HBO’s Going Clear documentary (which is still airing, and you should watch it) revealed Scientology’s horrendous history and ongoing practices to the masses. One of the worst jobs in the world right now would be to manage Scientology’s social media accounts. People are watching the doc and using the Scientology hashtag, which is awesome to watch. The effect on the CO$ should be lasting. Recruitment numbers will be practically nonexistent, and the cult will have to try its hardest to hold onto current members.

One dude who isn’t going anywhere … John Travolta. We talked about how Going Clear details the cult’s “black PR package” on Travolta. The cult filmed all of John’s auditing sessions, so they can threaten him with the release of info if he leaves. The sad thing is that people would support John if he gave CO$ the boot. It would be the best possible thing he could do for his image. But I don’t think Travolta wants to leave. He’s happy maintaining his organized marriage and endless praise for the cult. He’s claimed to heal car crash victims with Scientology assists. John has also endorsed CO$ drug rehab programs, which (under the Narcanon brand) have seen many patients die during treatment. Narcanon is a fraudulent means of sucking vulnerable addicts into Scientology. John doesn’t care about those claims. For him, nothing but sunshine comes from L. Ron Hubbard’s teachings. Here’s John’s new interview with the Tampa Bay Times:

Has he watched Going Clear? “No, I haven’t, and I don’t really care to.”

On renewed calls for him to speak out against CO$: “I haven’t experienced anything that the hearsay has (claimed), so why would I communicate something that wasn’t true for me? It wouldn’t make sense, nor would it for Tom, I imagine.”

His take on the CO$: “[It] has been nothing but brilliant for me. I’ve been so happy with my [Scientology] experience in the last 40 years that I really don’t have anything to say that would shed light on [a documentary] so decidedly negative. I’ve been brought through storms that were insurmountable, and [Scientology has] been so beautiful for me, that I can’t even imagine attacking it.”

On his Scientology assists: “I’ve helped so many people through hard times. Loss of children, loved ones, physical illnesses. Through many tough, tough life situations I’ve used the technology to support them and help them. It’s always worked. So, why would I even approach a negative perspective? That would be a crime to me, personally, to do that.”

[From Tampa Bay Times]

Well I’ll give Travolta one tiny ounce of credit — he’s a lot less abrasive than Danny Masterson when questioned about his slavish devotion to a cult. Travolta is laying it on thick (again) because he’s always wanted to displace Tom Cruise as the face of Scientology. David Miscavige may never agree, but Travolta has shown himself to be the star pupil. He’s the only high-profile CO$ member who’s cheerleading after Going Clear. There’s virtually no chance of Tom saying anything about the film. He knows better than to stick his finger out and call someone “glib“ ever again.

Travolta will never leave the cult. His main residence is in Ocala, Florida, which is a 2-hour drive away from the main CO$ headquarters in Clearwater. He travels for training and audits several times per week. As a celebrity, Travolta enjoys a coddled CO$ existence, and he can ignore all the bad stuff Scientology has to offer. He’s happy to maintain that illusion.

P.S. In case you missed it, SNL did an amazing Scientology sketch last weekend.

Photos courtesy of WENN