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.