It's tragic enough that singer-songwriter Isaac Hayes died Sunday at the age of 65. But according to an article by Roger Friedman on Fox News.com, Scientology may have played a role in the singer's death--which was just today ruled the result of a stroke.
You may remember that back in March 2006, Hayes very publicly asked to be let out of his "South Park" contract right before the re-airing of the controversial Tom Cruise-Scientology "Trapped in the Closet" episode due to the series' "inappropriate ridicule of religious communities."
"There is a place in this world for satire," Hayes said in a statement, "but there is a time when satire ends and intolerance and bigotry towards religious beliefs of others begins."
Many in the media speculated Scientology was behind the departure from the show and the shows co-creator Matt Stone seemed to confirm the suspicions when he told Friedman that, "[Hayes] was under great pressure from Scientology, and if we didn't stop poking at them, he'd have to leave." Now Friedman, and some people on YouTube and other social networking sites, are speculating that Scientology had something to do with Hayes' departure from this life.
Although in the article Friedman doesn't come right out and say that Scientology murdered Hayes, he proposes that the church started Hayes on a downward financial spiral by forcing him to quit--losing the lucrative voice-over work while still paying for expensive Scientology courses--and that it was something he couldn't recover from; especially after, as Friedman reports, Hayes suffered a severe stroke before his resignation.
"... There are a lot of questions still to be raised about Isaac Hayes' death," Friedman writes. "Why, for example, was a stroke survivor on a treadmill by himself? What was his condition? What kind of treatment had he had since the stroke?"
In particular, Friedman questions whether or not Hayes was able to pursue psychiatric help or take psychotropic drugs as part of his rehabilitation since Scientology opposes the use of such medication and the practice of psychiatry. (It should be noted, however, that Scientology does not oppose the assistance of a neurologist or other medical specialist as Friedman's piece may have implied.)
While I can't really speak to medications used for stroke rehabilitation, and I'm not aware of stroke victims being barred from cardiovascular exercise when so far removed from the event, I do know that this would not be an issue if Hayes was a practicing Methodist. It's not just the accusations of conspiracy, but the very fact that Mr. Hayes' religion is given disproportionate coverage in every obituary that I have read thus far. Again, if Hayes was a practicing Catholic, would his religious affiliation get this kind of attention?
It can be argued that, like Mel Gibson with his brand of Catholicism, Hayes' Scientology should receive major coverage since it seemingly, and controversially, played a role in his career. Sure, Scientology set out from the beginning to be associated with celebrity, but it really is tragic that Scientology is getting more attention in some outlets than Hayes' Oscar for the theme from "Shaft" or his groundbreaking work as Chef.
Add to Del.icio.us
Add to Technorati
Add to Digg
Add to Newsvine
Add to Facebook
Add to StumbleUpon
Subscribe
I'm glad someone finally wrote this article about the death of Hayes and the suspected pressures that Scientology may of had in regards to Isaacs connection with South Park series, after producing a program that not only made fun of Scientology's poster boy Tom Cruse, but also released confidential material from the upper levels of the Bridge of Scientology called the OT levels. South Park made a laughing stock out of what many members spend thousands of dollars and months and sometimes many years to pursue. I know I have completed all these levels up through OT 5,
Over a year and a half ago I was put through a Kangaroo court and persecuted and put on trial, judged and labeled a black sheep for for studying other religions and practices. I know first hand the damage caused by the pressure from these power hungry staff members, controlled by the administration, and ruled by the head of Scientology, David Miscavige. I spent 30 years in this group and after I was dismissed, I felt really bad and my health was deeply affected by the stress that resulted from having several friends tell me they couldn't talk to me anymore until I handled my condition with the church. That means one has to concede to the authority of the Church and give up whatever the administration deems as suspect, or suppressive, or what ever is in conflict with their strict guide lines of what one should study. Scientology probley gave Hayes an ultimatums, either quite South Park of face expulsion from the Church or worse be labeled a suppressive person. I am certain Hayes was back up against the wall, and forced to quit the show, which he loved and paid for his living. I spent at least $90,000 in 30 years which is really a moderate amount compared to allot of people higher up the Bridge. The pressure alone with coming up with all the money and trying to fit in time to complete all the courses and auditing, That alone can really stress you out.
I hadn't realized just how much stress was produced by being a member of the church, until a year later , after leaving I realized I was finally free. and along with that I felt free to study anything I no longer had the subconscious quilt that would make be feel stressed to the point of adrenal exhaustion. This is a common problem with many members who work all day and do the courses at night and on weekends, , after maxing out their credit cards way beyond their ability to pay. I felt a sense of relief after I realized all this. This brings me back to the death of Isaac Hayes, and the first thought I had was the Church's administration was behind the cause of the stroke. I'm sure some close friends have more information on this, then all out speculation, but my intuition tells me that the church had a very big factor in his health deterioration which lead to his death.
I'm sure eventually his wife or some close friends will clue us in to all the details. I feel there should be a black box warning on every Dianetics book sold, "Caution this book and any connection to the group associated to this practice, could effect your health and could lead to serious health conditions, and even death".
It seems to me that beliefnet, which was once moderated a fine springboard to discuss faith, to compare one's religion to another's, to even ask questions about other faiths, has degraded into a sniping contest. Into a place to degrade and publicizes one's personal degradation. Into a blog to squash, degrade, suppress and belittle faith and the good works and good help religious persons do. Hayes was well known to many, he entertained us with his voice on several platforms. He established educational institutions in Africa, he was recognized and beloved. But here on beliefnet, none of that meets the light of day. Oh no, instead his misfortune is used as a club to pound the table, to raise distrust about religion. And the comments following the article hold the article in high regard. Drivel and trash, you want to talk trash, go to alt.net.scientology or similar newsgroup. Woe, beliefnet.
For Scientology information read as much information as possible.
For balanced information
Wiki Scientology
Wiki L Ron Hubbard
For subjective views
Scientology.com
Xenutv.org
It is easy to make up your mind. Very Clear cut.
Jeff, whoever you are, you're pathetic. Humanitarian? He was a failed writer who himself abused both legal and illegal drugs throughout his life. What did he ever do to help other people? He built a cult to make a quick buck. If you want to shower praise on you evil religion, why don't you move to Xenu with your fellow scientologists? You people make me sick.
In a world where civil society and its principles of ordered liberty is under assault from every quarter you folks starting from Friedman on down to Natalie, John, Terryeo et al. focus on one man who demonstrated to anyone who was paying attention what it is to live a life of self determined reason and action.
Isaac Hayes was very much his own man, who saw himself not as an isolated individual but part of greater whole. He saw that good people are under an unrelenting barrage of behavior aimed at degrading the soul. Isaac being a man of principle used his talent and celebrity to stand athwart this dwindling spiral and say stop. His actions were that of rational human being whose contributions were towards raising the spirit.
He chose to do that with a group of individuals who agreed with him and would stand shoulder to shoulder to bring their shared vision of a better world into reality. He was part of an organized group who will not stand idly by and watch society become one of perpetual conflict. A group of self-determined individuals who are working to hold back this apparent tide long enough so that more and more people like Issac can see that they can be right too.
He chose to BE some one and he chose to be a Scientologist.
Post a Comment
By submitting these comments, I agree to the beliefnet.com terms of service, rules of conduct and privacy policy (the "agreements"). I understand and agree that any content I post is licensed to beliefnet.com and may be used by beliefnet.com in accordance with the agreements.