Cruise: You don't understand what I am saying. It's a statistically proven fact that there is only one successful drug rehabilitation program in the world. Period.
SPIEGEL: With all due respect, we doubt that. Mr. Cruise, you made studio executives, for example from Paramount, tour Scientology's "Celebrity Center" in Hollywood. Are you trying to extend Scientology's influence in Hollywood?
More from Tom the crusader:
SPIEGEL: We visited one of your locations near Los Angeles and were amazed to find a fully staffed tent of the Scientology organization right next to the food tents for the journalists and extras.
....Cruise: The volunteer Scientology ministers were there to help the sick and injured. People on the set appreciated that. I have absolutely nothing against talking about my beliefs. But I do so much more. We live in a world where people are on drugs forever. Where even children get drugged. Where crimes against humanity are so extreme that most people turn away in horror and dismay. Those are the things that I care about. I don't care what someone believes. I don't care what nationality they are. But if someone wants to get off drugs, I can help them. If someone wants to learn how to read, I can help them. If someone doesn't want to be a criminal anymore, I can give them tools that can better their life. You have no idea how many people want to know what Scientology is.
For context, some might find it relevant that Scientology has been the subject of more than 50 lawsuits and government surveillance in Germany:
Spiegel: Mr. Cruise, as you know, Scientology has been under federal surveillance in Germany. Scientology is not considered a religion there, but rather an exploitative cult with totalitarian tendencies.
Cruise disagrees. You can read criticism of Narconon here and here. The Church puts out this version.
Back to the U.S. and Cruise's new love interest. Ms. Holmes has announced that at 26 she is a virgin, waiting until she's married to have sex, despite a long engagement to actor Chris Klein. She also dated Josh Hartnett.
That's not going to do much to squelch old rumors that the 42 year old Cruise joined Scientology to cure himself of gay urges. Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard reportedly was once very down on gays.
Update: Pharyngula weighs in.