Katie Holmes Divorcing Tom Cruise to Save Suri From Scientology

Friday's news that Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise were divorcing after five years of marriage came as a shock to the world.

Katie is the one who decided to pull the plug on their marriage, seeking sole custody of their 6-year-old daughter Suri.

According to reports, Scientology might play a prominent role in why Katie filed for divorce. Katie feared that her husband would send Suri away to Scientology's hardcore elite Sea Organization.

The Sea Org has been often compared to a boot camp and several ex-Scientologists (including Oscar winner Paul Haggis) have been outspoken against its military-like conditions. The Freewinds, the massive Scientology boat that was the location of Cruise's infamous birthday party in 2004, is entirely staffed by Sea Org members.

"Katie does not want Suri raised as a Scientologist or raised under the tenets of the church," a source close to the actress tells RadarOnline.com. "She wants her to enjoy a 'normal' upbringing with a wide variety of friends and a good schooling. She believes that will not happen if she is raised as a Scientologist; it's one of the major things she and Tom fought over when they were together."

Sources close to Katie say she believes members of Scientology have been following her ever since they found out about the split.

The New York Post reported, on Sunday, five imposing men -- at least two, carrying firearms, sat in a white Cadillac Escalade outside Katie's apartment building in Chelsea, New York, taking pictures and interrogating people outside the building.

Reps for Tom, Katie and the Church of Scientology have denied any connection to the men.

Tom, who turns 50 on Tuesday, is currently filming his new movie Oblivion in Iceland and is said to be stunned by the divorce action. RadarOnline reported that he will file for divorce in California, which experts say will give him a better shot of at least partial custody of Suri.