Scientologist Views On Medicine Questioned

In Aftermath Of Death Of Jett Travolta, 16, Critics Say Church Holds Profession In Negative Light

(CBS)  Even as John Travolta and his wife mourn their son, Jett, some critics of the Church of Scientology are pointing to what they say is a negative church position on medications and medicine.

The Travoltas are Scientologists.

Early Show National Correspondent Hattie Kauffman reports that, since an autopsy showed Jett, 16, died of a seizure, his family now acknowledges Jett's been suffering seizures for many years.

The Travoltas have always been private about their son, Kauffman points out.

"John Travolta's friends who are lawyers indicated Jett had been on a psychiatric pharmaceutical drug that specifically intends to address issues about seizures," says University of Alberta Alternative Religions Prof. Stephen Kent. "They also went on to claim Jett was removed from that drug because it was causing organ damage."

One ex-Scientologist says when she suffered epileptic seizures 30 years ago, the church told her to stop her medication.

"So I started having grand mal seizures," recalls Tory Christman, "and I wasn't even off the medicine. I was only off part of the medicine, and I started having very bad grand mal seizures."

A Scientology spokesperson told CBS News the church doesn't get involved in medical decisions. The statement says, "Scientologists seek conventional medical treatment for medical conditions. Scientologists use prescription drugs when physically ill."

But skeptics point to the writings of the church founder.

"There are definitely some policies that L. Ron Hubbard wrote in the '60s where he was very critical of the medical profession,' says former Scientologist Bruce Hines.

Scientology's most famous member. Tom Cruise, has made it very clear the church is against psychiatric drugs.

"It sees psychiatrists as being enemies -- not only enemies on this earth, but also cosmic enemies," says the University of Alberta's Kent.

But Scientologists do believe in a purification program that Kelly Preston, John Travolta's wife, reported using to treat her son, notes Kauffman.

"People go thru periods of physical exercise combined with large doses of vitamins including niacin and then hours in the sauna," Kent says.

[pafjersey]

My heart mourns for the Travolta''s, to lose a child there are no words to describe, that said I do take offense to the teachings of Scientology. My daughter suffers from bipolar and since she has been taking her meds there is a big improvement. Until these people go to medical school and get their degrees stop talking about which you know nothing about. Bipolar is a real illness and meds the right meds make such a big difference. You should have seen my daughter before the meds and now. I bless the doctors every day for giving me back my daughter.

[dburfears]

It is fine to believe what you want and to act accordingly when it comes to yourself. However, if your "beliefs" result in the injury or death of a child, you should be prosecuted for child endangerment or manslaughter. You do NOT have the right to kill others- especially your OWN CHILDREN.

[missyinky]

My son is autistic and has seizure disorders just like Jett. My heart mourns for John and Kelly, because I know exactly what they are going through. I lost my first child and now I live everyday like they did. It''s so hard at times but you have to make the best of it. At least Jett would get out and go with them, my son wants to stay at home all the time. He goes to school during the day and then its right back to papaw''s (until mommy gets off work) or home. He does not like to be around big crowds of people, it tears him up. My daughter on the other hand is very outgoing, she is on her schools cheerleading squad and loves to be around people and she loves her brother dearly (she''s 9 and he''s 14). I pray everyday that someone will find a cure for autism and seizure disorders, so that other kids can live a normal life. My son is on 7 different medications a day. I don''t have alot of money, but I do have alot of love to give my son and if love could cure him, he would be a normal healthy child. John and Kelly please accept our sincere condolences and now everytime I look at my son I will think of your Jett.

[xlib]

We do not know if the family placed the child on other siezure medications. As for a "psychiatric drug that is used for siezures", yes there are siezure medications that can also be used to treat mental disorders.
The very tone of this article is to place blame on the family. This is full of conjecture and innuendo. This is just another typical msm piece full of shady "facts".
Leave the family alone.

[xlib]

We do not know if the family placed the child on other siezure medications. As for a "psychiatric drug that is used for siezures", yes there are siezure medications that can also be used to treat mental disorders.
The very tone of this article is to place blame on the family. This is full of conjecture and innuendo. This is just another typical msm piece full of shady "facts".
Leave the family alone.

[xlib]

We do not know if the family placed the child on other siezure medications. As for a "psychiatric drug that is used for siezures", yes there are siezure medications that can also be used to treat mental disorders.
The very tone of this article is to place blame on the family. This is full of conjecture and innuendo. This is just another typical msm piece full of shady "facts".
Leave the family alone.

[xlib]

We do not know if the family placed the child on other siezure medications. As for a "psychiatric drug that is used for siezures", yes there are siezure medications that can also be used to treat mental disorders.
The very tone of this article is to place blame on the family. This is full of conjecture and innuendo. This is just another typical msm piece full of shady "facts".
Leave the family alone.

[xlib]

We do not know if the family placed the child on other siezure medications. As for a "psychiatric drug that is used for siezures", yes there are siezure medications that can also be used to treat mental disorders.
The very tone of this article is to place blame on the family. This is full of conjecture and innuendo. This is just another typical msm piece full of shady "facts".
Leave the family alone.

[churscientny]

From what I have gathered. There is no reason for anyone to be concerned about anything. John''s family is a prime example of Scientoloy and how it can better ones self. Even if the Jett''s death was preventable, look at the Hubbard doctrine "there was no Christ" and "picture of a Negro" and "why write for a penny a word - if someone wants to make a million $''s invent your own religion"
I urge everyone to google Scientology and see the deaths, crimes, deception...

[churscientny]

From what I have gathered. There is no reason for anyone to be concerned about anything. John''s family is a prime example of Scientoloy and how it can better ones self. Even if the Jett''s death was preventable, look at the Hubbard doctrine "there was no Christ" and "picture of a Negro" and "why write for a penny a word - if someone wants to make a million $''s invent your own religion"
I urge everyone to google Scientology and see the deaths, crimes, deception...

[churscientny]

From what I have gathered. There is no reason for anyone to be concerned about anything. John''s family is a prime example of Scientoloy and how it can better ones self. Even if the Jett''s death was preventable, look at the Hubbard doctrine "there was no Christ" and "picture of a Negro" and "why write for a penny a word - if someone wants to make a million $''s invent your own religion"
I urge everyone to google Scientology and see the deaths, crimes, deception...

[sunseeker6]

My heart and prayers go out to John, Kelly, and Ella. dburfears- the child was on medication- it does not always work! They gave their child a fantastic life- not by their riches, but by their love. And unless you have a child with a disability or medical problem- you do not know what it is like to watch your child suffer and not always be able to help! Jett''s death was not caused by his parents- it was caused by a medical condition that was not able to be treated. Let him rest in peace and let his family grieve in peace.

[oneStarman]

RUNDOWN - the ''purification program'' described above which is used by Scientology Tech to treat various ''deficiencies'' like doubting church doctrine. Combining: running to exhaustion; toxic doses of niacin, minerals and oils; sauna, isolation and emotionally confrontational techniques used to induce psychological and physical stress to breakdown resistance to indoctrination - much like brainwashing and torture of ''enemy combatants''. It would be sad if the dehydration, chemical and heat stress; combined with the body''s physical reaction to psychological stress - could have been the source of permanent brain damage to a young child that had to suffer seizures thereafter for the rest of their short life. I hope that was not the case.

[mswolfestock]

If this poor kid had been suffering from seizures "for years," then I cannot for the life of me understand why they ever left him alone for one minute, ever.

This is the part of the sad story that needs to be addressed.

[lesleyhearsh]

Wow, you did not even bother to get with scientology on scientology issues. That''s truly lame reporting.

[lesleyhearsh]

By the way, this Tory Christman says in other places that she took herself off anti-epileptic medicine and then had to be coaxed to go back on by scientologists who saw that her condition was worsening.

[countslapula]

All hail Xenu! Xenu will save us. (Insert the diety of your magical belief system here)

[lesleyhearsh]

VULTURES, all of ''em... trying to capitalize on John Travolta''s family tragedy. FOR SHAME!

[pjfarmer1]

The Travoltas, just like all the celibs who get courted by the Church of scientology are fed a different version than the general public. If you want to know what real scientologists go through look at the exscientologykids website.

[susanest]

Although I am not a Scientologist, nor am I completely clear about their beliefs; I will say that it is both reckless, and ignorant to place trust in drugs and the pharamaceutical companies that make them. A drug may be used to help one thing, but it is most certainly destroying something else.(hint: side effects). Should we honestly believe that drug companies want to heal people? This would break them.
Total healing comes from Christ, not drugs.

[mugaluv]

I''m just sorry he missed out on his only chance for salvation - Jesus Christ.

[pjfarmer1]

susanest:
Scientology teaches that God, Christ, Mohammed and all the others were implanted in human minds by evil aliens.
Scientology therapy is a form of brainwashing. If you don''t get better it is your own fault and they kick you out of the "church" which is what the do to all dying people.

[bigsk8fan]

scientologists are not the only religion to fight with current medical practice and science. don''t jehovah witnesses refuse blood transfusions?

[sly_64]

All religions are a form of brainwashing.

[sly_64]

2000 years ago some people saw a man performing magic, and afterwards, he was declared the son of god.

[sly_64]

2000 years ago some people saw a man performing magic, and afterwards, he was declared the son of god ------------------- Posted by sly_64



wrong


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by DaVicar3

Right !

[sly_64]

2000 years ago, if people saw a light bulb light up without fire, or an automobile, there would be a religion around that stuff too.

[mecury69]

"I''m just sorry he missed out on his only chance for salvation - Jesus Christ."

Was that his fault? His parents never gave him the chance to learn or experience Christianity, so how can a loving God condemn him to hell or prevent him from reaching Heaven? It was not his fault. That''s so cruel.

[Krazcarl]

Yes anyone of average intellegence or better knows this is bunk. As for the religion argument..little men/women have always looked for away to look down on others and feel a bit taller. Just lazy fools not bright enough to study and improve things in the real world.

[Krazcarl]

Yes anyone of average intellegence or better knows this is bunk. As for the religion argument..little men/women have always looked for away to look down on others and feel a bit taller. Just lazy fools not bright enough to study and improve things in the real world.

[clovernyc]

Geez, leave the man and his wife alone.

Scientologists are crackpots. No argument there.

Fact remains, they lost their teenage son in a horrible way. No parent should ever be faced with losing a child.

[darwin200]

There not totally wrong some drugs are junk ,for instance antibiotics have never done anything for me.I often continued to have sinus infections even after i took them and they kill healthy bacteria.Cold remedies and psychiatric drugs are also junk.I really don''t care if they believe in aliens its a free country.Christians believe you can be brought back from the dead.

[clovernyc]

Christians believe you can be brought back from the dead.
posted by Darwin200
----------

So do doctors. It is called resuscitation.

[joycefay]

we know jett wasn''t a christian but we hope he will still be in heaven. jesus takes care of his little children and with his parents he didn''t have a chance but with his handicap he will be ok i pray, now to get his stupid parents saved before it is to late and they have a lot to answer for.

[joycefay]

we all know jett wasn''t a christian but he was handicaped and i know he is with the lord because of that, i hope his parents will be saved before it is too late for them and they have a lot to answer for as well as so many stupid others like him.Look around you everything happening today is in the bible, for the last days.the Lord can come at any moment and every knee will bow, sooner or later, don''t put it off except Jesus as your Lord and Savior today.

[happyass3]

Yes, Jehovah''s Witnesses refuse blood transfusions but do accept every other advice offered. I for one am on several antidepressents and have no problem.

[idnnsg]

Scientology is not a religion. It''s just the rantings of a drug-addicted sci-fi writer who studied black magic and once claimed to be Satan-- a man who hated doctors and psychiatrists because they said he was insane.

It''s a bummer for this kid that he was raised by lunatics. May he rest in peace.

[idnnsg]

"we all know jett wasn''t a christian but he was handicaped and i know he is with the lord because of that"

That''s a real nice philosophy you''ve got there, but it sure ain''t what my preacher told me! Basically, it''s just a lame attempt at escaping congnitive dissonance. (God is good, but God makes defective people and then punishes them even though they had no chance? How can THAT be? There MUST be a way out. I know! It''s the magical Get-Out-Of-Hell-Free card, available to anyone WE think God wouldn''t punish for eternity, because that would be mean!)

[clovernyc]

Yes, Jehovah''''s Witnesses refuse blood transfusions but do accept every other advice offered. I for one am on several antidepressents and have no problem.
posted by happy
------

Guess you need those meds for depression cause if you ever need a blood transfusion you can kiss your happy tail goodbye.

[barbaram99]

Welcome back crameat..people don''t take this the wrong way..The bloody cult kilt that cute kid.. When I was in foster care parents lost their kids in Maine years ago for with holding meds from a sick child. I read stores in the papers about it years ago. Sure they got a right as adults to worship as they see fit but not force a child to live it. Read books about that movement by the man that started it. He aint playing with a full deck of cards. I will say some meds are bad. I take meds for health issues and I will tell the church to take a hike. Yep. I feel this way as mormomism was forced on me as a teen in a Maine foster home. Therir crack pots. I pity the poor child tha suffered and his parents should be charged with child abouse as that is what it is. I am just a lay person.

[clovernyc]

There is no cure for epileptic seizures because it is not a disease but a symptom.

Whether or not the treatments his parents allowed for him were effective is irrelevant because their son is dead.

Two parents who seemed to love their child have lost him, and that is the saddest story here.

Scientology is not to blame.

Ignorance and fear are.

[barbaram99]

I have elipspy and know with meds is controled . clover yer way off base. No it is not a disease but caused in my case brain damage at birth 54 years ago. The best way I can explain it our brain use electrity and it when we have a seizure it is like a short citcert and that is how it was explained to me. People like me and the boy at the centre of this story had we lived then in 1600s whould have been burnt alive and labled whictc/warlock which is a lie.

[richbear39]

To all of you who have a pro or anti religion/scientology cult rant and are moved to comment by the Travolta tragedy
1. LEARN TO SPELL 2. Learn to frame a coherent sentence
3.Judge not lest Ye be judged
4." AGAINST STUPIDITY THE GODS THEMSELVES CONTEND IN VAIN "(Georg Schiller, German Philosopher/polymath)

[barbaram99]

let me address ye
1 America has sep of church and state
2 all churches are a business
3 this is not an english class
4 not every one is highly schooled..
5 Ye free to worshop/not worship as ye see fit.
7 computer does not have spell check .
richbear..are ye a bloody teacher. I am 54. I told the mormons to take a hike and them them smart asre persons that are more blind than my legally blind eye. I am a white cane user. I can''t read and write that well but as a daughter of a vet I have a right to my say.

[airboatboy1]

Yes, folks, just follow the beliefs of L. Ron Hubbard and everything will be fine. I can''t believe people can be so naive and stupid.

[yjidam]

"One ex-Scientologist [Tory Christman] says when she suffered epileptic seizures 30 years ago, the church told her to stop her medication."

Tory Christman lies. Type

''"Tory Christman" affidavit 2003''

in Google and read her affidavit.

You will see that the guy advising her to stop her medication in 1969 was a young unqualified staff and that his decision was over-turned by L. Ron Hubbard himself!!!

In 1989, another young unqualified Scientologist (a 15 years old boy!!!) again tried to stop her because of her meds and again, that decision was over-turned by a higher authority in the church who also sent the person who had given her false orders to review.

Christman spend 30 years in the Church of Scientology, all the while being allowed to take her medication.

The affidavit itself is the best proof that Scientology does not require its members to stop their anti-seizure medication when needed.

In spite of this, Tory Christman now tries to exploit the emotion of the tragic death of Jett Travolta to promote a completely distorted and false view of what she herself wrote in a signed affidavit in 2003.

Check for yourself. Read her affidavit, then read what she now claims, and see the extend to which fanatical anti-Scientologists like Christman are ready to lie to promote their "Holy Cause".

[yjidam]

"One ex-Scientologist [Tory Christman] says when she suffered epileptic seizures 30 years ago, the church told her to stop her medication."

Tory Christman lies. Type

''"Tory Christman" affidavit 2003''

in Google and read her affidavit.

You will see that the guy advising her to stop her medication in 1969 was a young unqualified staff and that his decision was over-turned by L. Ron Hubbard himself!!!

In 1989, another young unqualified Scientologist (a 15 years old boy!!!) again tried to stop her because of her meds and again, that decision was over-turned by a higher authority in the church who also sent the person who had given her false orders to review.

Christman spend 30 years in the Church of Scientology, all the while being allowed to take her medication.

The affidavit itself is the best proof that Scientology does not require its members to stop their anti-seizure medication when needed.

In spite of this, Tory Christman now tries to exploit the emotion of the tragic death of Jett Travolta to promote a completely distorted and false view of what she herself wrote in a signed affidavit in 2003.

Check for yourself. Read her affidavit, then read what she now claims, and see the extend to which fanatical anti-Scientologists like Christman are ready to lie to promote their "Holy Cause".

[honestabe8]

I''''m just sorry he missed out on his only chance for salvation - Jesus Christ.
Posted by mugaluv

Free men do not need salvation.

[roola-2009]

Kelly Preston is a member of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights(CCHR. That''s Scientology''s anti-psychiatry front group. They once picketed the funeral of a teen who was killed in a school shooting against the families wishes. Just search "Scientology Fox News".

[roola-2009]

Also while you''re on youtube search for "David Miscavige Psychiatry". You can watch the leader of Scientology giving a speech calling for the global obliteration of psychiatry. (It starts at 1:40) Sorry but no ones buying the whole "Scientology has no problems with medication" spin.