Tom Cruise on Oprah: 'stolen' Scientology videos, Brooke Shields and 'child drugging'

Tom Cruise talked about it all on Oprah Winfrey's show, taped at his Telluride, Colorado home.

Well, almost all. (See Times television critic Mary McNamara's review on our sister blog Show Tracker.)

Katie Holmes, now his wife, welcomed Winfrey to the couple’s home at the top of the show. Then she left Cruise to take Oprah on a tour, including a peek at daughter Suri’s playrooms, the kitchen, (what, no fridge opening?) Cruise’s collection of leather-bound film scripts, and the home's view of snow-topped peaks in Telluride, Colorado.

Winfrey and a subdued, denim-clad Cruise sat on an overstuffed couch in the family’s living room, and talked about that couch hopper moment in their last interview. “That was a moment, and it was real, and I don’t know if I would (do it differently). I really don’t,” Cruise  admitted.

On his reputation: "Listen I, I feel like definitely things have been misunderstood, and there are things I could have done better," Cruise admits. "But then there's also that world where you go, 'Oh, it's been spun to such an extent that ... that's a truth also.' "

On his marriage to Katie Holmes being phony: "That's laughable to me," Cruise says."'You just know that they're trying to sell it and spin it."

And according to Cruise, that Scientology video that leaked on the Web "was stolen. I was receiving an award that evening for global literacy. It was a very private moment. I'm actually talking to my congregation."

"It's [taken] totally out of context," he added.

But he dodged Winfrey's question about whether he feels people negatively target him because of his Scientology beliefs:

"It's a minority religion, and I think that sometimes people misinterpret [it]," he says. "I think the best thing is for people to read about it themselves. I believe people have the right to choose what they believe in.

"The code of Scientologists says you respect the religious beliefs of others," Cruise adds. "That's part of being a Scientologist, and that's who I am as a person."

On his Brooke Shields comments: "What I regret is even discussing Brooke in any way," Cruise says. She later attended his wedding to Katie in Italy.

On the issue of children and psychiatric drugs: "For me, my issue was really about child drugging. It's not like it is today, like people are really kind of openly talking about this."

He added: "I think the parent should be able to and should make that decision."

When Oprah asked about a book that claimed Suri was not his child:

“I’ve had a lot of books written about me. When someone compares your daughter to Rosemary’s baby — it’s one thing to come after me. Say stuff about me. But when it comes to my family, my children, that’s when I went, ‘This is off the chart.’”

Cruise says he’s learned there are some times when he needs to communicate with the public more and other times when he should probably communicate less.

“I feel like definitely things have been misunderstood, and things that I could have done better,” he said.

You can see the rest of the Oprah-Tom chat Monday on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

In the meantime, here's a round-up of this week's questions and answers.

What do you think? Can Tom Cruise get his career back on track?

Credit: Harpo Productions / AP

Comments

[Liberty Belle]

"What do you think? Can Tom Cruise get his career back on track?"

No. Not until he satisfactorily explains what it is that he meant by "We are the authorities" on mental health, getting people off drugs, and rehabilitating criminals. Not until he tells the truth about the reasoning behind his anti-psychiatry rants (the paranoid writings of sci-fi writer L. Ron Hubbard). Not until he stops acting completely crazy. Not until he explains how he can live in that swanky house, with his snowmobile and his view while people eat rice and beans in the Rehabilitation Project Force (Scientology's prison camp). For all his current blather about parents' choices on medications for children, Tom is actively campaigning to have psychiatry declared a "crime against humanity." What?

He's deluded, brainwashed and crazy, and no amount of puff-piece coverage from Oprah is going to erase that, or the public's recognition of it.

[Yoni]

He can get his career back on track if he leaves the Cult of Scientology. Otherwise, he's a goner, because he has a lot of questions to answer that aren't softballs, like why he gives millions of dollars to a cult that has a record of tax fraud, gov't infiltration, threatening critics, denying its members their medicine (to the point of death in a few cases), and slave child labor in Hemet, California. If he's going to be part of that, and give money to that, and promote all that, we demand an answer for it.

Also his days are probably numbered as he spent a lot of time on the Freewinds, a boat ridden with blue asbestos, the most dangerous type of asbestos, which can cause lung cancer from a single incident of exposure.

http://insurancenewsnet.com/article.asp?n=1&neID=200805023600.3_33bc000d60868fe7

or read more about anything I just mentioned at

xenu.net
whyweprotest.org

[char]

Crazy indeed...nice publicity stunt.

[Robin Delaney, Las Vegas NV]

Frankly, I don't care what he talks about or "goes on" about. If people want to listen to his rants, fine with me. He'll get his career back when he acts in a decent movie.

[Bruce Wayne]

http://www.watchman.org/sci/hubm

Hubbard was clearly involved in the occult. In 1945, L. Ron Hubbard met Jack Parsons, who was a renowned scientist, protégé of occultist Aleister Crowley, and a member of the notorious Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.), an international organization founded by Crowley to practice sexual black magic.

Parsons had Hubbard move onto the property of Parsons' Pasadena, California, home. It was there that Hubbard began to practice the occult and sexual magic. Parsons' mistress, Sara Northrup, left him for Hubbard and later became Hubbard's second wife, even before Hubbard had divorced his first wife (The Los Angeles Times, June 24, 1990, p. A37).

Biographer Russell Miller wrote, "Parsons considered that Ron had great magical potential and took the risk of breaking his solemn oath of secrecy to acquaint Ron with some of the O.T.O. rituals.... Parsons wrote to his 'Most Beloved Father' (his term for Aleister Crowley) to acquaint him with events: 'About three months ago I met Captain L. Ron Hubbard.... Although he has no formal training in Magick, he has an extraordinary amount of experience and understanding in the field. From some of his experiences I deduced that he is in direct touch with some higher intelligence, possibly his Guardian Angel. He describes his Angel as a beautiful winged woman with red hair whom he calls the Empress and who has guided him through his life and saved him many times. He is the most Thelemic [self-willed, independent] person I have ever met and is in complete accord with our own principles'" (Russell Miller, Bare-Faced Messiah: the True Story of L. Ron Hubbard, 1987, pp. 117-8, emphasis added).

"Parsons wanted to attempt an experiment in black magic that would push back the frontiers of the occult world. With the assistance of his new friend, he intended to try and create a 'moonchild' - the magical child 'mightier than all the kings of the earth,' whose birth had been prophesied in The Book of the Law more than forty years earlier" (Ibid., p. 119).

Former high ranking Scientologists Brent Corydon and Hubbard's son, L. Ron Hubbard Jr., wrote, "In order to obtain a woman prepared to bear this magical child, Parsons and Hubbard engaged themselves for eleven days of rituals ¼ on January 18th, Parsons found the girl who was prepared to become the mother of Babylon, and to go through the required incantation rituals. During these rituals, which took place on the first three days of March 1946, Parsons was High Priest and had sexual intercourse with the girl, while Hubbard who was present acted as skryer, seer, or clairvoyant and described what was supposed to be happening on the astral plane" (Bent Corydon & L. Ron Hubbard, Jr., L. Ron Hubbard: Messiah or Madman?, 1987, pp. 256-7).

L. Ron Hubbard and Aleister Crowley
Sometime in his teens Hubbard accompanied his mother to the Library of Congress where he became acquainted with Aleister Crowley's The Book of the Law. Crowley alleged this book was dictated to him by Aiwas, a spirit possessing fantastic knowledge and powers. This was Crowley's Bible and perhaps the most important book in the life of L. Ron Hubbard (Ibid., p. 47).

Crowley's Magick in Theory and Practice states: "The whole and sole object of all true magickal training is to become free from every kind of limitation....(cited in Messiah or Madman, p. 48). "Hubbard says, in a 1952 taped Scientology lecture: 'Our whole activity tends to make an individual completely independent of any limitation...'" (Ibid.).

In Hubbard's 1952 Philadelphia Doctorate Course Lectures, he states:

"The magical cults of the 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th centuries in the Middle East were fascinating. The only modern work that has anything to do with them is a trifle wild in spots, but is a fascinating work in itself, and that's the work of Aleister Crowley - the late Aleister Crowley - my very good friend.... He signs himself 'the Beast,' mark of the Beast 666..." (Ibid.).

"According to Ron Jr. his father considered himself to be the one 'who came after'; that he was Crowley's successor; that he had taken on the mantle of the 'Great Beast.' He told him that Scientology actually began on December 1st, 1947. This was the day Aleister Crowley died" (Ibid., p. 50).

As with other areas of Hubbard's life, Scientologists have attempted to revise the understanding of these events. While they admit that Parsons was a leader of a black magic group, that a girl was used in a sex ritual, and that Hubbard moved in, Scientology claims that Hubbard was working underground for Naval Intelligence. Scientology claims that Hubbard rescued the girl and he was able to "break up black magic in America" (Jon Atack, A Piece of Blue Sky, pp. 89-90).

Yet, the F.B.I. files on Parsons showed that he was investigated regularly because of his government job and retained his high security clearance until his death. There is no mention of Hubbard in any investigation (Ibid.).

Also, Parsons' widow disputed Scientology's account, stating that Parsons and Hubbard liked each other very much and worked well together (The Los Angeles Times, June 24, 1990, p. A37). It is certain that the O.T.O. and black magic in America have never been broken up.

Furthermore, in 1957, Hubbard wrote a Scientology bulletin describing Parsons as "quite a man." And in 1952, Hubbard favorably refers to the late Aleister Crowley, indicating that "he was my very good friend" (Philadelphia Doctorate Course Lectures 18, 35, 40).agk2.htm

[Eddie Tucker]

I think Tom Cruise has a perfect right to spout whatever cult-driven propaganda he wishes to, just like all fundamentalists everywhere.

[Alanzo]

His privileged position within the cult of Scientology keeps him insulated from the enforced abortions, the suppression of the freedom of speech, and the thousands of families destroyed by the practice of enforced disconnection. Mr. Cruise needs to take responsibility for these abuses and handle them within Scientology before I will ever see another movie of his. He is out-ethics until he does.

[GirlyGirl]

"His congregation?!@!" WTF, is he a preacher now? I have never trusted this guy and he clearly doesn't regret his arrogant and reckless comments. "There is no such thing as a chemical imbalance...exercise and vitamins...you don't know psychiatry, I do" Please, he's a high-school dropout who never went to college, ran his mouth and is now playing the victim. I will never purchase a ticket to one of his films.

[Old Man]

Go Tom. The man has a lot of guts to do what he is doing. And that is what I like about him.

[Sean K]

You said it all, Liberty. Mr. Cruise and his ludicrous cult and Oprah's narcissistic self-congratulatory posturing belong on the same stage. Unfortunately, that stage doesn't belong on television... Im surprised they found a stage big enough to fit both of their heads. What do you think are the odds that Oprah's a secret scientologist? What a couple of nutjobs.

[Artoo45]

Thanks to the internet, the rotten core of Scientology is revealed for all to see and judge for themselves. There is no "spin" that can undo it. There is no "out of context" to Cruise's video comments. I fully understand the context of his "world without SPs" and it sounds like the final solution. They call us non-Scientologists "wogs". Isn't that alone enough to turn anyone away from this totalitarian "church".

[anon626]

I believe he can get his career back on track. People are so judgemental towards him because of his personal beliefs. It shouldn't even be like that. Everyone is entitled to believe in whatever it is they believe in. For people to judge him just strictly for being a Scientologist or cause he jumped on Oprah's couch is ludicrous. Hell if I was on Oprah's show, I'd jump on her couch too!

[Jude]

No getting that train back on the rails. He's gone WAHAY too far off the track now to ever get his career back. Producers and directors are not going to touch that guy.

I wonder also about Oprah since she just keeps going back for more with this well......scary nut job! If I were her....I would RUN the other way.

No Tom is not coming back from this. I think there is much more about to be revealed about Scientology and his star has already begun to fizzle out.

[BK]

I hope Tom Cruise can get his career back. I judge by what I'm supposed to judge him by, his movies. When it comes to that, he's given us consistent quality works for over 2 decades with very few duds. He's one of the best at what he does. Why can't people leave it at that? Who cares what his religious beliefs are? Should we judge all christian actors because the christian religion states that all people that do not belive in Christ will burn in hell for eternity? How is this belief not as crazy as anything they belive in the scientologist church? All religions are irrational and just because his religion is newer, and can thus easily (and righfully) be labled lunacy, it does not mean that the more established judao--chrisitan religious beliefs aren't illogical, irrational, and downright crazy either. Come on people, stop with the hypocricy.

[gc67]

I used to LOVE Tom Cruise. He was so cute in "Taps". I don't recognize the person he's become. Its almost exactly like Mel Gibson without the alcohol - the richer you get the more bizarre you get because no one in your personal posse has enough guts to deflate your gigantic head and bring you back to earth. As for Oprah, I am sick to death of everything that comes out of her mouth being taken as gospel. I'm sure she's not a closet Scientologist but what difference does it make? She's being worshipped anyway. The whole thing just disgusts me.

[JamesLightfield]

I'll respond to the question about "authorities" -- by recommending the textbook DIANETICS: The Modern Science of Mental Health. (See: dianetics.org)

That's the only way a person can make an informed decision. Don't listen to me, nor someone else. Make your own conclusion.

Take a basic class -- or just follow the directions in the book Dianetics. Many, many thousands were doing that in 1950 when Dianetics was first published. The new edition has a nearly 90 page glossary to define all the words that were commonly understood in 1950. However, with US literacy now lowest in history (and this includes college level students as reported by The Wall Street Journal), people today don't know what many words mean. In fact, the average person only uses about 400 words throughout his/her life.

Why are we such an illiterate and now becoming drug dependent society?

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) in the 1960's was given the US educational curriumlum to "develop" so as to make children "more sociable."

Immediately the APA perverted the core subjects of reading, writing and math with an almost immediate decrease in literacy levels. Then the psychs blamed students and created the entire "learning disabilities" program, joining with drug companies to get as many kids on drugs as possible. (Combined worldwide revenue of psych & drug industries =$2Trillion. The drug companies pay US media $2.6 Billion each year to advertise psych drugs.)

In almost all schools, every child labeled with a "learning disability" means the school gets extra money each year -- as much as $1,5-000 per child/year. BIG BUSINESS. Psychs are then hired to "solve the problem" and .... (you know the rest)(See: cchr.org and freedommag.org).

On a personal note, I have helped people with Dianetics to become free of years (as much as 35 years) of emotional agony from issues such as extraordinary physical and emotional abuse include rape -- and I helped people accomplish this in a few hours (generally not more than 10) using Dianetics.

These same individuals had been going to psychs for years / decades without any lasting benefit.

There's a $75 class offered at every Church of Scientology in which a person can learn Dianetics and use it.

(A side comment re beans and rice: I eat a fairly healthy diet thaincludes organic foods AND beans and rice, which is actually a healthy blend that provides considerable nutritional benefits.)

I've been a Scientologist for 40 years, and am not employed by any Church Scientology (scientology.org) nor any of its affiliated organizations (able.org).

[kvenido]

Tom Cruise is controlling, judgemental -and SERIOUSLY creepy--i feel sorry for his wife and have no plans to see any of his movies again--

[Juliette]

Tom Cruise is a nutjob & this whole thing w/ Oprah is just to get people on his good side & salvage his movie career. He hasn't had a decent movie in years. He is really not that good of an actor. I mean c;mon Risky Business was good in its day, so was Top Gun. But look at it now, he really was not that good.

He is arrogant, misguided and delusional. Scientology is a cult and a scary one at that. I wish he would just go away.

No matter what he says or does now, it just all strikes me as completely insincere.

Oprah & Tom are so full of themselves. She acts like we should all take her word as gospel. I stopped watching her show years ago and I won't be going back anytime soon.

Even when he smiles, he just seems so creepy.

[justananon]

ok... Tom convinced me..and my extended family . I want to read more about CoS. But how am I supposed to do that if I am only few million dollars short? Is he willing to cover our costs?

[anon2004]

Tom Cruise's sad attempt at a comeback does not hide the fact he is identified with a money making abusive cult. Tom has alot more to worry about now that the CO$ has knowily exposed him and any other scientologist to blue asbestos found on the CO$ ship the Freewind.

[Mission-Impossible]

He had to do something to get his career back on track. To see how far he has fallen, selling his kids baby photos made more than any movie project since he was let go by Redstone and took over UA. Oprah --- Help!

[Eva]

I love Tom Cruise. As for "Producers and directors are not going to touch that guy." Excuse me? He's got 3 movies coming out and he owns his own studio. Don't you read gossip?

[Running]

I can understand the public's disdain for Tom Cruise. He comes off as egotistical and deluded. However, I don't agree with people picking on his religion. His religion isn't anymore ridiculous than Islam, Christianity, or Judaism.

[Just me here]

Lol, what a piece of fluff.

In the little bubble that is Hollywood Tom might still have some pull, but the PUBLIC can see right through the PR.
Tom Cruise jumped the shark. (Or the couch, lol) People have had enough of him. He didn't come across as sincere, he came across as scripted and coached by PR-people. He was very obviously on a damage-control mission, and MOST people can smell that a mile away.
It's the stench of shallow and vain desperation.

I personaly very much disliked how he used his cute daughter as a shield to deflect blows with. She seems to be a very useful prop. I'm sure he does love her very much, but at the same time he certainly does seem to know how to steer the conversation to his little cupcake when he gets 'somewhat tough' questions, eh?

Oprah lost a lot of credibility today too.

Tom Cruise is over, he just doesn't realise the full extend of that yet.

[missy]

Personally, I could care less about Tom Cruise. What he does with his life is his business. There are too many real things going on in the world to worry about....the cost of food, gas, no health insurane, foreclosures, job loss, the war, starving kids, kids in schools but not getting the education, etc. Tom Cruise has everything he needs. If you choose to dislike him, so be it.

[Connie Dobbs]

Tom Cruise's career is FAR from over, but even if it was, he risked it all for standing up for his religion and voicing his opinion for what he thinks is right. To ostracize someone for something as simple as that is fundamentally un-American.

Most of the haters on a witch-hunt against Tom Cruise have no showbiz career to lose, and can't relate to success. They mostly work jobs like donut shops and are simply jealous. (It sounds simplistic to say that, I know, but I find it to be literally true.)

[Angela Gupta Trudy Johnson Nina Reyes07]

I'm not a Scientologist and I don't usually going around commenting on it, I'm just a typical American. I think the viewpoint of typical Americans like me is that L Ron Hubbard probably developed some workable technologies and Scientology is no different from other religions really. The media has been funded by Big Pharma and psychiatry to brainwash people, that's all.

[williambuddusky]

Sorry, no go on the carrer restart. A large part of the reason people liked this guy was because he projected the character of a happy-go-lucky, friendly, unthreateneing everyman.
Now he would like us to forget the view he gave us of the complete egomaniacal elitist he really is, a guy who thinks he knows more about psychiatry, medication, health and the mind than people who have studied and practiced medicine for decades. He's a guy who has donated millions to furthur the efforts of an organization that is responsible for Operation Freakout, operation Snow White, the death of Lisa Macpherson and more recently concerted efforts to squelch the free speech rights of people all over America and the world.
Now it appears that the FreeWinds has been found to be completely contaminated with the most dangerous type of cancer causing asbestos and that the CoS knew of this contamination for decades. They continued to use the vessel for a wide variety of courses, seminars and training, thus exposing thousands of unwitting people to this toxic substance. This is abominable, criminal behaviour. Sorry, Cruise. I won't turn a blind eye to what you support, in fact, I believe the world is watching.

[Sara]

Tom Cruise getting his career back? Not likely, Will he ever be as popular as he once was? Certainly not for his acting ability- he has crossed the line from famous to infamous because of his conduct and his beliefd. He is crazy, as demonstrated by his behavior and the "stolen" CoS videos. Try to convince everyone otherwise, but people know and you cant cover this one over Tommy. Sorry, say goodbye to your career and the admiration of former fans.

[A-non-non-anon]

Scientology *is* different from other religions: For starters, it's not really a religion at all. The Cult only gained Religion Tax Exemption after pressuring the IRS into brokering a clandestine deal. L Ron Hubbard's own son admitted that the 'ReligionThing" was just a tax-dodge. Additionally, the world's main religions do not have a policy of violent and aggressive harassment against their critics (google for the phrase Fair Game), nor do they have a Secret Police (Scientology's Office of Special Affairs deals with "neutralising suppressive persons and other threats to Scientology"). The world's main religions do not operate a private navy which aggressively recruits from within their own followers; Scientology's 'Sea Org' does that, and systematically abuses its members - http://www.exscientologykids.com/seaorg.html will tell you more.

James Lightfield - I read Dianetics. Or tried I tried to. The entire thing was so badly written, chock-full of unsubstatiated assertions and unproven theories, that it made me ill.

Your assertions about its rehabilitative properties are half-truths at best, because although subverting someone's mind using the BITE mode - http://www.freedomofmind.com/resourcecenter/articles/BITE.htm - will produce a surface veneer of 'wellness', it will not solve the deeper roots of the trauma.

Please, James. Please can you, and your OSA cohorts here be honest with your superiors; You've tried to stir up support, and FAILED. Then, once you're out of the RPF, get in touch with some of the family members you've all disconnected from - They've not given up on you.

[east coast]

I am so disappointed with Oprah - why does she keep going back for more with this insane, undereducated person? he can't even complete a sentence - very little depth (in Tom Cruise) and even less honesty. He could not even look Oprah in the face when asked if he was Suri's biological father - rather turned the discussion to an analogy of RoseMary's baby - I am beginning to think that Oprah is a scientologist - look who else she hangs around withh - crazy John Travolta and his sham of a life (please - John, come out of the closet along with Tom)

[A-non-non-anon]

Actually, Scentology is *not "just like any other religion". For starters, it's not a religion at all. L Ron Hubbard's own son admitted that "The Religion Thing was justa tax dodge" It only gained its tax-exempt status after harassing the IRS into brokering a secret deal that the IRS still refuses to disclose.

Additionally, the world's major religion do not have a Secret Police whose job it is to spread Cult Propaganda (Scientology does - The Office of Special Affairs is dedicated to suppressing any and all criticism of Scientology, as well as hounding any known critics - google the phrase Fair Game to find out more).

Finally, the world's major religions do not support a private navy (such as SCientology's Sea Org, which recruits aggressively from within CoS, and perpetrates human right absues on its members - See http://www.exscientologykids.com/seaorg.html for more information)

James Lightfield - I read Dianetics. Or rather, I tried to; the thing was so badly written, full of logical fallacies, unsubstatiated assertions, and outright lies that it hurt my head. your claims of rehabilitating people using The Tech are half-truths at best, because although exerting destructive mind control on someone using the BITE model - http://www.freedomofmind.com/resourcecenter/articles/BITE.htm - can produce a surface veneer of wellness, it doesn't get to the core of the problem. Dianetics offers to treatment for the root cause of the isue, apart from "It's not the book's fault you're a failure, you'd better pay for this class".

How much have *you* spent in "donations", James? A million or so, like Jason Beghe? He got out, and he's got something to say... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNUjMz9-W2I

Please, James - You and your OSA friends have tried to garner support for CoS, and FAILED. The fact that all your 'evidence' links were Scientology front organisations (CoS owns CCHR and Freedom magazine, so they're hardly reputable sources for independent data) shows that your arguments are as fallacious as Dianetics is. You should report back to your superiors, and tell them this... And then, once you're out of RPF, get in contact with some of the family memberts you've disconnected from. I'm sure they'd love to hear from you.

[Steve]

His career has never been "off-track". Last Samurai was a great movie. The bigots and malcontents on this board and others are irrelevant to Tom Cruise and most sensible people. Cruise isn't perfect, but he's a darn good actor and obviously a great and caring father.

[Eva]

James Littlefield, if you don't understand Dianetics, you just need a good dictionary. In fact it says so right in the front of the book. I got one and it worked out beautifully. Try it again. And by the way, what's with A-non-non-non-nano-nano? Do you know her (or him)?

[Eva]

James, sorry, it's actually ananononnannonano who can't read. Sorry. And say by the way, nanonanonano, why do you care how much money people spend? Don't you have any? (And if that stupid Jason Beghe took 14 years to discover he wasn't really interested after all, sheesh, what the hell? Ye gads, what a dufus. And don't tell me they brainwash you. I know plenty of Scientologists who are perfectly happy and didn't wait for 14 years to decide they weren't!)

[Centurian 10]

Look, scientology is a cult. Its members, like members of all cults insist they are being misrepresented and or picked on. The fact of the matter is this cult even has prision camps (http://www.forum.exscn.net/index.php?).

For more on this cult by those who were brought up in it and yet escaped, check out http://www.xenu.net, http://www.exseaorg.com/ and http://whyaretheydead.net/

[Christopher Carson]

Cruise will become a real life hero when he tells the world what is really going on in the Cult of Scientology. Until then he will just be another sucker.

[Kenneth]

I wish that both Tom Cruise and Oprah would go away. I will never watch any of his movies again.

[Terryeo]

Liberty Belle- "Not until he satisfactorily explains what it is that he meant by "We are the authorities" on mental health, getting people off drugs, and rehabilitating criminals."

Bruce Wayne disses Scientology. hear it before, somewhere or other.

Eddie Tucker attempts sarcasm.

Alanzo posts falsehood and drivel.

GirlyGirl posts a personal attack.

Old Man posts a personal feeling.

Sean K attempts to start a rumor.

Artoo 45 (as always), attempting to act tuff, tells us how he is okay but no one else is.

Jude (what would you expect) tells us how horrible things are, and adds weight to the earlier rumor mongering.

kvenido regurgitates what press has said.

Juliette who can not conceive that someone might jump in joy tells us how she is certain that Mr. Cruise is incincere.

Happy Ho Ho's

[Anoynymause]

Oh wow, Terryeo, how long did you spend writting up that list?
I bet you would've spent less time if you'd simply give us studies, testimonies and links to the previous two showing that the Church of Scientology is indeed not as evil as Anonymous believes it to be.
However, you'd find that to be quite impossible, wouldn't you?

[dedalb]

In watching this interview with Tom Cruise, Oprah herself made a statement to the effect that the "Tom Cruise" video had been heavily edited, to which Tom Cruise responds that it had been taken out of context.

This statement by Oprah is completely false, and I am amazed at the lack of research on this. The man who produced this video, Mark Headley, has himself stated that the version seen on youtube was unedited! If Oprah is not aware of this, I would hope she would correct this statement as soon as possible. The reason that so many people found this video strange is because it is a strange video, not because it was edited to appear that way.

Mark Headley is a former Scientologist and Executive Producer of many of the videos produced by Golden Era Productions, including the now-infamous Tom Cruise video where he states that Scientologists are the only ones who can help at the scene of an accident, among other things. The Church of Scientology and its supporters have repeatidly stated that this video was heavily edited and taken out of context, and that is why it appears so strange to many people.

However, Mark Headley, who produced this video, has stated that the version seen on youtube and on the internet has NOT been edited in any way.

Quoting Mark:

"And those videos, the way they appear, they are not been edited after the fact. That is actually what aired and that is what played to the Scientologists. I know people will tell you different but those were straight off the DVDs."

source:

Mark Headley Interview with Kevin and Bean, KROQ 4/8/08
http://kroqfs.com/kbpodcasts/KBpodcast_4808.mp3

Mark Headley interview occurs from 41:43 - 55:24 on this mp3.

The quote above can be heard at 48:30 minutes.

I ask all media, PLEASE don't leave your viewers/readers with the false impression that someone purposefully edited this video just to make Tom cruise look strange. The video appeared exactly as it was produced. Opinions about its strangeness should be left to the individual viewer to decide for themselves. Oprah shouldn't be doing damage control for Tom Cruise by spreading a lie.

[tomk]

IT'S WORSE than expected.

And nothing new. Same Old Slick Tom, Same Old Slick Oprah, with New and Improved Slick Katie. All prime examples of overpaid, overrated celebrity narcissists. Shine on you crazy diamonds!

PS to Tom: I really enjoyed Nicole's performance in The Golden Compass. Brava!

[MightyTiny]

I will not personally go and watch any movie with Tom Cruise in it, at least until (and if) he finally gets out of the cult.

I think that it would be only fair for Oprah to now have some people who've left scientology, and are revealing it's dark secrets come on the show.

After all, Oprah doesn't want to be seen as publically supporting the PR efforts of a cult that practices modern day slavery, has prison camps, uses extortion, lies and harassment, bankrupts many of it's victims, or drives them to depression and suicide, a cult that breaks up families, and mentally abuses children, all in the service of the all mighty dollar?

Is Oprah truly unaware of all this? Does she not do ANY research? Does she simply make up her mind and then seek only evidence to enforce her preconceived conclusion?

Oprah, prove that you have a sense of fairness, and give a voice to the multitudes of silenced, broken people this vicious organization has left, and continues to leave behind.

[Me me me]

Ugh, what a phoney!
I don't buy it for one minute.
If anything, this contrived interview made me like him even less. I'm old enough to remember squealing at Top Gun so he SHOULD be able to get a free pass from me, but, no WAY. He has lost all his fans & all my (female) friends feel the same way as I do.
Tom Cruise is a joke and a lying brainwashed loser.

[Keith]

Great interview! I just bought the Dianetics book. Man its a tough book to read but makes a lot of sense. Thanks Mr. Cruise.

[stan]

Tom Cruise comes out pretty ordinary as an ordinary person with some calss and style. Oprah is obviously of the ipinion people want to know Tom Cruise and she is allowing her show to show off Tom Cruise. I like it and good on you Oprah. Just because Tom saved the Lives of many new York Fireman after 911 does make him a target for those insiders who plaanned the 911 within the US Governament!

[Jamieson]

Go TOM GO! your'e still the Top Gun and so is Oprah! What a great insight outside the usual Media Gosspi columnists who can't stand succesful people and can only make their bread and butter by doing personal attacks and personal character assinations. Like "No Idea " in Australia who have no Idea. Oprah is just great with Tom and I expect a true artist will always come back! So go Tom Go!

[williambuddusky]

Tom Cruise's ship is going down. Oprah should have been smart enough to abandon ship and swim away. Now she has helped him try to lie his way back in to the good graces of the public.
It won't work for Tom and she has damaged herself in the process. Contrary to the opinion of the PR experts, the public is just not that dumb.

[Lu]

Gosh, this comment section is full of paid spin and trash and only one or two answers to your question. Well, here is mine: Cruise's career is monitored by his success as an actor. If he shows good acting, he'll be popular. Because that's what he is: an actor. Not a "medicine man" or a preacher. It's that simple.

[smith]

Tom is still big News. Just watch how many magazines get sold with Tom on it after this Oprah Show!
If you reckon Tom Cruise is not news worhty then have a look at the Shows Like Oprah and watch the other shows try to get Tom onto their shows.
Listen Mateys You can't keep a Top Gun Down. Only Losers write in and say how they will never go to his next ovie. You watch You losers will go!
Just so you can write in and say you saw him!
Bahh get a life!

[Shiela]

Oh my God! How does Tom keep so young?! He is still as sexy as he always was and even my mom loves him. I am jealous about Kate. The Oprah Show is great with me. I do not know what other people are talking about. Must be the Magazines they read by wannabe actors who can only get jobs in second rate gossip magazines.
And I dare say People stupid enough to not know what Scientology really is. Scientology is a threatto Vested interests who enslave man and destroy individuals through drug usuage, street and Medical. Tom showed the Drug Compnaies how wrong they are and if anyone can't see the destruction in their society right now, outside their door or in their own household then
you will never understand what Tom Stands for. He is fighting for you Stupid!! Stop supporting the Vested Interests on Palnet Earth and go see Zeigheistmovie and see what you are doing trying to destroy Tom who will fight for your Freedom one day!
I love him.! God Bless Tom and to hell with the Drug Comapnies destroying our youth and men today!

[anonymai]

X E N U

Personally, I always really liked Tom Cruise. This isn't about him, but he should be held accountable for the dangerous cult he is promoting :/

Unfortunately, it is dangerous when likable personalities such as celebrities support exploitive criminal organizations like the so called Church of Scientology. This "religion" is responsible for some of the greatest government infiltrations in the United States and Canada (ie, Operation Snow White). Members convicted etc.

They compare psychology to the Holocaust. This is actually ironic because the ideology and totalitarian control of "$cientology" is much akin to the SS and Nazi's. The difference with psychology is in the fact that it has changed since the 1950s (when it was horrendous no doubt), but Scientology does NOT change.

They harrass their critics into psycho-social instability. Look up poor paulette Cooper, and "Fair Game". This policy allows Scientologists to treat "enemies" or suppressives like they are inhuman. They can be "lied to, hurt, sued, and destroyed".

They have CAMPS called the Rehabilitation Project Force (RPF) where disobedient staff members are "re-educated voluntarily" ... get real. Sometimes all these things go wrong.(WHYareTHEYdead . NET) Forced abortions in the Sea Orgs? Abestos on the Freewinds? "Clearing the planet"? What do these things mean Scientology?

I'm sorry, but Tom Cruise, you need to learn about your "religion".$cientolo gy can play religion when it acts like one. Scientologists must become aware of the criminal behavior of the leaders, and the brainwashing, the crimes, the deception.

Who was Lisa McPherson? Why are they dead $cientology. Why are you "destroying" your critics? Why can't Scientologists ask questions? Why can't they doubt? Why does it cost so much money ?

Until these questions are answered, expect us. We are NOT against a faith, we demand answers for the criminal actions of the Scientology organization. TRUTH is free!

Scientology needs its reformation.

X E N U

[anonymous]

I honestly think that there's no real way to take the tom cruise video out of context. no matter what way you look at it, he still comes accross as crazy.

now, Tom Cruise's career may be slipping, but it's got a lot to do with scientology also slipping and making him seem so... out there.

scientology may seem funny or easy to make fun of, but it is serious business.
they're involved in such things as
fraud
intimidation
abusing the legal system to threaten people
forced labour
hiring private investigators to track those that disagree with it
personally attacking critics
being investigated for murder
infiltrating the US government tax recods office (google "operation snow white")

lots more
http://theunfunnytruth.ytmnd.com/
www.youfoundthecard.com
www.xenu.net
www.enturbulation.org

[jim]

Sounds pretty creepy to me. Kate's "I love you"... Hmmmmm...

[Dane]

Tom Cruise is out there ! He is an artist and a good one at that. I am impressed with anyone who puts his name on the line and stands up for what one belives in. That is the highest form of being an honorable person. You got to give it to the guy. He is what he is. He is a person of extreme convictions! To Stand up and say what you belive. Expose yourself and your family to scrutiny by the media and other critical type people who cannot have someone being themselves and promoting something like Scientology . And knowing you will have "Scientology haters" come out and poke fun whilst at the same time having no substance to put their names or their faces to the criticsms tells what weeds these annonymous dweebs are. Ah but they are strong and hide they do behind each other! Are brave they are to have a computer infront of them sending e-mails out but hidden , hiding behind masks! Actually a joke to all who ever put their name and life on the line for something they belived in. ANONYMOUS should stay that way. Who would want to know who they are anyways. Tom Cruise would never be annonymous I don't think. He is a real Man and a real Person with Substance. It Does'nt say much for those computers nerds, dweebs, jerks , pathetic people! I support you Tom.

[David]

I hope they didn't say that Morton's biography claims that Suri was made with L. Ron Hubbard's sperm, because the book doesn't claim that. It claims that a few fervent scientologists believe it - not the same thing.

[A-non-non-anon]

Eva - How charming of you to cast question on my literacy. This is typical of the OSA's standard tactic of baseless Ad Hominem arguments which distract from the validity of my points (yes, I know how the game is played. You can thank former OSA staffer Tory Christman for that - She keeps us well informed)

I care about how much money people spend out of concern for them. If you and your Scientologist friends truly cared about changing the world for the better via Dianetics/Scientology, you'd give it away for free, like the Freezoners do - http://internationalfreezone.net/ - rather than extorting money from people. I disagree with Dianietics, but I do not infringe upon your right to follow it; My argument is with CoS' exploitative corporate monolith that operated like a pyramid scheme.

With regards to brainwashing - and yes, that IS what the Cult perpetrates, http://ex-cult.org/ will demonstrate this, if your mind is open - you seem to have a fundamentally flawed understanding of how fragile the human brain is, and how easily it can be manipulated - This video can show you how easily someone with proper training can be manipulated - http://youtube.com/watch?v=ybmOlQRuaYM

As a CoS example, if you're at any OT level, you will *already* have been mentally conditioned to have certain mental responses when you encounter certain key words. By descibing Scientology as a Cult, I have already triggered a "thought-stop"; you now automatically respond by viewing me as an enemy. It's all in the BITE model; Part 3, Thought Control. http://www.freedomofmind.com/resourcecenter/articles/BITE.htm

Breaking free of coercive mind control is not an easy thing to do; because first of all, you have to realise that something is wrong. Only then can you begin to come out from the abuse. Some people can to it quickly, and for some it takes years. Some do it on their own, some require support from Exit Consellors.

I sincerely hope you can find a way to break out that DOESN'T require you to be RPF'ed before you realise something is rotten.

[APRIL]

TOM HAS NOT LOST HIS CAREER NOT EVEN CLOSE OTHER actors who they say are likable dont make any money for thier filmes like cg so whats wrong with him thank you tom for looking up and taking care of business if people really cared about bad religions you should go after those scum in the catholic chruch now they are sick.

[anonymous supporter]

"If Oprah isn't a cult, then I don't know what a cult is.

And if I don't know what a cult is, then I should stop reading Dianetics."

[Fred Finlay]

James and Terryo--

Tory (Magoo) Christman had your jobs before you took them on and look what happened to her. Are you sure that you are up to this?

Sadly, Cruises career can get back on track. Unlike in his movies, in life the good guys don't always win and the bad guys don't always lose.

[no matter]

Nice try, Tom and Oprah. But no go.

Tom, You are STILL a brainwashed, ignorant Scn celebrity....till YOU look at the forced abortions, the CHILD LABOR, the abuse of Staff, the milking of its members, I'll never listen to any interview you give again. I hope Jason Beghe will be on Oprah soon!

[Clayton]

The best way for Tom Cruise to improve his image would be for him to leave Scientology.

Then all the talk about family, human freedom, etc. would make sense.

[Chris Hanz]

It's just hapiness at his highest published on tv. For thoses who felt something wrong about it, probably it's time to start soulsearching and upgrade or expand your capacity for love. This was a gift of god to increase your awarness but hey, since when human evolution didn't required a bit of pain...wake up, process faster, smile and go on.