John Travolta’s Tragic Loss of Son and Scientology Speculation

John Travolta and wife, Kelly Preston

John Travolta’s son, 16-yr-old Jett, was pronounced dead today in the Bahamas.

According to the St. Petersburg Times, Jett was discovered this morning in the family’s vacation home by a caretaker. Jett was last seen last night when he went into the bathroom. Preliminary reports state Jett may have fallen and hit his head which caused his death. The AP is also reporting that Jett suffered from seizures and had been diagnosed as a child with Kawasaki Syndrome.

Kawasaki Syndrome affects kids under 5. The cause is still unknown while the disease affects lymph nodes, skin, and the mouth. The disease is treatable if caught early. Untreated, Kawasaki Syndrome can lead to serious complications which can affect the heart.

Travolta and his wife, actress Kelly Preston, are vocal members of the Church of Scientology. Reading the comments in several papers relating to the Travolta story, some have raised concern that Jett’s death may have been related to Scientology teachings regarding treating illnesses such as autism. Some have also speculated that Travolta’s son suffered from autism, a disease that Scientology refuses to recognize.

Another blog, Toronto Mike reposted an article published in 2006 on how Travolta’s brother Joey had produced the documentary “Normal People Scare Me”. The film, sponsored by CAN, Cure Autism Now, premiered in Hollywood. Neither John nor Kelly attended.

The Travolta’s have suffered a devastating loss and it’s far too early to speculate whether his “religion” may have had a hand without the facts. Yet Toronto Mike made a good point, we can’t but “wonder” if Scientology did play a factor.

“My heart goes out to anyone who loses a child, especially at such a very young age, but I can’t help but wonder if Scientology is to blame. The entire concept of a “degraded being” is difficult for me to stomach.”
Toronto Mike

Like Mike, our hearts go out to the Travoltas, and like Mike, we also wonder if Scientology is to blame. I believe this is a natural reaction based on observations of the Church of Scientology.

Scientology, which was founded by a science fiction writer, L. Ron Hubbard, in the 1950′s, has had many critics, especially former members. Scientology has been labeled a cult by countries such as Germany. The fact that so many have the same reaction to Jett’s death proves that Scientology hasn’t reached it’s goal: to be accepted as a “legitimate” religion. Instead Scientology continues to be viewed as a “psuedo-religion” with “questionable practices”. The prior rumors that Jett may have suffered from autism, a disorder that Scientology doesn’t recognize, only ad to the questions being raised about the circumstances surrounding Jett’s death.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the Travoltas.

By LBG

Image – John Travolta

Tags: death, Jett Travolta, John Travolta, Kelly Preston, Scientology