Why is Scientology making headlines?

It’s that controversial religion, right?

Damn right.

What happened now?

Er, there is yet another controversy around it.

Ah! What is it this time?

HBO has aired a documentary called “Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief”. It has opened... what is that expression?… a worm of cans.

Can of worms. Prison of belief, eh?

It alleges members who leave are tortured in prisonstyle camps. There they must do 30 hours of hard labour.

Seems more like a cult than religion…

Hmm, anyway it is called the Church of Scientology. 'Going Clear' features interviews by Leah, Lisa and Paul.

You may be on first-name basis with these people, but who are they?

I was referring to actors Leah Remini and Lisa Marie Presley and director Paul Haggis. They left the Church.

Bet the documentary has some juicy details.

Plenty. Scientology heads apparently secretly taped secrets revealed by John Travolta and are using them to blackmail the actor not to leave. It also explores Tom Cruise’s failed relationship with Nicole Kidman.

So the church must be up in arms?

Indeed, it has launched a series of ads against the film. It says Going Clear is nothing but “bigoted propaganda”.

They don’t have a Section 66 or what?

No. But there is one similarity with the situation back home.

What is that?

The Church of Scientology is worth billions, but is taxexempt. The IRS waged a long battle with the church but gave up in the end.

Hey, how do i become a member?

Ask Tom.