I wonder if Cruise is sexually repressed from his childhood. He's told stories on tv about making out with his sister's friends at like age 8 or something. Like he was sitting on a counter and the girls all lined up to kiss him. Maybe that screwed him up.

Also, that's kinda messed up, no? Pretty sure he said those girls were all teens.

TCTTS said:

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I honestly think he's more asexual than anything. The combination of that kind of fame, Scientology, and his already ultra intense personally may almost make for a person that's beyond sexuality, if that makes sense. Like, I'm sure he finds women attractive, but I think those desires for him aren't at the forefront like they are for most people.

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No that's exactly what I think as well. I know that's probably hard for most people to comprehend but I can totally see it. I think he's so laser focused on his career and of course scientology, that he just doesn't really have interest, and probably has a hard time even connecting with someone. The Scientology auditioning thing is definitely super creepy but totally believable.

I think he's a lot like Taylor Swift in that everything is calculated and relationships are purely to craft an image. Obviously a ton of politicians fall into this category as well.

And regarding the asexual thing - that's basically what I believe Michael Jackson was his whole life. And those kids' parents took advantage of his being "weird" to us normal folk.

Well, I do think Michael Jackson was asexual in that he was genuinely not attracted to women or men. But, unfortunately, I think it's pretty obvious he was extremely sexually attracted to children. That's a whole other can of worms...


All of these people who are ultra famous and have had non-traditional upbringings, seem to have an almost unhealthy level of intensity and focus to achieve their level of fame. They are just wired differently... On top of the ones we've already discussed, then you've got a guy like Tiger Woods who it comes out is basically hyper-sexual and cant control himself.


I'm sure psychologists can have a field day with this topic... Even though we're all speculating, it's pretty interesting none the less.

I too think Travolta is basically stuck. It was so sad when his son died, and there were a lot of stories that perhaps his special needs were not treated as they should have been, due to Scientology's rejection of drugs and their strange approach to treating someone who is hurt. That's a pretty tragic story.

I think Cruise is completely bought in. Scientology tells you if you're successfully it's because of the tech, so it's the constant feedback loop. He's surrounded by high ranking members constantly reinforcing him and making sure he's on track. He sees his success as result of his drive/intensity from the tools he got from Scientology. He may or may not be gay, but I think marriages were likely more of a desire for a certain image for him. With Scientology it's all about the PR - everything you do should be seen as good PR for the church.

Remini talks in her book of the wife-auditioning that happened and of the weird way that high ranked handlers were constantly around Katie Holmes keeping her on track. It was one of the things that started Leah questioning - Cruise was an actor being treated like a deity. She and many others were higher levels than he.

Brian Earl Spilner said:

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And regarding the asexual thing - that's basically what I believe Michael Jackson was his whole life. And those kids' parents took advantage of his being "weird" to us normal folk.

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No. just no.

Michael Jackson raped young boys. He wasn't asexual. He was a sick a***ole

Now you can talk about WHY he did that, and that would be fair, but to say he was somehow coerced into that behavior is laughable.

Quote:

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I believe

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It's an opinion, man. No need to get riled up.

I think Cruise is genuinely a nice guy, but maybe just incredibly innocent/ gullible.

It was mentioned earlier in the thread...if it works for you, it works. Take a nice, very gullible, maybe not the sharpest knife in the drawer guy, build the kind of support system that he has going on around him, and when he experiences all of that success, someone is there whispering in his ear that it's all due to Scientology....

Maybe I'm giving him too much benefit of the doubt, but while he has looked crazy in some of those videos (the one a few years back where he's cackling like a maniac, his condescending attitude towards Brooke Shields, etc.), it's tough to reconcile that with his reputation of being a genuinely nice person to work with, and all in on his movies.

Tl: dr- He's a really nice dumbass

Clarke95 said:

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I too think Travolta is basically stuck. It was so sad when his son died, and there were a lot of stories that perhaps his special needs were not treated as they should have been, due to Scientology's rejection of drugs and their strange approach to treating someone who is hurt. That's a pretty tragic story.

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There's a lot of sick stories on the interwebs about Travolta. I don't know if he's stuck or a part of the problem.

Jenna Elfman? How disappointing to hear.

Citizen Reign said:

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Jenna Elfman? How disappointing to hear.

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I think she's like way up there in the ranks.

Sex Panther said:

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Citizen Reign said:

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Jenna Elfman? How disappointing to hear.

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I think she's like way up there in the ranks.

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No wonder she always does bat **** crazy so well.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology_and_celebrities

The only person even remotely surprising on that list is Van Sustren. She seems to be somewhat intelligent, while the rest of those are the basic Lower tier, B List, celebrity mouth breathers that I'd expect to be on there.

I was always kind of surprised Beck was a Scientologist. He just seems like the kind of person who would be keenly aware of nonsense.

And super disappointed in Chick Corea. Sad someone can be that brilliant and that delusional

The people whose parents raised them in Scientology, like Remini or Beck, make sense as they were raised in it. Even the people like Travolta or Paul haggis who joined in the 70s/early 80s when they were young, you can kind of understand - but how do people in the church now, in the age of the Internet and with all of Miscaviage's actions, stay in or join?

Well...probably for many it's blackmail.

Professor Frick said:

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And super disappointed in Chick Corea. Sad someone can be that brilliant and that delusional

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Was just thinking the same thing. Had no idea.

One of Chick's albums is basically a Scientology concept album: "The Ultimate Adventure." I have it. like everything else he does, it's excellent.

Finally saw the Mike Rinder episode last night. Holy wow.

TresPuertas said:

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The only person even remotely surprising on that list is Van Sustren. She seems to be somewhat intelligent, while the rest of those are the basic Lower tier, B List, celebrity mouth breathers that I'd expect to be on there.

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Meh...there are a lot of smart Mormons

Clarke95 said:

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The people whose parents raised them in Scientology, like Remini or Beck, make sense as they were raised in it. Even the people like Travolta or Paul haggis who joined in the 70s/early 80s when they were young, you can kind of understand - but how do people in the church now, in the age of the Internet and with all of Miscaviage's actions, stay in or join?

Well...probably for many it's blackmail.

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They are brain washed to believe that anyone outside the 'church' is trying to distract you from the good that Scientology does.
They are brain washed to believe that if good is happening in their life, that it was because of their SCN connections/meetings/interrogations.
They see the good happening in their life and attribute that to SCN, so anyone that speaks badly about the 'church' doesn't understand because they can't see or know the good that is happening.
People like shrinks/doctors have a vested interest in keeping their practice going and many others do as well, so they speak lies about the SCN to protect that interest.
Because SCN wants to protect you from these things, reading on the internet or searching for outside info on SCN is a punishable offense. All members are encouraged to turn themselves and others in.

Shelly Miscavige is around and in likely trouble. Leah trying to help.

http://tonyortega.org/2016/12/15/claim-frail-looking-shelly-miscavige-spotted-near-scientology-compound-in-california/

Brian Earl Spilner said:

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I wonder if Cruise is sexually repressed from his childhood. He's told stories on tv about making out with his sister's friends at like age 8 or something. Like he was sitting on a counter and the girls all lined up to kiss him. Maybe that screwed him up.

Also, that's kinda messed up, no? Pretty sure he said those girls were all teens.

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Nice

So this is interesting...

Got any cliff notes?

Yeah, don't think I am going to sit and watch a 2.5 hour youtube video on these nutballs.

He basically talks about his experiences but the main thing I took was that they recruit these people at the acting agencies. They tell new actors that they can get them into movies as stars. IF they join.

Listened to the Dead Author's Podcast today. ****ing hilarious.

First draft, last draft, get it out the door.

These are good books.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003UBCFKE/ref=mp_s_a_1_48?ie=UTF8&qid=1482078893&sr=8-48&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=scientology+books

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008XOJ7C2/ref=kinw_myk_ro_title

I think I read this book as well but can't remember for sure.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01FWQOX9U/ref=mp_s_a_1_21?ie=UTF8&qid=1482078972&sr=8-21&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=scientology+books&dpPl=1&dpID=410iJwaowAL&ref=plSrch

I've read Bare Faced Messiah, A Piece of Blue Sky, Blown for Good, Going Clear, Inside Scientology, Counterfeit Dreams, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely, and the OUP academic survey.

Just caught up on this show with a recommendation from a good TexAger. Holy crap is all I can say.

It's crazy.

I can't figure out how all these people come up with the money to move up the ranks. Hollywood peeps...yeah, but normal every day working joes? How on earth do they afford it?????

I guess if it's come up with another 4k, over and over again...or never see your kids again, you'll figure it out.

I also can't figure out why more people don't wake up one day and realize how it's all BS. The levels that are supposed to give them extra powers....only to figure out that they dont. Why do you keep doing it!?!?!

or to reach the highest level and be told you have to start over on your own dime. i don't get it but it must be a hell of a scheme because they make **** tons of money with it.

ruddyduck said:

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or to reach the highest level and be told you have to start over on your own dime. i don't get it but it must be a hell of a scheme because they make **** tons of money with it.

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"We've corrected the errors in the previous version of these books...buy all new ones"

Wouldnt you just say...'umm, no, I'm good with these that have typos'. Why would you drop 10k on a new set of books?

For the people who are raised in it, I can somewhat understand, as they dont know any different. But for those that get involved....what the heck? I question the sanity of some of these people.

The lady in episode 3..she still didnt get it. She mentioned towards the end of the interview, that she understands that some people should be declared evil...but not the one's the church was declaring. Her line of thinking is still the same as it was inside scientology...it's just that she didnt like it when it was her that was declared. I felt like she saw the light, but some part of her was still drawn to it, and wishes it hadnt ended badly.

They are replaying all the episodes tonight. Just started.