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Cruise/Holmes Wedding Brings Scientology into the Spotlight

Nothing about the recent wedding between Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes can be called conventional. From their hugely publicized romance, to the frenzy surrounding the birth of their baby daughter, Suri, everything about what has been coined the TomKat relationship takes center stage with the world media. So it comes as no surprise that the lavish wedding ceremony, which took place in an ancient castle near Rome, came with a twist as well. The couple married in a special Scientology ceremony ? a religion of which Cruise has been a follower for many years.

The Scientology religion, which was set up in 1954, has approximately 8 million followers worldwide and is based on the Scientology and Dianetics teachings of L. Ron Hubbard, a science fiction author. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes married in a ceremony that is very similar to a traditional wedding, including wedding vows and the exchanging of rings.

In the presence of 150 close friends and relatives, including Tom?s two children to his previous marriage to Nicole Kidman, the couple exchanged Scientology vows as well, including the vow never to go to sleep without settling any differences. Critics of the religion say that Scientology is a farce and strives to squeeze money from its followers, however the wedding has thrown Scientology into the spotlight, with many people suddenly interested in its teachings and ideas.