The Cartoonist Studio Editorial Cartoon Contest continues and I made it to week FIVE! Thanks to all for voting. Click the image above or here to go to the voting. You should do a search of “Bearman” and my cartoon will come up front and center and then vote. Some people were clicking the link and then accidentally voting on the first thing that popped up. Unfortunately no way to direct link to my cartoon. Again, as long as I stay in the contest, there will be two editorial cartoons a week to vote on – Mondays and Thursdays. Oh and you can vote multiple times in each round if you want (resets every six hours) until EOD Tuesday.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Today’s editorial cartoon marks a sad week in celebrity news. The breakup of the marriage of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. No one saw it coming several years ago when Tom Cruise jumped Oprah’s couch. It spawned a new Urban Dictionary phrase: “jump the couch” now means the “defining moment when someone has gone off the deep end.”
On the surface it seemed like a fairly strong marriage (for Hollywood standards), though it appears on the surface that Katie didn’t fully embrace the Scientology lifestyle that Tom is fully into. Not surprising as couples tend to divorce many times because of issues related to money or religion. Suri is of the age where she could be sent to Scientology schools. Katie may have rejected that and thus why she is seeking sole custody so she can choose what kind of school Suri is exposed to. One former Scientologist explained it to the Hollywood Reporter as “”By filing for sole custody of Suri, she’s making it very clear she’s not going to let what happened with Nicole Kidman happen to her.”
I personally don’t know enough about Scientology to say whether or not it should actually be considered a religion. Though several countries will not offer religious status including tax non profit status. My feeling is whatever your religious (or non religious) beliefs are, are really none of my business for the most part. Though I have two things I don’t understand about Scientology.
1. Why aren’t the teachings open? I could study Judaism, Christianity, Islam, or Atheism all from published bibles/books. Yet beyond some Dianetics books, the “church” only reveals more details about it’s beliefs the more you move up to higher levels of belief….however,
2. It ain’t cheap. In order to move to higher levels you have to have money. So you can’t be a poor Scientologist. Sure other religions want you to donate or tithe but honestly you don’t have to in order to fully understand the teachings.
What do you think?
Comments
95 responses to “Tom and Katie Jump the Couch”
Psst. Me first.
Red.
Psst. Me Second.
Green.
Quit peeing on my website
It is really just a slow leak.
Red.
Those are all I take now. Slow leaks.
Could be Kidney stones
or a urinary tract infection 😯
You guys need to see a doctor!
Medical or mental?
Both, for good measure.
Show me the money!
Prenup!!!
I think Katie had better plan her moves carefully and keep her mouth shut about Scientology. As a matter of fact, I think Tom has any and all of his wives sign some sort of non-disclosure contract in the event of a divorce. He has lots of secrets he doesn’t want getting out.
PS: I voted early!
Though I do remember Mimi Rogers quoted as saying something about Tom liking to be celibate to protect the integrity of his member. More than I needed to know Mimi.
A Mimi Member Missive. Is she still free and alive?
Yep
I think Katie is making a very wise decision.
I also think Scientology is a crock of shit. In my opinion, it’s not a religion. A religion is an organized body of believers with a world view that acknowledges some kind of deity or higher power. But even if I’m mistaken on that point–it should not call itself the Church of Scientology. The term “church” only applies to a Christian place of worship (just as “synagogue” to a Jewish place of worship, “mosque” to a Muslim place of worship, etc.) And Scientology is definitely not Christian.
I disagree with your definition. I agree with this part “A religion is an organized body of believers with a world view” but I believe that atheism is itself a religion though most atheists would disagree.
I was watching Wetten, dass?… in Germany about 6 years back and Tom Cruise was one of the special guests. I was happy to see a fellow American on a German program.
The Germans could care less. I think I heard crickets.
I have friends here who lump Scientology in with Christianity. They think anybody who follows either is off their rocker.
We are still friends despite my involvement with the poorer of those two religions.
That is why I tend not to disparage any belief system. I believe what is right for me. I don’t tell others that they should believe the same thing and as I have always said for as long as I can remember. For all I know the ones that got it right are the Hare Krishna’s so who am I to judge.
I’m not in the business of judging, just sharing, just for clarity. 🙂
haha…got ya
Yeah, that’s about right. My supervisor’s brother was a former higher up in Scientology and my supervisor took a few of the classes as well.
They are a very money oriented religion, in that if you have more than two people study a course, you have to pony up for a licensing fee, which is probably somewhere in the neighborhood of my bi-weekly paycheck (about 2K). The initial course starts at around 2K and from my understanding, the latter courses start around 15K.
And if you leave, you are immediately labeled what Orwell would call an “unperson”.
I am surprised with all the technology someone hasn’t done a documentary on the “inside”
I agree with you about religion Bearman. Lot’s of things can be a religion and if it is all about the money then it is a false religion. Religion is rooted in tradition. Christianity is rooted in Christ and is supposed to be a way of life and not just a religion.
This has been all over the news lately but the thing that troubles me most is why is this important to the average person. I know of a couple of people who are going through a divorce and I am a lot more concerned about them and what they are going through.
Celebrity breeds interest.
Sadly I think in every religion there are some corrupt elements. But as you said, it is not the basis for the thing.
All I know is that jumping on the couch sounds like ‘Risky Business’…
🙂
Only if there is a hooker on the couch
Oohh good good comeback. Congratulations for making it to week five. You got my vote (again).
Well…how much do we really know about these hollywood people?
Thanks Lynn! Too much Bo
Not enough, apparently, as everyone seems to want to know more. I’d be happy to never hear anything about any of them. Except maybe Lassie.
I prefer Rin Tin Tin
A defining moment, a defining cartoon! Great job on the couple, Bearman!
Thanks for defining it Mark!
Honestly I hope she is able to get full custody. While I don’t know about the religion I don’t think it should be the only exposure she should get, I believe in a well balanced education where religion is left to families or the persons interest to learn more. I don’t believe religion should be forced and or be the only option.
Sometimes that is hard to do and the kid is left with neither.
Bwahahahahahaha. This is spot on too. She never looked happier than she has in the past few days.
Have a terrific day. 🙂
That’s because all we have seen is her going to get ice cream. Ice cream makes everyone happy.
Interesting… I am guessing wife 4 will be Miley Cyrus…
No Hayden Panettiere
No, Daniel Radcliffe!!!!
I think L. Ron Hubbard was once quoted as saying something like “If you ever want to make some real money, start a religion”!
Do you think Bearmania will take off?
Well, I’ve seen actual miracle tickets at Dead shows so anything’s possible B’man. 🙂
I’ll list you as a spiritual advisor.
Tom Cruise as played by Dustin Hoffman?
haha…or Michael Dukakis
Thanks for the additional info. Nice cartoon – since his Oprah couch jumping is one the memorable events of his Katie Holmes marriage that’s good choice. I read on another blog (Lilly http://www.lillyslife.com/2012/07/lil-rupbet-speaks-out-on-tomkat-divorce.html) that he divorced his other two wives when they reached age 33. I didn’t know you had to pay to move up in Scientology.
Well I think by the numbers Nicole was 34 but who is counting.
If you need to pay up in order to learn it’s a cult.
At the Church of Bearman, you learn and THEN pay.
I learned not to pay.
Sadly so have most
Haha! This definitely gets my vote.
I don’t know a lot about Scientology, but the fact that there are countless stories about former Scientologists who feared the repercussions after leaving the religion tells me it’s messed up.
Seems more and more though, plenty are writing tell all books.
I wasn’t finished…!
As I was saying, have you ever heard of someone living in fear after deciding they no longer wanted to be a Christian? Or a Buddhist? Or whatever that religion is where they kill you if you ever try to leave?
(I’m asking a question, I actually don’t know if you have or not.)
Don’t know about killing but I could see some intimidation from certain sects.
This is my all time fav. You can’t handle the truth!!!!
You do like the celebrity ones best.
Yes Bearman. I’m not too well versed on US politics 🙁
Yet you seem to have your finger on the pulse of everything going on around my house
Religion should be a private matter between you and whatever entity you believe. I find it interesting that most religions try to either convert you or ostracize those who don’t follow their particular god. Wouldn’t it be great if their was a “church” for all beliefs, that just talked about humanity and tolerance for all.
That is the Church of Bearman. I just need a couple million seed money so I can build my megachurch.
Why “build” it with with modern technology you can have an online ministry? It’s all about teh cloud, man…
Nice toon Bearman. I know it’s pessimistic, but unfortunately I put a count down to divorce on most hollywood marriages. This one lasted a little longer than I expected actually.
To give my opinion to the questions…
1) Indeed secrecy is odd to us now but for most ancient religions the spiritual folk (monks, priest, shawmen, Oracle of Delphi, etc.) held the keys to information (usually knowledge about the world) that the common person was not allow access to. Thus the info was secret. Like masonry and things of that nature. Depending on who you talk to Masonry is considered a religion. In the olden times education was given to those that sought it and lived a certain way under those religious temples.
2) Basically paying to play. I will say this at least they’re straight forward about it. If you come out to Cali you see where all the money goes. It goes into their facilities. Actually I know a couple of people who take basic classes at their sites almost like a community college. They say the classes are good.
Very true. I know back in the day (based on some religious studies) that those in churches or synagogues that were the priests were held in higher regard and people tended to have to “pray” through them versus being able to pray directly. BUT, that was then.
2. That is the thing. They aren’t. If they had an upfront price list of how much it is to get from one level to another then I would say yes. But the price of the next level is only revealed after you complete the level prior.
That poor couch….
It has it’s wear
A Hollywood divorce!!! Now that’s something you don’t see very often…
I know…they are the exception
I wasn’t aware of the money patt to advance up in Scientolgy. I happily voted it’s a great cartoon. To me Katie often looked sad behind her smile. I heard she was on the phone to Nicole Kidman recently. I bet that was an interesting phone call.
They should have had a party line with Mimi included as well
HA! This RAWKS!
Thanks Jack!
Ha! Nice!
thx
Like I said on facebook this is one of your best toons my friend.
Thanks JB
Katie looks pretty happy. 🙂
For once
Fantastic Bearman…I love it. Great job on this one.
Actually I am commenting on tomorrows comic since I won’t have an internet connection tomorrow and I don’t know if I can comment from my phone.
You gotta admit that’s thoughtful.
Tomorrow’s cartoon sucks though..haha
If it does you will need all the encouragement you can get.
THIS is worth getting home and back online for. Still giggling Bearman. Exxxxcellent
Thanks RB!
I was wondering when this was going to happen, i am surprised it lasted this long.
Awesome cartoon!
I 100% agree with you, Bearman.
In my country scientology is classified as a cult/ secte.
Seems to be the norm rather than the exception
hahaha
yep. that one was a SHOCKER.
i mean, at least she waited the five years or whatever so she gets a decent settlement. what a whack job
for sure. Wait, which one is the whack job?
Though I find my self yawning over the antics of media stars, I can’t help but sympathise with both parties in a relationship who have found that their ideological differences can no longer be set aside because the stakes have been raised:the mindset of a child is involved. None of us want our kids to have their minds tinkered with by anyone other than those supreme all-knowing ones: ourselves and those who agree with us. Never mind that the child has a mind of their own, and though brainwashing can occur, if a child has been loved, properly cared for and treated respectfully (and sometimes even when they are not well treated), they can figure things out for themselves if they want to.
As to whether Scientology is a religion or not? If people feel religiously about it, it’s a religion (note the small ‘r’). Historically, the Christian Church(es) starting with it’s rise in Rome and throughout the middle ages would only allow the elite ruling classes to rise to positions in the higher levels of the Church’s hierarchy (where the real religious secrets were kept because there were no printing presses then, so all scriptures had to be meticulously hand copied and were not available to the ordinary people -most couldn’t read anyway). Those Lords and ladies who wanted to do so were expected to take vows of poverty and give all their worldly goods to the Church. The Christian religion was built on this. So asking for a lot of money for the privilege of getting to higher levels of learning the secret holy handshakes in Scientology, doesn’t seem as out of place in a religious context as one would imagine.
That’s my understanding of it from my studies of religion and the three middle ages.
Absolutely true but I don’t think we can look at society 500-1000 years ago and say if someone is doing it today that it is OK b/c so and so group did it 500 years ago.
Slavery, Guillotine’s, etc were all the norm back then. Doesn’t mean they are right today. Taking a vow of poverty in the church though is different than being poor. You turn your possessions over to the church as communal property rights but you still see clergy living well.
Plus it is upfront. You join a synagogue, they tell you upfront what it costs. You join a church they tell you the suggested tithing. Don’t see the same upfrontness here.
I am in no way saying that any of that (what I was pointing out above) is OK. The whole thing was meant to be somewhat sarcastic. Your response to what you think I meant is absolutely correct: it is NOT OK, in my opinion to have an elitist system in place that keeps out those who can’t afford the enormous fees. Kind of like Colleges and Universities, too. We can, however find other ways to learn what we need, regardless of the diploma.
The sad thing is that companies are so hung up still on the degree. I know people who have worked their whole life, have no degree yet companies still won’t hire them for certain positions without one.