and if so, why has Tom been doing all the public speaking  for her, saying things like "you can be Catholic and be a Scientologist. You can be Jewish and be a Scientologist. But we're just Scientologists."\nhttp://edition.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/Movies/04/13/cruise.ap/index.html
212162
she can speak forherself but she has to ask Tom first....isnt he getting on your nerves too?
473763
She has violated immigration laws atleast twice and now is hiding in a CHURCH more as a publicity stunt than anything else. She is letting herself be used by supporters of illegal aliens and using her son to extract sympathy. \n\nHer behavior has been selfish and shameful.
402088
In Scientology you have to also learn how to deceive your self. It is a self-deceptive cult.
305878
He's simply fulfilling a Scientology prophecy that L. Ron Hubbard wrote decades ago. Verse 12 of Regurgitations:\n\nAnd then there shall come a Wayfarer who shall cruise upon floors in white tube socks (while -- ahem -- not quite walking upon water). At Mount Oprah, he will bounce in ecstasy upon couches. In silence, the Chosen One will come.
228748
I just saw the film.\n\nThe part about how Christianity took pagan beliefs and mixed them in is correct. The fact that Constantine changed the religion (at least to a degree) is correct.  In fact when he ruled that in order to hold government office you had to be a Christian he managed to turn a bunch of pagans into Christians (in name only) over night.  Their underlying pagan beliefs remained the same, they just changed their title.\n\nThe part about the museum having bathroom windows that can be opened is absolutely false. Nor does the museum have bar soap that you can stick a GPS tracer into, they have liquid soap in the bathrooms.\n\nThe Priory has been pretty much determined to be a fraud. (Discovery Channel ran a series of shows which demonstrated this.) Of course, the paranoid will say that the "fraud" is just a cover story and it is exactly what the Priory wants you to think so that they stay secret.  \n\nThe idea that the "royal bloodline" filters down to one and only one woman in Europe seems pretty unbelievable. The Merovingians had many kids, there would have to be several thousand Merovingians by this point in history.\n\nThe idea that Jesus and Magdelene were married, well, not much proof one way or the other. Even if they were, it is that thing about rising from the dead that still sets things apart.\n\nOne idea that I don't think most people have considered is the possibility that the entire DaVinci Code movie and book might just be designed as a meme (brain virus as it were). Designed to "inject" the concept of this bloodline into the populace. Then, when the time is ripe, "they" will unveil a person who is supposedly the descendant in question whom "they" want to setup as a One World Leader.\n\nFrankly I think there is more "fact" in "The Norman Rockwell Code".
318826
Doesn't it seem as if people cling to their beleifs so hard, they will refuse to acknowledge anything that might question that? I mean, what if you found out that your Mom was a crackwhore for the first half of her life and you were the offspring of her pimp? (no offense to any mothers. This seems to be the case. besides, those 2000 year old beleifs, were the beleifs for 2000 years. This Da Vinci schmuk has just surfaced as a new beleif that can be considered by the mases. Or is it... global warming? I haven't read the book nor seen the movie, but I am familiar with the subject matter through schooling. When in school, or watching a movie that makes you think, it is enlightening. If we did not question things, there would be no need for Jesu, right? Why stop questioning now. I apologize, but it seems this Da Vinci controversy has surfaced the weakest of humans and found great fault in religion just by questioning it, whether true or not. The uproar confirms this. And for the twist... I agree with the author of this question, maybe not in the exact same sense. But I am God folks, not the one you all know, but my own. Think about this concept! What does God do for you? What is his purpose? Can these things be accomplished by yourself? It can be done.
107359
I think that it is an interesting cult thing created and propagated by celebrites. I mean how many of us can read a science fiction book by L. Ron Hubbard and than continue to think...hey maybe my spiritual side comes from aliens! It takes a special person like tom cruise to think like that.
443637
My only thought is what are his and her kids thinking? As far as I am concerned, it proves once again that he did it. Shows no concern but for his miserable self. \n\nNow do you see why it is wrong to make cult figures out of athletes and movie stars? Who ever said "No" to him? \n\nDo not buy his book, please!
425302
It's Kabbalah...\nhttp://www.kabbalah.com/kabbalah/?ref=quigo&kw=Kabbala+religion&source=ink\nMaybe Tom Cruise needs to introduce her to Scientology & she can learn to jump on couchs instead of dancing on tables! LOL
267616
The answer to this is pretty simple, scientology doesn't care about helping people, they only care about their image and making money. Tom Cruise has mental problems and NEEDS psychiatry, but his religion tells him that he can out think these issues, but as his public appearance has shown, that is not the case.\n\nScientology is not a community of caring individuals hoping to make the world a better place, it is a pyramid scheme trying to rid it's members of individuality and hard earned cash.\n\nI fear for Katie Holmes and ESPECIALLY for her baby.
187654
I get pretty cheesed off myself reading all the baloney that gets spewed forth on this forum about Scientology.\nJust between us two I'm also a bit weary answering the same questions about it.\nI must have answered over 100 or more in the last few weeks, trying to put some factual information out, between all the utter nonesense.\nSeems like some folks just use this forum as a garbage dump, instead of sharing any actual, factual knowledge the might have about a subject.\nHaving said all that (and sorry for dumping on you , please don't take it personally)\nScientology is an applied religious philosophy. When I say "applied" I mean you actually use it in your life to change or improve existing conditions. This is different from a religious practice. All religions if you learn about them have a basic philosphy, but they also have certain dogma, rituals and observances, and a certain faith or belief is required. There is nothing wrong with this, but Scientology is not that kind of religion. It does not intrude on anyones faiths of beliefs particularly in the area of God , the Supreme Being, or the Infinite. This area is left totally up to the indivdual, which is why you can be a practicing Jew for example and still use and apply the priniciples of Scientology in your life. It does not conflict. If anything it will enhance your understanding of your chosen religious practice.\nAnd it is only true for you according to your own observation and experience with it.\n\nThe most basic principle of Scientology is that YOU are your own immortal soul, that this is not a "thing" you HAVE but what YOU actually are.\nThe whole purpose of Scientology is to increase an individual's understanding and awareness of himself. And thereby his native abilities .\nWhen you do this the sphere and zone of a person's positive influence increases and moves outward into his life, his family ,his friends, his groups and mankind which he is part of.\n\nHow this result is achieved is the "technology" of Scientology, which was developed by L.Ron Hubbard after his extensive research and the discoveries he made, about the human spirit.\n\nHe published a book in 1951 to communicate the basic principles he discovered called: " Scientology The Fundementals of Thought"\nThis is a MUCH easier read than Dianetics, (only about 100 pages instead of over 500) Dianetics does not explain Scientology since it preceded it and was first published in 1950.\n\nNow I know there have been some complaints that I keep telling people to read this book. I understand that some people just don't read books, or find reading difficult, but honestly the explanation and introduction to the subject is fully contained in this book. And you can apply it's principles right away, for yourself.\nThat way you can actually experience what it is for yourself. Then maybe you can help me to answer these questions !@!!*!!\nBecause then you will KNOW whats UP with it!
446612
I'd like to see her come around. Refreshing viewpoint.\n\nUnfortunately, if she's looking for Christian acceptance, she probably won't find it here. From the perspective of a dirty heathen, though...she sounds quite reasonable, pleasant, and has considered her religion with research beyond what she's been told in church. I have the utmost respect for anyone who has done this, no matter what beliefs they settle on afterwards.
93904
It's interesting to note that the official Scientology FAQ's are at odds with some of the statements made as answers here. It has been stated here that Scientology is "not a belief or system of beliefs" and "there is no belief in Scientology", and yet, the church's official  website seems to state the exact opposite by listing its beliefs and talking about believers. It is no wonder that there is a bit of confusion as to what Scientology is and isn't, if the followers cannot agree with the information publicly posted by the church itself.\n\n\nFrom the official Scientology site mentioned a few times here, http://www.scientology.org \n\nWhy is Scientology called a religion? \n\nScientology certainly meets all three criteria generally used by religious scholars around the world to determine religiosity: (1) a belief in some Ultimate Reality, such as the Supreme or eternal truth that transcends the here and now of the secular world; (2) religious practices directed toward understanding, attaining or communing with this Ultimate Reality; and (3) a community of believers who join together in pursuing this Ultimate Reality.\n\nScientology’s beliefs in an Ultimate Reality that transcends the material world include its concepts of the thetan, the spiritual world (the seventh dynamic) and the Supreme Being (the eighth dynamic). The second element can be found in Scientology’s life-rite ceremonies such as naming, marriage and funeral services, but predominantly in the religious services of auditing and training, through which Scientologists increase their spiritual awareness of themselves and attain an understanding of the spiritual world and, ultimately, their relationship with the Supreme Being. As to the third element, a very vital community of believers can be found at any Church of Scientology at almost any time of the day.\n\nScientology is thus a religion in the most traditional sense of the term.\n\n\nDoes Scientology have a scripture? \n\nYes. The writings and recorded spoken words of L. Ron Hubbard on the subject of Scientology collectively constitute the scripture of the religion. He set forth the Scientology theology and technologies in more than 500,000 pages of writings, including dozens of books and over 2,000 tape-recorded public lectures.\n===============\n\nSome interesting reading from an opposing view is found here,\n\nhttp://www.spaink.net/fishman/home.html\n"When Fishman was then brought to court, he used parts of Scientology-documents to prove he had been brainwashed by the Church. These Scientology documents thereby became public material: anybody could go to the court library and read them. The Church, fearing that its sacred secrets would be revealed, had some of their people going to the library every day to borrow these documents, thereby preventing other people (read: non-Scientologists) from reading them. Nevertheless, the Fishman Affidavit got copied (it was also available through the clerk of the court, for a mere $36.50). Somebody retrieved the affidavit via the clerk, scanned it, and posted it to the net. The Fishman Affidavit has been travelling on the Internet ever since."\n\nand here,\nhttp://www.spaink.net/fishman/ot3.html\n"In OT III, ("OPERATING THETAN, Section Three") Hubbard explains his cosmology and the ins & outs of 'body thetans'."\n\n"The head of the Galactic Federation (76 planets around larger stars visible from here) (founded 5,000,000 years ago, very space opera) solved overpopulation (250 billion or so per planet, 178 billion on average) by mass implanting. He caused people to be brought to Teegeeack (Earth) and put an H-Bomb on the principal volcanos (Incident II) and then the Pacific area ones were taken in boxes to Hawaii and the Atlantic area ones to Las Palmas and there "packaged". "\n\n==============\n\nI'm not taking either side.  I do think it's important to question your b
212961
ummmm....I would definately not pick Tom Cruise. He is totally wierd...scientology? I don't get him. He has problems.  But I don't know if I would pick Richard Gere either.  He seems really nice, but he's kinda old for me (I'm 19). If he was younger he would be more my type than Tom Cruise...definately.
101770
don't check out the scientology website....it is all lies meant to recruit people. Scientology is very secretive and only gives its secrets to people who "earn" their way up the power totem pole.\n\nIt's a cult and south park got it right.
334179
cdf-rom: You are a lunatic. No one is trying to sway people away from the faith. Seriously. If you honestly believe that is a real motive for anyone, anywhere in this whole Magdalene/DVC controversy, then you suffer from paranoid delusions and need to get your head checked. \n\nIt just seems weird to a lot of people, myself included, that so many Christians (not all, but a lot) went totally apesh*t over the mere suggestion of Jesus acting like a normal guy of his times.\n\nI really like Mary Magdalene, always have. Never cared much for the Madonna, though. What did she do, really? She had a kid, supposedly while a virgin (not actually true, see Hebrew version of Isaiah 7:14, definitely says young woman, not virgin). So, basically she had a kid. Which is what the "Church Fathers" believed was all women were really good for, anyway. So their number one female figure is a girl whose biggest accomplishment is getting knocked up.\n\nNow take a look at this passage from the Pistis Sophia, referring to Mary Magdalene:\nJesus, the compassionate, answered and said to Mariam:\n"Mariam, thou blessed one, whom I will complete in all the mysteries of the height, speak openly, thou art she whose heart is more directed to the Kingdom of Heaven than all thy brothers."\n\nYeah, she was bright, she got was Jesus was saying, apparently more than his other (male) disciples. And that's nothing compared to the Gospel of Mary (go look it up). So I figure, why not have the female co-star of Christianity be Jesus's wife instead of his mother? She was actually an intelligent woman, rather than just a pregnant one. Aren't we a little past the 'barefoot in the kitchen' era?
176669
I get pretty cheesed off myself reading all the baloney that gets spewed forth on this forum about Scientology.\nJust between us two I'm also a bit weary answering the same questions about it.\nI must have answered over 100 or more in the last few weeks, trying to put some factual information out, between all the utter nonesense.\nSeems like some folks just use this forum as a garbage dump, instead of sharing any actual, factual knowledge the might have about a subject.\nHaving said all that (and sorry for dumping on you , please don't take it personally)\nScientology is an applied religious philosophy. When I say "applied" I mean you actually use it in your life to change or improve existing conditions. This is different from a religious practice. All religions if you learn about them have a basic philosphy, but they also have certain dogma, rituals and observances, and a certain faith or belief is required. There is nothing wrong with this, but Scientology is not that kind of religion. It does not intrude on anyones faiths of beliefs particularly in the area of God , the Supreme Being, or the Infinite. This area is left totally up to the indivdual, which is why you can be a practicing Jew for example and still use and apply the priniciples of Scientology in your life. It does not conflict. If anything it will enhance your understanding of your chosen religious practice.\nAnd it is only true for you according to your own observation and experience with it.\n\nThe most basic principle of Scientology is that YOU are your own immortal soul, that this is not a "thing" you HAVE but what YOU actually are.\nThe whole purpose of Scientology is to increase an individual's understanding and awareness of himself. And thereby his native abilities .\nWhen you do this the spere and zone of his positive influence increases and moves outward into his life, his family ,his friends, his groups and mankind which he is part of.\n\nHow this result is achieved is the "technology" of Scientology, which was developed by L.Ron Hubbard after his extensive research and the discoveries he made, about the human spirit.\n\nHe published a book in 1951 to communicate the basic principles he discovered called: " Scientology The Fundementals of Thought"\nThis is a MUCH easier read than Dianetics, (only about 100 pages instead of over 500) Dianetics does not explain Scientology since it preceded it and was first published in 1950.\n\nNow I know there have been some complaints that I keep telling people to read this book. I understand that some people just don't read books, or find reading difficult, but honestly the explanation and introduction to the subject is fully contained in this book. And you can apply it's principles right away, for yourself.\nThat way you can actually experience what it is for yourself. Then maybe you can help me to answer these questions !@!!*!!\nBecause then you will KNOW.