Cult News

Guy Ritchie “cult” career casualty?

Groups that have been called “cults” such as Scientology and the Kabbalah Centre include many celebrities and claim that their teachings somehow enhance a person’s life, notably the hi-profile stars that tout them.

However, do Hollywood stars ultimately benefit or lose because of these groups? Have they been sucked into something like a “black hole” that instead of increasing their success may limit or even extinguish their light?

Certainly, stars like John Travolta, Madonna and Tom Cruise want the public to think that their spiritual commitment has somehow elevated them in virtually every aspect of their lives, but what about their careers?

John Travolta’s career has been plummeting ever since he signed off on a Scientology-linked film called “Battlefield Earth,” which was reviewed as one of the worst movies of all time and based upon a book by his hero L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology.

Since then Travolta has increasingly become Scientology’s paunchy pitchman, jetting himself around for the religion’s related photo ops while his career crashes.

Arguably since Madonna took up with the Kabbalah Centre her career likewise has been steadily trending downward.

A pop music queen in the 1980s Madonna doesn’t seem to be following in the footsteps of Cher and Tina Turner who maintained their standing for decades, instead the 47-year-old star may burn out before reaching fifty.

The one-time “Material Girl” trained in dance now apparently dances to the tune of her spiritual mentors. The singer’s most recent concert tour included a flashing light show in Hebrew and Kabbalah Centre souvenirs for sale, but her fans don’t seem to be buying it.

Maybe Madonna believes that her name is more than just a past publicity ploy and she sees herself as a proselytizing “spiritual mother,” a contradiction of her hit song that admonished a parent for preaching.

Who would have ever imagined this fiercely independent woman that once mocked the church establishment would one day become so seemingly compliant and subservient to some religious group?

Does slavish devotion to groups called “cults” ultimately lead to some sort of professional meltdown?

The casualty list appears to be growing.

Guy Rtichie, Madonna’s husband, embraced his wife’s passion for the Kabbalah Centre. And according to critics his latest film Revolver may flop largely due to its influence reports Daily Snack.

It seems Ritchie may now want to “kick” his Kabbalah habit, but if he does it might cost him his marriage, due to Madonna’s diehard devotion.

The “world’s biggest movie star” may also be waning due to purported “cult” influence. Tom Cruise has become better known lately for couch jumping on Oprah and ranting at Today Show host Matt Laurer about psychiatry instead of his latest picture.

Scientology’s leading celebrity wants his would-be wife to get his religion too, so Katie Holmes may soon be hearing the same sucking sound as Madonna’s mate.

But Holmes can always cling to the hope career-wise that in the future she will end up like one of Cruise’s ex-wives Nicole Kidman, who found out that dumping him and Scientology led to both a career boost and an Oscar.

Endnote: Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how ephemeral you really are. Once above the world so high like a diamond in the sky. Twinkle, twinkle little star now I wonder what you are!