Scientology - harmless fun or dangerous cult

[j2k4]

Judging by those we see advocating Scientology specifically (Cruise, et.al.), I find it telling that we continually see the moneyed types pushing for legitimacy-I remember hearing Cruise once compare the gradual (and "inevitable") acceptance of Scientology to that of chiropractic medicine over the past 30-35 years.

well, i reckon it's the mandate of every scientologist, whether moneyed or not, to win mainstream legitimacy for the church.

one might be tempted to say that tom cruise's behavior in tv interviews & such over the past year seem to be merely a result of him being one individual nut. or it's an unique result of his brain being scrambled by a cult. except his attitude toward simple conversation is not really unique among representatives of scientology. for all the seeming attempt at making the church seem innocuous, they place a heavy emphasis on winning the battle which the rest of us call conversation. whether by lying, by verbal sparring & intimidation, or by lawsuits. i'm fairly certain i've seen tom cruise attempt to use a couple of those techniques while he was being interviewed about scientology. if you can look up some quotations from scientology's public relations instruction manuals, cruise's behavior might not seem any more crazy/hostile than the church's own prescribed P.R. methods (in fact they might appear to be exactly the same).

Some might find me handicapped by the fact of my sincere non-fascination with young Tom; I find the sum total of his worth to be the work-product of an excellent dentist, and his acting ability next-to-nil.

That he favors Scientology is fitting, I suppose, and his naturally smug demeanor would seem to make him predisposed to the role of "spokesman", but while he conveys 'smug' with his bearing, he cannot manage 'convincing', being equipped only with his mouthful of pretty teeth and his wee tiny brain.

To attribute to him the gravity of a "mandate" is going a bit far, unless you were merely being sarcastic, which is proper and acceptable.

[vidcc]

Is cruise a "spokesman" or is he just someone famous that speaks out?

[j2k4]

Is cruise a "spokesman" or is he just someone famous that speaks out?

If he has a mandate, as you say, it goes beyond garden-variety proselytizing, I think, and if you're Tom Cruise, it would be easy:

'Hi, I'm Tom Cruise, and if Scientology is my choice, you know it's good enough for you...'

As they say, "Image is everything"

I'm quite sure his Church overlooks his clumsiness as a mouthpiece in lieu of his financial largesse.

[Mïcrösöül°V³]

I didnt vote either because "pack of loony nut-jobs" wasnt a option. I only know what I see on TV and hear on the radio about this scientology crap, and if they are anything like what tom cruise is displaying, then they are the most retarded bunch of idiots to hit the scene since the "heavens gate" retards a few years ago. Seems funny they all think spaceships are comming.........maybe they are But in all fairness, I dont really know what they stand for.........But I do like scifi stuff

[vidcc]

@ j2

I didn't say he has a mandate, I asked if he did.

My question was if Cruise is officially a spokesman or just someone open or vocal about his religion....hardly unusual....... that happens to be famous.

would his position as a celebrity be an issue if he was openly christian ?

[What'spunk.]

@ j2

I didn't say he has a mandate, I asked if he did.

My question was if Cruise is officially a spokesman or just someone open or vocal about his religion....hardly unusual....... that happens to be famous.

would his position as a celebrity be an issue if he was openly christian ?

Mel Gibson, enough said.

[Mïcrösöül°V³]

I think if you have a lunatic down the street that says "the end is near", then you have, say, tom cruise saying "the end is near", more people will hear tom cruise cuz he is famous. SO, with him doing all this weird shit in the name of scientology, he gets tagged with being the "unofficial" spokesman. So in that respect, all of scientology would get picked on because he sounds like a total wack job.

[vidcc]

So david ike was the spokesman for uk christians?

[ilw]

I think one of the articles linked to earlier said that every time Top Gun opens his mouth the Scientology central office has to release a bunch of press releases 'clearing things up', so I think he's a useful PITA rather than any sort of official spokesperson.

[j2k4]

@ j2

I didn't say he has a mandate, I asked if he did.

Sorry-I assumed we were bound by our normal contrarian contract.

My question was if Cruise is officially a spokesman or just someone open or vocal about his religion....hardly unusual....... that happens to be famous.

As posted above, yes-Mel Gibson as a Christian (bad, of course, for his career; good thing he's already fuck-off successful), and, of course, John Travolta, whose unfortunate effort (can't remember it's name) was a pet project-at least he's more forthright and sincere with his cash than Cruise.


would his position as a celebrity be an issue if he was openly christian ?

Yes; Mel Gibson suffered some slings and arrows, as I recall...had you forgotten?