A Modern Day Collaboration Of Church and “State”: The Complicated Relationship Between the Rich, the Famous, and the Scientologists
In September 2012, Vanity Fair headlines read “Scientology, Tom Cruise, and Katie Holmes: What Katie Didn't Know”. Through reading the title and continuing onwards into the article, I was provoked with a series of questions. How is it that the entirety of the Cruise vs Holmes child custody battle curiously seemed to revolve around this one word? Scientology. Secondly, in a story about a divorce between two famous actors, why is the primary titular word neither of their names. Instead, the opening first reads this same word. Scientology. The marriage that has just broken to pieces is simply an afterthought.
This was not the first time I found the word “Scientology” entangled with the names of well-known celebrities. Whether it was Travolta on a magazine cover, Elizabeth Moss in a casual interview, Laura Prepon, or Bono, the connection seemed to establish itself over and over again. This leads to the inevitable question: why? What is the cause of this bizarre and undeniable relationship between the world of celebrity and the church of Scientology?
It was in 1955 when Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard established what he referred to as “Project Celebrity”. The concept was that if a few major stars could be indoctrinated into the church, the organization would advertise itself. The original list held 63 big names with everyone from Walt Disney to Ernest Hemmingway that Hubbard hoped to recruit to be cover girls of the church. Although this original recruitment attempt was fairly unsuccessful, it paid off extensively in the long term. Once a few official “in”s were established, the church said checkmate. John Travolta has infamously convinced A level stars such as Patrick Swayze to at least briefly complete a course or two at the church. Practically a pyramid scheme of religion was in the making.
But Hubbard and his followers did not stop there. 1969 marked the opening of the very first Scientology “celebrity center”. These are labelled as “special churches of Scientology” intended for “artists, politicians, leaders of the industry, and sports figures”, but of course, the public can feel free to stop by the foyer to pick up any books, videos, or Scientology merch and swag. Take a free personality test to help pinpoint exactly what areas of your life are holding you back. Register for a course or seminar if you're up to it. If you're feeling confused, don’t be alarmed. It's hard to differentiate a celebrity center from a Hilton Hotel timeshare convention. These celebrity centers prove the long term success Hubbard hoped for from “Project Celebrity”. Statistics show a mass increase in church attendance with the possibility of bumping into Bono in the bathroom.
This brings us to the flip side. While the perks for the church are clear, what are celebrities getting out of this relationship? This can be shown in one of Scientology's most absolute core values. Suck up to the celebs. In return for the press, celebrities are treated with God status in the church. Texas journalist Eileen Jones's feature article on the topic explains how church members were instructed that they “better have a f**ing smile on your face” when Tom Cruise shows up. Cruise has even been known to lead sermons of salute to a portrait of Hubbard. Ex-members report being forced to rent and watch new Cruise films multiple times to boost his box office figures. The man is looked at as practically a Prophet. It is now clear to see how this alliance is attractive to both sides.
The relationship between those with celebrity status, and the church of Scientology seems mysterious enough, but boiled down it is painfully simple. The power and influence celebrities have in our culture is alarming, and the pedestal celebrities are placed on is only comparable to that of royalty. The church of Scientology has been smart enough to crack the code and use our vanity and glamorization of the rich and famous for personal advantage and agenda.