Katie Holmes is Having Tom Cruise's baby???
Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise have been raising eyebrows ever since April, when the couple began making appearances together, holding hands and showing signs of affection for each other. Tom continues to publicly, and over-enthusiastically declare his love for the 26-year old beauty--he's 43--which started as earky as a month after their courtship began, making people wonder, "Are they serious???" The media couldn't help but highlight their differences: age, romantic history, and of course, religion. Tom, as society has already learned, is a Scientologist; Katie is Christian. However, despite religious differences, the two have continued to confirm their mutual love for each other. It appeared to be only a matter of time according to this fast-track that the unlikely pair would get married (they are engaged) and have a child (which also looks to be in the works).
The point, here, isn't that Katie Holmes is pregnant, or even that the two are getting married, although both stories feed our need for gossip. The point is, similar to Manfred Schneider's argument that the printing press helped popularize Protestantism, the media has been highlighting and giving more and more press to new, emerging religions like Scientology.
Founded in 1951 by famous non-fiction novelist and screen writer L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology is a religion that emphasizes the human being as a spritual being--a soul. Ever since it's outset, celebrities have been the most important force in promoting the religion. Hubbard, himself, believed that they were a necessity in expanding the faith, and thus made them "first class" individuals in the Church's unusual hierarchy. In the recent media, celebs have been coming out of the woodwark, confessing their adherence to the Scientological beliefs. Tom Cruise has made recent headlines for criticizing the use of anti-depressants, offending Brooke Shields, who had her own battle with post-natal depression. In another controversial appearance, Cruise lashed out at Matt Lauer, who promoted psychiatric therapy as a beneficial practice for some who need it.
Clearly, the media has done it's job in headlining these religious movements, even in discrete ways. An article focused on Katie Holme's pregnancy wouldn't be complete without mentioning the controversial religion that Tom contributes. Although many of us never knew much about Scientology, even if it's religious practices remain uncertain, at least we can link it to famous celebrities. Society never fails to want to be a part of the Hollywood lifestyle--Scientology helps create that link. Congrats TomKat.
The point, here, isn't that Katie Holmes is pregnant, or even that the two are getting married, although both stories feed our need for gossip. The point is, similar to Manfred Schneider's argument that the printing press helped popularize Protestantism, the media has been highlighting and giving more and more press to new, emerging religions like Scientology.
Founded in 1951 by famous non-fiction novelist and screen writer L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology is a religion that emphasizes the human being as a spritual being--a soul. Ever since it's outset, celebrities have been the most important force in promoting the religion. Hubbard, himself, believed that they were a necessity in expanding the faith, and thus made them "first class" individuals in the Church's unusual hierarchy. In the recent media, celebs have been coming out of the woodwark, confessing their adherence to the Scientological beliefs. Tom Cruise has made recent headlines for criticizing the use of anti-depressants, offending Brooke Shields, who had her own battle with post-natal depression. In another controversial appearance, Cruise lashed out at Matt Lauer, who promoted psychiatric therapy as a beneficial practice for some who need it.
Clearly, the media has done it's job in headlining these religious movements, even in discrete ways. An article focused on Katie Holme's pregnancy wouldn't be complete without mentioning the controversial religion that Tom contributes. Although many of us never knew much about Scientology, even if it's religious practices remain uncertain, at least we can link it to famous celebrities. Society never fails to want to be a part of the Hollywood lifestyle--Scientology helps create that link. Congrats TomKat.
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