The Church of Scientology has condemned a German newspaper after they published comments comparing Tom Cruise to World War II propagandist Joseph Goebbels.

Leading Scientologist Cruise was embarrassed last week after a video of him making top secret religious speech was leaked onto the internet.

The 45-year-old actor delivered the sermon four years ago when he accepted the 'Freedom Medal of Valour' award at an International Association of Scientologists event.

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Unflattering: Scientologists have blasted a comparison of Tom Cruise to Joseph Goebbels


Following the leak, tabloid Bild published comments by World War II historian Guido Knopp likening Cruise's speech to propaganda delivered by Goebbels in Nazi Germany.

Knopp said: "It may be the case that Cruise's delivery style is not uncommon in certain religious movements in the U.S.

"But for Germans with an interest in history, that scene where he asks whether the Scientologists should clean up the world and everyone shouts 'yes' is inevitably reminiscent of Goebbels' notorious speech."

Knopp referred to Goebbels' infamous speech in Berlin on February 18 1943 when he asked the audience: "Do you want total war?"

I am all about freedom of religion, and admittedly I don't know too much about scientology (just read a rolling stone article a few years ago) but some of the stuff on that clip was pretty worrying-- I think there is a danger when you feel that your opinion, or way of life, is the only valid one. This issue has been in the world for centuries, and has broken up families, and started wars.

This ISN'T meant to offend anyone AT ALL, and I apologise if it does. I am a spiritual person, and do not judge anyone by their beliefs. But there is a kind of totalitarianistic (sp?!) vibe coming off tom cruise...I hope that he loosens up a bit, regardless of his beliefs.

quote:

Originally posted by bowiefan:
I am all about freedom of religion, and admittedly I don't know too much about scientology (just read a rolling stone article a few years ago) but some of the stuff on that clip was pretty worrying-- I think there is a danger when you feel that your opinion, or way of life, is the only valid one. This issue has been in the world for centuries, and has broken up families, and started wars.

This ISN'T meant to offend anyone AT ALL, and I apologise if it does. I am a spiritual person, and do not judge anyone by their beliefs. But there is a kind of totalitarianistic (sp?!) vibe coming off tom cruise...I hope that he loosens up a bit, regardless of his beliefs.

I hope he loosens up a bit too because if he doesn't, his career will suffer, and he will drag Katie Holmes down with him.

I'm not a fan of his, but peeps need some dam perspective. Talk to a Holocaust survivor and ask, "Does a Hollywood actor jumping on a chat show host's couch and getting lippy about being anti-psychiatric drugs frighten you?" I'm guessing most will say no.

Tom Cruise scares the Heck out of me!
No offense to anyone, but I'm no fan of his!

I would say no one here is bad mouthing Scientology at all. Just bad mouthing Tom Cruise. Last I heard Lisa's sect was not the church of Tom Cruise.

^^^ LMAO eek don't sign me up for THAT church!!!! haha

LMFAO @ Bowie fan --> "^^^ LMAO eek don't sign me up for THAT church!!!! haha"

We'll all stay clear o that one LOL.

quote:

Originally posted by highjohn:
you know id say "Manners" here because everyone knows Lisa is a scientologist right?

Why bad mouth her sect?

I`m not bad mouthing. I`m posting a news article.

I don't believe we were talking about the church of Scientology...we were talking about Tom!

Where did you ever get that Lisa was good friend or even friends with Tom? I have never heard of this info before....

Me neither, Tx, but wouldn't it be nice to think he had one famous friend in the world he didn't discuss in the media? OK, sorry to TC fans, I know other celebs do it, but he seems to do it a lot, or at least lately.

quote:

Originally posted by highjohn:
come on dont play stupid you know Lisa and her Mom are as high up in that church as you can get?
http://hollywoodsnark.com/2006/11/24/john-travolta-a-no...w-at-tomkat-wedding/

Well good for Lisa if she is a friend. However, just because Lisa is friends with him in no way means each of her fans must be fans of his. Lisa would be the first to say so as she believes you should think for yourself and form your own opinions. BTW I am a fan of Tom the actor I am just not a fan of the person.