One of the most interesting side-effects of Katie Holmes’ divorce from Tom Cruise is the latest wave of negative media scrutiny stemming from and pointing to the controversial religion of Scientology . If you thought that completely agreeing with Rupert Murdoch on something was the biggest surprise in the media blitz, wait until you hear the chilling warning from one former Scientologist, who says that Katie should be afraid of what might happen to her daughter.
Scientology is a cult. Plain and simple. They say that they are a legitimate religion, and sure, their claims to divinity really aren’t all that more or less crazy than any other. The difference is in method. Intense secrecy, manipulation, coercion, and subtle threats. Jenna Miscavige, the estranged niece of Scientology-pope David Miscavige, says that Katie Holmes has every reason to be afraid of what the church might do to her daughter, Suri Cruise, reports NY Daily .
Prior to her excommunication, Jenna said that she endured forced labor at a Scientology boarding school and spent long periods of isolation from her already excommunicated parents. Scientologists do seem to keep non-believers at arm’s length, but completely and harshly shun those who leave the church. A sympathetic Jenna posted an ominous and pointed warning to Holmes on her website.
“My experience in growing up in Scientology is that it is both mentally and at times physically abusive,” she said in the post. “As a mother myself, I offer my support to Katie and wish for her all of the strength she will need to do what is best for her and her daughter.”
Other former Scientologists have also expressed their concern for Holmes and her daughter, particularly in light of the danger Katie poses to Scientology as an agent of exposure . Former Scientology Inspector General Marty Rathbun, who left the “religion” after suffering physical abuse and solitary confinement in “The Hole,” a management prison set up by Miscavige, admitted, “The two dangers I see are having her child turned against her and people pulling strings behind her back to screw up her career,” of Holmes.
Indeed, divorcing Tom Cruise is one thing, divorcing the church of Scientology is entirely different, notes the Daily Beast . David Bromley, a professor of religion at Virginia Commonwealth University, says that leaving Scientology is no small feat, often involving “burning bridges … and breaking up friendships and families.”
All of this adds to the theory that Scientology is what killed TomKat. Maybe Tom Cruise will wake up and see that for himself someday. Until then, get ready for an ugly fight, Holmes.