Although certainly no expert on Scientology, it’s crucial that one has an understanding of anything, positive or negative before making statements or taking a position.  In fact, the most important way to refute anything, is to understand the subject matter.  We Americans often don’t take the time to do that.  We will argue with our feelings and emotions without knowledge of the topic at hand.  Millions opposed to gay marriage argue against it but their arguments are weak because they are emotionally, based not factually based.  Now unless you belong to the Church of Scientology you can never really understand it fully but there is information out there.  All one has to do is read the works of L Ron Hubbard himself.  I picked up Dianetics many years ago, so  I could obtain knowledge of what it was, certainly not searching for anything.  I did not get more than half way through it because it simply didn’t apply to me and I got bored.  I’ve never been a follower and will Never put my trust or faith, in another human being (of course that doesn’t apply to my wife and children).  In addition, I hate melodrama and it was an attempt at profundity, which is useless when not supported by any, really, hard evidence.  It works in fiction but not when starting a religion.  Anyone can make a statement and say whatever they want and that’s basically what he does.  I don’t know what would appeal to a movie star like Cruise but obviously he gets something out of it.  It didn’t teach him not to stand on Oprah’s furniture however.  If one needs psychological help, one should seek out therapy.  There are victims of physical, sexual, and mental abuse who genuinely require outside intervention to get over such traumas.  Those people should be commended.  Scientology frowns on Psychiatry and Psychology.  That should speak volumes.  Many in the medical and science community point to its backwards logic often referring to it as anti-science.  But I think the real underlying issue people have with Scientology, is its secretive nature.  It has a cult-like feeling about it, regardless of whether or not it’s true.  Katie Holmes might have left Cruise because he also stands on the furniture at home.  It’s not really our business.  But unless and until Scientology becomes more open and more mainstream, it will always give that impression.   As its most famous member, Cruise could put the issues to bed if he was more open about it.  But perhaps he can’t be…