Scientology's stars: Which celebrities practice the religion?

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes arrive for the UK premiere of the film "Valkyrie" on January 21, 2009, in London.

/ Getty

(CBS News) Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' split has catapulted Scientology into the headlines again.

The couple wed before a Church of Scientology minister in 2006, and Cruise has been a key member of the church for years. But now TMZ reports that Holmes is seeking sole legal custody of their daughter because she doesn't want Cruise to control decisions relating to religion.

Pictures: Scientology's Stars
Read more: Katie Holmes steps out after split
Read more: Inside the divorce filing

Cruise and Holmes aren't the only celebrities who practice Scientology. John Travolta and his wife Kelly Preston, Kirstie Alley, singer Beck, actress Leah Remini and "Mad Men" star Elisabeth Moss also follow it.

But some stars have abandoned the church in recent years.

Filmmaker Paul Haggis resigned from the church in 2009 out of anger over its implicit support of California's Proposition 8, the ban on same-sex marriage.

Developed by L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology is described as "a religion that offers a precise path leading to a complete and certain understanding of one's true spiritual nature and one's relationship to self, family, groups, Mankind, all life forms, the material universe, the spiritual universe and the Supreme Being," according to its website.

Go here to see the other stars who subscribe to Scientology.

22 Photos

Scientology's Stars

[BradMoyer]

Scientology is a dangerous cult that utilizes brainwashing and bullying tactics to keep their members in line. As long as Tom Cruise is involved with Scientology only supervised visits with Suri should be allowed. Google Shelly Miscavige and see what they do to women that disobey their husbands. Shelly is the wife of Scientology leader David Miscavige who happens to be Cruise's best friend and best man at his wedding to Katie Holmes. Shelly carried out Scientology orders without getting David's approval and she has not been seen since 2006. When you sign up for Scientology you sign a billion year contract and allow them to lock you up if they feel you disobeyed or went against them. If I were on Katie's legal team I would petition the court for a paternity test to see if Cruise is actually Suri's biological father. While he was married to Nicole Kidman they adopted 2 children, Nicole went on to have a biological child with her new husband. I do not think Cruise can father a child.

[UForgotPoland]

You got to be retarded to believe this crap.

[captbeefheart]

As with all religions.

[scott-perry]

Scientology is a sad attempt to use a set of Mafia like tactics, but to call these tactics a "religion". Not many folks are able to mess with the "mob" and get away with it. Good luck Katie!! I hope that you survive in good style the "vendetta" attacks that are sure to come.

[nohater]

don't know of anyone who thought the marriage would last 10 years. it was sort of doomed from the start. as for the scientology thing, it's just another religion that controls its congregations, members.

[bree1345]

Too bad they couldn't work things out. It is the child Suri that will suffer the split the worse.

[thetruthwillout]

I have a feeling their disagreement came with how the child would be raised in terms of religion and spirituality. Scientology is a cult and I would not want my child raised in a cult. Tom Cruise may be talented and handsome but he's a bit on the nutty side. Is that the result of Scientology? I don't know -- what came first, the chicken or the egg? I don't think this is an amicable split. I believe it's going to be an ugly divorce and custody battle. Now, we'll see the REAL side of Tom Cruise.

[KansasCity-2012]

Sad to learn about the divorce. Scientology had little to do with it. A couples relationship rides whatever is offered to it by the participants. Scientology is like any other tool available to a person's mind and spirit. Anyone who neglects, abuses, or misuses their tools is bound to see sad results and short tool life.

[robrtl]

scientology some how grew out of a series of articles originally published in late 30's early 40's by "Astounding Science Fiction" magazine as l ron hubbards speculative psychology. Who the Savanarola who turned it into a religion i don't know/

[albertj829]

I suppose that we will be hearing about these two nobodies from now until the cows come home.

[you_MAY_be_right]

"Developed by L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology is described as "a religion that offers a precise path leading to a complete and certain understanding of one's true spiritual nature and one's relationship to self, family, groups, Mankind, all life forms..."


++++++++++++++


I'm guessing Katie awoke to her true "spiritual nature" and Tom wasn't there to share the relationship.

[Bojax39]

Good point. I'm guessing you_MAY_be_right. :-)