Thinking about a Cruise

I have been spurred on by the thought ‘if you can dismiss a worldview and foolish, you don’t understand it’. After existentialism, we tackled New Age in Apologetics class. I am from the West (part of America) and I feel that I was more surrounded by New Age thought than I ever understood. The evolution of man to a higher plain of existence was a theory held by a close atheist friend, witchcraft was not startling to encounter, Yoga and spiritual enlightenment appealed even to me throughout my life

Being able to pinpoint the New Age influences and experiences in my life allowed me to define the worldview more clearly and how see it plays out in everyday life. This is only the catalyst for my next stage of thought.

Understanding New Age thought allowed me to appreciate Tom Cruise for the first time. He is constantly ridiculed at work, school, and in the media by atheists and theists alike. I was convicted of my contempt for his belief system and how foolish I made it seem. Part of me was always impressed/disturbed by his devotion to Scientology in light of its apparent foolishness. I never really gave him respect as an equally intelligent human being. I now see the error of my ways since I am able understand his worldview and therefore respect that it exists beyond the mere texts of Scientology, just as my faith moves beyond the walls of the church.

I do not agree with Cruise’s belief system or believe it is accurate. However, I see him as more of a person and am impressed/intrigued by his ability to transcend the limits of fatalistic naturalism and the dogma of modern thought. He is a man, and like all men, deserves respect; respect that should extend to his view of the world. He is made in God’s image as equally as anyone else.