take this as an attack. I just like to understand religions so I can decide if I still prefer being an Atheist.
My mind is open, but I'm not stupid. Scientologists come across like they're hiding something because they don't just break down the religion the way you can do with any other religion. This seems to suggest that you're embarassed by something. The excuse seems to be that some people just aren't ready for certain types of knowledge and must move through various stages to become ready. To that, I say this: Let me be the judge of what's right for me.
Before I go reading a book that could make me think Scientology (or any other religion) seems cool, I want to know what the endgame is. I don't think that's too much to ask.
Shit on you pete.
ReplyDeleteNothing like a happy comment to cheer me up!
ReplyDeleteBe sure to click on the Google ad before you leave!
Hahaha!
ReplyDeleteWell, some of us still support you, Pete...and we're not afraid to use our real names... XD
First off: "I have just been doing alot of studying and am currently working on learning Paleo Hebrew to learn the original language and reading the Scriptures (bible) word for word interpreted."
ReplyDeleteNice! That's awesome! I am envious of your discepline.
Secondly, thanks so much for your post, Shy! Very interesting stuff, although I do believe religion will eventually go away, I don't think it will happen tomorrow and I sure as hell don't feel that it SHOULD happen. If there was a way to make sure that organized religion could not be used to justify things like wars, battles, killings, taking/giving money, etc, etc, I think religion would be a pretty cool thing. As it is, I don't have a problem with it just so long as people aren't using it as a justification for taking away someone else's rights. I also have a problem with brainwashing, but that's such a nebulous term. I mean, who is brainwashed and who isn't?
I've come to think of the modern American Way to be a bit of a cult. Very enticing and addicting. But I'm digressing.
I agree with your views that we need to stop and think about this stuff for ourselves. Not listen to anyone else and bail the minute we don't feel comfortable or otherwise disagree with what our religion is teaching us. That's what I did. I don't think everyone should be like me or give up their religions. Just don't shove said religions onto people, like Mr. Cruise did on the set of War of the Worlds. I have no idea why Spielberg of all people let him do it, I sure wouldn't have. (Of course, that's easy for me to say.)
Oh and as I mentioned above, I also have a problem with secretive religions. Well, secretive anything. I do my best to keep as few secrets as I can. Hell, I've even blogged about my hemeroids, so it bother sme when a religion keeps things secret. Maybe it's wrong for me to be nosey, but I feel like if you believe your way is right, you shouldn't shove it down my throat or hide it from me.
Give me the choice to know or not know. You know?
Thanks for your comment, Shy! I hope your email inbox doesn't get flooded! (If it does, let me know and I'll remove your addy from the above comment!)
Ok, i know nothing about scientology except for what i've read, which isn't alot. I did however find in my readings that only wealthy people are in scientology because apparently, and i don't know this, there is a fee for just about every aspect of it. I am a Christian, do i go to church...NO. I believe in Jesus not a religion, so i chose not to practice religious rituals and shove my faith down anyones throat.
ReplyDeleteI believe what i believe and don't judge anyone for believing or practicing anything different from myself. So the whole booth thing on the movie set is weird to say the least.
I left organized religion because i could not take people saying you must do this or die and go to hell, or if you do this it is a sin. Just my take on it, but i know i am not gonna judge the next person or tell them what to do to live a happier life. That is for that person to decide.
Love the article Pete, i love reading observations, and like the posting where others can speak their mind, i know i did nothing to help answer your question on what scientologists believe, lol, but i really enjoyed reading it all.
Thanks for your comment, Dee! Don't worry about not helping me with my question. I like reading observations, too, so thanks for posting yours. As for the rest of your opinion on religion, I agree--it's the shoving-down-the-throats-part that bothers me the most. As for Scientology costing money, I've heard the same thing--another reason I'm suspicious of them. I know that sort of sounds judgemental of me, but I think to keep safe you have to be a little judgemental--it's not like I'm right off the bat saying Scientology is bad--I just want to know what it entails before I consider it as something to be respected. Another thing I think is weird is how Katie Holmes has converted to Scientology and days after that's in "the news" it comes out that she and Tom are getting married. So, now are Scientologists like Jews? They gotta marry in-faith?
ReplyDeleteThanks again for posting, Dee! Feel free to post any time.
In case you haven't noticed it, check out my new official Scientology page here:
ReplyDeletehttp://thepete.com/the-official-whats-up-with-scientology-page/
Free Katie!
ReplyDelete