Before an anonymous campaign to let Oprah know she’s supporting an authoritarian criminal business could get underway, Oprah’s own fans have been expressing their displeasure.  Here are some excerpts (all from members who’ve registered before the announcement last week) from the three separate threads on Oprah’s own message board:

• I just read a news item saying Tom Cruise (and his family) will be on Oprah in early May. That is one show I will be sure to miss. Does Oprah think people are the least bit interested in Cruise and his life? Is this to be some kind of redemption from his fool act on Oprah three years ago? NOT INTERESTED, DON’T CARE.
• I for sure will not be watching. I know what scientology is all about. I have done tons of research and it’s one evil cult. I also happen to know, well knew, someone who is in this cult and it’s the most evil, crazy, money grubbing, crap you’ll ever see. They take all your money, they brainwash you, and then if you don’t comply, they stalk and threaten you. It’s sick and I can’t believe people still support Tom Cruise. People, please research Scientology. Then you will know what they do. It’s scary. DO NOT GIVE TOM CRUISE SUPPORT.
• If you think that Scientology is just a wacky but harmless religion then you very clearly have NOT done any research. This is a dangerous cult with a long list of fully documented crimes, illegal activities and human rights violations. Tom Cruise cannot be seen as separate from Scientology. He is Scientology’s most vocal and ardent advocate. So when Oprah has Tom Cruise on her show and gives him a public forum and special star treatment she is lending her support to Scientology. Scientology is headed for a fall. It’s despicable activities are being exposed as more and more ex-scientologists start speaking out. Oprah is foolish to get involved in any way with this even if it is only through association. My only hope is that Oprah will someday do a show interviewing ex-scientologists and exposing the cult.
• I agree. Lets all go see Tom’s home and Tom’s money. How about his place at the Scientology Celebrity Center built on the sweat of kids in the Rehabilitation Project Force of Scientology (aka punishment slave camp) who are getting paid 46 bucks a week and work every single day, rarely getting a day off and existing on rice and beans and minimal sleep? They aren’t even provided the basics to keep clean and have a decent place to live. I don’t know how that man sleeps at night.
• My biggest issue with him started out with his being so anti-psychiatry. I have a severe, life affecting, mental disability. I have to be on medication or I go to a very very dark place. I also have flash backs, nightmares, etc. and if it weren’t for my meds. I’d most likely be dead years ago. Part of it is hereditary, both sides of my family have had issues, the other part was due to severe abuse. HOW DARE anyone say that I can be just fine by taking vitamins, etc., I’ve tried that and it fails miserably! To me Tom Cruise is a sanctimonious a$$hole and I won’t watch anything he is in or support anyone who hosts and supports him.
• I can’t help but imagine Oprah saying, “If he wants to jump on furniture, this time he can jump on his OWN darn furniture!”
• Their we have the cult devotee again. How boring!
• So whoat if Scientology is responsible for forced abortions of its Sea Org members, harrassing its critics and ex members, extorting money and destroying families. It cured Tom’s dyslexia, so that must make it all right.
• One of the reasons it really offends me that Oprah is giving him publicity is because of her introducing me to The New Earth, which for me was an eye-opening experience. There was so much in that book that I found helpful and useful. I wish I had read it years ago, I would have saved myself from a lot of insanity. In the New Earth Eckhart Tolle talks about the concept of people defining themselves by latching onto an organization’s or a religion’s set of beliefs and losing themselves in the process. When asked to describe himself Tom Cruise says “I am a Scientologist.” He is a textbook case of what Tolle is referring to. Scientology is very much a “you are either with us or against us” mentality. Make no mistake about it, this is what drives Tom Cruise…. I admire Oprah so much for introducing me to the New Earth. I believe that she is trying to live her life by the principles Tolle describes. That is why I am so very disheartened that she is giving so much air time to a human being whose existence, time and talents are the antithesis of all Tolle aspires to. I only hope that she rises to the occasion and realizes that many of her viewers are very offended by what Tom stands for and that she challenges him on these matters.
• At the moment, she is surrounded by scientologists. Kirsti alley, John Travolta, Tom Cruise, who are using her to further their agenda. She has become their cheerleader. At one time, Oprah was a journalist. I liked her much better years ago when she wasn’t afraid to call people to the carpet. This celebrity butt kissing is just getting so old…. Why not have a cult awareness show? Scientology is one of the most insidious cults there are. Of course, those inside cannot see their way out and those that want to leave, can’t for various reasons. People in the Sea Org making a few dollars a week and nowhere to go if they leave are afraid to be on their own. Others are afraid of disconnection from their familes. How can anyone care about Tom and his career compared to these things? Im sorry, oogling over TC is just not important anymore. The hard issues must be addressed.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 29th, 2008 at 4:43 am and is filed under Media. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.