A Video A Day: Tom Cruise and Scientology

Episode 17: “We can bring peace and unite cultures”

The video I want to show you guys has been popping up all over the place today and just as quickly it’s being taken down. It’s sort of a promotional piece from the Church of Scientology featuring Tom Cruise and was shown in American morning shows yesterday morning. This afternoon I saw the whole thing on YouTube and all of the parts have been taken down. However, I’ve found two alternative sources where you can find it: here and here (there’s also a transcript if those videos also get taken down).

It creeps me out a bit. I’m all for accepting and tolerating other religions, but I’m not sure what to make of this. Some of the things he’s saying just doesn’t make any sense. For instance:

Being a Scientologist, when you drive past an accident, it’s not like anyone else. As you drive past, you know you have to do something about it, because you know you’re the only one that can really help.

Ehm, as if normal non-Scientologists can’t help? Or wouldn’t help? And then this bit: “We are the authorities in getting people off drugs. We are the authorities on the mind.” No, you’re not! You’re a bunch of people that for some reason don’t believe in psychiatry and psychology, thinking that your way is the only way.

So what do you all think?