Tom Cruise has been the unofficial public face of Scientology for decades now, but it appears the actor might be cutting ties with the organization for the sake of his daughter.
Sources say that Cruise’s 9-year-old daughter, Suri, is on the verge of being labeled a “suppressive person.” If that happens, the actor has to essentially cut ties with his young daughter.
The fact that the Mission: Impossible actor is not raising his daughter as a Scientologist is causing problems. It also means that his relationship with his daughter will become progressively limited as she grows older, something that Cruise reportedly is not ready for.
An insider says that the actor had an epiphany while he was on the phone with Suri. She was apparently telling her father about her ballet class and how much she enjoys it.
“That’s when Tom realized he’s never seen her perform ballet and he started to tear up,” the insider explains. “It hit him that she’s growing up before his eyes and he’s not there to witness most of it.
The actor has reportedly not seen Suri in over a year and while they do talk on the phone and do video chats, it’s clearly not the same.
Reports say the Top Gun actor is allegedly ready to put his daughter before the Church of Scientology after realizing he has already missed so many milestones in her life – birthdays, school events and other moments – that cannot be reclaimed.
Plus, Suri is not a baby anymore and is beginning to learn and accept that her father isn’t part of her life.
“When she speaks to him on the phone, it’s becoming more and more like she’s talking to a stranger,” says a source close to Cruise.
However, leaving Scientology might not be as easy as it sounds.
According to Chris Shelton, who used to be a high-ranking member of Scientology’s Sea Org., “there are always consequences for leaving the church” especially for someone like Cruise who has been part of the church for decades now.
The 53-year-old was one of the primary examples the documentary Going Clear used in describing the hold the church has over its members.
According to the documentary, and Esquire contributor Logan Hill, “celebrities (like other members) could be fearing the release of some of the massive personal files of information on the celebrities, culled from surveillance and confessional-style ‘auditing’ sessions.”
Members are encouraged to share their innermost secrets during these “sessions” and even though they’re supposed to be confidential, high-ranking members of Scientology allegedly have no qualms against using these sessions against erring members.
Plus, if Cruise does leave the church , he has to “disconnect” himself from the rest of his family who follow Scientology, including his older children.
[Image by Ken Ishii, Getty Images]