The religion Scientology has been around for more than 50 years, yet recently it has become the center of media and public attention.

Some relate the rise in popularity to actor Tom Cruise for being outspoken in the media about his views of Scientology and psychiatry.

But Mary Anne Ahmad, director of public affairs of Midwest Churches of Scientology said this is not a new religion.

"It's always been here," she said. "It's the media who are now realizing we are here."

But Rev. Robert Grimwood of Lake Lansing Baptist Church, 5960 N. Okemos Road, said the interest in the religion won't last long.

"It's being blown up now because of Hollywood, like Christianity was blown up because of Bush," he said.

MSU history Professor David Bailey said a lot of people might be criticizing Tom Cruise now because, for some people, it's strange for actors to talk about faith and religion.

"He's an actor talking about the issue of faith, so naturally he is treated as a figure of comedy," he said. "Like Mel Gibson and 'The Passion of the Christ,' most people didn't want to see his perspective of Christianity."

Scientology was developed by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard in the 1950s.

Scientologists believe a person is neither the mind or the body but is a spiritual being called a thetan.

According to the church's creed, the study of the mind and the healing of mental illnesses should not be separated from religion or allowed to be practiced in non-religious fields.

Rob LaMontagne, public executive at the Church of Scientology in Farmington Hills, Mich., said Scientology educates others.

"Scientology helps educate the public in the field of mental health," he said. "Mental health is associated with spiritual well-being."

LaMontagne said some people like to relate Scientology and psychiatry but they have nothing in common.

"No way would I recommend people to see psychiatrists," he said. "Our duty is to make sure your spirituality is not harmed by psychiatrists and drugs."

Ahmad said psychiatrists are fake.

"Psychiatry is fraud, and they are godless with no sense of honor," she said.

But Jed Magen, chairman of MSU's Department of Psychiatry said accusations like those leave him suspicious.

"Making a blanket condemnation is not a reasonable thing to do," he said. "And I clearly don't recommend people to see Scientologists for mental-health problems."

LaMontagne said Scientologists are not trying to invade the practice of helping people with mental illnesses.

"We want people in the field of mental healing to not do the things they are doing like drugging people and electroshocking," he said.

He also said Scientology is a philosophy that helps people understand life, death and the universe and that someone can practice Scientology as well as other religions at the same time.

"I know deacons of Catholic Churches who are Scientologists and priests and also Baptist ministers," he said.

But Rev. Terry Ferguson of University Christian Church, 310 N. Hagadorn Road, said if you practice Scientology, you cannot legitimately practice other religions.

Grimwood said Scientology and Christianity are two contradictory belief systems.

"They feel that we have lived lives in the past and are living now to make amends for things," he said. "As Christians we don't believe that."

But LaMontagne said this is one of the misconceptions about Scientology.

"People form opinions based on limited information," he said. "Its not a matter of belief but that many Scientologists have discovered that there are past lives. But no one tells (people they have) to believe that."