oh man, where to start with this?!
The post above that mentions how TC is high up on the 'theton' list or whatever is because in this "religion" you pay money to reach higher levels. the more you pay, the higher you advance. However, in the case of celebrities, they don't have to pay, and are recruited by scientologists, given perks etc.In return, they are expected to promote scientology at every opportunity, and the more upfront and in your face about it they are the higher level they reach. Since TC practically stands out in the streets screaming he's a scientologist he reaches a high level because of it.
L. Ron Hubbard, the founder was a science fiction writer, and the whole backstory on scientology is based on a science fiction story he wrote about an evil overlord, Xenu, imprisoning souls of beings on other planets, banishing them to earth, and these souls finding their way into the bodies of cavemen, and for some reason people started to believe it was true. Also conveniently, he was the person on earth with the highest theton levels. Pretty coincidental that the guy who made up something would be the one with the highest amount of them, ever.
I can see the conversation that led to the creation of scientology:
L.R. Hubbard: "hey Joe, did you finish reading my new story yet?"
Joe: "yea, I did. Is it true? If it is, we need to protect ourselves from this Xenu fella. How do we do that?"
LRH: "well, maybe if you give me some money I can use it to find a way to protect us."
Joe: "OK, heres $20. Is that enough?"
LRH: "It's a start. I noticed when our hands accidentally touched when you handed me the money that you seem to have a pretty high theton level, and that's what we need to fight Xenu."
Joe: "Really? How do I get more thetons then?"
LRH: "uuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhh, well.........give me more money."
Joe: "OK!"
And thus scientology was born.
Hehe, sorry guys, pretty long winded post, but I'm bored and in a weird mood
*EDIT* also check out this link:
http://www.tomcruiseisnuts.com/