Scientology news stories on Newser

Cruise Rehashes PR Misfires, Gushes About Katie

Evann Gastaldo — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:27:05 CDT

Tom Cruise promotes his upcoming musical Rock of Ages in the latest issue of Playboy , but not surprisingly, the movie talk isn’t getting quite as much attention as the quotes about Cruise’s personal life. Some highlights: On plastic surgery : "I haven't [gotten any], and I never would." On his PR...

Ugly Feud Erupts Among Scientologists

Rob Quinn — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 03:59:33 CST

A leading Scientologist is attempting to spark a revolt against chief David Miscavige, who has led the organization since the death of L. Ron Hubbard 26 years ago. Miscavige has ignored the teaching of L. Ron Hubbard and turned Scientology into a fundraising machine that bleeds wealthy members dry to...

I Was Imprisoned on Scientology Ship: Woman

Mark Russell — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:19:00 CST

A woman says she was imprisoned on a Scientology cruise ship for 12 years, unable to leave without an escort for the first six, and often forced to work long hours in the hot, noisy engine room, reports Australia's ABC News . Born into a Scientology family, Valeska Paris says the...

Scientology Files Fraud Appeal in France

Mark Russell — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 03:00:00 CDT

The Church of Scientology opened an appeal today of a 2009 fraud conviction in France , reports the AP . The original case convicted Scientology's French branch, bookstore, and six leaders of fraud related to pressuring members into paying for expensive but questionable treatments, as well as harassing recruits. The church and...

Scientology Probed South Park 's Stone, Parker

Mark Russell — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 10:59:56 CDT

South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker may gleefully skewer anyone and everyone with scatological abandon, but apparently the Church of Scientology is one target unwilling to take its licks. The church investigated Stone and Parker in retaliation for their 2005 South Park episode " Trapped in the Closet ," which...

Inside Suri's Scientology School

Evann Gastaldo — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 10:46:00 CDT

They grow up so fast: Suri Cruise’s first day of school—Scientology-flavored school—was last week. So what’s it like at the New Village Leadership Academy in Calabasas, California, which uses L. Ron Hubbard’s “study technology” educational system? Well, for one thing, there’s a lot of clay. Sculpting is apparently...

Lindsay's New Guardian Angel: John Travolta?

Evann Gastaldo — Fri, 06 May 2011 10:40:05 CDT

Just what Lindsay Lohan needs: a new religion! John Travolta has decided to take the troubled starlet under his wing and introduce her to Scientology, Showbiz Spy reports. Travolta and Lohan are both starring in an upcoming movie about the Gotti family , but LiLo only snagged her spot because Travolta...

Scientologists Buy Hollywood Studio

Rob Quinn — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 02:19:27 CDT

Whether or not you want to see more movies based on L. Ron Hubbard's writings—and most critics who saw Battlefield: Earth would sooner go blind—Scientologists now have the facilities to make them. The controversial organization has bought a landmark movie studio in Hollywood from a struggling public television...

Haggis: I Ditched Scientology Because It's Anti-Gay

Mary Papenfuss — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 04:45:06 CST

More from the New Yorker's 26-page Scientology takedown: Screenwriter Paul Haggis finally broke with Scientology after years in the cult because of its stands against homosexuality, he has revealed. "I was in a cult for 34 years. Everyone else could see it. I don't know why I couldn't," he tells...