Jett Travolta's death sparks Scientology debate among readers

When The Juice published the news of the death of Jett Travolta, the teenage son of John Travolta and Kelly Preston on Friday, discussion quickly turned to Scientology.

Jett died after apparently hitting his head on the bathtub while the family was vacationing at their home in the Bahamas. The parents, both avowed Scientologists, are planning to have an autopsy performed on their son, who had a history of seizures.

Preston and Travolta have said that Jett became very sick when he was 2 years old and was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease, an illness that leads to inflammation of the blood vessels in young children. The parents have blamed household cleaners and fertilizers, and said that a detoxification program based on teachings from the Church of Scientology helped improve his health, according to an Associated Press story.

The first tampabay.com reader to comment on the news, Jorge wrote: "Looks like Scientology didn't help him with that."

One reader, Jean, called Jorge's comment "hateful." Another reader quickly jumped in with: "That wasn't nice, this was his son.  I'm sorry to hear, no one should suffer a loss like that," Terri wrote.

Despite their calls for compassion, the debate continues to focus on Scientology, with many condemning the religion. "Scientologists don't believe in medical treatment, so I'm sure he was not on anti-seizure meds," Tin wrote.

According to the AP story, it is unclear whether Jett was taking any medications for his seizures.

Sue writes in defense of the Travoltas -- who live in Ocala -- and Scientology:

"What any of this has to do with the Church is beyond me. Albeit, they were members, so what? At a time like this, does it have anything to do with the child's accidental death? I personally have seen the Travolta's locally at the pool with their children and have never seen a more caring loving family.

Hundreds of people have posted condolences on a guestbook. Post your tribute to Jett.

AP photo

Comments

[ria sparks]

Sage Software has recently launched a free online invoicng tool for freelancers and small businesses at http://www.billingboss.com. Billing Boss is focused of keeping invoicing simple - so simple that you can get set up and send your first invoice in just a couple minutes.

Please note: With the goal of full disclosure, I work at Sage. Feel free to contact me if you have any feedback about Billing Boss.

Hey, isn't it odd and interesting and TELLING that these folks got arrested for 'extorting' the bereaved parents?
I can't imagine what they were going to do !! Expose the truth.
That's how scientology and the masons FIGHT the truth. They cause the person(s) to have problems to deal with. I mean they ARE the cops and firemen and the scientologists.
I want everyone to be aware that while the scientologists in CLEARWATER get all the attention it's also Tampa.
Mayor Pam Iorio has befriended them and Tampa has a huge number of the thieves there.

[Richard Siravo]

Travolta’s Loss Hits Home by Richard Siravo

When the news flashed that John Travolta’s 16-year-old son, Jett, died from an apparent seizure on January 2, I remained paralyzed momentarily as thoughts raced through my mind. It was five-years ago that I lost my five year old son, Matthew Siravo, to status epilepticus or a prolonged seizure. I couldn’t believe that lightning had struck the Travolta family as it did for us. The loss of a child is the most horrific experience a family can face. It’s a shocking tragedy that never goes away despite the outpouring of love and support from friends and family.

While millions of people worldwide suffer from seizure disorders or “epilepsy”, many are controlled by medication and live a normal life. However, there are those individuals who do not respond well with repeated attempts to control seizures with various types of medications and their uncontrolled seizure activity may cause development delays or special needs for children, depression and in some cases death.

The fact is that epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders and yet epilepsy research remains grossly underfunded. After the loss of my son Matthew, we organized the Matthew Siravo Memorial Foundation in Rhode Island to raise much needed funds for epilepsy research, epilepsy awareness & educational programs while offering children with epilepsy college scholarships and younger children epilepsy camp sponsorships. We have collaborated with doctors at Hasbro Childrens Hospital to improve the quality of life for children and families dealing with epilepsy on a daily basis. We have partnered with scientist at Brown University to enhance research efforts for this debilitating disease.

Having a child with epilepsy is the fear of the unknown. The telephone rings and you fear that the message is about your child. You spend most nights awake listening to your child’s breathing patterns or sudden movements. A parent never knows where or when a seizure may occur. A parent never knows how long a seizure will last or whether there will be any long term side effects.

The Travolta’s have suffered the most horrific tragedy a family can face. They need love and support. In time, hopefully they will turn this tragedy into something positive for the many families suffering from epilepsy on a daily basis. In time, hopefully they will help educate society to better understand about seizures and use their celebrity influence to raise the much needed funds for epilepsy research to find a cure. But for now, they need their privacy to mourn the death of their only son and cuddle his memories as a family.

Richard Siravo is the Executive Director of the Matthew Siravo Memorial Foundation and Epilepsy Resource Center of RI located in Wakefield, Rhode Island.

[deb]

My friend's autistic child used to poop all over their house, and smear it everywhere when he was 2, 3, 4 years old. Makes me believe that is why the Travolta's cleaned their carpet so much; I mean, come on, the average family does not have their carpet cleaned all the time for no reason - it's not good for the carpet! It is very sad to me that they were in such denial because of a ridiculous, very messed up man who wrote space novels.

[JR]

So Christianity is somehow different from Scientology how?

They're both belief sets, neither having shown themselves to be particularly valuable for anything other than bilking believers out of their money.

[dino]

I understand that Scientologists don't eschew all medicine, just mental health professionals. However, the viewpoint that Scientologists are sent to the doctor when they need medical help isn't accurate. Ask Lisa McPherson. If she had not been removed from medical care by Scientologists - and 17 days later, if she had been taken to the NEAREST hospital instead of one 45 minutes away (becuase it had a Scn-friendly Dr. Minkoff attending), she might still be alive to ask.

[michelle samela]

This is a very difficult and sad time for the Travolta family. My heart goes out to them for 2 reasons. The first is that they lost their son Jett, so young. The 2cd is that if they were christian, catholic, protestant, lutheran, any other religon, Jett would still be alive. They have no idea of this because they are so brainwashed by their beliefs.This is so sad. Their outrageous religon killed their son. I am a therapist, I know that if a child has seizures, medicene will prevent death. I also know scientology doesnt recognize autism, ect., I mean Jett was autistic, the Travolotas because of their religon couldnt recognize or treat him. My God man, how messed up is this. Im so pissed

[David Smith]

L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology, did say it was standard practice for Scientology auditors (Scientology service providers, similar to counselors) to order people to stop taking anti-seizure medication, against medical advice. L. Ron Hubbard's statements are treated as scripture within Scientology.

This recording is from the lecture that was mentioned in the St Petersburg Times article ("Jett Travolta's death feeds rumors of autism" by John Barry and Jonathan Abel, January 8, 2009)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMom3y1zyZU

audio from
EXPANDED DIANETICS LECTURE No.2
A lecture given to the Flag Dianetic Auditing Team on 7 April 1972.
C7204C07 SO
EXPANDED DIANETICS AND WORD CLEARING

[nurse]

I neglected to add in the above statement that I hold no ill will towards the Travolta family. Hopefully this horrible tragedy will open their hearts, minds, and eyes regarding the place that Scientology had in this loss.

[nurse]

No matter how 'indecent' some folks think addressing the issues of Jett Travolta's disease and death, it would be more detrimental to ignore these issues just because the Travoltas are well liked, good people, and wealthy. If Jett was not currently on any antiseizure medicine then this was an neglectful and abuse to him. Grand Mal seizures can and do do harm if untreated. Kelly and John had to know that. This death seems preventable if Jett was not currently being treated for his seizure disorder. And if Scientology had anythig to do with this or not that also needs to be investigated by the law as it would be if this happened to any other couple. This does not give them a pass.

[Joe the Logical Guy]

http://www.cracked.com/article_14932_p10.html

Even Charles Manson found Scientology to be "Too crazy for me"

Say a lot.

[Joe the Logical Guy]

Well, there are societies in England that are having an awfully good time fighting the cigarette. They can't do anything else, so they fight cigarettes. And they say that the cigarette causes lung cancer. And they've -- you've been hearing something of this, I'm sure. Yeah. Not smoking enough will cause lung cancer. Not smoking enough will cause lung cancer! If anybody is getting a cancerous activity in the lung, the probabilities are that it's radiation dosage coupled with the fact that he smokes. And what it does is start to run out the radiation dosage, don't you see. But I'd say that would be better than not running out any of the radiation dosage at all and the number of lung cancer cases which exist, of course, that don't smoke are just forgotten about by these societies, but they are very numerous.

Anyway, there's nicotinic acid in that cigarette. Inevitably, on inhalation of tobacco, you will get some of this phenomena of face flush, but in view of the fact that a cigarette isn't pushing its smoke over the outside of the body but on the inside, of course, you run it out internally."

There is a lovely quote from your beloved leader L. Ron. Hubbard. What a genius he is, I don't understand why the whole world does not follow his genius. I quit smoking 9 years ago, but now I am worried I might get cancer by NOT smoking. I am running out the door right now and buying 100 cartons of smokes! Hail to the Science Fiction King!

[Joe the Logical Guy]

Mark,
So you are saying that Scientologists go to the doctors to treat Autism? That is not what I understand, and that is specifically what people think was wrong with the boy. And second, how can you believe in a religion that talks about aliens and was created by a science fiction writer who blatantly claimed he wanted to start a religion to make money?

Mark,
So you are saying that Scientologists go to the doctors to treat Autism? That is not what I understand, and that is specifically what people think was wrong with the boy. And second, how can you believe in a religion that talks about aliens and was created by a science fiction writer who blatantly claimed he wanted to start a religion to make money?

[terryeo]

Scientology says it can cure cancer, autism, dyslexia....pretty much anything.

In reality it cures nothing and many members die because of the faith they have in the cult.

Jett, is just another victim. They are all sad, but the blood is on Scientology's hands.

[other Bill]

1. Travolta alluded to seizures, Kawasaki caused by cleaners, probably not true. Travolta therefore has a medical bias based on hearsay. One reason to suspect Scientology influence. Detoxification is a common myth. What toxins are we talking about?
2. Son may have died from heart attack or aneurysm caused by Kawasaki.
3. Only John knows whether he was neglectful.

[Jen]

This is so sad. Jett did NOT make any decisions in his life. Jett's parents made all the decisions. It is obvious in all pictures and reports there is LOVE. Poor Travoltas. They will obviously questions themselves. But why all this blog stuff? Jett is gone, his pain in life is gone. Now, Kelly and John have to deal with the loss, and maybe the blame. I feel for the sister. So sad. But to sit here and exchange comments on Scientology (which I do not agree with, and dislike very much) does not help Jett. If it is the parents you want to hurt, I am sure they are hurting deeply no matter what their religion tells them. They are human...and this would be life-changing no matter who they are. Let it be. RIP, Jett.

[jb]

It doesn't really matter what you believe in or what you don't,its still sad.....R.I.P.Jett,wherever you are I'm sure the pain is gone

[Mrs M]

I read that the Jett has already been cremated and the results of the Autopsy will not be published as nothing suspicious was found. There was no evidence of a blow to the head that had been reported by his family or friends/lawyers of the family. It seems they are stating that he died from a seizure.
As to scientology I have no faith in a religion that was created by a SF writer for the sole purpose of making the founder rich or more importantly famous, which I believe was his ultimate goal. I have nothing but pity for anyone who believes it and even more so for those who suffer at it's hands. Rest in Peace Jett.

[Mr Clearwater]

There once was a sick child named Jett
Whose parents both made a bet
that he could be cured
they were all quite absurd
because he hadn't taken his pills yet.

God bless you Jett.
John you killed him with lies and broken promises created by a fiction writer.

[Clearwater Resident]

Jett died because his parents are fools. This is evidenced by their being sceintologists. The whole Church has been established to take advantage of weak minded people. Jett will now be with GOD. He is in a much safer place then with the freaks of clearwater

[KatOfTarpon]

I quess Godless Heathen & The Travolta will all enjoy hell together.

If the Travolta's did not get treatment for thier son, due to thier false religion. They should be charged with abuse and have the rest of thier minor children taken.

Scientology attracts people with a vulnerability. Like any other cult. Celebs are attracted to it because it is different,(after all they don't want to subscribe to Christianity or any other religion of the unwashed masses, they want to feel special and different) and because they are particularly vulnerable and gullible when it comes to these cults. created by their beloved "L Ron" they cling to it and follow the leader. How many innocent people haver to die horrid deaths before they cut it out and grow a brain of their own? I guess those e-meter audits took care of that. Gone is the personality, individuality, and mind of their own. Ever notice the deadlook they have in their eyes? Sorry, but itcreeps me out and I am angry that a kid had to die because of the scientology enforced neglect and teachings.

Scientology has a lot to do with the questions surrounding the death of this young boy. Scientology told his parents (John and Kelly) that he was "degraded" because he had ovious issues even the cult could not deny. The cult told them that medications are wrong, and hot steam and vitamins are all that are needed for anything. Their God,L Ron, told them that the only people that get cancer are people who have not smoked ENOUGH cigarettes. Scientology denies autism exists, but I guess Kawasaki disease (which affects predominantly Asian infant boys) is more acceptable? The Travoltas claim he was on Medication for his seizures and then they took him off of it and since being taken off he was having a serious seizure every WEEK! The other disturbing fact is that original reports by AP and others were that Jett was last seen THURSDAY going into the bathroom then he was found DEAD already FRIDAY. THAT is a travesty and needs to be investigated. BTW, did he "hit his head" or not? All of a sudden the Travolta lawyer team is saying he may have died in his dad's arms? But are not mentioning the blow to Jett's head. OY! I hope Jett is in a better place and I feel sorry for Ella. I can only hope and pray that Mr and Mrs Scientology there can snap out of it and reclaim their audited brains long enough to leave the "church" of scientology. Scientology kills and the crap they believe would be hilarious if there were not so many innocent people dying because of the "teachings". RIP Jett and God speed to Ella.

we are anonymous. we are legion.