Scientology’s love affair with Hollywood

Kari Huus Reporter • Profile • E-mail

By his account, Tom Cruise owes his cool head, defeat of dyslexia and, in a way, his unstoppable stardom to Scientology.

But Scientology has much to thank Tom Cruise for as well. His glowing adherence to Scientology and the initiation of his bride-to-be, actress Katie Holmes, into the off-beat and oft-maligned system of beliefs has stirred a surge of interest.

The search engine company Lycos reported that “Scientology” had leaped into the top 50 search terms last week for the first time, hitting 37, marking a 260 percent increase in interest — a spike the company attributed to the Cruise-Holmes effect. In fact, said Lycos in a press release, Scientology was now the most-searched-for “ology,” acing out the likes of geology, technology and astrology.

It’s a reflection of how Hollywood’s rich and famous generate positive buzz for Scientology, recognized by the federal government as a religious organization but denounced by critics as a cult that extracts tens of thousands of dollars from its followers. Central to its adherents' beliefs: Earthlings were invaded millions of years ago by alien souls sent here from outer space. Scientology, in turn, has always had a special place for artists.

The power of celebrity testimonial
In founding Scientology in 1951, L. Ron Hubbard carved out a special place for artists, which led to the creation of lavish Scientology Celebrity Centres, which now make up 11 of 5,100 churches.

"A culture is only as great as its dreams, and its dreams are dreamed by artists," Hubbard said.

Www.celebritycentre.org The Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre in Hollywood.

A Web site for the massive spiritual retreat in Hollywood explains: "By example and through their art, they communicate to millions. Thus, by improving the lives of artists, great progress can be achieved to better the condition of society — for any artist with an increased ability to communicate, who is drug-free and has high moral standards, imparts a positive influence on many others."

Cruise is the Scientologist poster boy of the moment for several reasons. He recently dismissed his long-time publicist Pat Kingsley, turning to his Scientologist sister, Lee Anne De Vette, instead. He famously brought Scientologist ministers onto the set of "War of the Worlds." And the bizarre parallel between the science-fiction flick and some of his religion's teachings has stirred the celebrity press.

But Cruise is in good company in Hollywood, where he touts Scientology and its related programs Narconon (for treating drug dependency), Criminon (for ending criminal behavior) and Applied Scholastics. Others on the roster include John Travolta, musicians Chick Corea, Lisa Marie Presley and Beck (who was reared as a Scientologist) as well as Kirstie Alley, who credits Narconon for ending her cocaine addiction. (Narconon is not related to Narcotics Anonymous, a 12-step program sometimes called NarcAnon.)

And observers say the lesser-known ranks of Hollywood — producers, acting coaches, writers and many an aspiring actor — are filled with Scientologists, attracted by both the spiritual prospects, as well as the networking possibilities.

Public relations boost
The church says the growth among Hollywood's luminati is simply testimony to their spiritual and personal growth through using the tools that Scientology gives them.

"If you ask any Scientologist, famous or not, why they talk about this religion to others, you will find that Scientologists tell others about the religion when they personally see that Scientology can help another," says Greg LaClaire, vice president of the Scientology Celebrity Centre. "It is simply word of mouth: You have had gains, so you want others to experience similar gains."

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