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Suri Cruise in crazy cult danger?

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Image: via Getty Images

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are splitting up, and the speculation on everyone's lips is that Tom's devotion to Scientology is creating immense anxiety for Katie, who is said to be concerned for the safety of daughter Suri, according to the Daily Mail.

Tom is an extremely high-profile Scientologist, a quasi-religious organisation which has been labelled, amongst other things, a cult, for the unconventional teachings and also the fact that members are required to contribute sums of money for advancement.

Katie Holmes has faced endless media attention regarding her involvement with Scientology, and, now that she has filed for divorce, it has been said that she's uncomfortable with Suri's exposure to the Church of Scientology- so much so that she has allegedly filed for sole custody of the couple's daughter.

Crazy cult or genuine religion?

Scientology, according to Wikipedia, "teaches that people are immortal beings who have forgotten their true nature. Its method of spiritual rehabilitation is a type of counselling known as auditing, in which practitioners aim to consciously re-experience painful or traumatic events in their past in order to free themselves of their limiting effects. Study materials and auditing courses are made available to members in return for specified donations". In addition,

"Further controversy has focused on Scientology's belief that souls ("thetans") reincarnate and have lived on other planets before living on Earth, and that some of the related teachings are not revealed to practitioners until they have paid thousands of dollars to the Church of Scientology. Another controversial belief held by Scientologists is that the practice of psychiatry is destructive and abusive and must be abolished."

Katie is alleged to have been stalked by weird "mystery members" of the organisation, who "have been sent to spy on her".

According to the Church of Scientology's doctrines, the couple's divorce would not be recognised, as counselling is the chosen method of dealing with marital conflict.

At the heart of the battle is Suri, a 5-year-old girl, presumably with very little understanding of her father's passion for his beliefs, although she is said to be preparing to start learning and practising Scientology.

What do you think? Should a child be protected against controversial personal or religious beliefs?


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