"Mission: Impossible" star Tom Cruise has long been known to be a strong supporter of the Church of Scientology. But now it seems the actor's once solid relationship with the church isn't so solid anymore amid reports that he plans to leave Scientology for good.
According to Hollywood Life, Cruise, 52, changed his mind about Scientology after receiving a heartbreaking phone call from his daughter with Katie Holmes, nine-year-old Suri Cruise. The actor realised that he has been missing his daughter's milestones because he has been so wrapped up with the church, so now he plans to get out once and for all.
Citing Star magazine, an insider said Suri "was going on and on about her ballet class and how much she loves it. That's when Tom realised he's never seen her perform ballet and he started to tear up. It hit him that she's growing up before his eyes and he's not there to witness most of it. They talk on the phone and video chat, but it's not the same."
Cruise won't be the first actor to leave Scientology for family. Actress Leah Remini and her family actually had deep ties with the church for several years. But because of her demanding schedule in the church, Remini felt like she was missing out on her daughter's growth.
"I was working on a Scientology course one day. I was at one of these hotels in Florida and I saw my daughter swimming for the first time while I'm reading this Scientology thing. A tear came down my face," she said. "I was like, 'What am I doing?'"
At the very least, Scientology church members have to set aside three and a half hours minimum every day, seven days a week, for activities related to the church.
