The Church of Scientology investigated ‘South Park’ creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker for their 2005 episode ‘Trapped In The Closet,’ The Huffington Post is reporting. Church officials were reportedly offended by the show, which followed Stan as he joins Scientology to find something fun. After it was discovered he had high levels of thetan, he’s recognized as the reincarnation of L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of the church.
Marty Rathbun, a former Church of Scientology executive, told The Village Voice a number of documents detailed the religious sect’s detailed surveillance of Stone and Parker. Church leaders searched for vulnerabilities in the Emmy winners’ personal lives through the help of informants and public records. After looking into the two’s personal and business connections, church leaders widened their investigation into actor as well, including John Stamos.
The investigation was reportedly brought on after Tom Cruise’s reaction to ‘Trapped In A Closet.’ In the episode, the actor locked himself in a closet, an allusion to rumors about his sexuality. Cruise become so upset that he allegedly threatened to pull out of the promotions for ‘Mission: Impossible III’ if a re-run of the episode was aired. Viacom owns both Comedy Central, the network that airs ‘South Park,’ and Paramount, the film’s studio.
Rathbun said he would send The Village Voice more documents that reveal the Church’s investigation, but he was arrested in September, allegedly on the religion’s behalf. While the charges were later dropped, Rathbun said the religion is harassing him, in part because he practices the faith outside the official church.
Written by: Karen Benardello














