I do not know Tom Cruise and have read very little about him. But I have formed the impression that he makes irresponsible and misguided assertions about psychology and psychiatry.
As to Scientology, I have not read anything on that subject in nearly 40 years, but everything I read left a very bad impression on me. When Nathaniel Branden Institute was operating, we had a "Book Club" department where we recommended and offered for sale books we thought would be of value to Objectivists. One such book included a chapter highly critical of Scientology. I received a threatening letter from someone allegedly in the Scientology hierarchy, saying that if I did not withdraw support for this book, seriously unpleasant things would befall me. I think I was intended to interpret this as life-threatening. I did not withdraw support for the book and that was the end of that.
Years later a friend of mine rose quite high in the Scientology world, tried to convert me, later broke free of it when he decided it was a dangerous racket, and left me with the conclusion that Scientology was bad news.
Over the years, I heard more negative reports. One person conveyed he was placing his life in danger by telling me some of the things he reported.
Tom Cruise vs Nathaniel Branden
in Chewing on Ideas
Posted
Dear Gary,
I do not know Tom Cruise and have read very little about him. But I have formed the impression that he makes irresponsible and misguided assertions about psychology and psychiatry.
As to Scientology, I have not read anything on that subject in nearly 40 years, but everything I read left a very bad impression on me. When Nathaniel Branden Institute was operating, we had a "Book Club" department where we recommended and offered for sale books we thought would be of value to Objectivists. One such book included a chapter highly critical of Scientology. I received a threatening letter from someone allegedly in the Scientology hierarchy, saying that if I did not withdraw support for this book, seriously unpleasant things would befall me. I think I was intended to interpret this as life-threatening. I did not withdraw support for the book and that was the end of that.
Years later a friend of mine rose quite high in the Scientology world, tried to convert me, later broke free of it when he decided it was a dangerous racket, and left me with the conclusion that Scientology was bad news.
Over the years, I heard more negative reports. One person conveyed he was placing his life in danger by telling me some of the things he reported.
I hope this this is of some value to you.
Cordially,
Nathaniel Branden
www.nathanielbranden.net