Faith

‘Weird Cult’: Here Are 7 of the Most Interesting Reactions to Murdoch’s Anti-Scientology Tweets

Rupert Murdoch, the CEO and founder of News Corporation, has inspired a great deal of curiosity since he first launched his Twitter account. However, the business mogul created a new-found media buzz this weekend when he took to Twitter to weigh in on the Tom Cruise-Katie Holmes divorce. Aside from merely commenting on the end of the celebrity marriage, he also delved into his negative views on Scientology.

“Scientology back in news,” he wrote. “Very weird cult, but big, big money with Tom Cruise either number two or three in hierarchy.”

Rupert Murdoch Tweets That Scientology Is Weird Cult

A follow-up tweet was even more hard-hitting:

Rupert Murdoch Tweets That Scientology Is Weird Cult

Naturally, these messages, sent on Sunday, spawned a massive response from the Twitterverse. From agreement to fury, people weighed in and the media mogul hunkered down. About four and a half hours after sending the first tweet, it seems Murdoch was aware of the firestorm he had caused. But, he seemed adamant about sticking to his story.

Rupert Murdoch Tweets That Scientology Is Weird CultTwitchy did an excellent job capturing some of the best initial responses. Some of the tweets are so entertaining, we wanted to share them with you. Considering that Murdoch is a controversial figure who often creates debate and sits at the center of drama — and considering Scientology’s social standing — some people seemed reluctant to support either side. Nonetheless, here are seven of the best — or most interesting — reactions to the controversy:

1) Here’s one tweet joking about the drama and likening it to a Super Bowl with two teams that aren’t likable enough to root for:

Rupert Murdoch Tweets That Scientology Is Weird Cult

2) Even anonymous got in on the debate, also seemingly unable to pick a contender:

Rupert Murdoch Tweets That Scientology Is Weird Cult3) One person ventured to call both sides of the drama “evil”:

Rupert Murdoch Tweets That Scientology Is Weird Cult4) Slate’s Dave Weigel refrained from delving too deeply into the fray, but he did state how excited he is to see the two sides sparring:

Rupert Murdoch Tweets That Scientology Is Weird Cult5) Not everyone found him or herself unable to take sides. Some were vocally supportive of Murdoch’s stance. Take, for instance, this Twitter user:

Rupert Murdoch Tweets That Scientology Is Weird Cult

6) British columnist Caitlin Moran weighed in as well, citing the epic nature of the battle at hand:

Rupert Murdoch Tweets That Scientology Is Weird Cult

7) Some, who clearly disagree with Murdoch for reasons unknown, couldn’t even stomach their own support for the tweets:

Rupert Murdoch Tweets That Scientology Is Weird Cult

And that’s just some of the reaction. There’s more going on here.

(H/T: Twitchy)

Comments (63)

1 2
  • Dabldo
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 8:48pm

    While some religions have a line or paragaph of the truth, scientology hand picked and pulled together a whole page of the truth! Facinating priciples.
    That now said, it is a cult. I checked it out years ago and they have the cult mentality well sprinkled throughout. Couldn’t deal with it when someone insists you join in their paranoia. Pity. Was very interesting.

    Report Post »  
  • koyettsu
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 6:57pm

    Scientology is a cult, lol the guy who invented it wrote a book saying something to the effect that he could create a ridiculous religion and get people to go along with it. ..and they did!

    Report Post »  
    • Gumbercules
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 7:47pm

      So a religion can’t be made up? I see no obvious difference between a religion or a cult. All other religions will appear weird to your religion. You will therefore call it a cult because it‘s not ’your’ religion.

      Report Post » Gumbercules  
    • woodypynes
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 8:07pm

      Perhaps it is or isn’t. But which definition are you going to go by? It’s not an exclusive group, which negates what I thought a cult was. If you use the dictionary, then you must include pretty much every other religion, hence my confusion. It is not relevant who ‘invented’ it, nor what they said while inventing it. I’m just trying to simply establish a definition of a word. That’s not so hard to understand, is it?

      Report Post » woodypynes  
    • donaldchar
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 7:57am

      One MAJOR difference. A religion has tenets that you need to believe if you want to and you can join. A cult pressures you into believing their tenets and that pressure is unrelenting; you feel captive and it’s hard to leave.

      Report Post »  
  • woodypynes
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 6:18pm

    I always thought a cult was an exclusive group (i.e. a group that would not let certain other people in). I’m not defending Scientology, but last I checked they don’t descriminate on who “gets in”. Also, dictionary.com does not define cult as an exclusive group, however, the definition it gives for cult applies to every religion I’ve come to know of. Confusing.

    Report Post » woodypynes  
  • OniKaze
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 4:04pm

    I wasn’t aware that Scientology was a religion… I just always thought that “THAT” was the joke…

    So your telling me, that there are people out there that actually believe in that heaping load on non-sense? I mean, normal religions are hard enough to believe, let alone Scientology….

    I mean, ALL religions have MAJOR issues to deal with..

    Christianity: A talking Snake, trying to get people to eat apples?? Seriously??
    Islam: “Sure its okay to rape children….”
    Judaism: “God Loves you, but he created a place to damn your soul to for eternity if you mis-behave”
    Buddhism: “Be good to everyone” (Really? Cause I should just accept the people that want to do me harm…)

    You see… Its across the board lunacy… I’m sorry if any of you find that offensive, but trust me, I find it more offensive that people expect me to believe that junk… If “God” exists… I really doubt he cares much for mankind…. I’m sure from a galactic scale, he has better things to do than keep tabs on us…

    But I will admit, I COULD be wrong… None of us will know in this life… THAT is all that we can be sure of…

    Report Post » OniKaze  
    • nnylajnos
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 12:27am

      We can know for sure regarding eternity- heaven or hell. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13. And – The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: … For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38&39. I know based solely on what Jesus did for me that I have a home in heaven for sure!! You can know for sure – ask Him to show you and read the Bible. Isaiah 55:6 – Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:…

      Report Post »  
    • ConservativeCanucklehead
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 6:24am

      NNYLAJNOS
      “The fool says in his heart, I will quote scripture to prove a point.”

      Report Post »  
  • tckid17
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 2:58pm

    Reminds me of Adam Sandlers hilarious CD, “What the Hell happened to me” with a track titled “joining the cult”.

    Report Post »  
  • teddie888
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 12:59pm

    Murdock also said he voted for Obama in ‘08 (he said it in an interview in ‘10) and the other day he said Romney couldn’t win. I do know that if he didn‘t that Fox’s ratings would continue to be on top

    Report Post »  
  • Stratosaurus
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 12:39pm

    Dunno which is harder to believe — L. Ron’s “religion”, Hollyweird’s acceptance of it as that, or the fact that the adherents feel the need to act so crazed at times. If Cruise is a prime example of the “leadership” in that “faith”, there’s something seriously wrong with it.

    What serious religion puts rattlesnakes in former members’ mailboxes? The same kind of serious religion which bombs buses with adherents of other religions, wouldn’t you agree? How is the cult of scientology any different than the mooselicks’ need to kiII adherents who decide to change their faith? Surveilling a woman who wants to divorce a husband who would subject a six-year-old to a brain-washing camp? That should be considered threatening behavior no matter who is involved.

    Report Post » Stratosaurus  
  • Emudude
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 11:26am

    L. Ron Hubbard was a Writer of Social Parody. In one of his last Interviews, he claimed to have written Scientology as a Parody of Modern Religion. To make it even more unbelievable, he threw Space Aliens into the Mix (Most of his Parody includes Space Aliens). He was amazed that People actually took his work seriously.

    Report Post »  
    • Hollywood
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 11:50am

      Turned out to be a huge moneymaker for those at the tope of the heap. Kinda like many so called, prime Time tele-evangelists. It will never comptete with the Catholic church though, since they thought of indulgences!
      One/many born every minute. Cruise, as many Hollywood types,think they are gifted with more intelligence since they can”ACT’ intelligent.
      Satan LOVES[in his own way] these fruitcakes.!

      Report Post » Hollywood  
    • JRook
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 12:11pm

      “Something creepy, even evil about these people.” As though systematically hacking cell phones, email accounts and invading people‘s privacy for the sake of making a buck isn’t creepy or evil. And Murdoch didn’t even have the integrity or ethics to admit his knowledge and approval of the practice. Murdoch is a prefect example of what the concentration of wealth means for society at large and where true evil resides.

      Report Post »  
    • stumpy68
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 6:24pm

      Have you read about hubbard he was truly a piece of work
      he lied more then than obama does now

      Report Post » stumpy68  
  • NineteenEighty4
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 10:39am

    Well, I never thought I would agree with Dark Lord Murdoch.

    Report Post »  
  • openbook
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 10:22am

    Scientology was started as the result of a bet in a bar. People know that it is false, yet devote their whole lives to it. A cult? What do you think?

    http://www.scientology-lies.com/whatswrong.html

    Report Post »  
    • EqualJustice
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 10:30am

      I think it’s scary that Katie Holmes is being FOLLOWED and she fears her daughter may be kidnapped!

      Report Post » EqualJustice  
  • OneTermPresident
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 10:15am

    Ever watch Cruise on talk shows…? YIKES! I’ll side with Murdoch… thank you.

    Report Post » OneTermPresident  
  • bonafide
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 10:00am

    L Ron Hubbard may have been known as a sci-fi writer but he also practiced the black arts with rocket scientists and occultist Jack Parsons (Founder of JPL), a pupil and disciple of Aleister Crowley.

    Report Post » bonafide  
  • theblazerunner
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 9:48am

    enjoy…

    mormon episode
    http://www.southparkstudios.com/full-episodes/s07e12-all-about-mormons
    scientolgy episode.
    http://www.southparkstudios.com/full-episodes/s09e12-trapped-in-the-closet
    christian episode…
    http://www.southparkstudios.com/full-episodes/s03e11-starvin-marvin-in-space

    Report Post » theblazerunner  
  • RavingRabbi
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 9:47am

    I’m going with Rupert on this one: Better a bug in my phone than a snake in my mailbox!

    Report Post »  
  • RavingRabbi
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 9:43am

    Hey, I’m going with Murdoch: I’d rather have a bug in my phone than a snake in my mailbox!

    Report Post »  
  • kat747
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 9:32am

    And you thought Bernie Maddoff had a great Ponzi scheme ?
    Nothing like going after the money of Hollywood’s finest…..needless to say, even
    Ob is doing the same thing.
    $30,000 a plate for Geo Clooney’s Switzerland “do” for Ob’s campaign. No wonder
    Ob wants to tax the upper crust of Hollywood along with the richest 1%
    Instead of paying their “fair share” of taxes, Hollywood types would rather use the
    $30,000 a plate tax write-off. Why don’t they consider sending $30,000 a pop to Fannie
    Mae and Feddie Mac and save the homes of the people who are losing them ? That
    donation would get a tax deduction, but no dinner !

    Report Post »  
  • trolltrainer
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 9:06am

    What gets me is how people can fall into this stuff when the Bible is so widely available, even free. But we are told this will be the case, and really, it is no different than it has always been.

    Report Post »  
    • Elena2010
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 11:23am

      Because they want their ears tickled!

      Report Post » Elena2010  
    • Derfel Cadarn
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 4:45pm

      You have obviously never read the bible,it is NOT the word of god it was written by primitive men who wewre obviously insane a real CULT fiction classic. Anyone that needs a superior being looking over their shoulder so they do the right thing is a sorry excuse for a human. Just look how corrupt your churches are even with your pathetic gods oversight. Such perfromance does NOT instill confidence.

      Report Post »  
  • RockingN
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 9:05am

    All religions are cults….

    Report Post »  
    • jungle J
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 9:58am

      most are and the ones that are not are infectd by cultists.

      Report Post »  
    • theblazerunner
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 10:20am

      i am still trying to figure out which 1 of the 10,000+ gods i should pray to…

      to each his own.

      Report Post » theblazerunner  
    • AnimalsAsLeaders
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 10:46am

      @BlazeRunner
      I like to give a quick “blanket prayer” to all the gods just to cover my bases.

      Report Post » AnimalsAsLeaders  
    • warbaby
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 11:10am

      All religions have a little truth, as for the rest of it I agree.

      Report Post »  
    • HUSSAR
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 12:14pm

      Even if that was true…some cults are MUCH better than others.

      Report Post » HUSSAR  
  • Yankee
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 9:04am

    They may be a ‘cult’ but they are no threat to our freedom. Their very existence is proof of it. Some of our best news sources and outlets, the most honest and objective (dare I say fair and balanced), are considered adherents in some way to cults. And when and where will your own unique worldview be categorized as such, where does that lead? Ultimately to a loss of freedom to worship in the way you see fit. I favor voicing differing opinions but am not comfortable reading such attacks in 140 character tweets from a media magnate whose very freedom of speech is so intertwined with our other freedoms. That is my opinion, in about 1,000 characters.

    Report Post »  
    • Alex
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 10:40am

      Well said.

      Report Post »  
    • Dudemau
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 2:17pm

      Yep. And all of this tripe on a site born of a man proffessing to “restore love”. Seem to be a lot of dark hearts among the “enlightened”.

      Report Post »  
  • cerebralyawn
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 8:56am

    Twitter is to human development what the frontal lobotomy was to mental illness.

    Report Post »  
  • Sol Invictus
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 8:53am

    This is only the second time I’ve ever agreed with Rupert Murdoch, and both times he was attacking cults and their leaders. If he carries on like this I may have to revise my opinion of him.

    Report Post » Sol Invictus  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 8:44am

    Scientologist seem pretty normal to me. Look at John Travolta and Tom Cruise, perfectly normal…on some planet.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Steelhead
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 9:05am

      hairy- some planet like Kolob? oops wrong cult, lol

      Report Post » Steelhead  
    • canadianlady
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 9:22am

      Kolob is just another name for Heaven, moron.

      Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 10:10am

      Steely, it must be tough being a liberal. Now you have to think of ways to defend Scientology just because Murdoch bashed them?

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Steelhead
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 10:38am

      hairy-I,m not defending Scientology per say but I do get tired of the constant attacks of others beliefs if they are not Christian. I’ll make a prediction-Mitt Romney will lose to Obama because enough of the Christian right will not vote for a Mormon.

      Report Post » Steelhead  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 10:52am

      We’ll vot for Romney in force, if only to get Obamacare repealed. The base is fired up now Steely, just like 2010 :-O!

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • IndyNWguy
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 11:58am

      @STEELHEAD & GONZO

      Just to set the record straight – Romney WILL lose to Obama, but not because of bigotry. Real Americans are tired of progressives and will be voting for Gary Johnson, writing in Ron Paul, or simply won’t bother to vote at all.

      Report Post » IndyNWguy  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 2:55pm

      IndyNWguy
      I hope people aren’t thick headed enough to do that. I understand and share your frustration with the choice we have, but one man is more controllable than the other.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • starman70
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 8:38am

    If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it must be a duck. Scientology is a cult. Mr. Murdoch is right on.
    I bet Oprah is churning right now along with the rest of the Hollywood idiots who have rejected the true GOD of the Bible and his Son Jesus and replaced them with this false teaching.

    Report Post »  
  • Steelhead
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 8:32am

    Billy – this is really stupid

    Report Post » Steelhead  
    • trolltrainer
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 9:04am

      Damn, I hate when I have to agree with Steelhead…

      Ugh, I need a shower now…

      Report Post »  
    • Steelhead
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 9:18am

      troll tran- attacking others beliefs is stupid.

      Report Post » Steelhead  
    • trolltrainer
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 11:24am

      Steelhead, I agree with you again! But not for the same reasons. Everyone else’s faith is wrong, only Christianity is correct. But there is no point in attacking them, the Holy Spirit will unblind whom He chooses and good Christians will be there with the gospel message so that they may find truth.

      There is even hope for you, the ironic thing is that once you get down on your knees, repent of your sinfulness, and give your life to Christ you will see what you cannot now see. All doubt will be wiped away. You will look back at your past life and shake your head at your own stupidity and blindness.

      Kind of like we all shake our heads at you now…

      Report Post »  
  • Nemo13
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 8:31am

    Scientology. Doesn’t even sound like a religion. But does sound like some freaky Sci Fi group, and it was made up by a Sci Fi writer kook and does include aliens from another world! So very Hollyweird.

    Report Post »  
    • brntout
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 8:41am

      Yea,kinda Democratese ,don’t ya think?

      Report Post »  
    • brntout
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 8:44am

      But they did find out the power from the barrel of a nuke in the end.

      Report Post »  
    • Landon410
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 11:12am

      not terribly proud to say that Hubbard was born in the town I graduated high school from

      Report Post »  
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