Cruise clashes with Lauer on 'Today' show

[amber]

Originally Posted by dissention

No, I think he should be villified for his statements regarding Scientology, psychiatry, and anti-depressants. The stuff he's saying is dangerous. Telling people to take vitamins and exercise instead of getting professional help? Give me a ****ing break.

Maybe. Yes, in fact. Although, all people should exercise and take vitamins.
But the rest, the rest of the backlash, is just too much, IMO. So he believes in some weird sh**. Can't it be taken with the rest of hollywood that believes in weird sh**? Y'all are so....Angry!!!
Actually, what I object to the most is people universally denouncing all he's ever done.
But, I have to concede, and I think I've done so before, that his take on prescription drugs and psychiatry is less than desireable. But if that's his worst fault? While he thinks he's helping people? Not so heinous, IMO. I mean, he's obviously not a super A-hole, but people are talking like he is.

[GateandGarden]

Originally Posted by amber

No, I think he's gay. That's what I was saying. I think he is having a hard time. I thought you might understand that aspect. I disagree with his points about medication and mental illness. But I do not think he should be universally villified for his recent behavior.

Okay. I didn't realize that you really did think he's gay. But I tend to think he should be villified for his comments. How do you think all of that sounds to the genuinely mentally ill, of which there certainly are many. The ones I know are not appreciating him at all right now.

[GateandGarden]

Originally Posted by amber

Maybe. Yes, in fact. Although, all people should exercise and take vitamins.
But the rest, the rest of the backlash, is just too much, IMO. So he believes in some weird sh**. Can't it be taken with the rest of hollywood that believes in weird sh**? Y'all are so....Angry!!!
Actually, what I object to the most is people universally denouncing all he's ever done.
But, I have to concede, and I think I've done so before, that his take on prescription drugs and psychiatry is less than desireable. But if that's his worst fault? While he thinks he's helping people? Not so heinous, IMO. I mean, he's obviously not a super A-hole, but people are talking like he is.

Just because someone means well doesn't excuse things, IMO. Pat Robertson means well, I think.

Plus, I don't think he's much of an actor, so that's another criticism I have that's unrelated to the ignorant comments and repressed homosexuality and such.

[amber]

Originally Posted by GateandGarden

Okay. I didn't realize that you really did think he's gay. But I tend to think he should be villified for his comments. How do you think all of that sounds to the genuinely mentally ill, of which there certainly are many. The ones I know are not appreciating him at all right now.

Yes, that's fine. *sigh* I don't like scientology or lame comments about mental illness, either. But I also don't like random and sudden hatred about someone who has, by most accounts, been a good person and given us lots of good movie joy, just because he is going crazy about being gay. *sigh* I give up. While others will continue to say nasty things about Tom Cruise, I will follow, and mentally think he is wrong about the things he is wrong about, while also giving him props about his work, and being the stand up guy he is.
I concede!!!!
and I wish Tom peace with his struggles.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by amber

Yes, that's fine. *sigh* I don't like scientology or lame comments about mental illness, either. But I also don't like random and sudden hatred about someone who has, by most accounts, been a good person and given us lots of good movie joy, just because he is going crazy about being gay. *sigh* I give up. While others will continue to say nasty things about Tom Cruise, I will follow, and mentally think he is wrong about the things he is wrong about, while also giving him props about his work, and being the stand up guy he is.
I concede!!!!
and I wish Tom peace with his struggles.

But, people are almost persecuting him for his beliefs in Scientology. He talks about Scientology when reporters ask him about it. Then, they start to argue with him over it. I mean imagine the outrage if a Christian reporter challenged a Muslim on their beliefs while discussing a current action movie starring the Muslim. This is not that different.

[amber]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

But, people are almost persecuting him for his beliefs in Scientology. He talks about Scientology when reporters ask him about it. Then, they start to argue with him over it. I mean imagine the outrage if a Christian reporter challenged a Muslim on their beliefs while discussing a current action movie starring the Muslim. This is not that different.

I know. I know. Except he's a movie star, not a random religion guy.

[GateandGarden]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

But, people are almost persecuting him for his beliefs in Scientology. He talks about Scientology when reporters ask him about it. Then, they start to argue with him over it. I mean imagine the outrage if a Christian reporter challenged a Muslim on their beliefs while discussing a current action movie starring the Muslim. This is not that different.

I think he's promoting ideas that are harmful to people. Merely professing to be a Christian or Muslim and practicing that faith does not, by any means, indicate that you are doing that. He sounds like a fundamentalist. I would criticize Dobson for promoting intolerance whether he was in a movie or not.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by GateandGarden

I think he's promoting ideas that are harmful to people. Merely professing to be a Christian or Muslim and practicing that faith does not, by any means, indicate that you are doing that. He sounds like a fundamentalist. I would criticize Dobson for promoting intolerance whether he was in a movie or not.

Well, I know that, but my point was he is not the one bringing all of this up to any significant extent. The reporters are bringing it up and he is commenting on what he believes, which any other person would do. So, they are going after him a bit on this and I think that is unfair.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

But, people are almost persecuting him for his beliefs in Scientology. He talks about Scientology when reporters ask him about it. Then, they start to argue with him over it. I mean imagine the outrage if a Christian reporter challenged a Muslim on their beliefs while discussing a current action movie starring the Muslim. This is not that different.

I agree, but it still doesn't excuse how dangerous and uninformed his statements are. They're coming out of his mouth, regardless if he's being asked or not, and he needs to take responsibility for any uproar or controversy they may provoke. He doesn't seem like a total fool, he knows full well how Scientology is viewed by many and he knows full well that it's classified as a cult in too many countries to count. He must know that the Church of Scientology has their members sign a contract that says the Church can inflict bodily harm against them. He must know that they operated glorified concentration camps in European countries. If he wants to discuss these things, do it. But do it in a better way than saying Scientology is right, psychiatry is evil, just take vitamins and exercise and all will be well with you. He's glorifying it and that's dangerous, imo.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

Well, I know that, but my point was he is not the one bringing all of this up to any significant extent. The reporters are bringing it up and he is commenting on what he believes, which any other person would do. So, they are going after him a bit on this and I think that is unfair.

The last time I checked, no one is forcing him to make these statements. No one is forcing him to be so inarticulate about them, either. No one came out and asked him what he thought about Brooke Shields and her use of Paxil, he went after her all by himself. Hopefully he saw a video of his appearance on Today and will be a bit wiser when being asked such things the next time around.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by dissention

I agree, but it still doesn't excuse how dangerous and uninformed his statements are. They're coming out of his mouth, regardless if he's being asked or not, and he needs to take responsibility for any uproar or controversy they may provoke. He doesn't seem like a total fool, he knows full well how Scientology is viewed by many and he knows full well that it's classified as a cult in too many countries to count. He must know that the Church of Scientology has their members sign a contract that says the Church can inflict bodily harm against them. He must know that they operated glorified concentration camps in European countries. If he wants to discuss these things, do it. But do it in a better way than saying Scientology is right, psychiatry is evil, just take vitamins and exercise and all will be well with you. He's glorifying it and that's dangerous, imo.

I agree with you in the sense that he should own anything resulting from his posting his beliefs. I guess my point is who would be dumb enough to stop taking medicine because Tom Cruise says to do so - but I suppose such sheep exist, which is far scarier than anything coming out of Tom Cruise's mouth.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by dissention

.

And as far as the Brooke Shields thing, look, you got to understand, I really care about Brooke Shields. I think, here's a wonderful and talented woman. And I want to see her do well. And I know that psychiatry is a pseudo science.

When he said this his sincerity was so forced, I almost burst out laughing.

[dudden22]

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

When he said this his sincerity was so forced, I almost burst out laughing.

Well in another quote he said the same thing, but added "look where her career has gone"

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by dissention

My favorite part is when he says that ritalin and anti-depressants are "anti-psychotic drugs."

I caught that too.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

I agree with you in the sense that he should own anything resulting from his posting his beliefs. I guess my point is who would be dumb enough to stop taking medicine because Tom Cruise says to do so - but I suppose such sheep exist, which is far scarier than anything coming out of Tom Cruise's mouth.

I don't think many are going to stop taking prescription drugs cold turkey because Toothy Cruise said so. But I do think his comments are going to spark an interest in some people who do take drugs or see psychiatrists, and that may lead to involvement with the cult that is Scientology. That's what I think is dangerous about all of it.