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Find out more about Michelle: Michelle Kerns writes for a disturbingly eccentric collection of print and online publications. She watches the movie Hot Fuzz every Thursday night, passionately adores the literary character Melrose Plant, and believes strongly in the four food groups: red wine, white wine, Guinness, gin. She knows where her towel is. Contact her with rants, raves, recommendations, or review copies here. |
According to John Duignan, the author of The Complex, a book that claims Scientology members are subjected to sleep deprivation and systematic brainwashing, Tom Cruise is directly responsible for Amazon's unceremonious yanking of the book from both their UK and American sites.
Five days after The Complex's release, Tom Cruise paid a visit to the Amazon headquarters in Seattle, supposedly to host a preview of "Valkyrie," Cruise's newest movie. Several days after Cruise's visit, Amazon stopped selling The Complex , saying that the book allegedly makes "false claims" about a Scientologist mentioned in the text.
Duignan was a Scientologist for 22 years and claims in the book that church members, even children, were punished by the church for transgressing. Duignan says,
I directly know 20 members who went insane or committed suicide. I personally went through a period of insanity. I'm hoping this book can be a lifeline to my former comrades.
Duignan says he began doubting the church, coincidentally, at a Scientology gala that featured Tom Cruise. According to Duignan, he began to see that
the church was all about money.
Amazon spokespeople insist that Cruise's visit had nothing to do with their reluctance to sell The Complex.
Karin Pouw, a Scientology spokeswoman, says that the book is full of "false accusations."
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