Tom Cruise Breaks Silence On New Scientology Film

BERLIN, GERMANY – OCTOBER 21: Actor Tom Cruise 

There have been plenty of opportunities for Tom Cruise to defend his religious beliefs over the years, what with various documentary releases and tell-all press releases by ex-Scientology members, but he’s managed to stay quiet until now.

After the release of documentary film maker Louis Theroux’s latest film, My Scientology Movie, in which he mocks the religion, Cruise went public about his religious beliefs, claiming that Scientology “a beautiful religion”.

His defensive comments came after he was questioned about Theroux’s documentary during the London premiere of new film Jack Reacher: Never Go Back. Cruise stated: “It’s something that has helped me incredibly in my life, I’ve been a Scientologist for over 30 years. It’s something that is, you know… without it, I wouldn’t be where I am. So, it’s a beautiful religion. I’m incredibly proud.”

Cruise joined the Church of Scientology 30 years ago when he was introduced to the controversial group by ex-wife Mimi Rogers. He claims the religions has helped him in a number of ways, including “curing” him of his dyslexia.

Cruise’s comments come as an interesting insight into the world of Scientology, as journalists are usually refused comments when asking church members about the religion. Cruise has generally avoided commenting on his religious beliefs after his seriously awkward reaction to questions about his religious beliefs during a 2005 interview with Matt Lauer on NBC’s Today Show went viral.

The church has been labelled and criticized over the years as being a cult and an excuse for high powered people to avoid paying their taxes. Many ex-members have come forward to expose the abusive nature of Scientology, which the leader of the church, David Miscavige, strongly denies.