By Alan Fein

(AXcess News) New York - Actor Tom Cruise defended Scientology on ABC's The View last week when he spoke about the death of Jett Travolta, saying Scientologists weren't against getting medical help - or taking medications.

While Cruise's obvious sincerity shown through when the star spoke about the loss of a child in discussing the death of John Travolta's 16-year-old son, Jett, his defense of his and Travolta's religious believes as practicing Scientologists was just the opposite of when Cruise criticized actress Brooke Shields over her use of anti-depressants to treat her post-partum depression.

So apparently, in the Travolta's case, it's OK to take medicine but in Shields' case, it wasn't.  So which is it Tom?

During Tom Cruise's kiss-and-make-up interview with Matt Lauer Cruise indicated that in the future - he was not going to discuss Scientology in any interviews.  Yet as-soon-as Cruise agreed to appear on ABC's The View, here he is again bringing up his religious beliefs. Only this time, Cruise says it's OK to take medication when he defended the Travolta's beliefs - though Cruise toned down his comments.

Jett Travolta's death was determined to have been caused by a seizure.   Prior to that time, the Travolta's had stopped giving Jett an anti-seizure medication called Depakote (divalproex sodium) - though Jett's parents had talked to doctors about discontinuing the anti-seizure medication saying it was no longer affective for their son Jett.

Jett Travolta suffered from Kawasaki syndrome and the anti-seizure medication he had been taking can cause severe side-effects, such as liver damage, which the Travolta's purported to have been the case in discontinuing its use.  That had nothing to do with the Travolta's Scientology believes - which I personally believe was the case.

Suzy Coehn, who writes the column "Dear Pharmacist" spoke out about the medication the Travolta's had discontinued using for their son's seizures and in explaining about Depakote and its effectiveness and side effects, she also had something to say about Scientology.

"It's true that the Church of Scientology advocates purification programs and natural herbal or vitamin regimens. They are not supportive of mind-altering medications or psychiatric drugs; however, Scientologists use medicine when required," Cohen stated.

Cohen went on to clarify her statement saying, "For the record, I am not a Scientologist but I'm appalled that anyone could point a finger at grieving parents and blame one particular religion for a horrendous accident."

And for the record Suzy, the anti-depressants Brooke Shields took back in 2004 when Tom Cruise openly criticized her for taking are not 'mind altering drugs'.  How a trained pharmacist could write such dribble as if it were two separate religious beliefs is beyond me.  Clearly Cohen accepted a Church of Scientology explanation when she described what is or is not OK.

While I agree with Cohen that it's 'appalling' to judge John Travolta and his wife over the death of their son Jett, the fact that Tom Cruise says one day it's APPALLING for Shields to take medication and another day, that its OK for anyone to follow a doctor prescribing medication in the Church of Scientology is the real question.  To Tom Cruise, it appears that Scientology is a religion of convenience practiced best when applying to a particular situation and not clear cut beliefs.  Get over it Cruise!  You owe Brooke Shields another apology!