MovieChat Forums > John Travolta Discussion > Captive of Scientology by blackmail?

Captive of Scientology by blackmail?

posted 10 years ago by BillyBarue
9 replies | jump to latest

That's the narrative the documentary "Going Clear" implies.

The story goes that his friend Sylvia "Spanky" Taylor, who was at one point his only connection to the church, was being abused and placed in a "concentration camp" by her superiors. John was angry when he heard this and at Spanky for letting herself be abused by these people. But when she escaped and left Scientology, he oddly stayed behind and broke off all connection to her.

Next some former leaders talked about how "auditors" would write down every bit of personal information during a subjects sessions and the church would routinely use that information to pressure a subject into staying in the church, or that information would be made public. The documentary could not give any proof, but strongly implied this is what happened to Travolta. And not only did they hold his secrets over his head, they also actively fought for him against any allegation that came up in tabloids or elsewhere. Its basically a shakedown & protection racket.

Can this be true? Did Travolta get trapped by the secrets Scientology held against him? Maybe Travolta also ended up becoming dependent on the church who would attack anyone else who slandered him. Like a weird form of Stockholm Syndrome.

We are the children of children and we live as we are shown- "Joe vs. The Volcano"

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[–] sforzando_films 10 years ago

Travolta is a very unfortunate case, and I do feel that he has become trapped in this religion. There are so many stories from former members about the horrible things that go on inside the Church ranging from physical to serious mental abuse. I've been keeping tabs on the whole Scientology thing for the past 7 or 8 years and I have seen interviews with many people, a lot of which weren't included in this new documentary by HBO. There is no sure-fire proof to back-up these claims because the Church keeps that proof locked away tight, and no law enforcement agency has pressed for warrants to search for said proof, probably because there's not enough proof to get said warrants or they are afraid of what Scientologists can do to their reputation. Scientology is all about finding what is it that bothers you, what sorts of things that you have done in your life that you deeply regret, and then use that to keep you loyal to them or else risk having your entire life completely ruined. Travolta has a strong career in Hollywood, and I don't think he wants to lose that. The Church must have something really big on him for him to be so afraid of being declared an SP.

Personally I don't care what it is he may have said or done, I won't judge him for it and I hope everyone can promise that they won't judge either. Leave your cage, Mr. Travolta, we won't judge you for any mistakes you may have made. We know how to forgive, it's okay.

 EVERYTHING IS AWESOME!!! 

[–] sforzando_films 10 years ago

Scientology is to blame for the death of Jett, as well as any other child that they have denied medical treatment to because of their dangerous mistrust of psychiatry and doctors in general. Travolta wasn't given any choice in the matter. Every medical treatment for anyone in Scientology has to be approved by the Church. Jett had Kawasaki disease as well as autism, both of which could have been treated by professionals. But Scientology's distrust of doctors told Travolta "absolutely not," and Jett died because of it. You can't possibly think he is solely to blame when Scientology will literally put their own people in prison camps to get them to shape up. He IS trapped and is being manipulated.

 EVERYTHING IS AWESOME!!! 

[–] rhyddhau 10 years ago

It's really sad, he seems like a genuinely nice person. Scientology is severely damaging his career right now, and I think people would be pretty non-judgmental of anything that could come out of his auditing sessions (truly, just about anything, short of rape/murder). If he were to blow from the church I think he'd find he'd have a lot of support.

[–] raphael65 10 years ago

To Baby_and_her_Brothers: I agree with you ONE HUNDRED PERCENT. I myself am an epileptic and HAVE to take an anticonvulsant to prevent life-threatening seizures. Once, the paramedics just got to my house in time -- and I was already taking a drug!!! It is likely, though (since my dose has now been increased), that poor young Jett, with his whole life ahead of him, would probably not have died if he had been taking an anticonvulsant. What a pathetic excuse for a father (although I don't doubt that he loved his son). Travolta must be pretty simple-minded to have been brainwashed by what is undeniably a CULT. Judaism and Christianity (as well as Hinduism, Buddhism, etc.) are at least not opposed to using life-saving drugs and ones (such as antidepressants) that help people cope with life. What a poor fool!

[–] Erik_Draven 10 years ago

Sure seems that way and its really really sad, they got him good and hes still got some issues with having a bunch of personal stuff come out which im sure we all do. Still love john but im sad hes in this cult as am I about cruise. These are 2 heroes of mine and I truly believe they are good people who are awesome at what they do. I dont like them being in scientology however.