Scientology

Scientology is an American body of teachings developed by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard. It's a particularly controversial movement, as many former members of the Church of Scientology have claimed its practices are coercive and isolating. Celebrity Scientologists include Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, John Travolta, Kirstie Alley, and many others.

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10 Surprising Celebrity Scientologists

Written by Alicia on

Actress KATIE HOLMES and hubby TOM CRUISE holding hands as they are leaving their apartment to go see the play South Pacific at Lincoln Center in New York City.... (Photo by Flynet Pictures)

Everyone knows that Tom Cruise and John Travolta are into Scientology in a very big way--they're pretty open about their love for Dianetics. Tom gets preachy (and sue-happy) on anyone who dares question his beliefs, while John Travolta and wife Kelly Preston continue to donate huge sums of money to the Church.

Getty Images

There are other celebrity Scientologists, however, and most of them aren't quite so vocal about their philosophical leanings--and with good reason. Despite the time and money that the Church of Scientology (COS) has very publicly thrown into substance-abuse rehabilitation programs and urban renovation, Scientology is still often portrayed negatively in the press, its adherents mocked for their belief in "psychic trauma" caused by the murder of our alien soul-ancestors (yeah).

Scientologists Kirstie Alley and Kelly Preston at a COS Event. Getty Images.

Still Scientology continues to grow, probably in large part due to their celebrity following. Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard created "Project Celebrity" during the religion's early stages as a means of disseminating his teachings to the broad public. Here are ten of the most surprising celebrity Scientologists.

See Surprising Scientologist #10

* If you read L. Ron Hubbard's take on it, Xenu was actually the dictator of the Galactic Confederacy who ordered the murder of our ancestors, resulting in the psychic trauma mentioned above.

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