A brief explanation of the controversial religion championed by Tom Cruise and John Travolta, founded by science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard.

A FEDERAL regulator has been asked to consider revoking the Church of Scientology’s registration as a charity in the wake of a damning documentary about the religion.

Prominent Scientologist and Hollywood actor John Travolta on Wednesday rejected claims in the American documentary Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief that he was being held captive by the church which holds a “dirt file’’ on him.

Independent Senator Nick Xenophon is concerned by allegations in the film and has asked the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission to urgently review the church’s registration.

“These allegations included that the Church of Scientology ... tortures its members, that it has stolen US Government documents and requires current members to cut all ties with friends and family members,’’ Senator Xenophon said in a letter to the charities commission.

He said he was deeply concerned about the harmful influence the global Church of Scientology could be having on its Australian branches.

In 2009, Senator Xenophon used parliamentary privilege to reveal allegations from former members that the Church of Scientology had engaged in forced imprisonment, coerced abortions, physical violence and blackmail.

Acting Charities and Not-for-profits commissioner David Locke confirmed that the commission had received Senator Xenophon’s letter and would respond directly to him.

The commission has revoked the registration of 10 charities since 2014.

Church of Scientology president Vicki Dunstan rejected the claims made in the film, including the allegations of torture.

Ms Dunstan said members of the church were encouraged to have friendships with people of other faiths.

“As to Senator Xenophon’s complaint, I am afraid he has bought into the propaganda and continues to try the Church of Scientology in the media and hold a kangaroo court,’’ she said.

“Only now he is using a Hollywood work of fiction as his source of disinformation about the church, to resurrect his old witch-hunt and waste taxpayer funds on this pointless exercise.’’

High-profile Scientologists include Travolta and fellow Hollywood star Tom Cruise.

In an interview with a US newspaper, Travolta said the Going Clear documentary was the product of people who were disgruntled with their experiences with Scientology.

Travolta said he had personally found the church to be “nothing but brilliant’’, including after the sudden death of his son Jett in 2009

“I’ve been so happy with my (Scientology) experience in the last 40 years that I really don’t have anything to say that would shed light on (a documentary) so decidedly negative,’’ Mr Travolta told the Tampa Bay Times.

“I’ve been brought through storms that were insurmountable, and (Scientology has) been so beautiful for me, that I can’t even imagine attacking it.”