# Tom Cruise, you are an ass. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 19, 2003, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-you-are-an-ass/183000 "2003-06-19T19:52:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2003, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-you-are-an-ass/183000/141 "2003-06-21T07:02:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jaade \* > \*\*Unless I’m misreading what you said, this is actually wrong. (Unless by high-profile, you meant outspoken…in which case John and Kelly talk about Scientology a lot as well…) > > I didn’t know a lot about Scientology myself, so I also went through some of those links. > > Other Hollywood Celebs involved with Scientology include: > > Kirstie Alley > Pricilla Presley > Jenna Elfman & her actor husband (someone I’d never heard of) > > There may have been a few more, but I was actually shocked to learn about these three. > > ~J \*\* I meant a member with a profile as high as Cruise’s. Travolta’s not as high as Cruise, profile-wise, in any way, shape or form, and of course neither are Alley, Presely, or Elfman. ---
**Author:** ![lite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5ac83/32.png) [@lite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lite)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2003, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-you-are-an-ass/183000/142 "2003-06-21T07:06:56Z")
As a Catholic, can the Church of Scientology help with my lysdexia? I really need help. An aside: Tom Cruise, Babs Streisand, Danny Glover, Alec Baldwin, et.al., SHUT UP! Why are these people who fake a persona for a living given such credence to everyday living?!? Are they better than you? Form your own opinion. Sorry common sense had to enter the debate. ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2003, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-you-are-an-ass/183000/143 "2003-06-21T07:23:54Z")
I don’t know if I could base my religious beliefs on the theory of a sci fi writer. But then, these are people who are convinced that the man (dead for the past 15 years or so) cranks out a new version of “Dianetics” every year, too. ---
**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2003, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-you-are-an-ass/183000/144 "2003-06-21T07:43:25Z")
I thought Kirstie Alley left the CoS. I’ve loathed Scientology since they killed [anon.penet.fi](http://anon.penet.fi) ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2003, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-you-are-an-ass/183000/145 "2003-06-21T14:28:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cuauhtemoc \* > \*\*What if a person has some friends who are into Scientology, and they say to him “Hey, friend! Why don’t you check out some of this Scientology stuff with us? It’s pretty cool. You get to meet interesting people, and we have parties and go on canoe trips and stuff. It’ll be fun!” > > And the person says “Well, what do you Scientologists believe in?” And the friends say “We believe that knowledge is power, people should work to realize their human potential, and that we are the descendants of extraterrestrials.” > > And the person thinks “Well, I don’t think I buy that third one, but the first two sound okay. Allright, I’m in. My friends seem to enjoy it, how bad can it be?” > > I wouldn’t call that person an ass. Would I call a person who would call that person an ass an ass? No, I’d be more likely to say they were mean and judgemental. \*\* I would call that person an ass. I understand that you probably don’t mean to portray your example in that simple of a light (for brevity’s sake, though, I can see why you did), but even so, if a person readily joined a religion just because his friends seem to be having a good time is an idiotic choice to make. This isn’t a brand of salad dressing you waffle over, this is a religion you’re choosing; you research it, find out its followers’ tenets, beliefs, history (both recent and far past), people involved, etc… and then, after you’re informed, you make a decision. It’s all about accountability. And being responsible for your soul, spirit or voodoo rimjob (whatever you believe we’re full of) and however you may live your life after this decision is made, is a lot more important than trying Paul Newman’s lettuce sauce instead of your usual bottle of Hidden Valley simply because your friends claim they had a bang-up salad the night before. And that goes for readily jumping into _any_ religion (or cult) before finding out the facts. Now, if that person joins up, finds out about the aliens, murders, nutjob founder, nutjob people in charge, history of harassment, etc… and still doesn’t leave? Yeah. He’s an even bigger ass. Am I judgemental, as you mentioned? Sure. But judging people by their actions ain’t always a bad thing; in fact, this whole H-U-G-E hijack of **Shirley Ujest** ’s OP, started by my first post, is about whether the judgment is a correct one. There are many posters on the SDMB who clearly follow what they interpret to be as the “Thou Shalt Not Judge” command. Which is fine, I think, because it seems to work for them; but I’m not a subscriber to their beliefs, nor do I necessarily feel that command (if they do have the correct interpretation) is a good one to follow. At the very least not in cases such as this one involving Scientology. Am I mean? Depends on who’s asking; however, I’d rather be labeled “mean” in this one instance of judgment than to realize, later on, how foolish I’d been by jumping into a religion for ephemeral, dubious reasons. _Especially_ a religion in which you’ll be finding yourself bilked out of thousands of dollars; being blackmailed; being coerced; believing in alien warlord origins; and following L. Ron Hubbard’s faux-philosophical and religious drivel. Yeah. Mean’s a whole lot better. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2003, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-you-are-an-ass/183000/146 "2003-06-21T14:33:05Z")
I think the bigger question is this: If Tom Cruise is indeed an ass, whose ass is he? Is he the Robery Morley ass, or perhaps the svelte Pauly Shore ass? Or is he the toned Jake Steinfeld ass? ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2003, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-you-are-an-ass/183000/147 "2003-06-21T15:08:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dantheman \* > \*\*I think the bigger question is this: If Tom Cruise is indeed an ass, whose ass is he? > > Is he the Robery Morley ass, or perhaps the svelte Pauly Shore ass? Or is he the toned Jake Steinfeld ass? \*\* Nah. He’s more of a [Francis](http://cover09.cduniverse.com/MuzeVideoArt/163887.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2003, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-you-are-an-ass/183000/148 "2003-06-21T15:22:30Z")
**Skip** , religions are filled with people who want to believe. It’s a comfort level thing, I guess. These people just want to believe something a little…different. I guess. Many people have signed their lives away (literally) for their religious beliefs. It never fails to amaze me. A co-worker of mine (not missing, thanks,) is getting married to a man who is greek orthodox. His father gave his entire fortune, which I understand was sizeable, to the church in his will. Because the priest told him God wanted him to help everyone find their way to him. ::shakes head:: ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2003, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-you-are-an-ass/183000/149 "2003-06-21T15:35:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Maureen \* > \*\ ***Skip** , religions are filled with people who want to believe. It’s a comfort level thing, I guess. These people just want to believe something a little…different. I guess. > > Many people have signed their lives away (literally) for their religious beliefs. It never fails to amaze me. A co-worker of mine (not missing, thanks,) is getting married to a man who is greek orthodox. His father gave his entire fortune, which I understand was sizeable, to the church in his will. Because the priest told him God wanted him to help everyone find their way to him. ::shakes head:: \*\* It’s not that they believe, **Maureen** , it’s _what_ they believe which makes them asses. Oh, and I’m glad your co-worker isn’t missing. Hell, if he was and you posted about it, we’d NEVAH get anything done around here. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![lezlers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2003, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-you-are-an-ass/183000/150 "2003-06-21T16:05:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zoe \* > \*\ ***lezlers** , I totally support the separation of church and state. But as long as the faith-based initiative is going to be the law, I can’[t blame the Scientologists for trying to get their share. > Thinking about founding a church myself…😃 \*\* It was more the fact that they are so boastful about the fact that they support their own programs and yet feel totally fine about asking permission to suckle the government teat that I was pointing out. ---
**Author:** ![ArrMatey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrmatey/32/3522_2.png) [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2003, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-you-are-an-ass/183000/151 "2003-06-21T19:10:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mockingbird \* > \*\*I thought Kirstie Alley left the CoS. > > I’ve loathed Scientology since they killed [anon.penet.fi](http://anon.penet.fi) \*\* I loathed them before that, but damn, I’m glad someone else remembers that. For a while, I’d mention it and people would just look at me funny. Was beginning to wonder if it was all something I mis-remembered. ---
**Author:** ![Jaade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/dfb087/32.png) [@Jaade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaade)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2003, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-you-are-an-ass/183000/152 "2003-06-21T19:28:01Z")
Thanks dantheman! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![cuauhtemoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecb155/32.png) [@cuauhtemoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuauhtemoc)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2003, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-you-are-an-ass/183000/153 "2003-06-21T20:52:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ArrrMatey \* > \*\*I loathed them before that, but damn, I’m glad someone else remembers that. For a while, I’d mention it and people would just look at me funny. Was beginning to wonder if it was all something I mis-remembered. \*\* I’d like to know more about this. Maybe you or **Mockingbird** could clue me in? I’d appreciate it. ---
**Author:** ![cuauhtemoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecb155/32.png) [@cuauhtemoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuauhtemoc)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-you-are-an-ass/183000/154 "2003-06-24T16:37:19Z")
Allright, thanks anyway. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-you-are-an-ass/183000/155 "2003-06-24T17:44:00Z")
So _that’s_ what happened to [anon.penet.fi](http://anon.penet.fi)? I can see it happening… did they abuse it to death or just sue them? I went away from the net for one “summer” and it was gone when I got back. ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-you-are-an-ass/183000/156 "2003-06-24T19:27:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by E-Sabbath \* > \*\*So _that’s_ what happened to [anon.penet.fi](http://anon.penet.fi)? I can see it happening… did they abuse it to death or just sue them? I went away from the net for one “summer” and it was gone when I got back. \*\* **E-Sabbath** and **cuauhtemoc** , Check out this [site](http://www.xs4all.nl/~kspaink/cos/rnewman/anon/penet.html); I’m not sure about the veracity of the info given, but it does give you an idea of what went on. Have fun! ---
**Author:** ![cuauhtemoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecb155/32.png) [@cuauhtemoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuauhtemoc)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-you-are-an-ass/183000/157 "2003-06-25T13:35:53Z")
Thanks, **SkipMagic**. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-you-are-an-ass/183000/158 "2003-06-25T14:48:11Z")
Wow. My most successful pit thread to date. I’ve been so busy reading Harry Potter that I thought this thing died and sank to the bottom like Jimmy Hoffa. Thanks Guys, I feel like I am an actual Pitizen, except I contribute nothing of merit. I feel so cheap, yet so satisfied at the same time. ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-you-are-an-ass/183000/159 "2003-06-25T15:06:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Shirley Ujest \* > \*\*Wow. > > My most successful pit thread to date. > > I’ve been so busy reading Harry Potter that I thought this thing died and sank to the bottom like Jimmy Hoffa. > > Thanks Guys, I feel like I am an actual Pitizen, except I contribute nothing of merit. I feel so cheap, yet so satisfied at the same time. \*\* HEY! I want an “assist” on my record. After all, I was the one wielding the original “generalization” brush. 😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-you-are-an-ass/183000.md?page=7)