The Apotheosis of Tom Cruise: Actor Proclaimed “Christ” of Scientology
“Blessed are the couch-jumpers, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.”
When I started this blog, I never expected to be offering continuing coverage of weird Tom Cruise–related shit. When the news gets this strange, however, I just don’t have any choice.
According to British tabloid The Sun, Scientologist leader David Miscavige has described Cruise as having a Christ-like role for the cult:
Like Christ, he’s been criticized for his views. But future generations will realize he was right.
Miscavige can say whatever he wants, but I’m pretty sure Jesus never promised to eat a placenta.
Here’s Keith Olberman with more point-by-point comparisons between Jesus Christ and Tom Christ Cruise:
Updates
-
2/24/2007 — Karin Pouw, Public Affairs Director for the Church of Scientology, has officially denied that Miscavige ever compared Tom Cruise to Jesus Christ. The denial was issued in the form of a letter to the Boston Herald (and probably many other newspapers) that had run the story in their gossip sections. Thanks are due to Greg, who informed me of the denial in one of his comments.
This denial may or may not mean that the story is bogus. The Sun isn’t exactly the Wall Street Journal, of course. On the other hand, famous people say stupid things — then retract, deny, or apologize for them — all the time. What the official denial tells me is that Miscavige may not have made the Christ comparison, but that if he did he sure wishes he hadn’t.
- 2/24/2007 — I’m happy that the comments up until today have been generally courteous, even when people disagreed with each other. Unfortunately, I just had to delete an obscenity-laden screed from some trolling jerk and another commenter’s angry follow-up (which was less rude, but now totally without context). Read the rules before you comment. This is my blog, and I will delete you with extreme prejudice if you act like an asshole.
Technorati Tags for This Post
Jesus, Tom Cruise, religion, Christ, Christianity, Scientology, celebrity, godhood, apotheosis, WTF
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Pingback by Bizarre Katie Holmes Interview Stokes Brainwashing Rumors (8 Ways to Sunday) — February 3, 2007 @ 2:18 pm
you’re an idiot, brainwahsed by tabloïds.
The Sun made this story up and it was denied by church of scientology of course.
The placenta story was a joke Tom did in GQ in may06, just to mock the tabloïds.
You’re quite retarded. Admit it now.
Comment by you are glib — February 3, 2007 @ 6:02 pm
Couldn’t help but notice that the name you give is the same as the verbal jab that Cruise leveled at Matt Lauer on the Today Show. Tom… is that you?
As for the veracity of the quote, I do see your point. The Sun is one of those skeezy British tabloids that relish embarrassing, out-of-context quotations. At the same time, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Miscavige did say something like this. After all, he would only have been taking a page from the same public relations playbook used by many Christian organizations whose leaders strive to be “Christ-like” in character. Given the extremely checkered history of those Christians who make this claim the loudest, I have no more respect for them than I’ve shown here for Cruise.
Am I glib? Sure. Sometimes glibness is the only way to stay sane and relatively upbeat in the face of life’s absurdities. I don’t take myself all that seriously, and I certainly don’t take Tom Cruise very seriously. Could’ve been worse, though — I tactfully avoided saying something really inflamatory, like “Behold the Lamb of Ron, who takes away the sense of the world!”*
Oops.
(For the record, I can’t find news of a Scientology denial using Google. If you have a link, feel free to post it in a follow-up comment.)
Comment by Adam Messinger — February 4, 2007 @ 1:53 pm
I sound like a Cruise fan, don’t you think? It’s normal.
You can say anything you want on scientology, but Leave Tom alone, because it is clearly one more opportunity to take a shoot at him.
I don’t say such bad talk on miscavige here or elsewhere. you’re missing the target.
I do beleive so, that they are reconforting TC by telling him he is doing good and should be proud, that would not surprise me.
There was a deny on many blog by some scientologists.
I found this on OCMB:
Tom Cruise is Not the Christ
Scientology: Just the Facts
They are responding to a Christian blogger. See for yourself, it’s getting insane.
Of course the cos didn’t acknowledge the Sun story, that would give them too much importance.
I am off.
Bye. Be quiet!
[Note: This comment was edited to turn a couple of pasted Web addresses into links, since the pasted addresses were causing some display problems in Firefox. The comment is otherwise unchanged. — Adam]
Comment by you are 'still' glib — February 4, 2007 @ 3:54 pm
Heh, Adam you should’ve known expressing opinions about Scientology would bring out wackos. I’m pretty sure there is a entire S.S. (Secret Scientologist) Police force that exists to monitor free speech and attack anyone that the exalted leaders disagree with.
Comment by Elizabeth — February 5, 2007 @ 2:35 pm
My impression after his/her second comment was that ‘glib’ is a Tom Cruise fan, not a Scientology defender. Whether that still qualifies one as a “wacko” is a matter of personal opinion, I suppose.
Personally, I like Cruise as an actor. I think he’s more talented than he usually gets credit for. In the occasional (non couch-jumping) interview or making-of documentary I’ve seen, he comes across as committed to his craft and passionate about the work he does. He may even be a genuinely nice guy, although I’m not naive enough to think that the public ever really “knows” what their big-screen idols are like as people.
What bothers me about Cruise — and leads to these little outbreaks of snark — is the way he’s tried to promote his religion through a campaign of scornful proselytization. The Brooke Shields fiasco is the most famous example of Tom’s missionary zeal, and there are rumors and documented examples of other “episodes” all over the Web (like his falling out with Steven Spielberg).
Cruise has a right to believe whatever he wants to, but he shouldn’t be a dick about it. And now it seems that his church leaders want to thank him for his antics by (allegedly) elevating him to the level of a god. That’s the part that made me start sharpening my pen.
For the record, I don’t have a vendetta against Scientologists or their belief system. It’s the business of Scientology that I find creepy and disturbing. Anyone who wonders why should spend some time reading this website — operated by an ex-Scientologist — for details.
Comment by Adam Messinger — February 6, 2007 @ 5:32 am
Adam,
The thing that bother me with your rant and thoughts about this subject, is the credit you give to the press, expecially tabloïds.
Again, you sharpened your pen because of a BS story of The Sun. They disgust me personnaly. Now it’s up to you to beleive it or not, but you follows it as facts.
And like the “falling out with Steven Spielberg” which you referred as a ‘documented example’, is from the new York Post page Six, ONLY. And then widely reported by entertainment media, blogs, and much more.
It was not true since we’ve seen Spielberg and his partner katleen Kenedy denied this story on one serious media outlet, but of course, not widely reported.
Stupid media.
Then Spielberg goes to Tom’s house in LA after his daughter’s birth, Tom presented him with an award last august before Redstone ’s horseshit mouthed Tom, Stevy goes to Tom’LA wedding…etc.
Whatever.
‘Wackos’ says Elizabeth. Why? because of their beleifs? look at Jesus’story. isn’t it nuts? from the beginning to the end? All cult are wackos.
Like You say Adam: “It’s the business of Scientology that I find creepy and disturbing”.
Absolutly agree on this.
I am a not a scientology defenser. Just someone who appreciate Cruise (maybe too much, alright) and critics scientology and the media treatment.
After South park episode on scientology aired, did you watch the segment CNN did on that? It was all about Tom in the closet joke. or will he sue. Unbeleivable how they omit the scientology story in the show: “this is a big scam on a global scale!” they says in the episode. Did you heard that repeated on CNN or other channels? i didn’t, they have no guts. You know there is scientologist Greta van Susteren on Fox, previously on CNN, and much more.
So you are doing no harm to it in USA. it’s another thing here in France. it isn’t tax exempted for sure.
Sharpened your pen on something or someone more important, like these men:
Tom Cruise with Dr. Thomas Szasz during the annual dinner of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights.
David Miscavige
Voilà! c’est ma conscience métaphysique!
[Note: This comment was edited to turn a couple of pasted Web addresses into links, since the pasted addresses were causing some display problems in Firefox. The comment is otherwise unchanged. — Adam]
Comment by i'm not glib — February 6, 2007 @ 12:09 pm
Here is the link to the refutal of this ridiculous tabloid rumor.
http://news.bostonherald.com/letters/view.bg?articleid=179702
Also: You post a story on a blog about vegetarians, some vegetarians are likely to comment. You post about Scientology, chances are that someone like me might read and post a comment. The remark that “it will bring down the wackos” is a bit rude.
Sincerely,
Greg
Scientologist, and proud of it
http://www.liveandgrow.org
Comment by Greg — February 8, 2007 @ 7:49 am
Greg,
Thanks for the link to the official denial. I’ve added it as an update to the original post, with a bit of commentary. What I have to say about the denial may irk you, but you should understand that I’m equally suspicious of government officials, corporate leaders, and the heads of major religious denominations. I’m not just singling out Scientology — I’m an equal-opportunity cynic.
I also deleted the comment by the cursing jerk who called himself David, along with your follow-up to him. Your response was fine with me (calling people morons when they so obviously are is a-OK), but with the offending comment gone there was no context for your reply anymore.
Oh, and as for Elizabeth’s “bring out the wackos” comment: yeah, it was a little rude. Elizabeth does that sometimes, but I’ve learned to see her abruptness has part of her unique charm.
Comment by Adam Messinger — February 24, 2007 @ 2:53 pm
Thanks Adam;
Something that might not be so obvious to a non-Scientologist but is COMPLETELY obvious to a Scientologist is that it is impossible that Mr. Miscavige would make that comment, because:
1) Scientology is not a Messianic religion,
2) Nobody within Scientology thinks of an individual parisihioner, no matter how famous, as anything but “just another Scientologist”,
3) Mr. Miscavige is a smart public speaker and would not make a comment that would tend to piss off the entire Western world
4) And of course, the fact that this comes from one of the sleaziest tabloids also makes it unlikely to be true.
best,
Greg
Scientologist and proud of it
http://www.liveandgrow.org
Comment by Greg — February 26, 2007 @ 11:37 am
Oh so lame!
I was talking to a coworker named Matt and I called you by his name. If you can edit my post, I meant to say “Thanks Adam.”
Sorry for the lameness.
Greg
Comment by Greg — February 26, 2007 @ 12:15 pm
No problem, Greg. I’ve updated your comment as requested.
We all suffer those bouts of lameness from time to time. For example, I originally forgot to credit you for finding the official denial online. Fixed that, too.
Comment by Adam Messinger — February 26, 2007 @ 11:20 pm
I agree with glib, it’s disgusting what the tabloids write about Tom daily. He’s brainwashed by a cult that’s famous for and VERY good at controlling their members but the boy makes great movies and fortunately has shut up about Scientology a good long while now. Tabloids seem to hate that, that he doesn’t give them crazy shit anymore to write about so they make it up because “Cruise is crazy” crap sells so good. The South Park episode being one of the many where americans should be ashamed: it was NOT the closet joke (Cruise has those jokes about him since 20 years, and SP was a blip on the radar) but Scientology hated that SP outed their scam (as many ex Scienos confirmed the story as being true) so they sued and lost.
Comment by fan of a fool — March 2, 2007 @ 11:43 am
Oh and by the way, Tom Cruise was NOT fired, he and Paula Wagner told the truth all the time through.
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20013941,00.html
Sumner Redstone, who famously blasted Tom Cruise over the summer, says he wants to be friends with the actor again.
“I haven’t talked with him recently,” Redstone told PEOPLE at Thursday’s Zodiac premiere in Hollywood. “But who knows, I look forward to seeing him again. He’s a great, great actor – one of the best. He was a great friend. And I look forward to being his friend again.”
Redstone, who is chairman of Paramount Pictures parent company Viacom, made headlines in August when he criticized Cruise’s behavior in the Wall Street Journal after revealing that the studio had ended its 14-year partnership with Cruise’s production company.
“We don’t think that someone who effectuates creative suicide and costs the company revenue should be on the lot,” Redstone told the newspaper. “His recent conduct has not been acceptable to Paramount.”
Cruise’s camp quickly fired back, with his lawyer, Burt Fields, telling the New York Times that Redstone’s comments about Cruise were “disgusting” and suggesting that Redstone, who is 83, had “lost it completely, or he’s been given breathtakingly bad advice.”
But Redstone told PEOPLE on Thursday he was “surprised” by the way his comments were interpreted.
“I didn’t know anything was going to be so explosive,” he said. “What happened was, I just gave an interview to the Wall Street Journal. In the course of it, they asked me what was going on. I said, you know, he would no longer be in the lot. They treated that like I was firing him. I didn’t fire him! I had nothing to do with it. But they treated it explosively. And I didn’t like it.”
Three months after his split from Paramount, Cruise signed a deal with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to resurrect the United Artists movie studio – and, of course, married Katie Holmes in a lavish Italian ceremony.
Redstone told PEOPLE he hasn’t talked to Cruise and Holmes since the wedding. “I see the pictures of them. I haven’t seen him,” he said. “Of course, I had met him and her before they were married.”
Asked if the couple seemed happy, he said: “They do, they do. I’m happy for their happiness.”
Comment by fan of a fool — March 3, 2007 @ 6:36 am
Redstone wants to mend ties with Cruise (Yahoo! News)
LOS ANGELES - Viacom chairman Sumner Redstone wants to be friends again with Tom Cruise. The actor’s behavior over his romance with Katie Holmes and his aggressive defense of Scientology were reasons cited by Redstone when he broke ties with Cruise last year after a long and lucrative relationship at Viacom-owned Paramount Pictures.
Cruise has since signed a deal with MGM to resurrect the United Artists movie studio.
Although Redstone hasn’t talked with Cruise since the falling out, he said this week he hopes the two can resume their friendship.
“He was a great friend,” Redstone told People magazine at Thursday’s Los Angeles premiere of “Zodiac.” “And I look forward to being his friend again.”
Redstone said he was surprised that his original comments were as explosive as they were.
“What happened was, I just gave an interview to The Wall Street Journal. In the course of it, they asked me what was going on. I said, ‘You know, he would no longer be in the lot,’” Redstone told the magazine. “They treated that like I was firing him. I didn’t fire him! I had nothing to do with it. But they treated it explosively. And I didn’t like it.”
[Note: This comment was edited to turn a pasted-in Web addresses into a link, since the pasted address was causing display problems. The comment is otherwise unchanged. — Adam]
Comment by Cruise — March 4, 2007 @ 6:39 am
Are Scientology’s stories about alien overlords really any weirder than the ‘cannibalism’ of the Christian Communion? What would happen if every religion looked at its beliefs objectively?
Pingback by Scientology, Christianity, and the Lack of Objectivity in Religion (8 Ways to Sunday) — March 7, 2007 @ 9:23 pm
I wanted to come back and touch on a point made by “not glib” about all religions being somewhat ridiculous. My comment became long enough that I decided to make it into a separate post.
What I ended up writing about is the lack of objective perspective in religion. If religious people could look at their beliefs from the outside, as a non-believer might, wouldn’t it improve inter-faith relations and make the world a better place? If questions like this interest you, please visit the new post and contribute your thoughts with a comment.
On a lighter note, those who’ve commented on this post might enjoy the song “Tom Cruise Crazy” by Jonathan Coulton (find it under “Thing a Week III” and click the blue play button to listen). He pokes fun at Cruise’s behavior, but also points out how the crazy circumstances of Cruise’s own life and fame could drive anyone nuts. Like a lot of Coulton’s work, the song is smart, funny, cheeky, and a little sad. While you’re there, look for the song “Re: Your Brains.” It has absolutely nothing to do with this post, but it’s freaking hilarious. It’s like Dawn of the Dead meets Office Space.
Comment by Adam Messinger — March 7, 2007 @ 9:38 pm