John Travolta Says Scientology is Helping Him Cope with the Death of His Son

John Travolta has been through a lot. In January of 2009, Travolta and his wife, Kelly Preston, lost their sixteen-year-old son Jett. Soon after, Travolta was the victim of attempted blackmail in the Bahamas where his son died.

John Travolta says that his church, The Church of Scientology, is helping the family get through this difficult time. Kelly and Travolta have another child, Ella, who was born in 2000. She is being raised in the Church of Scientology.

Just what is Scientology? Many of Hollywood' elite are members of this church, and actor Tom Cruise is reported to be a high ranking member. Cruise has been criticized for making statements against treating mental illness with drugs, which is apparently part of Scientology's beliefs.

Scientology is based on the teachings of a man named L Ron Hubbard, particularly his book Dianetics. The Church of Scientology website says that this religion is about bringing a human being to his or her full potential.

Scientology has been described by some as a cult-like religion that takes over people's lives and begins to control their money, their families and their children. People also say that Scientologists believe that many of their problems are caused by having space aliens stuck to their bodies. Some people raised in the Scientology faith as children have come forward to say that they were oppressed and controlled by their parents' religion. The structure of the church is said to be such that people are encouraged to separate themselves from non-Scientology family and friends and to give themselves over to the church.

Tom Cruise has been accused of controlling wife, Katie Holmes, by requiring her to be shadowed by a Scientologist mentor. It has also been said that the Church of Scientology played a part in his divorce from Nicole Kidman.

Whatever Scientology may or may not be, John Travolta says that it's helping his family to cope with the death of his son.

Besides John Travolta, Kelly Preston, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, other celebrity Scientologists include Kirstie Alley, Jenna Elfman, Leah Remini, Lisa Marie Presley and Will Smith.