Last updated 10:36 10/04/2010

Juliette Lewis claims she was saved by Scientology.

The singer-and-actress - who turned to the faith in 1996 for help during her drug addiction struggles - can't understand why the Church of Scientology receives so much criticism and is particularly upset about the way Tom Cruise, one of the faith's most prominent members, is ridiculed for his beliefs.

She said: "It's been written about in such an obscene way but it's very common-sense based and involves really basic stuff like using communication to try and solve your problems or differences.

"It's a progressive religion in that it's a body of knowledge. You can be a Jewish or a Buddhist Scientologist and people don't understand that.

"I feel so sad for the ridicule Tom Cruise got, and he's such a gracious, caring human being."

The 36-year-old star decided to embark on a music career six years ago and since she started releasing records she insists her experiences have been educational.

She added in an interview with the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Starting a new career has been a huge education for me. I've always been an outsider and never felt like I fitted in, so being a little bit of a freak of nature in rock 'n' roll suits me."