If you date or marry Tom Cruise, you are effectively entering into a polygamist relationship with the actor and with David Miscavige, the leader of the Church of Scientology, according to a new report in Vanity Fair's October issue.

It may not be a polygamist relationship in the literal sense, but Cruise's romantic contenders must also be approved by Miscavige, who is the actor's best friend. This odd love triangle is responsible for the breakdown of the 50-year-old actor's three marriages and other relationships, according to knowledgeable sources and former high-ranking Scientology officials.

"It's not like you only have to please your husband -- you have to toe the line for all of Scientology," says Marc Headley, a former church member and executive producer of Golden Era Productions, the church's in-house studio.

Marty Rathbun, the former Inspector General of the church's Religious Technology Center who left the organization in 2004 and is now its most vocal detractor, told Vanity Fair's Maureen Orth that disagreements over Scientology were at the heart of Cruise's two previous divorces, from Mimi Rogers, a fellow Scientologist, and from Nicole Kidman.

"There were allegations and counter-allegations about fidelity, but the central problem was Nicole did not want to deal with Scientology," he explained. "I participated in the Mimi divorce and in the [Nicole] divorce. Both woman got cold on Miscavige. He was integral to the break ups of the marriages."

Miscavige became the leader of the church in 1987, a year after its founder, science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, died, and reportedly zoned in on Cruise, who joined the church in 1986.

"There was no bigger recruit than Tom Cruise," Karen Pressley, a commanding officer of the church's Celebrity Centre in Hollywood from 1987 to 1989, told CNN's Kareen Wynter in July. "My job was to ensure that celebrities were recruited, that celebrities were well serviced within our organization, and also to open up new celebrity centers around the world."

For Miscavige, Cruise became the church's biggest asset, and Headley told Vanity Fair that Miscavige told him and other officials in a meeting that "if he could he'd make Tom Cruise inspector general -- second-in-command -- that if he weren't Tom Cruise the actor he would be the number two."

After Cruise's many public outbursts in 2005 espousing Scientology's beliefs about psychiatry, it was rumored that he had taken on an official leadership role within the church. However, the actor's lawyer Bert Fields, recently told The Huffington Post that "Tom Cruise has no official role, title or position in the Church of Scientology. He is simply a parishioner."

Still, he's a parishioner who is best buddies with the church's leader, and one that donates millions of dollars to fund church projects. According to Rathbun, Miscavige wanted to make sure that Cruise was locked into the church and unable to drift away as he'd done during his marriage to Kidman. He told Orth that staff were constantly reporting every single thing that went on during their marriage, and were always encouraging the actor and Kidman to "reach back, get audited."

Auditing, as Orth describes it, is a "very expensive version of Roman Catholic confession," where one is made to answer hundreds of questions while holding an E-meter that supposedly measures the body's reaction to questions. There are different levels one must work through in order to be "cleared" to get to the Bridge to Total Freedom -- by which time one has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Kidman's last auditor, Bruce Hines, who has since left the church, told Vanity Fair that the actress got all the way up to O.T. II, just a step below the prestigious Wall of Fire. There, one may finally read Hubbard's secret writings, which not only remind everyone that Hubbard was foremost a science fiction writer, but reveal the chuch's most sacred beliefs -- that 75 million years ago, Xenu, dictator of the "Galactic Confederacy" sent billions of frozen souls on spaceships from his overpopulated planet to the bases of volcanoes on Earth. When the volcanoes erupted, the scattered souls or "thetans" found their way into human bodies, and their emotional issues haunt their human hosts -- thus the need for auditing to purge them.

Kidman wasn't buying it, and many sources confirm that Kidman was always viewed as a potential threat to the church since she was a Catholic, and her father is a psychologist.

Miscavige's alleged control over Cruise's personal life extended after the Kidman era and was reportedly the reason Cruise broke things off with his girlfriend of three years, actress Penelope Cruz. Knowledgeable sources told the magazine that Miscavige wasn't a fan of Cruz, whom he viewed as a "dilettante," when he learned she wasn't willing to give up her Buddhist beliefs. After that, Cruise apparently threw in the towel and decided he needed to share his bed with a fellow devout Scientologist -- and that's allegedly when the great girlfriend auditions of 2004 began.

Nazanin Boniadi would be the woman ultimately chosen to be Cruise's girlfriend from November 2004 until January 2005, before she reportedly ran afoul of Miscavige and shortly thereafter was given the boot. A few months later, Cruise would declare his love for actress Katie Holmes, by manically jumping on couches on national television. The two married in 2006, and when they divorced in July 2012, Cruise's lawyer rushed to counter reports the split and the settlement had anything to do with the church:

"Let me be very clear about this. The Church of Scientology played absolutely NO ROLE in the divorce settlement talks at all. Period. The mere suggestion that the Church was involved in any element of the talks and ultimate settlement is categorically false. Anyone suggesting otherwise is just wrong," Fields told RadarOnline.

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  • John Travolta

    According to the church's own website, famed actor John Travolta became a Scientologist in 1975, after he was given L. Ron Hubbard's "Dianetics" while filming the movie "The Devil's Rain" in Mexico. The church has <a href="http://www.whatisscientology.org/html/Part05/Chp19/pg0308.html" target="_hplink">quoted the actor as saying</a>, "As a Scientologist, I have the technology to handle life's problems and I have used this to help others in life as well. I would say that Scientology put me into the big time."

  • Tom Cruise

    Today, Tom Cruise is reported to be one of the top level members of the Church of Scientology, but he was first introduced to the religion by his first wife, Mimi Rogers, in 1990. The actor has become the most recognizable face of the organization and <a href="http://digitaljournal.com/article/268639" target="_hplink">has said that he overcame dyslexia though its teaching. </a> Cruise remained relatively quiet about his religious beliefs until he began <a href="http://atheism.about.com/b/2004/01/22/tom-cruise-psychiatry-should-be-outlawed.htm" target="_hplink">openly criticizing psychiatry in 2004</a> and lashed out at Brooke Shields for taking the drug Paxil to deal with her postpartum depression in 2004. When the actor suddenly became the posterboy for the group, he also <a href="http://www.celebitchy.com/14397/tom_cruise_rehires_his_sister_as_publicist/" target="_hplink">dumped his publicist of 14 years</a>, Pat Kingsley, and hired his sister, a fellow Scientologist. In 2008, the <a href="http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/videos/tom-cruise-scientology-video/" target="_hplink">church produced a promotional video featuring a lengthy interview with the actor</a>, discussing what being a Scientologist meant to him.

  • Kirstie Alley

    Actress Kirstie Alley was raised Methodist, but is now a practicing member of the Church of Scientology. The church's <a href="http://www.whatisscientology.org/html/Part05/Chp19/pg0309.html" target="_hplink">website quotes the actress as saying</a>, "To tell you the honest-to-God truth: without Scientology, I would be dead. So, I can personally highly recommend it."

  • Danny Masterson

    Actor and DJ Danny Masterson was raised as a Scientologist, and is <a href="http://www.whatisscientology.org/html/Part05/Chp19/pg0318.html" target="_hplink">quoted on the church's website</a>, saying: "I have to say that one of the most important things Scientology has given me is the ability to keep my integrity together. I understand how people can get into unethical situations, and Scientology has always helped me keep my head clear and be in present time. I have been able to see situations for what they are."

  • Giovanni Ribisi

    Actor Giovanni Ribisi (and his sister Marissa, who is married to fellow Scientologist Beck) were raised as Scientologists. He's <a href="http://www.whatisscientology.org/html/Part05/Chp19/pg0316.html" target="_hplink">quoted on the church's website as saying</a>: "There is a certain aspect of Scientology that helped me stay on my own path in creating life as a new game."

  • Leah Remini

    Actress and talk-show host Leah Remini is a big proponent of the Church of Scientology. She's<a href="http://www.whatisscientology.org/html/Part05/Chp19/pg0318-a.html" target="_hplink"> quoted on the church's website</a>, saying: "Scientology has been my road out. There is nothing about my life that I feel apathetic or unhappy about. Scientology gives you hope and the certainty that you can improve any condition. This, to me, is priceless."

  • Lisa Marie Presley

    Lisa Marie Presley, former wife of Michael Jackson and only daughter of Elvis is a Scientlogist like her mother Pricilla Presley. Though there have been <a href="http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2012/05/lisa_marie_presley_says_so_long_to_scientology.php" target="_hplink">reports Lisa Marie had become disillusioned with the church and cut ties with it</a>, the organization's website still lists her as one of their biggest successes, <a href="http://www.whatisscientology.org/html/Part05/Chp19/pg0310.html" target="_hplink">quoting the actress as saying: </a> "Were it not for Scientology, I would either be completely insane or dead by now. I am forever grateful for the technology of Scientology and to Mr. Hubbard who dedicated his life to helping man and this planet, as well as to the people who have dedicated their lives to helping others through Scientology."

  • Kelly Preston

    Actress Kelly Preston married fellow Scientologist John Travolta in 1991 and today, they're viewed as one of the organization's power couples and biggest champions. The church's <a href="http://www.whatisscientology.org/html/Part05/Chp19/pg0308-a.html" target="_hplink">website quotes the actress as saying</a>, "There is a way to handle every part of life with Scientology, and a way to exist that is far beyond any dream that you could ever dream. All of my dreams keep becoming realities and that's very exciting!"

  • Juliette Lewis

    Actress Juliette Lewis became a Scientologist in the 1990s and credits the church's rehab program Narconon with helping get clean. She's <a href="http://www.whatisscientology.org/html/Part05/Chp19/pg0310-a.html" target="_hplink">quoted on its website as saying</a>: "I am no longer stuck in the bottomless pit of despair and apathy. Having achieved the state of Clear is the single most important thing that I've done for myself. It has allowed me to experience life in a way I only imagined."

  • Nancy Cartwright

    Nancy Cartwright is the woman behind Bart Simpson's voice, and she follows the Scientologist practices. She's <a href="http://www.whatisscientology.org/html/Part05/Chp19/pg0317.html" target="_hplink">quoted by the church as saying</a>: "Before Scientology I had one dream of making a living, doing voice-overs for animation. After I became a Scientologist my abilities expanded so far and above what I originally dreamed for myself that I've amazed even myself at my enormous increase of abilities."

  • Linda Blair

    Actress Linda Blair is best known for playing possessed child Regan in "The Exorcist" and is a Scientologist.

  • Christopher Masterson

    Actor Christopher Masterson was raised as a Scientologist along with his brother, actor Danny Masterson.

  • Peaches Geldof

    In 2009, it was reported that Peaches Geldof started taking an interest in Scientology. "I've been [a Scientologist] for a while now," <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1223800/Im-really-quantum-theories-Scientology--power-naps-Inside-world-Peaches-Geldof.html#ixzz1zWmXJ6A2" target="_hplink">she told the <em>Daily Mail</em></a>. "'It's like, I was confused about what path to go through and I feel like I needed a spiritual path.I felt I was lacking something when I didn't have a faith. In the end, all it's about is making yourself a better person."

  • Jason Lee

    Actor Jason Lee is a Scientologist and obsessed with the religion -- according to his ex-wife Carmen Llywelyn -- who in <a href="http://www.thefrisky.com/2010-04-02/jason-lees-ex-wife-reveals-secrets-about-scientology/" target="_hplink">2010 blamed the end of their marriage on his alleged obsession.</a>

  • Sonny Bono

    Sonny Bono was raised Catholic, but later began taking Scientology classes, as did his wife Mary Bono.

  • Jeffrey Tambor

    At one time "Arrested Development" actor Jeffrey Tambor took Scientology courses, but took the time to dispel reports he belonged to the church. "I took some Scientology classes at one time, studied Scientology for a while, but no more. I have nothing against it, but I am no longer a Scientologist," he said in 2007.

  • Beck Hansen

    Musician Beck Hansen was raised as a Scientologist and married actress Marissa Ribisi, who is also a member of the church. In <a href="http://www.contactmusic.com/news-article/beck-defends-scientology" target="_hplink">2005, the singer defended the organization's beliefs and practices, telling reporters: </a> "There's whole aspects (of Scientology) that you probably don't see. They have the success rate of getting hardcore addicts off drugs, 90-something percent maybe. "If it's something that helps you in your life it's a positive thing, so all I have to say is that you can't really make a judgement on something unless you know something about it first-hand."

  • Greta Van Susteren

    TV news personality Greta Van Susteren is a Scientologist.

  • Laura Prepon

    Actress Laura Prepon began dating her "That '70s Show" co-star's brother, Christopher Masterson and converted to Scientology. When <a href="http://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/meet-laura-prepon#ixzz1zVA4FErW" target="_hplink">asked by <em>Women's Health</em></a> if it was hard being a Scientologist because of so much controversy that surrounds the religion, she said: "Anyone who knows me is just like, "Wow, if Laura is a Scientologist, then there has to be something to this." When I hear something negative, I don't get defensive. I know what's true for me and what works for me.

  • Elisabeth Moss

    "Mad Men" star Elisabeth Moss is a Scientologist but has spoken out about she isn't OK with the church's rampant homophobia. "One of the most important things I take from my church is the idea of personal freedom and our rights as human beings, and that includes the right to date a man or a woman. Personal freedom is a very important concept in my religion, and I translate that to sexual orientation. If we're all supposed to have the right to the life that we want to lead, then that should apply to the gay community. There isn't really any dogma or scripture, yes or no, right or wrong on that particular subject in my church. It's more open to personal interpretation, and that's my interpretation," she told <a href="http://www.advocate.com/print-issue/features/2012/03/23/list-elisabeth-moss-mad-about-woman" target="_hplink"><em>The Advocate</em> in March 2012. </a>

  • Jenna Elfman

    Actress Jenna Elfman was raised Catholic, but was introduced to Scientology by her now-husband Bodhi and joined the church after they married in 1995. The <a href="http://www.whatisscientology.org/html/Part05/Chp19/pg0312.html" target="_hplink">church's website quotes Elfman as saying</a>: "In other philosophies, my questions would get answered to some degree, but then I would have a follow-up question and there would be no answer. The logic would dead-end. In Scientology you can find answers for anything you could ever think to ask. These are not pushed off on you as, 'This is the answer, you have to believe in it.' In Scientology you discover for yourself what is true for you."

  • Erika Christensen

    Actress Erika Christensen was raised as a Scientologist and was home-schooled by her parents before <a href="http://www.erika-christensen.com/erika-christensen/official-biography" target="_hplink">attending Delphi Academy</a>, a private school that uses the Study Tech educational methodology created by L. Ron Hubbard. The actress has been open about her belief in Scientology and credits it with her success. In <a href="http://articles.nydailynews.com/2004-01-29/entertainment/18265587_1_scientology-spiritual-quest-studied" target="_hplink">2004 she told the New York Daily News</a>: "Scientology helps me in acting to focus on communication.You can also develop and awareness of yourself."

  • Catherine Bell

    Actress Catherine Bell was raised Catholic, but is now a Scientologist. In 2006 she took <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nptzg2odTKw" target="_hplink">part in a Scientology music video called "United," </a>which promoted human rights with a rap song, and also featured Isaac Hayes, Erika Christensen, Jenna Elfman, and Lynsey Bartilson.

  • Lynsey Bartilson

    Actress Lynsey Bartilson was raised a Scientologist and <a href="http://www.our-home.org/lynseybartilson/myself.htm" target="_hplink">writes on her own website:</a> "Ever since I was old enough to read and write I've been a fully practicing Scientologist. I'm an actress, so I always need to be totally alive and communicating. It's a wonderful feeling to know that I naturally have both of these with me always."

  • Bijou Phillips

    Actress Bijou Phillips is the daughter of John Phillips of the Mamas & the Papas, and married to fellow Scientologist Danny Masterson. In 2009, the actress went on a bit of a rant in an interview with <em>Paper</em> magazine, <a href="http://www.celebitchy.com/32957/scientologist_bijou_phillips_to_depressed_people_get_over_it/" target="_hplink">defending the religion's belief in shunning psychiatry: </a> "My grandparents didn't take any pills, and they were fine. Just buck up and get over it. Stop being such a f--king pansy," she said.

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