Scientology

Andrew Sullivan today calls for a boycott of the Tom Cruise vehicle Miss:ion: Imp:oss:i:ble: 3.

How creepy is Tom Cruise? The Washington Post asks; and readers answer. All I can say is: after the way this guy treated South Park, we owe it to ignore him and any movie with which he’s associated. The Boycott “MI:3” movement starts here. Blogospheric solidarity much appreciated.

Well Andrew, I am completely with you on this one, but the boycott does NOT start with you. I was walking around Manhattan with my camera on April 16th and snagged this photo on 9th Avenue somewhere between 45th and 50th Street.

It seems that some people have already had the idea.

As it so happens I ended up passing through Times Square a few minutes later, where there was a pair of tables full of copies of Dianetics, a pair of e-meters, and a bunch of money-crazed bad pulp scifi worshipping Scientologists trying to indoctrinate passers-by. (I normally avoid Times Square, but I wanted to stop by Midtown Comics on the way home and couldn’t remember exactly which cross-street it’s at, only that it’s near the corner of 7th and 40-something. For the record, it was 40th Street.)

All of the following photos taken on April 16th on the west side of Times Square with a Canon EOS 300D and 65mm Hartblei Super Rotator lens.


The Scientologist bible-which unlike the actual Bible has no literary merit.


A shill for Scientology distributing pamphlets to the dazed tourists that wander Times Square.


A Scientology evangelist tries to explain his religion to a new prospect in a way that seems uncrazy.


A man gazes at the e-meter, wondering what is in store for him if he accepts the offer of a free “stress test.”


A close-up of the black e-meter from the other table. Isn’t it glorious?


He strokes the beautiful e-meter gently.


“Don’t you just want to grab those handles?” the Scientologist whispers in his here. God, the temptation.


He gives in, another one for the team.


“Mission accomplished boys!”

For more background information on Scientology, see Operation Clambake. They also have links view to the infamous South Park episode that so riled Tom Cruise, and led to Isaac Hayes’ departure.

8 thoughts on “Scientology”

  1. Freakin Scientology… why don’t they have some derisive nickname like the Moonies?

    Maybe Xenites or something would work

  2. I disagree with Sullivan on the idea of a boycott. MI3 should rise or fall based upon the merits of the film, not the personal superstition of its lead actor. Scientoligists are no more brainwashed that some of the agnostics and evangelical athiests I’ve run into over the years. As for Cruise, hey, the guy’s an actor. What the hell does any of the artsy crowd know beyond the skills of their own craft? Let’s be willing to see him as an actor playing a role, and judge the merits of his films accordingly. (And, hell, I can even enjoy Jane Fonda and Barbra Streisand’s films.)

  3. Lirelou, I can understand your position, but this is not about his or anyone elses beliefs or superstitions. This is about the actual organization, Church of Scientology, and their campaign of intimidation and censorship against a number of people who make fun of them in public, such as the recent South Park incident. I couldn’t care less if Tom Cruise wants to believe in something silly, but if he’s going to be a public representative for a particular organization engaged in reprehensible acts than he deserves some payback.

  4. You’re 100% right. Scientology acts very publicly to harsh others’ mellow. I was on the receiving end of that at my last job, where the boss went after those of us who weren’t comfortable with Scientology management consultants coming in to restructure the company. (Read about Hubbard Management and WISE at Operation Clambake to get an idea of what was going on.)

    By the way, I saw a Scientology table set up down on the waterfront here in Seattle. There were a couple protestors next to them holding up signs saying “Hail Xenu! :>” and “Scientology is a scam!” (or something like that) getting a much better reaction from passing traffic and pedestrians. And me without my camera…

  5. A nonprofit. It wasn’t so much the place though as it was the boss. I did get to walk out in the middle of a work day over it after a few years working there. I don’t think I’ve ever quit a job under normal circumstances.

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