Cruise defends spreading Scientology word

Hollywood heart-throb Tom Cruise has defended his decision to fund a Scientology mission on the set of War of the Worlds, insisting he was merely feeding his colleagues' hunger for information about the controversial religion.

The Top Gun icon is an open devotee of the faith created by Ron L Hubbard, and War Of The Worlds director Steven Spielberg was more than happy for his leading man to bring his religion to the movie set.

Cruise says, "I believe in freedom of speech. I felt honoured to have volunteer Scientology ministers on the set. They were helping the crew. When I'm working on a movie, I do anything I can to help the people I'm spending time with. I believe in communication...

"The volunteer Scientology ministers were there to help the sick and injured. People on the set appreciated that. I have absolutely nothing against talking about my beliefs."

Spielberg adds, "I saw it as an information tent. No one was compelled to frequent it, but it was available for anybody who had an open mind and was curious about someone else's belief system."