Anti-religion sci-fi film with goddamn aliens in it and not a single crack about Xenu. I can't imagine why. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to work out why Simon Pegg left that religion untouched.
shareSurely there were thousands of religions and cults also not mentioned in what was only a very very small part of the film?
Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.share
Surely there were thousands of religions and cults also not mentioned in what was only a very very small part of the film?
because that would mean the writers were actually brave instead of just pretend-brave.
shareRight, because Scientologists are so scary and powerful. Are you high? Like, right this second?
I am the sod-off shotgun.
If they believe you're slandering them they'll send their army of lawyers after you, ask Southpark.
shareAnd they'll lose, just ask South Park. They weren't even able to successfully sue them. Because they had no case. In fact, the best they were able to accomplish was to have Comedy Central temporarily pull the episode, and that wasn't even from the threat of a law suit... it was because Tom Cruise extorted Viacom. He told them that if they continued to air the episode he would cease promotion of Mission Impossible 3.
I am the sod-off shotgun.
So why do you think they passed up on lampooning Scientology?
shareBecause lampooning religion was not the point of the film. It was a buddy-road-trip movie through the American southwest, showing how the lives of several characters are changed through their encounters with a wisecracking alien.
The affect of extraterrestrial contact on established human religious institutions is a long-standing trope of science fiction, and Wiig's character satisfies that goal. Plus, while most Christians do not share the beliefs of Young Earth Creationists, the majority of the viewing audience is likely familiar with those beliefs and will recognize the archetype she represents. I don't think the same can be said for Scientology.
Also, just in practical terms, if you're driving through the southern states, you're far more likely to encounter Young Earth Creationists than Scientologists.
I am the sod-off shotgun.
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There's no need.
shareScientology isn't as big in the UK, where is not even classed as a religion, and as the writers are from the UK that is probably the reason; not that we don't mostly hate the Scientology pyramid scheme here, of course.
Most UK people when they go to the USA and witness Christian fundamentalism find it bizarre and quite alien (not that fundamentalism isn't making major inroads in the UK now) and it stands out more than even Scientology does which as said is seen as a lesser danger as it isn't a religion here unlike Christianity. Familiar and alien.
"The game's afoot!"
Scientology is not a big deal in the Uk and not even classed as a religion.
Its that man again!!
You're an anonymous person on an internet message board. Why not just say you think Simon Pegg gave Scientology a pass because he was worried about appearing in additional Mission: Impossible movies?
Although, I'd agree with hadmatter and say that the extreme fundamentalism the movie mocked, which is not standard Christianity, was included because of how it conflicted with views an ideas on alien life. Mocking all religion was not the point of the movie.
Life on other planets is a core factor of Scientolgy. Why would that be in conflict with Paul appearing on Earth?
Well... if you look at it with an eye for internal consistency, since Scientology is a science fiction religion centered around aliens, then basically any movie where 'aliens are real' validates Scientology to a degree. I mean, what joke could they make "Scientology was right, hur hur"?
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