Jenna Elfman and her gnomish husband wig out over anti-Scientology shirt.
This is the fruitiest story to go down in celebrity annals in some time. According to the world's most prolific and omnipresent celebrity website TMZ, indie film director John Roecker caused outrage, shock and horror when he donned a piece of anti-Scientology apparel while walking in L.A. last weekend.…
Article comments
— go to most recent comments26 - Gordon Hauptfleisch
Them R6-implant aliens blowed up real good, but it creeps me out that I have some of the Incident II soul-residue sticking to me. Ewww...
27 - Greg
Anyone consider that Roecker might be lying for free publicity? Seems obvious to me.
28 - Mark Bellinghaus
Remember how Rosie O'Donnell blushed before she came out of her solid closet--when she had Tommy-girl (Cruise) on her show?!
Oops--then she was out and a big "L"!
It will maybe take a few more years for us to realize that Oprah did that same BS show when she let that weidro jump up and down on her couch....(in his stupid underwear?) and then she will be outed as the most powerful LESBIAN in the UNIVERSE!
Can anybody imagine her with a dude anyhow?
I don't--only with all those hot and famous DIVAS in the park of her ESTATE. Giving expensive presents and talking ONLY about "women-stuff" What about Keanu & Sandra--are they Scientologist? Cause they sparkle on screen like a fireckracker--under water.
You all just wait--until I announce my own church. Gays, Lesbians, Republicans and Democrats, Losers and Winners--all welcome, even Bottox-victems like Keanu.
Get ready for The Church of Marilyn Monroe!
29 - Mark Bellinghaus
To #27: Anyone consider that Greg might be blind, stupid and corrupt?! With other words: A SCIENTOLOGIST! Hey--can you share with us how that dude (Hubbard) died? I heard the strangest stories. Did they really got rid of him? Please share with us your narrowed view and memory of what they told you to tell us in order to leave our money with you to--for you to turn so-so actors/actresses into movie stars and birth machines to cover their real GAY personas.
Better a VEGETARIAN than a freakin SCIENTOLOGIST!
30 - Mark Bellinghaus
"My own Philosophy is that one should share what wisdom he has, one should help others to help themselves, and one should keep going despite heavy weather for there is always a calm ahead."
L. Ron Hubbard
Whatever--ha ha ha, if you take the wisdom out and put the word money in--that works way better, dude!
Ron Blubbard
An actress is not a machine, but they treat you like a machine. A money machine.
Marilyn Monroe
31 - Jet in Columbus
Dear Dawn, good solid writing, I enjoyed it. My God you're brave though concidering how many people Cruise has sued. I used to deliver pizzas to the Scientology headquarters here in Columbus, they'd order $200 worth of merchendise, and then instead of tipping they'd try to talk me into donating their pizzas to their cause so they woouldn't have to pay for them.
I don't often find an article worth reading all the way through, but I enjoyed this one, keep up the good work.
I know I'll regret this, but could someone explain to me what the hell Marilyn Monroe has to do with this subject????
Just wondering...
32 - David Gerard
Actually, Mimi Rogers was the one who got Tom Cruise into Scientology in the first place. See Tilman Hausherr's Celebrities In Scientology FAQ: on snafu.de She also got Sonny Bono in. She was born into Scientology.
33 - Von Zipper
Homer Simpson: "Celebrities--is there anything they don't know?"
34 - Pakmee
Lol? I now know that I am a 100% sure that I am sane!
35 - james
anyone know where you can get that t-shirt from?! i want one!!!
36 - Dawn
Yes Mimi got him into the religion, but she herself rejected it. That says a lot if you ask me.
37 - Mary K. Williams
Ah, this was fun. I suppose I can see the shirt being offensive - just trying to put myself in their shoes.
However, I do NOT agree with their tactics or ideologies. Any group that has to segregate those that question their fath, and subject them to all that brainwashing stuff -- and no contact with families
not good.
38 - barry0001
aha hahahaha ahahahaha ahahahha ahahaha ahahaha ahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahaha aaaaaaahahahahahahahahahahaha aaaahahahahahahahah hahahahahha aaaaaaaaaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
aaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!! yep galactic confederacy!!! ahahahahahahaha aaaaaaaahahahahahahahahahahahah aaaaaahahahahahahahahahahahahahah
39 - David
I believe all organized religion that earns any money in any way is bullshit... Scientology just brainwashes far fewer people and takes many more dollars from them.
That having been said Scientology also likes to kill or kidnap members who may desert or start to bad-mouth the religion. (not that most other religions haven't piled the bodies high and deep over the years...)
More on that here: whyaretheydead.net
40 - Mark Bellinghaus
That's what I fear for "Katie" and that Tomcat for the media "produced" poor Baby. Not that it is "poor" don't get me wrong--it will swim in money--but it might become one of the loneliest children in Hollywood...I agree with you, David.
41 - Mark Bellinghaus
L. Ron Hubbard
The Mysterious Death of L. Ron Hubbard : On January 24 1986, under circumstances that can at best be characterised as 'suspicious', L. Ron Hubbard died. Although his condition had been steadily deteriorating for years, even the coronor noted that there were irregularities surrounding his death, including the presence in his body of vast quantities of Vistaril, a powerful ani-psychotic medication.
Newscasts about Hubbard's death : Two local Los Angeles newscasts detail the announcement of Hubbard's death which was overshadowed that day by the Challenger shuttle disaster.
The death of L Ron Hubbard, another page on the matter. Also availble in German: Der Tod von L. Ron Hubbard (PDF)
42 - DmitryS
I would rather have fun, seeing this mocker treated by muslims or christians for such a come-down on THEIR religion.
Does he take advantage of the fact, that there are too few Scientologists, to mock them out?
As a Catholic, I, personally, would rather dislike it if someone tried to mock out Jesus.
When one mocks Judaism, Jews react with courts and so on. When one from Denmark mocked the prophet Mohammad, muslims burnt Western embassays throughout the world.
43 - Lord Demitri
Dude where can I get that shirt?
44 - Mark Bellinghaus
Roecker makes his point very clear. Bill Maher did it in some fun ways in his last episoded before the summer break. Do you remember those painful interviews of John Travolta and his "wife" Kelly Preston? They are holding hands constantly--as if they just met an faell in love. I mean come on--once you got married you don't have to show the world how much you are in "LOVE" or how much your church members have set up the almost perfect and believable stunt.
Staying alive---ah ah ah ah staying alive...
45 - Mark Bellinghaus
1 - 800 - Gimme ur cash
46 - Ish
The thing about scientology is that it seems like these people are just bored with there lives. Also how can you sue someone for making fun of your religion, if that was the case Jews/Muslims/Cathlics would be super rich and atheists on the street.
47 - IgnatiusReilly
What I find odd is that while you normally spend your time pricking the smug balloons of celebrity ego and seeing through their calculated PR moves, your disdain for Scientology has blinded you to being duped into promoting a publicity hound who wishes he was a celebrity.
He was the one with the intentionally offensive shirt. He was the one telling his story on radio stations and web sites. This guy is a director of some lame puppet movie that no one has seen, so spare me the designation of "indie film director." Try "straight to the bargin bin of Tower Records" director.
"the Church of Scientology is definitely the most insecure of all religions"
Really? Have they killed anyone or stormed the streets in protest? Telling someone their beliefs are gay is not playful banter.
I'm not a Scientology defender. It's wacky and doesn't make a lick of sense, but neither do other religions. Even yours. Tell us your beliefs and I guarantee I can poke holes in it and show you how goofy it is. Some cults just have more followers and have been around longer, so they get more credibility. But hey, if a set of beliefs works for someone, more power to them.
48 - Dawn
Um, Ignatius, no one is beyond my wrath, and that directly applies to a "religion" known entirely for soaking people of their money, will and good sense.
Scientology isn't just wacky, it's the wackiest of the wacky. It is completely without any basis in reality and provides zero virtue or social improvements - it is an organization purely for the sake of making money and protecting itself and the elite and wealthy members in its highest echalons of power. They as a group and its members can collectively fuck the hell off.
As for Roecker, who gives a fat fig what he does or doesn't do for a living. He had the temerity to stick it to the Scientology man, so he gets total props on this occasion.
49 - Clavos
Telling someone their beliefs are gay is not playful banter.
Actually, I think the point was more that two of their most prominent adherents are gay, no?
Perhaps all religions ARE whacky to one degree or another, but Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam, among many others, certainly have had longer histories and greater numbers of believers, not to mention more credible founders/prophets, which characteristics alone lend them greater legitimacy than Scientology.
50 - Silas Kain
Brad and Janet were Scientologists. Magenta and Frank-N-Furter were Roman Catholic.
51 - -E
the idea of god has no basis in reality either. and tithing sure sounds like a scheme to get your money too. so, tell me, how are most of the organized religions any different than scientology?
52 - IgnatiusReilly
Well, I'm sure the world is quaking in their boots knowing you might turn your gaze toward them, but I'm wasn't trying to disrupt the love fest. Merely pointing out the contradiction of getting used by one Hollywood hack while tearing down another.
He's not some noble truth seeker, but a shameless self-promoter who'll you only be mocking later if enough people fall for his garbage. Of course, the fact that his notoriety derives from this incident and not his "indie film" speaks volumes. The fact that he is intentionally offensive points to his immaturity.
I'm much more impressed by people who stand up for their beliefs and are willing to speak out, regardless of how foolish they are.
"it is an organization purely for the sake of making money and protecting itself and the elite and wealthy members in its highest echalons of power."
Sounds like all organized religions to me. Again, feel free to state yours, so we understand how much better your beliefs are.
Clavos, having more credibilty than Scientology is rather a low bar to set. And the number of people that fall for it, I mean, believe it, only signifies that it is a bigger cult. Scott Adams said it best, “You can never underestimate the stupidity of the general public.”
A lot of people still watch "E.R." and it's been around for a while. That doesn't mean it's a good show.
53 - Major Tom
Tom Cruise had his own little hissy fit in an interview with Peter Overton on the Australian 60 Minutes.
And here's a bit of the transcipt:
PETER OVERTON: I've done my fair share of celebrity interviews and often you'll be asked to meet certain requirements, like watch the movie that the star is promoting. But this is something new -- Tom Cruise's office has asked me to come to the Scientology Celebrity Centre in Los Angeles to embark on a four-hour crash course in Scientology and what it's all about. Why, then, was it a condition of me talking to you today that I had to spend quite an intense four-and-a-half hours in the Church of Scientology here in Los Angeles?
TOM CRUISE: You didn't have to. You could have said no.
PETER OVERTON: I felt I had to.
TOM CRUISE: Okay. Well that's how you felt. People are interested in Scientology and I find that people wanted to know. They want to know about it. It's also... There's people out there that want help and that need help.
PETER OVERTON: Would you also agree there's a perception out there that it gets bad press -- cult-like secrecy, controlling -- and you almost have to defend it?
TOM CRUISE: You know, I don't feel... Ignorance breeds bigotry, breeds racism, okay? You have been there and you've seen it for yourself. Okay?
PETER OVERTON: Do you feel discriminated against when people say this is what Scientology is, that you're a bunch of lunatic fringe or whatever?
TOM CRUISE: Peter?
PETER OVERTON: Tom?
TOM CRUISE: No-one's ever said that to me.
PETER OVERTON: No, I mean that perception out there.
TOM CRUISE: But that's not the perception out there. That is absolutely -- maybe from your perspective.
PETER OVERTON: This isn't my personal opinion, I'm just saying, how do you feel about that when people...
TOM CRUISE: Well, how would you feel?
PETER OVERTON: If it was my faith, I'd feel really...
TOM CRUISE: Not even your own faith -- I find that appalling when people who don't know what they're talking about say things like that. I think it's ... I think it's appalling. I think it's appalling that they're still burning synagogues in France. I think it's appalling how certain Muslims are being treated. I think it's absolutely appalling when we talk about freedom of speech and human rights. I think it's appalling that they electric shock people. I think it's appalling that they drug children. I think it's appalling that they say that there are no solutions for those things. I think it's appalling that people have to live a life of drug addiction when I have personally -- personally -- helped people get off drugs.
54 - Dawn
Ignatius, people standing up for their beliefs in and of itself is noble in no way. What of the beliefs of the KKK, NAMBLA or Al Queda?
I mean think about that statement. Everyone's beliefs are open to scrutiny under the gaze of public opinion, but Scientology is very exclusionary, self-protective and the tithing they require is beyond the pale.
As for religions of all kinds, they should be eyed with a healthy dose of scepticism, but Scientology encourages more of this with their creepy secrecy.
And again as for Roecker, who cares if he's a self-promoter. So is the Church of Scientology - assuming you have really, really, really deep pockets.
55 - Mary K. Williams
Brad and Janet were Scientologists. Magenta and Frank-N-Furter were Roman Catholic
Ahh, thank you Silas, for clearing this up. (Besides, gave me a good chuckle)
So, what was Eddie? (probably the church of Hannibal Lector)
56 - Eric Olsen
it would appear interviewers are better off avoiding the topic of Scientology with Tom Terrific
57 - The Gibbon
Scientologists make me feel ill.
58 - Liz and L. Ron Holt
John Roecker is Gay, ver very Gay but he is also right very very right.
59 - Marcs
Ok I Understand Tom cruise is an Alien and is Gay..............Ok Thank you !
60 - Silas Kain
So, what was Eddie? (probably the church of Hannibal Lector)
Definitely a Baptist.
61 - smoothmedia
For those of you who don't realize how dangerous this cult is... "The Truth About Scientology"
62 - Tokmeister
Scientology is so unorthodox-ive heard if your being murdered, your not allowed to scream...
63 - jim Gleeson
A little over a year ago I wrote a blog after the Today show incident.
There is of course a long-standing silencing that this religion does to those who do not agree with it. See also the scientology episode of Southpark. It is not a good career move apparently to bad-mouth scientology.
I have been down to Venice beach and in other places in LA where you can get your free stress test and eventually liberation from your own thoughts. It is sad to see so many people who are being taken advantage of, but in a way its kind of good so that people can be sorted into the category of "easily manipulated."
In terms of Roecker, I wish I had thought of the idea. I don't know if I would put down that scientology is gay, maybe something more along the lines of a sci fi knockoff t-shirt of "War Of The Worlds."
64 - Click my URL!
For any mom and dad and all of you who still believe in Santa and the Tom & Katie BS set-up! Open your eyes and realize that we don't need Aliens to be scared--we have Scientology!
65 - big fat frosty
there just another satanic cult who want bitch slapping and yea tom cruise is a total gaylord
66 - Silas Kain
Oh come on now. Tom Cruise is straighter than Clint Eastwood. He's a man's man. A total stud. I bet Katie rides him like the Lone Ranger rode Silver. No male member of Scientology is even remotely gay. Everybody says they cause Gaydar to go off the screen. It's all an illusion. Once they were "cleared", their molecular construction becomes such that all gaydar is rendered useless. Poor Tommy is a victim.
67 - zan
ok let me get this stright this so-called religion is made up by one guy who writes sci fi and talkes about how aliens have come to earth ect..... seriously who the hell belives this stuff???? how could u theres so many flaws this is more like a cult then a religion and even as a cult its a pack of bull**** ok seriously it makes you wonder is this religion only a religion becuase its has some celebs as belivers??? and since when has religion come at a price??? once again thats cult material well thats all i gotta say -zan
68 - artoo45
A word about Gay vs. gay.
$cientology is definitely NOT captial G Old School Gay. To be Old School Gay, and I mean cop-fighting-drag-queens, disco-fabulous, interior-decorator, sex-clubbing, Bette Midler loving, mirror-sunglasses, party-all night, sleep-all-day, hairy chested, neighborhood-renovating, I'm-25-and-I'll-sleep-when-I'm-dead, pre plague Gay, you have to have be a fighter, have creativity and a fucking sense of humor about yourself!
(Okay PC police, I know not every LGBGTwhatever Community Person lived that way in the '70s, and yes it was a deadly combination of "personal choices" but I'm making a point here, so back off.)
$cientology is new-world-order-gay with a tiny flacid little g. A sanctimonious, self-important, humorless, minstrelly, queer-eye-for-the-straight-massah-sellout of a cult. Its sadly desparately trying to mainstream itself. They have FABULOUS pretend Navy uniforms however. Now if they only had a pretend Navy . . .
69 - Jill
to #47 IgnatiusReilly Who asks if Scientology has a ever killed anyone...
I highly suggest some reading into Scientology for you as it seems you think Scientology is just a HARMELESS LITTLE VENUE FOR BORED RICH PEOPLE... and look into the following stories of just a few people that are no longer around due to Scientology- a dirty little secret:
Google The Victims names BELOW along with keyword "Scientology" and I am sure you will find out some interesting things.
*Also visit this site for more information about why Scientology seems to be leading to more and more mysterious deaths:
(I am not affiliated to the website above just an interested reader who no longer thinks Scientology is a harmless little hobby)
NAMES OF THE DEAD:
Lisa McPherson
Albert Jacquier
Andreas Ostertag
Bob Mills
Carrie Slaughterbeck
Greg Bashaw
Herbert Pfaff
Jocelyn Dorfmann
John Buchanan
Josephus Haverith
Konrad A. Passau
Margaret Winkelman
Noah Lottick
Patrice Vic
Peter Frei
Philip Gale
Quentin Hubbard
Richard Collins
Rudolph Willems
Susan Meister
Wilhelm Mack
Jill
70 - Marc
Ok, so I don't believe in Scientology but comparing it to Christianity what is more believable; Xenu blowing up billions of souls with hydrogen bombs or a snake conning a woman into eating an apple? All religions are fallible (manmade) and the way I see it we'll all be in the same place 100 years from now.
71 - Hansom
Scientology is a really good read. The fact that anyone can take it seriously is alarming!! It looks like you really can sell any old crap to some people and they just suck it up. It is a sad reflection of mankind that in this modern age, seemingly educated preople are falling for this rubbish. Then again, at least they're not strapping high explosives to themselves and looking for a crowd!! Think I may have a few more souls sticking to me right now. Can you attract them? If so, can I bottle them? If I can bottle them can I sell em? To Scientologists perhaps. Interested Tom?
72 - Scott Butki
Dawn, you are consistenly a good reader.
I'm trying to decide who is more weird - Elfman or Cruise.
Who would you pick?
73 - Joey
"Ok, so I don't believe in Scientology but comparing it to Christianity what is more believable; Xenu blowing up billions of souls with hydrogen bombs or a snake conning a woman into eating an apple? All religions are fallible (manmade) and the way I see it we'll all be in the same place 100 years from now." -- Marc #70
There's a perfect example of someone who takes a reading at face value and does nothing with it.
Churchill once said that every now and then, people will stumble upon truth, pick themselves up, brush themselves off and continue on with life as if nothing happened.
Do you REALLY believe it was a snake? Sure the scriptures are full of examples of animals talking. But was Eve beguiled by a snake? Come on. How about being beguiled by, say a holy person, whose religion is symbolized by a snake? And, was trying to pull Eve away from her God...and succeeded! It's called symbolism Marc. Did God create Adam and Eve who begat all the other people on earth? If so, who did Cain go and live with after he killed his brother? If the flood covered the earth, how did hundreds of thousands of Israelites march into Eygptian captivity 900 years after?
Figure it out... your ascertation is dubious at best, and demonstrates a complete lack of thought. However, you are not alone.... Many "religionists" are caught in the same thought pattern... theories abound.
Here's another Genesis 1:2, the word in the KJV "was" as in the Earth was void... is actually the Hebrew word for became... that would suggest that the earth went through a period of destruction. That's more plausable for fossil theory than... all the dinosaurs were on the Ark too.
Ever read a good theology book? They just about disprove christianity. It's amazing that more people deviod of religion don't read theology... it corresponds with thier thought processing... almost exactly.
74 - Kevin
to Jill #69
That's an impressive list. Perhaps in the spirit of providing both sides of the argument, you can provide us with some "NAMES OF THE DEAD" for those killed in the name of Christianity.
Since that might take a while, maybe you could start with a little teaser list of those sodomized by priests, or even just those forced to give fellatio to a member of the clergy.
Just a thought.
75 - Marc
Well to answer one of your questions Joey, no, I do not believe that a snake literally spoke to Eve. My goal was to illustrate that scientology believes in these events the same as a typical Christian believes in their own religion. A lot must be taken on faith in order to believe in a particular religion. But really, is Hubbard's writing so much less reliable than the fragmented writings and stories passed down and translated over hundreds of years? Either source is absurd from the outside looking in. Anyway, our difference is based in what our faith is founded in-I cannot change your mind and you will not change mine. As far as I am concerned, the most credible source you quoted was Churchill, and personally I cannot value a womanizing alcoholic's words too highly.