Tom Cruise Second Only to L. Ron Hubbard in...

Tom Cruise is the second most important person in the Church of Scientology--falling just steps behind its original leader, L. Ron Hubbard. This is according to author Lawrence Wright, whose book, Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood and the Prison of Belief is making waves in the Scientology community.

According to a report from E! Online, the claim has little to do with anything of significance the actor

has done for the purported religion, and everything to do with his celebrity status.

"From the very beginning of the Church of Scientology," Wright explains, "they established it in Los Angeles, they created the Celebrity Center there in Hollywood, and the whole goal was to take over the entertainment industry and use celebrities as kind of a product endorsement for their brand."

Cruise helped make the brand all that more appealing to those within the Hollywood set.

Wright also says that 'the door swings both ways' for those active Scientology. It seems actor John Travolta had many more doors open for new film roles after it became known he was a devout Church of Scientology member.

Do you think Cruise attributes his acting success to the Church of Scientology? Do rumors of his leaving the organization never come to fruition because he fears what might become of his career if he defected?

Lawrence Wright will talk about Tom Cruise and John Travolta and their successes based on the Church of Scientology during a special segment on E! News on Thursday. Check your local listings for times.