Tom Cruise is said to have taken a step back from Scientology and has reportedly stopped visiting the UK headquarters in East Grinstead, sparking speculation that he’s quit the controversial religion.
The Mission Impossible star is believed to have not been seen at the HQ for around three years. He has mainly been based in the UK over recent years while filming for Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One and has been seen around Birmingham and the Cotswolds.
Scientology is a set of beliefs and practices that were invested by American author L. Ron Hubbard and has gone on to become a global church. The core belief of the Church of Scientology is that a human is an immortal, spiritual being – called a thetan – that is just a resident in a physical body – so essentially we rent, not own, our bodies.
The thetan has had innumerable past lives, some preceding the titan’s arrival on Earth. Scientology defines itself as the study and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, others, and all of life. The author described in his novels: ‘The spirit… is not a thing. It is the creator of things.’
It was claimed in 2021 that Tom was drifting away from Scientology after years of being the poster boy for the religion. New reports that the Top Gun actor has been absent from one of their most famous UK bases over the last three years has further fuelled speculation about Tom’s relationship with the church.
However, the Church of Scientology also has a building in central London so there’s a possibility Tom could be visiting that branch instead. The headquarters in West Sussex was purchased by the religion’s founder L. Ron Hubbard in 1959. Tom used to be seen using his helicopter to fly down to the area to visit the church, as reported by MailOnline.
Tom, who is an ambassador for the church, is considered one of the most high-profile members of the church. John Travolta, Nancy Cartwright, and Elisabeth Moss are among the other stars who follow the religion. It has previously been reported that Tom is treated in an almost God-like way by members for his role in supporting the Church over the years. He even tried to campaign for Scientology to be recognised as a religion in Europe.
Tom revealed his ex-wife Katie Holmes filed for divorce as she didn’t want their daughter Suri involved with it. He also said in 2008: “It’s like, we’re here to help. If you’re a Scientologist, you see life, things, the way they are, in all its glory, in all of its perplexity, and the more you know as a Scientologist, the more you become overwhelmed by it.”