Bart Simpson used to promote Scientology

January 29, 2009

, 51, who is a long time member of the Church of Scientology, has created a recording using her voice of as part of a  promotion. The message surfaced early Wednesday morning on YouTube.

During the message, Cartwright states that "This is a special message" and announces a Scientology conference this coming weekend at the grand ballroom of the in Los Angeles where she has a speaking engagement. The message ends with a toll free number to call to RSVP. Wikinews has obtained audio of the message, which is displayed near the end of this report.

Cartwright, who also voices the roles of, , and , has been following the Church of Scientology since 1989. She has donated millions of dollars to the Scientology organization, founded by. In 2007, she gave a 10 million donation to the organization, surpassing donations from actors, John Travolta, and Tom Cruise. Cartwright earns approximately $400,000 per episode.

The Simpsons executives did not authorize this usage of in this manner. Executive producer told , "This is not authorized by us. The Simpsons does not, and never has, endorsed any religion, philosophy or system of beliefs any more profound than Butterfinger bars," referencing the  for the  candy bar.

The Simpsons creator has not yet issued a statement about Cartwright's recorded message. According to, Twentieth Century Fox television would not comment on whether or not Cartwright would face disciplinary actions in response to the usage of Bart Simpson's voice in this capacity.

Cartwright begins the message with, "Hey, what's happening man, this is Bart Simpson...", and then says she is kidding and identifies herself as the voice actress. Cartwright proceeds to use her own voice and Bart's voice throughout the message.

She states, "I'm now auditing on new OT [] Seven," referring to a level of spiritual state as used within Scientology. Operating Thetan level seven is one of the higher levels in Scientology. Cartwright uses Scientology while speaking in Bart's voice, saying she will share her "many wins" as an "" at the Hollywood Scientology event. She invites the listener to the Scientology organization's "Flag World Tour" event on January 31 in Hollywood, California, where she is planned to attend as a speaker.

The message has since been removed from YouTube. Visitors of the link, which appears in several press articles, are now left with a message saying "this video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Twentieth Century Fox." Wikinews sent an e-mail to FOX regarding the incident, but as of this report, they have not replied.

has been a major theme in The Simpsons. In the episode "", the commentators said that Movementarians were largely inspired by Scientology, the  and the, the , the , the , the  and.

The late Isaac Hayes left  over its attitudes towards Scientology depicted in the episode: "".