CHEERS - ALLEY DEFENDS SCIENTOLOGY FROM 'BIGOTS'

Former CHEERS star KIRSTIE ALLEY has had enough of the criticism the Church of Scientology receives and wants the media to start poking fun at other religions. The actress, a fervent Scientologist, suggests it's unfair that her chosen religion is always wrapped up in controversy and it's members considered cultist nuts. She says, "Why is it OK that Scientology gets slammed? A bigot is a bigot is a bigot. "You would never come out and say Catholics are weird or 'Jews are weird' - that's nothing short of bigotry. And it should be defended by every other religion in this world, because they're next." "For me, Scientology is, 'Let me make some oars and get in the boat and paddle myself across...' That's how you get to the other side."