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John Travolta May Leave Scientology over Son’s Death
Many former Scientologists suspect the fallout over his son’s death may draw John Travolta from out of the Religion’s fold (all apologies to those who do not believe Scientology earns the moniker “religion”). This belief is based on whether or not Travolta will ultimately blame his faith for the death of his son. Travolta’s son, Jet, suffered from autism and his demise was pinned on a seizure disorder. Scientology does not recognize autism as a medical condition and therefore denounces the use of medication (or medication for any psychological disorder: see Tom Cruise’s castigation of Brooke Shields for medicating her post partum depression).
Was Scientology to blame for Jet’s death? Couldn’t have helped. A person like John Travolta’s son requires medication for serious illness, whether or not Scientology thinks said illness exists.
Of course, news like this has been a little too common as of late. We’ve seen many stories of parents arrested for denying medical treatment to their children because it “was against their faith.” How about you? Has religion ever asked you to do something as a parent that you believed belittled common sense?
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6 Comments
[...] is wondering aloud if John Travolta will leave Scientology following his son’s [...]
Travolta to Leave Scientology? | Famecrawler commented on Jul 07 09 at 7:25 ampuasamanda commented on Jul 06 09 at 11:26 amWhen I was twelve, I was diagnosed with brain cancer which required surgery. My parent’s religion is one in which it is believed that a woman’s hair should never be cut…not a trim, nothing. Of course, my hair not only had to be cut, but my head had to be shaved for what was a very extensive surgery.
Several of the ministers set up meetings with me in the two weeks prior to my surgery, and each meeting consisted of them “counseling” me on how to remain “faithful and humble” even though my hair was going to be cut. They prayed with me, and explained that if I remained prayerful throughout, God would understand about the hair, and I could remain blameless in His eyes. However, they each cautioned me against being happy about my “haircut,” and explained that I should remain properly ashamed of it in order to stay “right with God.” As though I was relishing the thought of walking around bald at the sensitive and tender age of 12.
It wasn’t a life and death situation (the shaving, not the surgery!), but I do remember thinking, “Wow, there is something SERIOUSLY wrong here!”
Marj commented on Jul 06 09 at 1:58 pmI am very sorry for Travolta’s sad loss. It is true that Scientology promotes vitamins over medicine and perhaps that was not enough for his son. Still, very sad.
Mistress_Scorpio commented on Jul 06 09 at 7:58 pmWow, pusamanda… That is bizonkers. Hope all is well with you now.
Shanna commented on Oct 08 09 at 9:35 amI have been a fan of John since I was 11 years old. I wrote him letters and got all the movies and magazines for over 15 years, and so felt very close to his family in that way. I remember when Jett was born, and how excited and proud John and Kelly were. I loved John so much I even looked into Scientology. But having a medical condition myself, it seemed like Scientology wanted me to know it was my own fault, or all in my head…so I didn’t look any further into it. It was obvious to everyone that Jett had autism…just look at how he acted in videos, etc. I was really upset to hear that Jett died, but I knew why. I didn’t need to look at the stories to know he had succumbed to his illness because of not having medications. He had seizures every few days…with medication he could have had one or two a YEAR. I’m sorry for the family that their religion or beliefs were pressuring them to be ashamed of the circumstances of their son. I know they loved him so much, but it seems like they were going along with the crowd (of Scientology) a bit too much and were afraid to make their own choice. RIP Jett
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