Katie Holmes’ Divorce Gives Us a Glimpse into Scientology (VIDEO)
Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise’s impending divorce has landed Scientology in the spotlight.
Holmes, 33, is seeking full custody of Suri, the one child she shares with the 50-year-old actor. Many speculate that Suri and Scientology are at the heart of their split. Suri is now reaching the age at which she begins formal education.
“The daughter is in the middle of this whole divorce. She seems to have been raised in Scientology up to this age, so if the judge comes in and gives custody to Katie Holmes, she can change (Suri’s) religion,” said a New York divorce lawyer Lubov Stark.
The Church of Scientology was founded by sci-fi writer L. Ron Hubbard. One of their beliefs is that man is an immortal being. Proponents and members of Scientology include John Travolta, Lisa Marie Presley, Kelly Preston, and Jason Lee.
Many observers categorize Scientology as a cult. Media mogul Robert Murdoch calls the religion “a very weird cult” and feels that the members are “creepy.”
Rick Ross, a New Jersey-based expert on cults and controversial movements, claims that “Scientology is a potentially unsafe, if not dangerous, organization. I’ve received complaint after complaint over the years from former members.”
The likelihood of Holmes receiving sole custody of Suri is remote. The state is weary of rewarding sole custody to a parent based strictly on religious values. Holmes filed the divorce papers in New York and not in California, which may give her the upper hand.
According to Stark, California courts are more likely to give joint custody whereas New York courts look out for the best interest of the child. We’re not sure how true this statement is. Josh Forman, another New York based matrimony lawyer thinks that a settlement is imminent.
“I don’t think it would be very good for Tom’s career if he is seen as having a huge, dragged-out custody battle with Katie,” says Forman. “I think they should really settle, and I see this as settling.”
What do you think? Should Katie Holmes have sole custody? Or should they share joint custody?
