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ReligionNewsBlog.com • Item 23091 • Posted: Monday December 22, 2008  

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New book reveals Scientology targeted celebs

Scientologists tried to woo British stars to raise the church’s profile on this side of the Atlantic, claims a former top recruiter.

Celebs including Madonna’s ex-husband Guy Ritchie, veteran rocker Peter Gabriel and Belfast-born superstar Van Morrison were on their target list.

And the church still has a file on ex-Beatle George Harrison, who died aged 58 in 2001, says John Duignan in a controversial new book.

He claims Scientology leaders want UK celebrities to do what Hollywood A-listers Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Kirstie Alley have done in America.

Read More About:
The Complex
Buy From:
(Amazon.com USA)
[Removed from Amazon UK]

Scottish-born Duignan, 45, spent 22 years in the controversial church before taking charge of Scientology Missions International in the UK.

His new book The Complex has already caused uproar over claims that Cruise “put pressure” on online retail giants Amazon to stop selling it.

Duignan said he was given the task of “trying to pull the UK missions out of the mire”.
[...]

Duignan began to question his faith after meeting Cruise in 2004. He said: “Tom was at the International Association Of Scientologists gala ball as the Most Dedicated Follower.

“He came out wearing a bad fake beard. It was pathetic.”

Duignan fled the church two years ago to go into hiding in Ireland.
[...]

See Also

• Scientology’s love affair with Hollywood: Why the Church of Scientology targets celebrities
• How Scientologists put pressure on publishers
• Research resources on Scientology

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