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Why Playing the Scientology Card Won't Help Katie Holmes Get Suri
The couple last year (s_bukley/Shutterstock)
Katie Holmes has reportedly been eager to end her fairytale marriage to Tom Cruise because she's worried about their daughter being drawn deeper into Scientology.
But that argument itself won't help Holmes do what she wants most from the divorce: to win sole custody of Suri, according to Radar Online. Scientology, after all, considers itself a religion, and it would be unconstitutional for a judge to rule that a child be brought up in one religion over another.
However, that doesn't mean that Holmes can't argue against some of the religious practices that she might find harmful to her daughter. Los Angeles divorce lawyer Grace Jamra told Radar:
“If there are tenets in the religion that spell out certain ways to raise a child and Katie doesn’t feel that’s working for Suri, maybe because she’s acting out a lot, or not doing well in school, or has developmental issues, then that would be what she uses - the litmus test would be what is in the best interest of the child."
There are reports that even though Holmes converted to Scientology before she married Cruise, she just wasn't that into it.Andrew Morton, who authored a biography of Cruise, writes for the New York Post about how Scientology played a role in casting Katie Holmes in the part of Mrs. Cruise:
They were looking for a woman who would accept the teachings of Scientology, but who would also look good on Tom’s arm — and not make too many waves.
“They had to look outside the herd, so to speak. They went for Jennifer Garner, Scarlett Johansson and Jessica Alba, in that order. Jennifer and Jessica didn’t bite, but Scarlett took the bait and came in for an audition. When she arrived at the address and found out it was the Scientology center in Hollywood, she freaked out and didn’t do a tape.”
Finally, the Scientology casting crew hit on Katie Holmes, then 26, after they read an interview in which she said she would like to marry Tom. A senior Scientologist was sent to New York to give her the once-over. He liked what he saw.
Morton adds that Cruise has probably gotten a call from the current leader of Scientology David Miscavige. Morton writes: "Wives may come and go. Scientology is forever."Related:
RIP TOMKAT: Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes Are Divorcing
Reports: Katie Holmes Just Wasn't That Into Scientology
Casa TomKat: The Homes Of Tom Cruise And Katie Holmes
Why Katie Holmes Filed For Divorce From Tom Cruise In New York
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