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The Church of Scientology continues to face growing scrutiny amid renewed legal battles, ongoing celebrity departures, and public criticism of its practices and core beliefs.

Once seen as a powerful spiritual movement with deep Hollywood connections, the church is now grappling with intensified backlash — especially following a high-profile lawsuit filed by former member and actress Leah Remini.

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What Does the Church of Scientology Believe?

The Church of Scientology was founded by American author L. Ron Hubbard, whose 1950 book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health laid the groundwork for what would later become a global religious organization.

Originally introduced as a psychological self-help methodology, Hubbard’s ideas were initially practiced under the umbrella of Dianetics. 

After the organization went bankrupt, Hubbard rebranded his philosophy as a religion and named it Scientology. The term, combining the Latin "scientia" (knowledge), was defined by Hubbard as “knowing about knowing.”

At the heart of Scientology’s teachings is the belief that humans are immortal spiritual beings called “thetans” who inhabit physical bodies. According to the faith, thetans have lived through countless past lives, and after death, they are reincarnated into new bodies.

These core ideas — including the process of “auditing” to clear the mind of traumatic past experiences — form the central practice of the religion. Despite being followed by many, the teachings have also attracted criticism for their secretive nature and costly progression system.

Leah Remini vs Church of Scientology

In August 2023, actress Leah Remini, a former Scientologist turned vocal critic, filed a lawsuit against the Church of Scientology and its leader, David Miscavige.

The King of Queens actor joined the Church of Scientology as a child in 1979 but left more than three decades later.

Remini criticized the organization for serious abuses of power.

In 2016, she released the documentary series Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, which she produced and co-created. The series won three Emmy Awards.

Remini also said she was “relieved” to see “dangerous rapist” and noted celebrity Scientologist Danny Masterson sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for rape.

 In the suit, Remini accused the church of harassment, defamation, surveillance, and efforts to damage her reputation after she left the organization in 2013.

The church allegedly paid to promote social media posts targeting Remini. The lawsuit adds that Scientology’s “old-school, mob-style tactics” extend beyond social media. And due to members stalking her, she has sometimes had to hire bodyguards.

“For 17 years, Scientology and its agents have subjected me to what I believe is a campaign of harassment, intimidation, surveillance, and defamation,” Remini said in a statement shared with CNN.

Hollywood and the Church

Remini’s departure sparked a wave of similar exits by other high-profile celebrities. This includes Laura Prepon, Katie Holmes, Paul Haggis, Nicole Kidman, Jason Beghe, Sharon Stone and Lisa Marie Presley, according to Yahoo Entertainment.

Her lawsuit alleges that such tactics by the church are part of a broader strategy to “terrorize” defectors and critics.

The Church of Scientology has long been tied to Hollywood’s elite, with prominent members including Tom Cruise and John Travolta, as detailed by MSN.

However, it has also seen a growing number of celebrity departures, many citing controlling behaviors and harmful internal practices.

“They don’t let you ask questions,” said one anonymous former member quoted by Yahoo. “Everything is based on blind loyalty and fear of punishment.”

Remini’s lawsuit is scheduled to begin on October 27, 2025. Although some of the defamation claims were struck down, many of the claims remain.  

A Church Under Fire

The Church of Scientology denies all allegations made in Remini’s lawsuit and has continued to maintain its status as a religious movement focused on personal growth and enlightenment. 

However, as lawsuits mount and critics become more vocal, the church finds itself at a crossroads between loyalty and legitimacy.

Whether the growing wave of backlash will lead to reform or further isolation remains to be seen.