NEW YORK (AP) - Tom Cruise heavily criticized NBC "Today'' show host Matt Lauer on Friday. The conversation began with Tom Cruise condemning Brooke Shields for taking anti-depressants. The interview became more heated when Cruise challenged Laurer on the necessity of using any drugs or form of psychiatry in solving man's problems. Eventually the discussion moved to where I believe Cruise wanted it to go, and that was to showcase his personal belief in Scientology as the great problem solver for all of man's ills (MSNBC June 25th, 2005)

The dialogue between Lauer and Cruise

Cruise: "Scientology is something that you don't understand. It's like you could be a Christian and be a Scientologist.''

Cruise: "It is a religion. Because it's dealing with the spirit. You as a spiritual being. It gives you tools you can use to apply to your life.''

Lauer: Katie has mentioned that she is embracing, or at least exposing herself and opening herself up to, Scientology. At this stage in your life, could you be with someone who doesn't have an interest?

Cruise: You know, Scientology is something that you don't understand. It's like, you could be a Christian and be a Scientologist, okay. Scientology is something-

Lauer: So, it doesn't replace religion.

Cruise: It is a religion. Because it's dealing with the spirit. You as a spiritual being. It gives you tools you can use to apply to your life.

Tom Cruise, Scientology and Scarlett Johansson

Internet Move Database also reports that Scarlett Johansson pulled out of appearing in the second Mission Impossible sequel after Tom Cruise tried to convert her to scientology. Cruise, who produces the action adventures, met with Johansson ahead of casting for upcoming Mission: Impossible 3 and took her to one of the controversial religions' headquarters, claims Radarmagazine.com

A source tells the Web site, after two hours of proselytizing, Cruise opened a door to reveal a second room of upper-level scientologists who had been waiting to dine with the pair, at which point she politely excused herself. Officially Johansson quit the film because of the scheduling conflicts after the film was delayed so Cruise could make "War of the Worlds."  (The Californian

What is Scientology and why is it so wrong?

Facts about Scientology's founder Ron Hubbard

· He was born in Tilden Nebraska in 1911.
· He had trouble in high school, spending time at two different institutions in Seattle, Washington.
· After moving to Washington DC he graduated from Woodward, a school mainly run for difficult students and slow learners.
· He spent two years at George Washington University in Washington D.C. in engineering. Scientologists will say he was in nuclear physics.
· He was a zealous reader and writer of science fiction.
· He became an expert in hypnotism, navigation, and organization.
· His first two marriages to Margaret Louise Grubb and then to Sara Northrup ended in fiery divorces. During Sara's divorce she placed a letter from Margaret in the court records. It said, "Ron is not normal. I hoped you could straighten him out. Your charges probably sound fantastic to the average person-but I've been through it-the beatings, threats on my life, and all the sadistic traits. Hubbard's third wife Mary Sue, bought into her husband's strange religion and quest for power. She was arrested and sent to prison in the early 1980's, along with other top Scientologist, for infiltrating, burglarizing, and wiretapping more than 100 private and government agencies. (1 & 2)
· Hubbard became paranoid and went into hiding in 1980, roaming the Northwest. and finally settling on a ranch in Creston, California.
· He died at age 74 on January 24, 1986

1. The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power: Richard Behar, page 33 Time Magazine
2. Robert W. Welkos: "Work" p A36

Hubbard's Scientology Religion

For over 30 years, Hubbard worked on a new approach to mental health called Dianetics. Hubbard claimed that many of man's basic problems were due to mental blocks caused by negative events in one's life at a subconscious level. These he called engrams. Accordingly, he could help erase these engrams for a lot of money by acting as an auditor for the troubled individual. Once the engrams were removed, the person could achieve a state of being a Clear. At this level the person could raise his I.Q., and then take supernatural charge of his whole being and environment. (3)

3. SF. Fleming: Gate Breakers Page 259

· Hubbard moved his movement into an official church in 1955, calling it the Church of Scientology.
· Scientology teaches that Hubbard unlocked the secrets of the universe and the true meaning of life. Each man, according to Hubbard, is actually a god, very much like the Mormon teachings.
· Scientology maintains man's true nature is not limited to his flawed body and ego. He is a Thetan whose fundamental nature is basically good and divine. Thetans, according to Scientology, were the ancestral gods of the human race.
· Man, according to Hubbard, is not morally fallen; rather he is simply ignorant of his own perfection. His only "Fall" was into matter, not sin.
· How did this Fall happen? Evidently the Thetans became bored trillions of years ago so they emanated mental universes to play in and amuse themselves. They soon became more and more entranced in their own creation until they were so conditioned by the manifestations of their own thought processes that they lost all awareness of their true identity and spiritual nature. I could go on, but it gets crazier and more confusing.
· Hubbard supposed that we are all gods trapped in an hypnotic state of illusion and that our true potential of godhood is only stifled by the negative experiences in the reincarnate lives we have already lived.

What do Scientologist believe about God?

· Scientologists say that those new to the religion are free to believe in whatever god they want. The purposely leave the term "Supreme Being" undefined. However, after you are indoctrinated, they will persuade you to accept a pantheistic view (believing that all finite entities are within) of God which embraces reincarnation and the belief in Thetan godhood.
· Hubbard believed that there are many gods and gods over gods. But this view is completely contradictory to the Bible which teaches that there is only one God.

Deuteronomy 4: 39 "Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the LORD, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other."

What about Jesus Christ? What do the Scientologist believe about Him?

· There is very little said about Jesus . It has been stated that He was a shade above Clear ( Clear- An individual who has had all engrams removed from his or her life. Engrams- Mental blocks caused by negative events in one's life at a subconscious level).
· Hubbard challenged the orthodox view of Christ. Although Scientologists use a type of cross as a symbol for betrayal, Hubbard stated that Jesus was a false dream or implanted picture put into our minds between the time we die and the time we are born into a new body. (4)

4 SF Fleming, Gate Breakers page. 272

Final thoughts

Several celebrities and movie stars believe in Scientology. Tom Cruise is one of its stanch members and spokesman. You will see him on various entertainment shows this week. He is not only plugging his new movie, War of the Worlds, he is also pushing Scientology. Just because he is an excellent actor, does not mean his beliefs need to be heeded. When you listen to him, don't be deceived by what he says. Scientology is nothing more than a false religion that will only break the heart of those who believe in it. There are other celebrities who have embraced Scientology: John Travolta, Kirstie Alley, the late Sonny Bono, and Geoffrey Lewis. Pray for all of them; pray that each one of them will one day abandon Scientology and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Who was Jesus?

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. (John 14:6)

What was the meaning of His death on the Cross?

" And He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. (I Peter 2: 24)


How does one gain salvation?