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Travolta's Scientology Turning Point?
Matt Sayles / AP Photo
The actor’s public acknowledgement that his son, who died in January, was autistic has former Scientologists convinced that he will leave the church—which they say has little tolerance for chronic conditions.
When John Travolta took the witness stand last week and testified that his late son, Jett, was autistic, it came as a grim relief to some former Scientologists.
“Wasn’t that amazing?” said a fallen-away church member after Travolta appeared in an extortion case that followed the death of his 16-year-old son last January. “I thought, ‘Good for him.’ He denied it for years. It’s really important that he says it.”
At one time, Christman says she helped train Travolta in Scientology. Now she believes that if he weighs the facts, “he’ll reach the right decision...And he’s a guy who could really make a difference.”
Until now, Travolta and his wife, actress Kelly Preston, had said their son suffered from a syndrome caused by exposure to chemicals. The cause of death listed on Jett’s death certificate was seizure—a condition sometimes associated with autism. While Travolta and Preston clearly were devoted to their son and tried to do what was best for him, some ex-Scientologists—apostates, as the church would have it—believe Jett may have gone without appropriate treatment for years because of the church’s teachings. And they think that if Travolta comes to terms with his son’s diagnosis, the church eventually will lose one of its most high-profile members.
“My hope for him is that he starts looking” at what really happened, says Tory Christman, an outspoken Scientology critic who left after more than 30 years in the organization. At one time, Christman says she helped train Travolta in Scientology. Now she believes that if he weighs the facts, “he’ll reach the right decision... And he’s a guy who could really make a difference.”
Travolta’s spokesman declined to comment. Tommy Davis, a spokesman for Scientology, denounced Christman and other former Scientologists who are critical of the church as “liars,” adding, “It’s a horrific, horrific thing for these people to take the tragic death of a young boy and try to turn it on his parents’ religion.”
Davis has said repeatedly that Scientology accepts treatment of and medication for physical illnesses. But Christman, who is epileptic, says the institution has little tolerance for chronic conditions. In Scientology, she says, such illnesses are seen as the product of “covert hostility” and a failure to follow church procedures. Christman says she kept her epilepsy as much to herself as possible when she was still in the church because otherwise she would have been “considered degraded.”
• Kim Masters: Is Scientology’s Wall Cracking?Christman says Scientology pushed her to stop her medication and use vitamins and supplements instead. The first time she cut back on her medications, she had a grand mal seizure in her bathroom and knocked out her front teeth. She says she resumed her medication but tried to stop again in the face of continued objections from the church—and again faced disastrous results. Though the church eventually backed down, she says she doesn’t think her victory was widespread or lasting. “I fought ’em all the way,” she says. But her actions only “fixed it for me and a bunch of other people who were there at that time,” she says.
Davis denies that chronic illness creates a stigma in Scientology and that Christman was ever pressured to stop her medication. As for her description of Scientology’s position on chronic illness, he says, “We could pick and choose isolated sentences, phrases from L. Ron Hubbard’s books and make them sound weird, and I’m not going to go there.” He does acknowledge that in Scientology, “We consider that you alone are responsible for the condition that you’re in.” But he also insists that the church requires members to seek treatment from doctors for “physical” illnesses.
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robwriter
A close relative, a life-long Jehovah's Witness, basically believes that Jesus and myriads of angels are going to pop out of the clouds at any moment and murder the billions of people who aren't Jehovah's Witnesses. I work with evangelicals who believe that Jesus will pop out of the clouds in the very near future and yank them skywards out of their cars while they chat on their cell phones. Mormons believe their "other" testament to Jesus was printed off golden plates that subsequently disappeared. Many home schooled fundamentalists are being taught that cave men rode dinosaurs. Scientology is a cult and many of its members appear to be functionally insane, but they have lots and lots and lots of company. Is it any wonder the political dialog in this country is so bizarre?
Granite
I concur. Perhaps mental health care for all citizens would help. (Or bring back the good old days before patient's rights--fling a net over 'em, haul 'em away!)
spotted
Granite - I agree with mental health care coverage for all Americans.
How about also bringing back the separation of church and state, including the repeal of Bush's "faith-based initiatives"?
"Don't pray in my school and I won't think in your church, temple, mosque, etc.."
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meglon978
Ok, get it straight.. dinosaurs came first, so chickens taste like dinosaurs.
AlanD2
ZodiacZelda and meglon978: Chickens ARE dinosaurs (or at least their direct descendants).
From Reuters just yesterday: "Chinese researchers have unearthed the fossil of a bird-like dinosaur with four wings in northeastern China, which they suggest is a missing link in dinosaurs' evolution into birds."
prettyscary1
Ok then dinosaur wings...naked with bleu please
donaldjj
what came first the chicken or the Egg. . DUHHH. the Egg since the eggs were being laid ling before chickens or dinasaurs
Rondalaine
Rob you are so right! I am a recovering Mormon and let me tell you. EVERY religious faction in the world has its BIZARRE disposition. Since leaving the Mormon church, I have decided that I won't be a formal member of ANY religious organization, however, I will continue to believe there is an afterlife of some sort...but I definately won't be practicing any more RIDICULOUS rituals or beliefs that seem to benefit the organizaiton rather than its drone-like followers! Great point you made Robwriter!
Chandidevi
Scientology is NOT A RELIGION! Do the research!
Genni2002
robwriter...well said!
Veronicaxy
Agree.
As a species we seem to yearn to be members of a group with science fiction like beliefs that we call the 'true religion'. Wonder why that is.
sonofloud
is there a word for funny and scary at the same time?
spinozareader
Beck.
(As in Glenn.)
guppygirl
Yes -- Scientology.
donaldjj
at least Glen Beck scares you with the truth
spinozareader
donaldjj
The only one and only "scare" that Beck kindles in me is this: That any stupid, unsupported by facts, and fascistic utterance of his might be accepted as truth--absent any critique by his listening audience.
spinozareader
donaldjj
What's scary about Beck are his lies--and how utterly far-removed his version of reality is from what is true and decent and kind and ethical.
naplesapp1
spinozareader
Although Beck is an opinion program, he probably checks his facts more than any other opinion program or news outlet. There is most likely an army of bloggers and "journalists" devouring and analyzing every statement he utters. He ties together seemingly outlandish and absurd conspiricy theories (In the eyes of the chronically naive - like yourself) in an effort to cast light on the backdoor socialist movement groundswelling in the US and subsiquently ignite his viewers. Beck's opinion program has also broken stories that no other "news" organization even conceived to notice. The Acorn scandal being the most obvious. To broadly state that he is a liar and his utterances are "unsupported by facts" is in and of itself a "far-removed version of reality" as you put it. It's not your fault though that you have most likely been programmed from birth to be a foot soldier for the left.
wowreally
So do you think Beck has unsupported facts because you do not have his beliefs or because you have checked out his facts when you disagree or you just actually follow this political mess that closely so you know everything.
Julie55
I couldn't agree more robwriter. I have been saying for these many months now, we need universal healthcare coverage and reform because we have so much insanity. I am not being facetious.
There are many people who are ignorant and over the edge and it precipitates a form of insanity. Let's hope it's not permanent.
One thing you left out though is how people who are cynical and morally bereft exploit those who don't have the mental fortitude or the facts: incest runs rampant among Mormons, racism gallops among certain "christians" and so on. It is so sad that with such a vast system of protections we can't protect people from thier own ignorance.
I am the mother of a grown up autistic daughter, I knew many people in denial and those who did terrible things to their children in the name of denying it or in "curing" it. I Hate Jenny McCarthy for deceiving all those new parents out there, scaring the heck out of them with vitamin and food faddist regimens. How much stress can people bare? It's cruel, just like much of the healthcare "debate", and it's a disservice to real help that is available.
That is always the sin of this kind of manipulation. Real people who need real help, who get used as pawns in a power play!! It's so painful to realize how much of it still goes on and how many otherwise good people get robbed in the process; Travolta included.
sg-opinion
Another person who thinks they know what the Latter Day Saints(mormons) believe and do. This whole scientology blog is turned against the mormons. I am a mormon (not a mormon fundamentalist). If you really knew anything about my church you would know it is so true. There is nothing wacko about my church. I will agree that every person in the world has a choice about what they will do or believe. Church is for people who want to be better people. I am not perfect. I should yell less, lay off the bud and change my negative thoughts. I pray for help. i go to church and try my hardest to be a better person to others and for my family. i believe in God and Jesus Christ. I believe we will all be judged according to our works. I believe in the spirit world and that it is here on this earth. I feel so sorry for those who deny Christ. I believe they will still get another chance to believe and if they still deny the truth then they will be cast out. Jesus can not save those who deny him. I go to church every Sunday because of the fruits. i don't go to waste my time. One of these day's when I am worthy enough, I will go one of our beautiful holy temples and be sealed to my husband and children for time and all eternity.There is nothing bad about my church. The people of my faith aren't always perfect but Jesus's church is. Look into it not just read rumors. Of course there our some people who fall out of our church because Gods way isn't their way just like it wasn't for lucifer the devil.
MWaterman
WOW
sg-opinion:
I am SO SORRY to let you know that in your defense of mormonism you just proved that mormons are whack jobs!
PULEEZE!
"Of course there our some people who fall out of our church because Gods way isn't their way just like it wasn't for lucifer the devil"
If someone leaves your church they are equal to the devil?
WOW
Blackstone1955
Scientology also appears to require it's adherents to be wealthy, a religion for the rich, how droll.
idicula1979
I fully agree, with you the only reson that Scientology gets ridiculed for thier belief while other religions don't is becouse scientology is new.
What is the difference between a cult and a religion? A few hundred years.
guiltybystander
but it is the one true religion, isn't it? I mean, come on- it's got everything- Cruise, Travolta, Aliens, science fiction writer as their prophet, and I think the Obamas are considering it for their DC church...
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enough
Mean. Just mean.
joymars
She might say she's worth 3.
crymeariver
It seems like people hate Scientology so much that
every other month, they come up with some new
theory that says will cause John Travolta to leave
this religion. Honestly I don't know if Scientology is
any more harmful than the other religions but one
thing is for sure, he don't go around reading articles
that are filled with glee and hope that actor X will
soon leave the Catholic church, or the Jewish faith!
Persefunny
Yes. Scientology is more dangerous and harmful than other mainstream religions. Absolutely. Abuses children and the elderly in special culty ways.
tonyjenson
"culty"?
Sarah, is that you?
shag11
All religion is fraudulent. But Scientology just takes a helluva lot more money at one time from people than the other religions do.
Chandidevi
Check the stories of former Scientologists on www.clambake.org. It is ot just any religion...firstly, it is not a religion. Why are its members beaten for no reason? It's horrible, destructive to the human spirit.
sg-opinion
well they say it isn't a religion. I don't know a whole lot about it but if they don't believe in God it's nonsense. Can they explain spirits.Can they explain about when people die and go to the spirit world and come back again. I know the world is magnificent that's reason to believe there is a greater Being also a real purpose to this life that we have. Have you ever noticed how short it is. Why is every person trying to seek the truth.It's or duty that why, deep down we remember when we were with God before we came to this earth and we are seeking to find out what we already know. If you question any part of your faith really look into what your concerns are. Maybe that is the holy spirit telling you something is not right.
Barbara416
Tel John it's OK to leave--they have Will Smith now and he makes more money.
slayer2369
Scientology is a business. The goal is to make money from the faithful masses. And get tax exemption.
Rondalaine
AINT THAT THE TRUTH! very well said!
Veronicaxy
I wonder what would happen if we removed tax exempt status from all religions/churches? Would be a worthwhile experiment.
Redhead5050
Great idea. That would bolster the tax base after all they want fire protection and police protection...taxes pay for that. We would likely have enough to pay for healthcare for everyone!! Now that would be a "religious/spiritual" experience.
Glenda1976
What kind of religion bans medical treatment?
HiredGoons
Christian Science, as well.
joymars
No. Read my post below. It doesn't ban it. There are actual spiritual healers called "practitioners" in C.S. There is a VERY high rate of healings. BUT if you do not get a healing, you are expecting to find help elsewhere.
spotted
joymars - Sounds a lot like the Salem witch tests:
The witch gets thrown into the lake.
If she drowns, she was innocent and goes to heaven.
If she floats, the people fish her out and then kill her.
If you will, it may have been the 17th century precursor to water-boarding.
joymars
@spotted
Huh? I don't get your analogy at all. People remain in C.S. because of it's very high rate of healings. They leave for very other reasons. In the rare instances when a "physical problem" "doesn't yield," a C.S. Practitioner will advise "materia medica." It's a practical and loving approach.
spotted
joymars - Were you trying to say if faith doesn't work, then you can use MDs?
I read it as you didn't have enough faith to be healed and would have to leave the religion.
joymars
@spotted:
I'm saying WHEN faith doesn't work. Sometimes there are issues that are intractable to a certain approach. That goes for western medicine too.
gak001
Jehovah's Witness.
shariyn3
One you want to avoid at all costs.
Rondalaine
THE DUMB ONES! Its classic stupidity...as the whole premise in most of these religious groups is to ENLARGE the faithful followers...which in turn ENLARGES the financial contributions to these religious organizations..which they turn around and use to gain POLITICAL power...i.e..MORMANS against gay marriage in California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona.. etc...
Julie55
Given the way Mormons can distort anything it's a good thing they don't beleive in Gay Marriage, otherwise they might have to marry their sons as well as their daughters.
sg-opinion
It is only common sense that a man's part fit's into a womens part. We all know what is right. A man and a women. Just because some people are born a certain way like being gay we shouldn't have to change the reality of the truth. Gay people aren't Normal. They are in most ways but in this way No.Many people love there Dog's but should we marry them. No! because it's not the way things are supposed to go. Everyone knows this. I agree there are tons and tons of gay people now days probably because of the Hormones in birth control that women take. I feel sorry for them. It makes life a little harder but this is their test with God . Sex isn't love. Love is Love.The only reason to get married is to have sex, make babies and be right with God. If you are having sex with someone of the same sex or a horse or a dog you will not be right with God by getting married . If it's the rewards of the law then we should call it something else. The Mormon church is not going to be forced by the law to go against their beliefs. If Prop 8 hadn't passed it would have forced Gay marriage into all churches. The Mormons have revelation from the Prophet from God. God knows the future. We were told to do whatever it takes to keep marriage between a man and a women sacred. To protect Christianity. There are many more Christians then Gays and I believe Christianities protection is far more a greater purpose then the Gays wanting something they believe to be so simple. In there eyes it is simple but to a Christian it isn't. It wasn't only Mormons by the way it was most Christian Churches who voted Yes on Prop 8. For reasons of a greater purpose.
MarcSadoff
Re: sg-opinion's statement- "The Mormon church is not going to be forced by the law to go against their beliefs. If Prop 8 hadn't passed it would have forced Gay marriage into all churches."
That is a distortion and a lie about the effects of the acceptance of gay marriage. So, what does it mean that a whole organization is O.K. with distributing a lie?
Actually, Steve Colbert reported on that angle noting that if Prop 8 didn't pass, then kindergartners would be forced to watch videos of their parents' sexual acts; and the girls would be given manuals on 'Cunnilingus' and the 5 year old boys would receive their workbooks on 'Fellatio.'
For those homophobes I've always wanted to ask, "Please tell me about the day that you made your decision to be heterosexual? Tell me about the conflict you went through... the agonizing decision that you made in childhood. Is there something we should know about your childhood experimental experiences?"
I think that those people who think it is a choice to be gay are people who had to struggle with their own homosexual impulses; so they assume that everyone has this conflict.
AlanD2
Glenda1976: Oregon has one. From the article "Death of child may put Oregon faith healing law to test" in The Oregonian, on March 22, 2008:
"Of dozens of children buried since the 1950s in the Followers of Christ Church cemetery south of Oregon City, at least 21 could have been saved by medical intervention, according to a 1998 analysis by The Oregonian. None of the deaths from that era, including the high-profile case of an 11-year-old boy who died from untreated diabetes, resulted in prosecution."
sophia5
Coo Coo ! Coo Coo !
WilinMSP
I find it all extremely sad. Mr. Travolta obviously turned to this organization to answer some burning questions in his life. He was taken in .. in every sense of the phrase .. and has now lost more than many can ever imagine. And knowing your actions are complicit in your child's death? My god .. I cannot imagine having to live with that. I hope he does end up leaving and exposes this organization. I also hope he realizes that he was brainwashed and, in the end, that gives him some measure of comfort in resolving Jett's death within himself.
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sophia5
ZodiacZelda -
Very Funny.
Organized religions are
MAN MADE stories to the masses as the (unprovable) " TRUTH. "
Maybe the world would be a more peaceful place with NO organized religions.
Oh and ZodiacZelda,
Kirsty is not "big-boned."
The new politically correct term for
grotesquely overweight is "Full Figured."
AlanD2
ZodiacZelda: Why be amazed?
"There's a Sucker Born Every Minute."
To my own amazement, this was not said by P. T. Barnum (as I had always believed), but by his competitor, a banker named David Hannum. Isn't Google wonderful!
finderj
We should apply the Hippocratic question of all religious beliefs: First, do no harm.
If one's religious beliefs bring one peace or comfort, and inspire one to be a better person than one would ordinarily be, then more power to you.
If those same beliefs do none of those things, look somewhere else.
And we should, at all costs, avoid judging religious beliefs because they don't jib with our own.
Anything that makes people act more honorably, more ethically, and brings them peace and comfort, is ok in my book.
It is the honorable and ethical part that makes me look askance at Scientology, radical Islam, and fundamentalist Christian-pseudo-Christian beliefs.
guppygirl
When a "religion" tells you that you can be abusive to other people -- that is just a group of people who want to justify their behavior. I agree: "First, do no harm." If you look at most mainstream religious faiths (not the radical extremist), Jewish, Christian, Buddist, Muslim, etc., you will find that they instill ideals of a "higher power" that wants you to be the best person you can be and most religions preach about peace in the world and within mankind. All wars in the name of God or Allah or whoever, are wars that are started by and carried out by zealous, radical MEN! MEN make the wars and keep them going, and going, and going, etc. But I digress. All in all, what I was trying to say, is that I agree with you. Sometimes I get on my soap box and carried away. Don't even get me started on abortion! Again, MEN trying to be in charge of the world.
sg-opinion
You are dead on.
guppygirl
If Scientology is a religion, who do they worship as their higher power? I don't know of any "religion" that doesn't worship a higher power of some type. The atheist at least acknowledge that they do not believe in a higher power of any type.
I feel do for the Travolta family. The loss of a child is always tragic, no matter how it happened. I do agree that the Travolta family does have an opportunity to speak out about what they believe in, in hopes that it helps others. And maybe they believed that they were doing everything that they could for their son. It is obvious that they were very devoted, loving parents, and that they would not have intentionally done anything to cause harm to their son.
I don't know if their belief system includes prayer, but mine does, and I'll keep them and their family in my prayers.
celticgirl
Scientology is a form of self-worship
guppygirl
So that means, you -- your self, is the higher power? I thought the definition of self-worship was called narcissism. My bad!
kmorris
To answer your question...
The Church of Scientology has no dogma concerning God, and each person's concept is probably different. As a person becomes more aware of himself, others, the environment and God, each person attains his own certainty as to who God is and exactly what God means to him. The author of the universe exists. How God is symbolized or manifested is up to each individual to find for himself.
I too feel for the Travolta's and I am sure Jett could not have been in better hands. And, I'll bet anything that John is not leaving his religion.
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deegeezee
He could leave Scientology...
or, MORE LIKELY, he'll buy into Jenny McCarthy, and her BS about how organic food and no vaccines can cure autism. so look out for the Scientology Celebrity Center becoming the epicenter for an outbreak of measles and hep B.
i'm betting on the latter, as it syncretizes with his crazypants belief system.
p.s. there's a Thetan behind you, look out!
noodle023
I was going to comment on your post, even registered with "big brother" to do so, but realized that you must be on "their" drugs...
deegeezee
um... you *did* just comment. congratulations?
spotted
deegeezee - LMAO! Xenu made noodle023 do it.
katiewon
You don't build up a tolerance to Depakote. With any seizure drug you become more dependent on it to control them but they have many different kinds and combo's - even surgery in extreme cases. A neurologist won't just throw up his/her hands and say "oh well, this didn't work" and do nothing.
I suffer from seizures and have tried many meds, including Depakote. It took awhile but I found the one that works for me.
As for Scientology - all reglions are self-aggrandizing cults. They're all about control and money. Scientology is no better/worse than any of the others.It just sounds ridiculous now - they all do in the beginning, but 1000 years from now it may be perfectly acceptable. Hopefully by then man will wake up and dump the entire concept of religion!
pikejenny
gak001--Jehovah's Witnesses allow medical treatment...just not blood transfusions. They believe blood is "Life" and only God can give "Life"..
All religions prey on the weak....
sg-opinion
Think of all the people that would have died without a blood trasfusion. God wants us to explore all types of treatments that why he give us the knowledge and tools to do so. God can't help those who can't help themselves. Also we have to help eachother. God often helps some people through others as well. I don't understand why Jehovahs witness's even go to church. For what! What will they receive from it.The loss of a love one forever. It is so so sad. I would rather stay at home and spend every moment with my kids if that was the case.
JennEm
In person, John is a remarkably kind person, very gentle and polite. I believe people can sense his innate decency and will support him if he is attacked.
And as "crazy" as some of the Christian churches seem, "Jesus and myriads of angels" would never prevent you from seeing a psychiatrist if you feel you needed help.
altarguild153
Mental illness is a medical condition; currently the cause is an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. Medications are used to adjust this imbalance. Chronic depression is not a figment; it is a physical condition that can be treated with medication. If a person is suffering so much that they cannot bear it, the intervention of a doctor's prescription can provide some relief.
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Veronicaxy
Omph. Good point. With their love of attorneys, it's not hard to believe Scientology would stoop to that.
Thank you.
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