Scientology Update



I'm sure that by now most of you have seen (at least in part) Matt Lauer's Today Show interview with actor Tom Cruise. If you are like me, you were frustrated by Cruise's cockiness as he berated Lauer over the issue of psychiatry and medication. Look, I've tried to keep a sense of humor throughout this whole Tom Cruise ordeal, but my patience has just about run out. This guy has every right to his opinions, but someone should seriously slap him senseless. In the interview, he comes off with lines like "YOU don't know the history of psychiatry, I do," "You're glib," "You don't even know what Ritalin is." He used these empty, unsupported and arrogant lines to instantly dismiss every suggestion host Lauer placed before him, without actually offering examples to support his cock-of-the-walk (pun fully intended) assurances of his immeasurable genius. It would be funny if it weren't so sad. According to Cruise, "If you start talking about chemical imbalance, you have to evaluate and read the research papers on how they came up with these theories."

What a dick!

If only Tom Cruise knew as much about L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology (for more on that, see previous post) as he claims to know about psychiatry. It leads you to wonder how such an astute researcher as Cruise could have missed his church's legacy of harrassment, abuse and murder. He can tell you the history of chemical imbalance reseach (at least he says he can; for now we just have to take his word for it) and yet somehow he missed all of the incriminating FBI files, rap sheets, documents, letters, memorandums, lawsuits, autopsy photos, criminal investigations and coroner's reports relating to his beloved "church" and its founder.

Wake up, Tom! If you're such a smart guy, take a critical look at your own religion. If it's the reincarnation and universal spiritual oneness that appeals to you, become a Buddhist. You don't NEED the Church of Scientology, and in fact you're far better off without it! And one more thing. If it's research you want, here's a bit of research for you: According to the International Suicide Statistics Resource Page (befrienders.org/suicide/statistics.htm), more than NINETY PERCENT of suicides in the world are due to mental disorders, and according to Kevin Caruso of Prevent Suicide Now, 25-50% of people with bipolar disorder attempt suicide. There are no guarantees (nor any likelihood) that Scientology can help people in these conditions, but medication has meant the difference between life and death for millions.

Lastly, I want to say a few words about chemical imbalances, since Mr. Cruise brought it up. In my previous post, I kept my descriptions relatively simple and elementary since I had so many topics to cover and wanted merely to make a brief point. It was not at all my intention to suggest (as some have) that depression-related disorders are caused simply by a serotonin imbalance. Again, I was trying to be brief, and make the point that neurotransmitters play an important role in human emotion and physical sensation, merely as a way of demonstrating how the scientific approach to determining and treating illness differs from that of L. Ron Hubbard as described in "Dianetics." In fact, diagnosable mental illnesses are more likely the result of relationships between hundreds of different neurotransmitters, the finer details of which are still up for debate. So to play devil's advocate for a moment, Cruise has some validity in questioning the methods of psychiatry, because a) most drugs were discovered by accident, b) drugs are in no way proven to cure mental illness, c) we do have a serious problem in this country with polypharmacy, prescription drug abuse, unnecessary diagnoses, etc... and d) psychiatry is a practice, in which subjective decisions are made and disagreements are often reached. Nevertheless, he does NOT have the right to judge others for choosing to utilize the resources of modern science to treat their ailments.

Psychiatry isn't perfect, but it sure as hell beats the dangerously-unscientific L. Ron Hubbard approach. More than ninety percent of suicides in the world are due to mental disorders, and undoubtedly many of them can be prevented with the proper medication. We may not have all the answers regarding the relationship between drugs and mental disorders, but we do know that modern medical science offers solutions where Scientology offers only fifty-five-year-old assumptions and suggestive babble. Religion in general has always been an effective tool in helping people to overcome addictions, emotional difficulties and even diseases, but faith is not a cure-all and modern medication is a life-saver for many people. Heavy documentation suggests that an absence of medical treatment for certain people can result in mortal tragedy. One such example can be viewed here: http://www.preventsuicidenow.com/steven-hrabovsky-kleine-suicide.html. Steven Hrabovsky had his whole life ahead of him, but he neglected his bipolar disorder medication until finally his depression defeated him. He committed suicide at the age of 19. There are many people like Steven, but guys like Tom Cruise don't seem to care, or if they do care, they just don't get it. So Tommy, please lay off the medical profession and go back to doing what you do best, which is reciting lines written for you by other people. For more, please read "The Problem With Scientology" (below).

And please visit http://www.freekatie.net/