Summary
- Tom Cruise is the world's most famous Scientologist.
- Seth Rogen narrowly avoided being converted to Scientology during a meeting with Tom Cruise.
- Seth Rogen is Jewish.
Among the numerous religions practiced in Hollywood, Scientology no doubt holds the title for the most controversial. Often branded as a cult, the religion was largely popularized by Tom Cruise. The iconic actor, who has multiple movies that have earned over $100 million at the box office, was introduced to Scientology by his first wife, Mimi Rogers.
Numerous scandals have since plagued the movement, resulting in several prominent celebrities, including Cruise's ex-wife Katie Holmes, leaving Scientology for good.
However, despite the bad reputation associated with the religion, Cruise has continued to stick by it, even going ahead to invite other prominent A-listers to join Scientology. He once tried to convert David and Victoria Beckham, promising the legendary soccer player his own stadium if he joined the movement, but that wasn't enough to make them budge. Nevertheless, the Mission Impossible star didn't give up on recruiting more stars into the Church of Scientology, once trying his antics on Seth Rogen. However, the comedian "dodged" Cruise's attempt at converting him. How did Rogen effectively do this?
Tom Cruise Tried To Tell Seth Rogen About Scientology In 'A Very Loaded Moment'
Seth Rogen first opened up about his bizarre encounter with Tom Cruise in his 2021 book, 'Yearbook.' It documented personal essays of his experience in Hollywood, including a 2006 invite to Cruise's Los Angeles Mansion.
Rogen revealed that he honored the invite alongside Judd Apatow, who directed the movie Knocked Up. Cruise was allegedly interested in starring in comedy movies and needed their help. While promoting the collection of essays, the comedian appeared on Howard Stern's radio show and gave a detailed insight into how the "absurd" meeting with Cruise went.
After peeing in the Top Gun actor's bushes out of nervousness, Rogen said that the meeting had been going on well for hours before things took an unusual turn.
The Pineapple Express actor told Stern that the meeting happened when Cruise and his ex-wife Katie Holmes newly welcomed their daughter, Suri. "It was at the peak of Tom Cruise mania," Rogen declared. He recalled how Cruise diverted and began talking about how he was being made to look crazy in the press because of his Scientology belief.
"He said 'I think the pharmaceutical industry is making me look bad,'" Rogen revealed before recounting how Cruise tried to sell Scientology to him.
"'It's like with Scientology.' He said 'If you let me just tell you what it was really about... just give me like 20 minutes to like really just tell you what it was about, you would say No f**king way. No f**king way.'"
Rogen recalled feeling confused, not sure if what Cruise said was a good or bad thing. He called it a "very loaded moment." He remembered turning to Apatow and wondering "Is he going to bite? Am I going to bite? Can we come out of this? Are we strong enough to have him do this to us and not be converted?"
Luckily, Rogen who described himself as a "weak-minded person" managed to escape the pressure thanks to Judd Apatow who told Cruise "Eh, I think we're good. Let's just talk about movies and stuff." Rogen concluded the memorable story declaring he "dodged that bullet."
What Religion Is Seth Rogen Practicing?
Since Seth Rogen was able to escape Tom Cruise's pressure to join the Church of Scientology, what religion does he practice? The Superbad star is Jewish and has often spoken up about his relationship with the ethno-religion. According to the Times Of Israel, the Vancouver, B.C. Canada native once admitted he wasn't particularly religious.
Although he did attend Vancouver Talmud Torah Elementary School and has explored his Judaism on-screen in various movies.
According to The Times of Israel, Rogen said:
"It's not something I ever really shied away from, it's something that's always been just a very big part of my life. Although I'm not an observant person or a particularly religious person. One of the great things about being Jewish is you can not believe in any Judaism and you are still a Jewish person."
Rogen is referring to the fact that Judaism is an ethno-religion, originating in ancient Israel/Judah in the 5th or 6th century BCE. Aside from converts, Jewish people are descendants of the original tribe from what is now modern-day Israel.
Many Jewish people, including Rogen's family, are considered Ashkenazi. This means were descendants of migrants to Eastern Europe after their repeated expulsion from Israel/Judah by invading parties over many centuries. Other Jewish communities include Sephardic (settling in Spain and Northern Africa, also originating directly from Israel), and Mizrahi (Jews who settled in Arab countries such as Yemen, Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq, and Iran).
Is Tom Cruise Still A Member Of The Church Of Scientology?
It has been more than a decade since Cruise tried to convert Rogen, but does the legendary actor still strongly believe in Scientology? That doesn't seem to be the case as The Mirror reported that Cruise has stopped visiting the headquarters of the Church of Scientology.
The 61-year-old has reportedly not visited the headquarters in East Grinstead for over three years despite spending a lot of time in the UK to film Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One, per Mirror. Scientology has often been blamed as the reason why Cruise no longer maintains contact with his daughter from his marriage to Katie Home, Suri. It also allegedly played a role in his divorce from fellow actress Nicole Kidman. Kidman and Cruise adopted two children, a daughter Isabella and a son Connor.
A Timeline of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman's Relationship:
- Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman met in 1990 on the set of Days of Thunder
- Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman walked down the aisle later that year in December 1990
- Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman adopted their daughter Isabella Cruise in 1994
- Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman adopted their son Connor Cruise in 1995
- Tom Cruise filed for divorce from Nicole Kidman in February 2001 citing irreconcilable differences
Despite reports of Cruise distancing himself from the religion, Bella remains an active member of the Church of Scientology. In fact, she received a promotion to the role of auditor in 2019.
