Scientology

[Celtaur]

I'm glad Tom Cruise was on Oprah today clearing up some parts of himself that the media has gone wild on.

I find it very bothersome how the entertainment media essentially capitalizes on exploiting something about someone, it's very negative. I think it is very unfair for anyone's religious beliefs to be discriminated against... It's as if media is a microscope for the general publics prejudices, discriminatory views and intolerance.

I have not looked into Scientology much myself but I think the argument that the developer of this religion was a science fiction writer doesn't hold much weight with me, because who's to say how much "science fiction" related ideas are in the Bible, Koran, Baghavad Gita, etc.

Essentially isn't mythology within the same realm as science fiction in some sense? Star Wars for example was science fiction, but had a ton of spiritual significance embedded into the story.

Madonna is misunderstood because of her interest in Kabbalah. She had this to say about Tom Cruise and Scientology:

"We're both in the take-a-lot-of-s--- club together," Madonna tells Rolling Stone. "I don't really know what Scientology is, and because I don't know, I'm not in a position to have an opinion about it. But I don't think anybody else knows, either."

MADONNA believes Tom Cruise gets a "raw deal" for believing in Scientology, and insists the actor should be allowed to practise his faith without being ridiculed.

The pop superstar is herself a follower of controversial religion Kabbalah, a mystical off-shoot of Judaism.

She told New York magazine: "I don't care if people worship turtles or frogs! All I care about is whether they are good people - and Tom is a good person. He gets a raw deal, just like the orphans in Malawi get a raw deal.

I think a lot of marginalised people get a raw deal."

I think the statement "The pop superstar is herself a follower of controversial religion Kabbalah, a mystical off-shoot of Judaism." reflects the media and publics ignorance once again.

Kabbalah controversial? I don't understand... It's a spiritual system. I think respect and understanding is all important for the world to evolve - All people should have the right to believe in and practice whatsoever they choose, (as long as its not harming others).

[Haruth]

I think the statement "The pop superstar is herself a follower of controversial religion Kabbalah, a mystical off-shoot of Judaism."

Does anyone know if it is one and the same: the holywood craze and the esoteric tradition? It seems too surreal to imagine that true kabbalah and Holywood should go hand in hand...

[Celtaur]

I'm sure what Madonna practices is as Kabbalah as the Kabbalah Center teaches - the organization she is affiliated is with Kabbalah.com I believe - possibly the Jewish version rather than the Cabala or Qabalah, but then again she may have some esoteric leanings, she seems quite open. She has given millions to the organization she attends, so she must be quite into it. I think she has her stuff together, she's a successful business woman because of her ability to focus and make concrete decisions about her path. I thinks she holds spirituality as an important aspect of her purpose.

The tabloids picked up on that because it was "unheard of" most likely in the mainstream so it had that factor of intrigue they are always looking to exploit. Hollywood doesn't really talk about Kabbalah much (tabloids etc). The tabloids always talk about the superficial layer of things and don't really have an understanding of anything that is of any importance from what I can tell. The tabloids may mention it about the stars being into it, but I highly doubt they have any idea about what it really is. I'm sure it's just a catchy phrase the tabloids throw around just to see if it sparks controversy, and probably why Paris and Britney mentioned it in the past (Fads as usual). I heard once that Britney was no longer into Kabbalah. "Big surprise" I thought to myself, her and Paris do just about anything for attention. Madonna on the other hand I feel is authentic, she's always tended to have spiritual leanings. Considering most of America is Christian it's all about the Taboo factor for the tabloids I'm sure.

[Haruth]

Madonna on the other hand I feel is authentic, she's always tended to have spiritual leanings.

Picked this up in the related videos from your 'Beast Within' post... Says it all, pretty much...

[youtube]-e6bof19T2U[/youtube]

Namaste

[Celtaur]

this post brings me back to wondering about Scientology. So many people argue that Ron Hubbard was a science fiction writer, does that make Scientology any less valid? Would those who wrote such books as those entered into the bible, also be considered sci-fi / imaginative writers of their time? - yet so many consider them valid for thousands of years.

Again, I know little of scientology, but don't feel discounting someone's religion from ignorance makes any sense (most people haven't a clue what it's about). I think sci-fi is where we are evolving to in many aspects anyhow. Maybe it's natural???

[Celtaur]

Canadian filmmaker Paul Haggis denounces Scientology

WASHINGTON - In a nation doubly devoted to religion and the antics of celebrities, the Church of Scientology and its movie-star followers have long transfixed Americans.


And now Paul Haggis, the Canadian-born Oscar-winning filmmaker from London, Ont., has become the most famous follower to defect from Scientology, quitting after 35 years to protest the church's apparent opposition to same-sex marriage.


Haggis sent a scathing letter to the church's official spokesman, Tommy Davis, railing against the church's support for Proposition 8, the measure that outlawed same-sex marriage in California. The dispatch went viral on Monday, more than two months after Haggis wrote it, when it showed up on the blog of a former high-ranking Scientology official who confirmed its authenticity.


Four years after Scientology's biggest poster boy, actor Tom Cruise, piqued America's interest in the religion after several months of loopy public appearances defending Scientology's beliefs, Haggis's letter provides a rare glimpse of the inner workings of an organization that's the subject of suspicion and ridicule.


In the lengthy letter, the 56-year-old Haggis accused Davis of failing to follow through on promises to distance the church from homophobic remarks made by its San Diego branch during the battle over Proposition 8 last year.


"I called and wrote and implored you, as the official spokesman of the church, to condemn their actions," Haggis wrote. "You promised action. Ten months passed. No action."


He added: "The church's refusal to denounce the actions of these bigots, hypocrites and homophobes is cowardly. I can think of no other word. Silence is consent, Tommy. I refuse to consent ... I hereby resign my membership in the Church of Scientology."


The church did not respond publicly on Monday to Haggis's accusations.


In 2006, Haggis became the first screenwriter since 1950 to write two best picture Oscar-winners in consecutive years - "Million Dollar Baby," directed by Clint Eastwood, and "Crash," which Haggis also directed.


Long known for his humanitarian efforts and strong support for civil liberties, Haggis's letter also criticized Scientology for what he called a longtime practice - urging its followers to "disconnect" from anyone in their lives critical of the church.


Haggis accused the church of ordering his wife, who was introduced to Scientology by her parents, to cut off all contact with them due to something "absolutely trivial" they did 25 years ago. He was further angered, he wrote, by Davis's appearance on CNN last year when he denied any such policy existed.


"I was shocked," Haggis wrote. "We all know this policy exists. I didn't have to search for verification - I didn't have to look any further than my own home."


Davis himself is at the centre of scrutiny after removing his microphone and storming off the set during an interview televised Friday on ABC's "Nightline."


The Scientology spokesman was irked when interviewer Martin Bashir asked: "Do you believe that a galactic emperor called Xenu brought his people to earth 75 million years ago and buried them in volcanoes?"


Davis immediately bristled to hear Bashir make reference to part of a Scientology scripture derived from the writings of church founder L. Ron Hubbard. The church has reportedly attempted to keep the Xenu story secret from a non-Scientologist public, fearful it will serve to discredit the religion.


"OK, Martin, I am not going to discuss the disgusting perversions of Scientology beliefs that can be found commonly on the Internet and be put in the position of talking about things that are so fundamentally offensive to Scientologists a that's all," he said.
Bashir persisted, and Davis stormed out.


In his letter, Haggis also chastised Davis and the church for engaging in "smear campaigns" against former executives who have spoken out against Scientology.


"I was truly disturbed to see you provide private details from confessionals to the press in an attempt to embarrass and discredit the executives who spoke out," he wrote. "A priest would go to jail before revealing secrets from the confessional, no matter what the cost to himself or his church."


Haggis added he was "painfully aware" that his own personal information could be used against him.


"Luckily," he wrote, "I have never held myself up to be anyone's role model."


But Marty Rathbun, who left Scientology after 30 years and now serves as a counsellor to those defecting from the church, predicts that Haggis has little to fear.


"They won't dare mess with Paul," Rathbun, who was a critical source in a St. Peterburg Times expose on Scientology, wrote on his blog on Monday.


"He is far too intelligent, aware, and savvy for them."
Meanwhile, another high-profile Scientologist, John Travolta, has recently provided some positive PR for the church.


For months, it's been rumoured that Travolta was considering leaving the church in the aftermath of the sudden death of his son, Jett, earlier this year. Jett Travolta was profoundly autistic and there have been claims that the church doesn't recognize autism and counselled the Travoltas to avoid treating their son, something Scientology has denied.


But in fact, those close to Travolta told People Magazine, the actor's "faith in Scientology has given him strength to deal with his son's death." He reportedly flies to Clearwater, Fla., where Scientology has a centre, four days a week.

Link

[Thetalpha]

Scientology isn't a religion. It is a money-making enterprise that treats its non-celebrity members like slaves and sources of cash, not like human beings. There are enough people who have been in Scientology and can confirm that. It's not one, it's a good 10'000 around the globe, so I don't think they're making things up just because Scientology didn't make them happy.