Church Of Scientology Writes Angry Eight-Page Letter To Vanity Fair
In response to the cover store Vanity Fair penned about Tom Cruise, the Church of Scientology has written an angry eight-page letter to the magazine, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The article, which claims that the organization helped the Mission: Impossible star screen and audition his girlfriends, was published in a recent issue, much to the dismay of Scientology officials.
Written by Maureen Orth, the article makes accusations that apparently haven’t settled too well with those individuals working behind-the-scenes. In addition to stating that Scientologists believe Cruise’s ex-wife Nicole Kidman is a sworn enemy to everyone who follows their belief system, the article claims that Cruise was unsuccessful in convincing The Avengers co-star Scarlett Johansson to become his wife.
The letter, which was penned by Jeffrey K. Riffer from the Elkins Kalt Weintraub Reuben Gartside LLP law firm, completely denies the allegations:
“We are writing regarding your, your editor’s and reporter’s shoddy journalism, religious bigotry and potential legal liability arising out of Vanity Fair’s upcoming story about the Tom Cruise divorce. Significantly, while Maureen Orth was preparing her story, Vanity Fair ignored its staff and contributors who have firsthand knowledge of Mr. Cruise and of Mr. Miscavige and who would burden her storywith the truth.”
The letter also takes aim at Orth, stating that most of the information used in the article came from fringe websites devoted to discrediting Scientology. “Scientology is a new religion and its beliefs not as well known as those of more ancient history,” the letter explains. “That does not excuse you or Ms. Orth for being ignorant. Rather, it demands you be even more sensitive to finding out what the true beliefs are of Scientology — which can only be told by the religion itself. Just because you don’t think you are bigoted doesn’t mean you aren’t. Bigotry and ignorance go hand in hand and you are definitely and wilfully ignorant of the actual beliefs of Scientology and the activities of its Churches.”
If the Church of Scientology has an issue with the Vanity Fair article, chances are they’re none too please with director Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master. According to the Daily Mail, the film, which earned an estimated $730,000 in just five theaters, is loosely based on Scientology mastermind L. Ron Hubbard.
Do you think the Vanity Fair article was an unfair portrayal of Scientology?
