http://news.independent.co.uk/people/pandora/story.jsp?story=620552 16 March 2005

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* A CURIOUS PR stunt from Tom Cruise has backfired in spectacular fashion.

The Hollywood actor who made his name in Top Gun , is the best known follower of L. Ron Hubbard's "new religion" of Scientology. He never misses an opportunity, when giving interviews, to hold forth on the subject, occasionally to the chagrin of showbiz hacks more interested in other aspects of the superstar's life.

In an attempt to win them over, he recently dispatched plaques wrapped in gold paper to a number of the most influential LA correspondents, with the 12 rules of Scientology on them.

"This was eccentric, to say the least," says one. "But what annoyed people more was the note that he enclosed, saying he'd made a donation to Scientology in our names."

A number of recipients have since written back to Mr Cruise asking him not to act on their behalf again.

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