AlwaysShocked
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Has anyone else been following the bizarre situation that has been unfolding since the documentary "Going Clear" was recently previewed at the Sundance Film festival? The documentary is based on the book "Going Clear" by Pulitzer Prize winning author Lawrence Wright, that was published well over a year ago. The book is an examination of the Church of Scientology, from its founding in the early 50s to the present. And of course, famous adherents such as John Travolta and Tom Cruise are mentioned.
Apparently the documentary has revealed new information regarding the Cruise/Kidman divorce, with a person who was Tom Cruise's "counselor" at the time revealing that Tom expressed a wish - during a counseling session - that Nichole's phones be tapped. And so, allegedly, the Church of Scientology did just that. Contributing to their divorce. The accusation is also made that the church was involved in promoting the estrangement of Nicole from her children with Tom.
The documentary also unveils numerous abuses against church members including both verbal and physical abuse. There are about 10 former members interviewed who tell their story in the film. For the book, Wright interviewed some 200 former members and others.
The current "pope" of the Church of Scientology is a man named David Miscavige. He has not given an interview or made a public statement about the church and its practices in over 10 years. Author Wright and award-winning film producer Alex Gibney both state they requested to interview Mr. Miscavige and were turned down.
Now a church spokesperson has issued a statement claiming both the book and the film are based on lies and that no one was willing to interview the church to hear "their side of the story". The statement was also critical of film critics who have written positive reviews of the documentary film. (It got a standing ovation from the audience at the premier.)
The documentary "Going Clear" will be shown on HBO on March 16th.
People are predicting this widespread, mainstream revelation of the magnitude of abuses within the Church of Scientology is not going to bode well for either Tom Cruise or church leader David Miscavige.
I'm planning to watch the documentary. How about you?
Apparently the documentary has revealed new information regarding the Cruise/Kidman divorce, with a person who was Tom Cruise's "counselor" at the time revealing that Tom expressed a wish - during a counseling session - that Nichole's phones be tapped. And so, allegedly, the Church of Scientology did just that. Contributing to their divorce. The accusation is also made that the church was involved in promoting the estrangement of Nicole from her children with Tom.
The documentary also unveils numerous abuses against church members including both verbal and physical abuse. There are about 10 former members interviewed who tell their story in the film. For the book, Wright interviewed some 200 former members and others.
The current "pope" of the Church of Scientology is a man named David Miscavige. He has not given an interview or made a public statement about the church and its practices in over 10 years. Author Wright and award-winning film producer Alex Gibney both state they requested to interview Mr. Miscavige and were turned down.
Now a church spokesperson has issued a statement claiming both the book and the film are based on lies and that no one was willing to interview the church to hear "their side of the story". The statement was also critical of film critics who have written positive reviews of the documentary film. (It got a standing ovation from the audience at the premier.)
The documentary "Going Clear" will be shown on HBO on March 16th.
People are predicting this widespread, mainstream revelation of the magnitude of abuses within the Church of Scientology is not going to bode well for either Tom Cruise or church leader David Miscavige.
I'm planning to watch the documentary. How about you?