By Anna Schecter
Rock Center
Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise's settlement is now final and neither of them has publicly addressed reports that the Church of Scientology-and the future role of Scientology in their daughter Suri’s life-was a cause of the split.
One former Church of Scientology official is speaking out about what he said he witnessed at the time of Cruise’s 2001 divorce from actress Nicole Kidman.
Marty Rathbun, who worked at the church for 27 years before leaving in 2004, said that he believes church officials used Scientology doctrine to turn Kidman’s children against her.
“It was more than implied….[Kidman] was somebody that they shouldn't open up with, they shouldn't communicate with, and they shouldn't spend much time with,” said Rathbun in an interview airing Thursday, July 17 at 10pm/9c on NBC's Rock Center with Brian Williams.
Rathbun said he spent countless hours working with Cruise at the church’s celebrity center in California starting in late 2001. He said he was conducting counseling sessions with Cruise that the church calls "auditing.”
“[Cruise] and I were intensively at it, you know, auditing several hours a day over several months,” he said.
When Cruise’s children were with their father at the church, they were often in the hands of the Church of Scientology staff, according to Rathbun.
“And they were being indoctrinated, and they were reporting to Tom on how that was going in my presence,” Rathbun said.
Rathbun claims church officials suggested to Cruise and Kidman’s children, then six and nine years old, that their mother was a “suppressive person,” which the church’s website, Scientology.org, defines as “a person who seeks to suppress other people in their vicinity.”
“A Suppressive Person will goof up or vilify any effort to help anybody and particularly knife with violence anything calculated to make human beings more powerful or more intelligent. The "suppressive person" is also known as the "anti-social personality." Within this category one finds Napoleon, Hitler, the unrepentant killer and the drug lord,” according to the official Church of Scientology's website, Scientology.org.
Rathbun said the Church of Scientology closely monitors the communication of high profile members and orders members to sever ties with suppressive people, particularly those who are critical of the church.
“That person could be your son, it could be your daughter, it could be your father, it could be your mother. It doesn't matter,” Rathbun said.
Rathbun said these policies came into play with regards to Kidman’s children, Conner and Isabella. “They were being steered toward and indoctrinated toward coming to the conclusion that Nicole was a suppressive person,” he said.
The Church of Scientology has denied that any such conversations with Kidman’s children took place. It has said that it has no policy that requires members to sever ties with relatives who do not believe in the religion. On the church's website, Scientology.org, it says that, "A Scientologist can have trouble making spiritual progress in his auditing or training if he is connected to someone who is suppressive...[and] as a last resort, when all attempts to handle have failed, one 'disconnects' from or stops communicating with the person."
The church declined to comment on the divorce of Cruise and Holmes, saying it would be “inappropriate.”
Kidman’s publicist did not respond to requests for comment on this story. A representative for Cruise told Rock Center that Rathbun is not a reliable source.
"He is a bitter ex-Scientologist who spends most of his time attacking Scientology and using Tom Cruise's name to get attention for his bigoted diatribe. If he "audited" Mr. Cruise, he is violating the privilege of that position by discussing it," said Bert Fields, Cruise's representative.
Of the Church of Scientology's role in influencing Kidman and Cruise's children, Fields said, "It is absolutely false that Mr. Cruise, or anyone else to his knowledge, did or said anything to lessen Connor and Bella's communication or relationship with their mother. On the contrary, Mr. Cruise did all he could to encourage that relationship."
In a letter to NBC News, Gary Soter, an attorney for the Church of Scientology, wrote that Rathbun is an unreliable source and a liar. Soter described Rathbun as “a defrocked ex-communicated apostate.”
Soter wrote that Rathbun is a self-promoter who is “shamelessly” exploiting a tragic personal matter to forward his own anti-Scientology agenda and to profit from it.
Scientology’s online publication FreedomMag.org contains numerous allegations against Rathbun, including charges of violent and psychotic behavior.
Rathbun admits to violent behavior against other members of the church while still a member himself, but says it was part of the culture within the church, which the church denies.
One of the posts on FreedomMag.org asserts that church officials ultimately fired Rathbun from the church for bad behavior and had to “clean up his mess.”
When asked about the allegations against him, Rathbun replied, “Then why was I assigned by the Chairman of the Board to audit Tom Cruise during the last four years of my involvement at the Church of Scientology?”
Karen Russo contributed to this report.
Editor's Note: Kate Snow's full report airs Thursday, July 12 at 10pm/9c on NBC's Rock Center with Brian Williams.
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It is amazing how according to Scientology every person who speaks out against them is a liar.
"If attacked on some vulnerable point by anyone or anything or any organization, always find or manufacture enough threat against them to cause them to sue for peace."
- L. Ron Hubbard, Hubbard Communications Office Policy Letter, 15 August 1960, Dept. of Govt. Affairs
Scientology is all about control and the MONEY! Just like Catholicism and Islam.
Don't forget the Mormons...
Or the baptists, methodists, or any organized religion pretty much
Been There - Not necessarily. I'm not real big on the Baptists, but I don't see them worshipping a Pope who is sitting in an ornate palace, bedecked in enough gilt, silk, and jewels to feed a hungry child for several years, surrounded by Cardinals similarly housed and attired, weilding enough political power to change the course of history. I don't see the Methodists (full disclosure: I am one) doing that either, nor do I see them or the Presbyterians or Lutherans or whoever buying controlling interests in giant beverage corporations and other businesses, and using that economic power to leverage political gain. In those churches I see a bunch of people trying to pull together enough money to pay the pastor and secretary, and maybe send something to their Relief Committees or local Food Banks...
One day, L. Ron Hubbard woke up and said, "Hey, I should start a religion! How funny would that be?"
And there you have it.
That's pretty close, thedeb:
"I’d like to start a religion. That’s where the money is."
- L. Ron Hubbard to Lloyd Eshbach, in 1949; quoted by Eshbach in OVER MY SHOULDER: REFLECTIONS ON A SCIENCE FICTION ERA, Donald M. Grant Publisher. 1983
I worked with scientologists during my vending career and there is no religion involved with these people. They take the needy, put them to work, prod them to take improvement courses (at their expense) and become more needy. Cult is the only way to describe them and how they ever got off the tax rolls will always remain a mystery.
They are a mega billion dollar corporation who feed off the backs and labors of the underlings willing to buy their "product". The travoltas and cruises of this world can pay their way without a day of toil so of course they endorse what they never knew.
It is really a travesty against the hardworking taxpayer to see the mega real estate empire built because of government error. If ever "religions" are taxed, scientology should be among the first to be called upon. Their name should not be capitolized, it should be spelled in red ink.
Mary Sue Hubbard, L Ron's third wife, was convicted of breaking into the IRS offices and stealing documents along with 11 others. Scientology tried for 25 years to get tax exempt status and finally got it by digging up dirt on IRS agents and bombarding it with thousands of frivolous lawsuits. That how it got recognized as a "church". The story in the New York Times:
The Shadowy Story Behind Scientology's Tax-Exempt Status
Well, let's just hope Katie Holmes made decisions early enough to save her daughter. Any one who has researched Dianetics would figure get out of there. I don't wish Mr. Cruise any ill, but this is more or less a cult and kids do not belong in that place .
Cruise has said that he doesn't believe in psychology, aren't these audits a form of it.?The only difference is it costs more to be a scientologist.
Mimi, Nicole, Katie; Tom isn't looking good. He needs to find a certified Scientologist to marry and then get a very good prenup.
Maybe he and john travolta should tie the know. It seems like a better fit all the way around.
I meant to say KNOT...guess i was just excited to think i led them on the way to happiness.
what this man is saying now about this cult has been said for years.It is a controlling and intrusive group.mind control of all members is critcal to the Scientology survival.I live in Fla when they came in with big bucks buying up property and taking over a Clearwater area.People who were attracted to the promises of how much better their lives would become. Had a hard time getting away from the group.They do not let people choose to leave or disagree easily.If an individual does separate from the cult they are trashed called disparaging names labeled. I am sure goggling Scientology will come up with many stories of members abused when trying to separate. I recall so many stories that I have always turned away from any indoctrinator of scientology.
Christian Americans must not and cannot endorse and legitimize Scientology by financially supporting actors who advocate the Scientology goals, objectives, and mission.
Every time a Christian American purchases a ticket to attend a movie with a Scientology actor in it, that person is furthering the cause of this Anti-Christ ideology.
The best way to counter this Anti-Christ movement is to boycott all movies involving Scientology actor minions.
Good point but with so many involved you just about have to boycott all movies. Anne Archer, John Travolta, Will Smith, Tom Cruise,etc.. etc. Then take in to account the directors and producers who are scientologists.
Something I did not know until I did a little research. Greta Van Sustern of Fox News is listed as a member of Scientology. So are several other news media types. Thats is the goal, to recruit people who can disseminate the philosophy thats why they target Hollywood, Politicians, and the news organizations.
After he was sworn in, Obama received as a gift several books and learning material from the Church of Scientology that everyone else would have to pay for. I am certain they do it with other politicians as well.
Control communications and you control the masses.
I agree the number of Scientologists in Hollywood is large. But, their numbers should not preclude us from using our money power to show ALL in Hollywood that Christian Americans can use and will use their financial clout to hinder their spread of their Anti-Christ ideology.
As Christian Americans we must stand together and act together!
These people are all nuts. Ignore them. Eventually they'll go away.
Scientology seems to be the only organization daring to speak out against the evil of Psychiatry; a cruel and judgmental political ideology masquerading as medicine. Communism, Fascism and now, God help us, Psychologism.
So the Cruises' church is accused of doing typical religious instruction! If Scientology were not a religion the power and money elites of Psychiatry would have sued them out of existance, directly or indirectly, for practicing medicine with out a license. The protection of religious freedom combined with free speech is the only possible defense. Of course, to be a true 'religion', an unreal myth is required. In Scientology, it is, from what I have heard, souls exploded from volcanoes.
Regrettably, anyone daring to speak out against the drug and rubber hose torture of the 'mentally ill' is mocked as a Scientologist.
Sounds like you still are coated in space cooties. Get to the Church now! They will hose them off you, and hose out your bank account too.
Scientology is hard to swallow and it appeals to a very small group of people. I can see how it might interfere with a marriage if the two are not both indoctrinated. I've alway seen Cruise tho as an it's "my way or the highway" type of personality. He's had such talented beautiful wives, it's got to be Scientology that's the interfering force. What can you say, religion can be a very hurtful thing for some especially when it's not of this planet!
A religion created by a L Ron who wrote bad scifi for a living, just check Amazon, think the church may see it too, lol. So wouldn't the church be a logical extension of his fiction writing?
Speaking of bad SCifi... ever see Battlefield earth? Travolta sunk millions into it and it still looked like an Ed Wood production.
Yes, Aztecace. Actually, the "church" is his fiction writing.
This has nothing to do with religion. They call themselves a "church" to get around paying taxes and doing anything else that you and I have to as law abiding citizens. The "stars" give them money (donation, fees whatever you want to call them) and I'm sure they get tax rightoffs for that. I agree with some statements above, there should be a fill investigation on this "church" to see what they are really about. AND, if the "church' has nothing to hide, they would welcome the investigation.
Only licensed therapy can do emotional counseling; unless it is done by a religion. Only Psychiatry has the answers regarding the 'mind'; or so they claim. Only Psychiatry can ever have the answers regarding human emotions. If any one, or group, dare question their methods of practice - they are violating, at least, civil law. They are a 'religion' to protect themselves from a dangerous and powerful political organization - Psychiatry and their oft times servants, Psychology.
It is a self serving medical cult that is dangerous to human freedom.
One easy way to tell a sincere, decent Christian church from a cult-type organization is the level of "mumbo jumbo". If plain English doesn't get it done, making up phony words, phrases and insider talk won't help. No mumbo jumbo. also...if they can't get you in and out in one hour and 15 minues....no good.
Tha Amish do this. Anyone who leaves their church qre shunned by their family. So other religions do this.
You've seen one religious cult - you've seen them all... scientology is no different from mormonism, christianity, catholicism, etc., etc., etc. They just have different fairy tales on how their invisible deity works!
They tried to draw me in when I was about 20. I was in Penn Station, NY and was approached by a nice looking girl. We chatted for a bit, then she asked me to attend a meeting at an office building. I went and took some type of attitude test, but got bored with the questions and length, and walked out. She called and wrote, trying to draw me back in.
These people are dangerous, have nothing unique to teach, and want your money. Stay clear of them.
Sounds exactly like christianity
How does it sound like Christianity? Christians pick up people on the street corner and have them take an aptitude (not attitude) test? Really? I can see that the heat and humidity is thick in Buckeye.
In the early days, movie studios carefully controlled the media images of their stars by laying it out in very tight contracts. They were smart - they didn't want someone's bad behavior, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or whatever to influence the moviegoing public - their bread and butter. I suppose that is impossible in this age of TMZ, Twitter, and so on. But perhaps some of the stars ought to think about toning down their narcissism and making their personal lives a little less public in order to retain their bankabiltity. I, too, am one who will think twice about going to see another Tom Cruise or John Travolta movie, not to mention Mel Gibson and other non-Scientologists who engage in different sorts of harassment, hate-based, wildly selfish or hedonistic behaviors. I realize there is a lot that is manufactured or at least extremly overplayed by the media, but still... I have an easier time getting into the movie and believing the character for a couple of hours if I haven't heard every last detail about their ugly little "real" lives before I step into the theater.
Next this moron will be writing a book to make money. Consider the source as corrupt.
Wow its awfully telling how Tom Cruise can choose his cult over his children. What an absolute lunatic.
One of my ex girlfriends went there about 5 times. She did make one or two payments. But she left because one of the auditors tried to make a move on her. Actually told her he would make her "clear" for free if she would go out with him. Yeh, so what's new. One of my buddies, after he overdosed on mushrooms in the 70's joined in ClearWater. I think he's still there. Just a bunch of losers that need a crutch.
Scientology = Cult....That is all.
Seven2Seven: You're comment on the creepy factor is right on. My in-laws live in Dunedin and I was driving through Clearwater during one of their "shift changes". It was like the pod people from Invasion of the Body Snatchers, which scared the #$@&(#* out of me as a kid. Scientology is a modern day Illuminati with lawyers at best and a ruthless, power-hungry cult at worst in my opinion.
Perhaps it is their non acceptance of the superstisions of Psychologism that sacres you. They may not have the answers; but they reject the world view of the powerfull. They dare to question the Party! And yes, there is One in the USA and beyond.
Betcha you got most of your space cooties cleaned off by now. How's life as a sci-fi mutant treating you? Must be pretty good, since you can afford a 'puter and bang away at the keyboard here. How's Elron these days? Still pretty dead, I bet. Probabaly still smells bad too.
That is a quote from the Church, yet they claim that they don't believe in psychiatry. So, how can they claim that Rathbun had "psychotic behavior"? More inconsistency from the Church of $cientology.