Hall's column pure fabrication
By CATHY NORMAN

The outrageous rumor David Miscavige, a leader in the Church of Scientology, compares Tom Cruise to Jesus Christ was started by a London tabloid well known for accepting rumors without verifying them in any way, or even just making them up. And the idea is so contrary to the very basis of Scientology that no Scientologist would believe it.

The Church of Scientology International issued a statement, which says in part:

"This is completely, totally and utterly a lie and a total fabrication and has no basis in the theology of Scientology in the slightest. There is no scriptural background for anyone inside or outside of the Church to come up with such a concept. Mr. Miscavige has never and would never characterize any church member or anyone related to Scientology in such terms, nor has or would Mr. Cruise characterize himself as such....while the Scientology religion was founded by one man, L. Ron Hubbard, he himself insisted that he was just a man. He was the founder and there will only ever be one founder. He was not a prophet, nor is he deified in any way, nor would anyone else be."

It goes on to point out, essentially, that Scientology is now a world wide religious organization with over 7,500 churches, missions and groups in 163 countries, with one of the largest non-governmental anti-drug programs in the world, one of the world's largest human rights education campaigns, and one of the largest global emergency response forces.

Mr. Cruise supports those and other humanitarian endeavors spearheaded by the Church, as do millions of Scientologists from all walks of life. There might reasonably be something to report in all of that.

Instead, we see pieces like the Sun's (and opinion pieces like this one, I might add,) that are based on fabrications and are nothing more than an effort to marginalize Scientology or make its leaders and members seem strange.