In Cruise We Trust?

I've given Tom Cruise a pass in recent years. When I first started blogging, it was fun to blame any Hollywood deaths on Mr. Cruise. But I quit doing that in part because I couldn't see an immediate connection (not that it's not there) and in part because we all began to realize that he really WAS out there and I worried for my safety.

But now, thanks to a small item clipped from the local paper by Dr. Actually, I can return to Cruise Control, with this item.

Isn't this taking superstar thing too far?

Tom Cruise is the new "Christ" of the Church of Scientology, according to leaders of the religion. The Mission Impossible star has been told he has been "chosen" to spread his faith worldwide, Britain's The Sun reports. Scientology leader David Miscavige reportedly thinks that Cruise will someday be worshipped like Jesus for his work to raise awareness of Scientology. "Like Christ, he's been criticized for his views," a source said. "But future generations will realize he was right."

(And since I want to be "thorough" and won't trust the local paper to get the trashy British tabloid story correct, I'll provide you with the link to The Sun's web story.)

So . . .

Now . . .

Um, what do we say about that?

Well, the Scientologist who said he was like Christ is a bit off, since L. Ron Hubbard is more the God/Christ figure here. Cruise, as the spreader of the faith worldwide should be more accurately compared to the Apostle Paul.

But leaving theological quibbling aside, I wonder if this isn't evidence of a connection between Tom Cruise and the show Heroes. (Stay with me here.) Because this news that Cruise was akin to a "god" was released in the papers right after Monday's Heroes episode, "Godsend" in which the Japanese character Hiro attempts to steal a famous sword from a museum. This sword had a stylized character on the handle that is translated "Godsend." And Japan is one of the few places in the world where Cruise can stand out as being taller than some of the native citizens.

So, there you have it! Cruise is a god-like prostletizer and Heroes is a front for the Scientologists.