Take That Scientology!

[EmpireF4i]

Tom Cruise banned from German military bases
By Tony Paterson in Berlin
Published: 26 June 2007

Germany has banned Tom Cruise from shooting scenes at military sites for his film about a plot to kill Adolf Hitler because the Hollywood actor is a member of the Church of Scientology.

Cruise was to play the part of Claus von Stauffenberg, a member of the German nobility who attempted to assassinate Hitler in July 1944. The film, entitled Valkyrie, is due to go on release next year and its makers planned to start shooting in Berlin next month.

However, Germany's Defence Ministry formally banned the actor, who is also one of the movie's producers, from filming at authentic military sites in the German capital which are central to the movie's plot.

"The film-makers will not be allowed to film at German military sites if Count Stauffenberg is played by Tom Cruise, who has publicly professed to being a member of the Scientology cult," Harald Kammerbauer, a Defence Ministry spokesman, said yesterday.

In a further remark which appeared to express utter disapproval at the choice of Tom Cruise for the part, Mr Kammerbauer said: "In general, the German armed forces have a special interest in the serious and authentic portrayal of the events of 20 July 1944 and Stauffenberg's person."

The German government usually prides itself on upholding artistic freedoms and normally maintains a position of neutrality when dealing with film projects.

However, the Church of Scientology is regarded with suspicion in Germany, where it is widely considered to be a cult that masquerades as a religion.

The organisation, which opened a European headquarters in Berlin this year, is kept under surveillance by German intelligence services.

Tom Cruise's character, Claus von Stauffenberg, was opposed to the Nazis' treatment of the Jews, despite being a German army officer. On the afternoon of 20 July 1944, he went to Hitler's "Wolf's Lair" headquarters in East Prussia and planted a briefcase bomb next to the Nazi leader. However, Hitler was only wounded in the attack. Stauffenberg was caught soon after and executed.

His family has not welcomed the decision to use Tom Cruise to play the part. Berthold Maria Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg, 72, von Stauffenberg's son, dismissed the forthcoming film. "It is unpleasant for me that an avowed Scientologist will be playing my father," he said. "I had hoped for a long time that the project was just a publicity stunt on the part of Cruise. Clearly that appears not to be the case."

Cruise himself was not immediately available for comment.

Tom Cruise banned from German military bases - Independent Online Edition > Europe

[Zarcath]

With CGI who needs to shoot on location? :P

and is there any way the son can prevent the movie from being made?

[torrent495]

That's incredibly stupid. Scientology isn't a terrorist movement, it's just a religious cult, essentially equivalent to any number of other more mainstream religions. And Tom Cruise is an actor. I see no possible justification for why the German Defense Ministry would ban Cruise from making a movie. It's really distasteful.

[Vorph]

They have Xenu at one of those bases in cryogenic storage waiting for just the right moment to unleash him upon an unsuspecting world. They can't take the risk of Cruise finding this out and infiltrating the base like a religious whack-job version of Ethan Hunt.

True story, I read it in the Weekly World News.

[Mario Speedwagon]

Originally Posted by torrent495

That's incredibly stupid. Scientology isn't a terrorist movement, it's just a religious cult, essentially equivalent to any number of other more mainstream religions. And Tom Cruise is an actor. I see no possible justification for why the German Defense Ministry would ban Cruise from making a movie. It's really distasteful.

If you knew more about scientology you wouldn't say that.

Operation Snow White - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Operation Freakout - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Not terrorists? Ha

[Turzem]

Scientology isn't a suicide bomber style terrorist cult, but they are terrorists none the less.

[Akileese]

Originally Posted by Turzem

Scientology isn't a suicide bomber style terrorist cult, but they are terrorists none the less.

Technically true. They use scare tactics to strike fear into people which is a form of terror.

But a religious cult is just as bad.

[brekk]

I applaud Germany and their descision.

Fuck Tom Cruise.

[Soriak]

I don't think they're considered 'terrorists' in that sense, but rather an organization that may work towards undermining the German constitution. (namely Democracy, of which Hubbard apparently wasn't a big fan)

The fact that they trademarked their name and can sue you for talking about the organization just shows how they've managed to twist the law. Sadly European countries haven't had the balls to ban them outright. Keep in mind we don't have a first amendment and since they've not been recognized as a religion (no chance since they're for-profit) they can't go with religious freedom.

[Millie]

Say what you will about the Germans, but they are certainly a no-bullshit kind of people. They called shenanigans on the whole Scientology-as-"religion" thing long before anyone else did. To this day, they remain perhaps the only major industrialized nation on Earth who refuses to grant religious recognition to the Church of Scientology, on the grounds that it is a sham and a cult. I wish more countries would follow suit. I'm all for religious freedom and tolerance, but Scientology is nothing more than a glorified pyramid scheme using the guise of religion for beneficial tax purposes.

[Littles]

Sounds like germany is a bunch of psychotherapists that need their thetons checked....


Fuck scientology.

[Furism]

Originally Posted by Millie

To this day, they remain perhaps the only major industrialized nation on Earth who refuses to grant religious recognition to the Church of Scientology, on the grounds that it is a sham and a cult.

Which countries officially recognize the Scientology as a religion?

[Geaux]

not a fan of cruise or the cult but this seems a little over the top...

[Soriak]

Originally Posted by Furism

Which countries officially recognize the Scientology as a religion?

From wikipedia:

Scientology is considered a legitimate religion in the United States of America,[113] Taiwan,[114] Tanzania,[115] Zimbabwe,[115] S. Africa,[116] Australia, [113] Sweden,[113] New Zealand,[113] Italy,[113] and Austria

[Kuriin]

Originally Posted by torrent495

That's incredibly stupid. Scientology isn't a terrorist movement, it's just a religious cult, essentially equivalent to any number of other more mainstream religions. And Tom Cruise is an actor. I see no possible justification for why the German Defense Ministry would ban Cruise from making a movie. It's really distasteful.

^ Yep