Tom Cruise is not only renowned for his acting but also for his deep association with the Church of Scientology, a connection that has stirred controversy and impacted significant aspects of his personal life, notably affecting two prominent relationships.
The Church of Scientology boasts several influential members, with Tom Cruise standing out as one of its most notable adherents. Other celebrities, such as John Travolta, have also been linked to this controversial religion. Founded by American science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology centers on the belief that humans are immortal spiritual beings known as thetans, temporarily residing in physical bodies that they essentially "rent" rather than own.
According to the Daily Mirror, Scientology teaches that individuals possess a reactive mind responding to past traumas, hindering a genuine experience of reality. To address these traumas, often originating from past lives, followers engage in auditing, a process involving the recording of their deepest confessions.
Notably, Scientology rejects psychiatry, a sentiment echoed by Tom Cruise himself, who has referred to it as "pseudoscience."
While many celebrities have been attracted to Scientology, some have chosen to distance themselves, labeling it as a "sect," according to the British portal Mirror.
As a longstanding and influential figure within the Church of Scientology, Tom Cruise has played a role akin to an ambassador. However, his affiliation with the religion has been a double-edged sword, significantly impacting his personal life, particularly in the context of his divorces from Katie Holmes and Nicole Kidman.
The separation from Katie Holmes in 2013 was reportedly influenced by her desire to keep their daughter, Suri, away from Scientology. Despite Cruise's assertion that Scientology is a force for good, Holmes filed for divorce, citing concerns about her daughter's involvement in the religion.
According to TMZ, Tom Cruise faced challenges with the Church of Scientology during his marriage to Nicole Kidman. The church allegedly considered Kidman a "negative influence," leading to a strain in the couple's relationship. Author Mike Rinder detailed in his book, "A Billion Years: My Escape From a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology," that the church intervened, creating a "gap" in the relationship. Concerned about Cruise drifting away, Scientology leader David Miscavige reportedly took steps to re-engage the actor with the religion.
While Cruise did return to Scientology, the impact on his relationship with Nicole Kidman was profound, leading to a significant divide between them. Accusations of church-led espionage against Kidman have been made, although the institution denies such claims, as reported by Page Six.
The Controversies Surrounding Scientology
Former members, including actress Leah Remini, have described Scientology as a cult involving various abuses and harassment directed at those attempting to leave. In 2019, an anonymous ex-member accused the church of retaliation, child abuse, forced labor, and human trafficking.
In the United States, Scientology's battle for recognition as a religion and tax exemption from authorities sparked controversy until it gained recognition in 1993. However, in countries like Germany, the religion still faces challenges to obtaining official recognition.
