Tom Cruise
An unauthorized biography of Tom Cruise, released today, has put the Church of Scientology back in the news.
Andrew Morton, who has made a name for himself writing biographies of Princess Diana, Madonna and Monica Lewinsky, spent two years researching his latest book. He concluded that Cruise is the second-highest ranking person in the church.
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Cruise’s rep has called Morton’s book a “false, vicious and bigoted attack.” In anticipation of Morton’s interview this morning on the Today show, the church issued a press release denying many of the book’s claims.
“Insinuations that Mr. Cruise is second-in-command of the Church are not only false, they are ludicrous,” the church said. “He is neither 2nd nor 100th. Mr. Cruise is a Scientology parishioner and holds no official or unofficial position in the Church hierarchy.”
Paul Ziff of Zenith North America, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes at May 2007 dinner for Scientology-based detoxification project to benefit 9-11 first responders. (PRNewsFoto)
The church emphasized that its famous followers are no different from non-famous parishioners. Nevertheless, Scientology promotional material often spotlights celebrity followers - including not only Cruise and wife Katie Holmes, but John Travolta, Kelly Preston, Kirstie Alley, Anne Archer, Jenna Elfman, Lisa Marie Presley, Isaac Hayes and Chick Corea. The church also operates Scientology Celebrity Centres around the globe.
Morton details the level of commitment Cruise has shown to his faith. He writes, “In January 2004, not only did he become a gold-level ‘Patron Meritorious’ for donating $1 million to his faith, he reached the exalted level of Operating Thetan VII, where Hubbard promised that man would become his own god.”
Tom Cruise’s dedication to his faith has spawned frequent rumors that he has been trying to recruit fellow red carpet fixtures, including Victoria and David Beckham and Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith.
Coincidentally, a segment from a 2004 Scientology recruitment film hit the Internet today. In the video, Tom Cruise talks about the rewards and responsibilities of following Scientology.
“We’ve got more work, I need more help,” he says. “Get those spectators either in the playing field or out of the arena. Really, that’s how I feel about it.”
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3 Comments
#1. JazzFan 01.15.2008
Reading the self-promotional-at-others’-expense claims in Andrew Morton’s book on Tom Cruise brings rushing back all the harm I’ve seen gossip do in the workplace, neighborhoods, among families, even grade-schools and colleges.
I don’t think there is a noun severe enough to describe this sort of person: the gossip, the hate-maker, the person who tells me something evil and false about you, hoping I will scorn you, think ill of you, suspect your every move, and never listen to your side.
People like this author Morton need to be taken on talk shows and stripped of their pretenses by flint-eyed journalists who know how to ask trenchant questions, require documentation, and who can unflinchingly pursue a line of questioning till they get either a substantiated fact or an admission of falsehood.
Unfortunately, journalism schools don’t make those products. Journalists are soft on other “journalists” because all want to retain their non-peer-reviewed “right” to fudge facts, run unattributed quotations, sell their POV, and convince rather than educate the public.
#2. terryeo-lighfield-arkaitz-LU 01.15.2008
I know JazzFan, I’m not a Scientologist either but this Morton guy is a suppresive person who must have committed some crimes. Why is he afraid of L Ron Hubbard, a great humanitarian?
#3. Mart 01.22.2008
Why is he afraid of L Ron Hubbard, a great humanitarian?
You’re kidding, right?
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