Scientology seeks out people of influence (often background influence)such as entertainers, politicians, scientists, etc.

When I was in grad school, they went after and got an office mate of mine. This was guy who couldn't buy a date for the first 24 years of his life. Suddenly, he meets this blond babe who is all ga-ga over him. Wouldn't you know, she was a scientologist recruiter. Before you knew it, he was convinced that his social ackwardness was really that his mind was at a level far above us. He bought the whole scientology thing, hook, line and sinker. He now works in a national lab handling all kinds of top secret stuff and a big scientologist.
Carbon Monoxide | 01.30.09 - 11:57 am | #

Scientology seeks out people of influence (often background influence)such as entertainers, politicians, scientists, etc.

When I was in grad school, they went after and got an office mate of mine. This was guy who couldn't buy a date for the first 24 years of his life. Suddenly, he meets this blond babe who is all ga-ga over him. Wouldn't you know, she was a scientologist recruiter. Before you knew it, he was convinced that his social ackwardness was really that his mind was at a level far above us. He bought the whole scientology thing, hook, line and sinker. He now works in a national lab handling all kinds of top secret stuff and a big scientologist.
Carbon Monoxide | 01.30.09 - 11:57 am | #

Scientology assiduously courts Hollywood and media people through its Celebrity Center. The organization knows that this is a great way to influence public opinion.
At the other end of the scale, they also target dentists.
Sandra Miesel | 01.30.09 - 12:44 pm | #

Scientology builds a lavish "celebrity center" in the middle of Hollywood designed to shower attention and perks on the very people who are positioned to pour more money and publicity into the expensive (and conveniently tax-exempt) self-help organization known as Scientology.

Oops, sorry! I meant to say RELIGION, of course.

Yeah, it's a complete mystery why that would appeal to Hollywood people.
CV | 01.30.09 - 2:11 pm | #

Maybe he'll/she'll pull an Isaac Hayes.
Mark R | 01.30.09 - 2:43 pm | #

Please understand that $cientology has its origins in black magic. Hubbard's son told an interviewer that the only part of $cientology that works is the black magic part. The rest of it is to extort as much money as possible from the saps who are sucked in.
Dr. Eric | 01.30.09 - 2:46 pm | #

Bart converted to Catholicism in Season 16. No Joke. Ned Flanders tries to bring him back to the "one true faith": The Western Branch of American Reform Presbylutheranism.
Thomas | 01.30.09 - 4:37 pm | #

She's from my town. It's very sad.

As for the attraction in Hollywood? It's a very ungrounded town, full of lonely people. Some of them secretly long for a regimented life, and the "lovebombing" with which people are recruited is attractive. They're also very insecure and often naive within their worldliness, so they can't resist the brainwashing process that plays on their insecurities, either. And since Scientology constitutes an investment group and actively tries to get their people parts and classes and socializing with other Scientologists and other amenities, it's also good for an actor's career. (Also, actor Scientology is reportedly a little bit gentler than the regular brand dished out to less potentially prestigious catches.)
Maureen | 01.30.09 - 6:54 pm | #

The best book exposing Scientolgy is BARE-FACED MESSIAH by Russell Miller. Much better than the son's book, although it's true that LRH was interested in occultism and Crowleyite magic.
Sandra Miesel | 01.30.09 - 9:33 pm | #

At the other end of the scale, they also target dentists.

Do Thetans cause cavities? LOL
Sean P. Dailey | Homepage | 01.31.09 - 11:51 am | #

Dentists feel underappreciated, making them ripe for Scientology's self-esteem building pitch.
Sandra Miesel | 01.31.09 - 12:24 pm | #

This is actually (according to commenters at other sites) a pretty serious breach of contract, which forbids the voice actors from speaking in character, especially in any form of advertisement, without Fox's permission. I can't imagine she would be fired, but it would be interesting to see what happens.

Sandra Miesel: Hasn't the plan backfired, though? When Cruise and Travolta became Scientologists, and especially when they became ardently public Scientologists (a later development), their own reputations suffered, rather than the reputation of Scientology went up. As for the lesser-known Scientologist actors (Kirstie Alley, Jason Lee, et al.), most people seem to be unaware of their affiliations and not to care when they do know.
James Kabala | 01.31.09 - 4:52 pm | #

The CoS targets attention junkies and influential people. Hollywood celebrities are both.
Richard Bell | 02.02.09 - 3:46 pm | #

Hollywood is its own small world. It is very much isolated from all things holy. They make for easy targets, and some of them donate millions to a church that can be both very persuasive and very cooercive.
Eric Bohn | 02.03.09 - 7:43 pm | #