German authorities have banned Tom Cruise from filming because of his scientology beliefs. Who is right?
Scientology
Scientology is a movement which many feel is new-age, a bit of something and nothing or simply a set of idea. For others, scientology is a religion and its most famous follower is Tom Cruise, who helped bring it into the public spotlight with a series of controversial statements.
However, recent events in Germany have held up the filming of Cruise’s new movie because authorities have branded scientology a cult.
The German Point of View
The German defence ministry said Cruise has "publicly professed to being a member of the Scientology cult".
Scientology has been monitored in Germany in the belief that its activities are "directed against the free democratic order" in the country. Rather than being recognised as a religion, it is instead classed as a commercial enterprise, something which angers the scientologists.
In the planned film, Tom Cruise will play Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg in Valkyrie, leader of the 1944 plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler using a bomb hidden in a briefcase, but filming has been delayed because of the blocked access to German military sites. Whereas the German defence ministry has sited Germany's “special interest in the serious and authentic portrayal of the events of July 20, 1944 and Stauffenberg's person," Stauffenberg's son, Berthold, has been more blunt in telling a local newspaper that he objected to Cruise taking the role because of his involvement with Scientology. "He should keep his hands off my father," Mr von Stauffenberg is quoted as saying.
What the Scientologists Say
Leaders of the church have rejected the comments from German authorities and said that Cruise’s own religious convictions have nothing to do with the film he is making.
Sabine Weber, a Scientology spokeswoman in Germany, said German politicians were attacking top Scientologists like Cruise, one of the producers of the film, to get their names in the press. “I believe that certain politicians from the Christian Democrats use the celebrity status of some of our members to step into the limelight, that's what this is all about…They don't care how much they damage Germany's reputation,” she said.
Is this another case of religious intolerance gone mad, or do the German authorities have a legitimate worry? It certainly seems a bit drastic to ban Tom Cruise because of his beliefs and to brand scientology a commercial adventure appears rather harsh, but this decision may backfire by highlighting scientology’s merits back in the news again. Add comments on the discussion board.
The copyright of the article Germany Bans Tom Cruise in Religious Persecution is owned by Ben Hughes. Permission to republish Germany Bans Tom Cruise must be granted by the author in writing.
One would assume that with this kind of opposition to Scientology the word would have been out regarding Germany's position. This might have led the film producer, Tom Cruise, to find another country in which to film, not to mention another subject. I can only assume that Mr. Cruise knew of the German position and decided it was the perfect opportunity to stage a publicity front. By bringing the issue to the fore Mr. Cruise causes discussion in Germany, and else where regarding the status of Scientology, he also gets plenty of the same type of press the Germany Scientology Spokesperson objects to CDP politicians attempting to get. Perhaps Mr. Cruise should make a film about the origins Scientology & L Ron Hubbard, noted science fiction writer of the '40s and '50s. However, I suggest Mr. Cruise might consider editing the fiction part out of the final cut.
Aug 5, 2007 9:19 AM
Ben Hughes
:
I feel that Scientoloy is one of those things which is getting some press coverage every now and again but very few people know what it's really about. It's become one of those things which is easy to mock. It does seem to be getting more popular in America though, with some Hollywood stars showing a real interest; although I'm not sure whether this is a good thing or a bad thing. Maybe it's one of those new fashion status symbols.
Aug 9, 2007 6:56 PM
dhunter52171
:
I agree that which is not understood is easy to mocked, Christians and Jews have also faced this type of shunning, even from within. However to take any idea, say for instance that humans are really fallen gods themselves, and forming a dogma around it hardly qualifies as a religion in my book. If it were so, then we must recognize Aryanism as a religion deserving of our protection. I must say Ben that I find it odd that you write on the subject of religious intolerance yet you can make no normative claim in regard to Scientology. Why write about it if it does not pull you one way or the other? What could be the harm in such a movement I might think would draw us closer to viewing humans as gods, deserving or requiring the worship of lesser gods & by proxy lesser humans. This path of human self aggrandizement reminds me of a Pharaoh, or a Caesar.
Aug 10, 2007 9:01 AM
Ben Hughes
:
As a Christian, I have firm views as to what I believe and what I think either is or not to do with God, but I think that these articles are often better to give information and let readers make up their own minds rather than for me to condemn different points of view I don't agree with. If you feel it's better for me to write more opinionated pieces, let me know. I do like controversy so perhaps it's better to be less open minded and tolerant and more of my own views. I always feel that my blogs let me sound off more than the articles, but maybe it would be better in the articles themselves. Let me know what you think.
Aug 11, 2007 7:50 AM
dhunter52171
:
Well Ben I think you would have more people reading your writing if it were less even handed. I should say that you need not say you believe a curtain subject is bad or good, but tease the read into believing you feel so. This, I think, will get more readers like myself asking for clarifications on your position. Besides, for me tolerance leads to corruption of the mind. What you know today becomes a figment of a myth tomorrow. Know what you know, believe what you believe, or let everyone else be right. As for you being a Christian, as am I, how can we suggest that perhaps Scientology is correct, or at least worth inquiry and still maintain our own faith? We would be suggesting that there are other gods, false gods, which after reading my Ten Commandments is a no-no. Also if my reading of human history is correct it is likely to lead to a corruption of Christianity if enough followers of that religion adopt concept and/or practices of Scientology. Is not Religion supposed to be solid, and unchanging? Otherwise it is just philosophy and we may wish to change it as we become more 'enlightened'. Shalom~
