Costumed Crowd 'Speedruns' Scientology Building For Social Media Trend (yahoo.com)
- Reference: 0183102220
- News link: https://tech.slashdot.org/story/26/05/02/0552238/costumed-crowd-speedruns-scientology-building-for-social-media-trend
- Source link: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/speed-running-scientology-tiktok-trend-212808320.html
> The footage posted on TikTok and Instagram shows the group sprinting up and down stairs and clashing with black-shirted security guards, giggling and gasping to catch their breath while church members scream at them to leave. On their way out — as security guards approach armed with fire extinguishers — one of the sprinters stops and dances to celebrate their successful escape, a move reminiscent of a taunt from the video game Fortnite. For weeks, groups of people have barged into two of the church's Hollywood properties, racing through hallways and tussling with security guards, trying to see how far they can get before they are forced to leave by church staff...
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> Church officials say the incidents are not a game and have accused the speed runners of "hate crimes." After dozens on Saturday stormed the Ivar Avenue building that houses an exhibit dedicated to the church's founder, science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard, the external door handles were removed from all three of Scientology's properties on Hollywood Boulevard by Sunday morning. Guards could be seen blocking the doorway to one building on Monday afternoon...
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> No arrests have been made.
A [2]report from the Associated Press cites a joke left on one of the videos: that if runners reach the top of the building, they'll find Tom Cruise.
> One commenter on a recent TikTok video of a speedrun asked why people are doing this, and another user simply replied, "because it's fun."
The 18-year-old who started the trend [3]told the Hollywood Reporter his original video has been viewed over 100 million times. "From there on out, I pretty much knew that Scientology was like a free gateway to a lot of views."
[4]Vulture notes that "there's even a [5]Roblox re-creation of the trend, made using the 'maps; drawn from actual videos"
[1] https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/speed-running-scientology-tiktok-trend-212808320.html
[2] https://apnews.com/article/scientology-speedruns-tiktok-trend-hollywood-445209307039d7cdeda107e390325ad6
[3] https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/tiktoker-scientology-run-inspired-a-trend-1236573730/
[4] https://www.vulture.com/article/scientology-speedruns-explained.html
[5] https://www.tiktok.com/@gdfyntruyn/video/7633896748959730957?is_from_webapp=1
Dangerously stupid stunt (Score:1, Troll)
Scientology is an official religion, so there are under numerous protections for places of worship. More so, historically Scientologists are known to be litigious. It is easy to see these social media stunts resulting in criminal charges and civil lawsuits. Especially if you publish evidence all over Internet.
Re: (Score:2)
> Scientology is an official religion
"Why do people have to fight over their various religious beliefs, can't they just coexist?"
*Scientology exists*
"Oh."
Re:Dangerously stupid stunt (Score:4, Interesting)
They aren't just litigious they are known to hire private investigators and outright thugs to hassle and intimidate people.
It's not so much that this is dangerous anyone taking part in this knows damn well what they're getting into.
This is what the cool kids call getting into good trouble. It's protest meant to draw attention.
That said Scientology is really on the ropes right now with collapsing membership and because of the internet it's difficult for their silly brand of nonsense to get much play. So there were probably better targets and better things for the protesters to do but it might have been personal if one of their friends or family members got stuck in the cult or themselves personally.
I know there are a lot of EX Jehovah witnesses trying to get people out.
Re: (Score:2)
> That said Scientology is really on the ropes right now with collapsing membership and because of the internet it's difficult for their silly brand of nonsense to get much play.
It's a bit like The Onion having to buy Infowars to remain relevant. Scientology's brand of batshit crazy religion is largely overshadowed by MAGA which has a far larger membership and in many ways is even more stupid.
Re: (Score:2)
It is not an "official religion." It is *recognized* as a religion by the IRS, and receives the same egregiously advantageous financial benefits as other religions, but that doesn't really give it any more weight than Mormonism, Presbyterianism, Catholicism, etc. None of which (thus far) are "official" in this increasingly "best of all possible worlds" >-|
I bet (Score:3)
They wouldn't try this in a mosque.
Re: (Score:1)
Yeah, the line between evil cult and religion is a fuzzy one.
Re: (Score:3)
Or a church.
Re:I bet (Score:4, Interesting)
Almost all mosques are open to the public and welcoming. If they tried it they'd be told to stop running, would they like to sit down and have some tea?
Re: (Score:2)
They wouldn't even have to run in the first place since they could take their time and freely look around.
Um... For mosques they do it all the time (Score:2)
It's not at all uncommon for right wingers to go harass Muslims at places of worship.
One of my all-time famous stories is a bunch of magats showing up with rifles at a mosque and then realizing they just showed up at a Nation of Islam mosque and turning tail and running when they noticed the guys out front with guns.
Religion is harmless when you don't give it any political power and you don't let it rip people off. At that point to devolves into a social club with a bit of spiritualism.
The proble
Re: (Score:2)
Why would they? A mosque is a place of worship, not a place of fraud fleecing members for money to have their Thetans measured. If you want something comparable to storming a building full of fraudsters who do nothing but lie, steal from people, and literally send thugs after people to threaten them you should say: "I bet... They wouldn't try this in the White House."
Hey, that's not nice (Score:5, Funny)
Let's be mindful of their religion and ask ourselves, "What would Tom Cruise do?"
Re: (Score:2)
Unless, of course, it involves international espionage. Then the gloves are off for sure.
Re: (Score:2)
Maybe jump on a couch?
Bonus points next round for playing The Floor is Lava!
questionable (Score:1)
Ok look, to all of you claiming this is a religion, prove it. This is some science fiction fantasy bullshit dressed up like religion and operating more like a cult. I'm pretty sure L Ron is a vampire and Satoshi too, which is as real as Scientology is a religion.
Re: (Score:2)
Right, just ask the Pastafarians.
Re: (Score:2)
Don't say "religion" when you only mean Christianity. Some religions actually do offer proofs.
Re:questionable (Score:4, Interesting)
Google is your friend. In the US the IRS recognizes it as a religion, as does the DOD. Other countries are more skeptical.
> This is some science fiction fantasy bullshit dressed up like religion and operating more like a cult.
You've just said "religion" three ways: a descriptive phrase, a noun and another noun.
Re: (Score:1)
You don't ask for that burden of proof from other religions. At least we can touch an eMeter, so where's the talking snake?
Re: (Score:2)
> Ok look, to all of you claiming this is a religion, prove it.
religion is a quite fuzzy term, there is no consensus on what a religion is and we don't even know the exact etymology of the word.
> This is some science fiction fantasy bullshit dressed up like religion
you mean like angels, miracles, resurrections, prophecies, afterlife (with virgins!), halls of the slain, flying spaghetti, spiritual machines?
> and operating more like a cult.
i don't know of any religion that doesn't have a "cult" to be followed, that is, a set of rites or norms expected to be observed, and a set of followers. those ofc vary greatly. and most religions also expect offerings and use part of the
Re: questionable (Score:2)
> you haven't pointed to a single characteristic which could uniquely define a "religion" as "real" in a way in which scientology would not qualify.
Can you think of a single religion that has a paywall?
Re: (Score:2)
most religious congregations use ruses to fund themselves. i don't think the particular way to do this is a defining characteristic of "not-a-religion". it is indeed gross, but it's also quite in sync with modern capitalist mentality, and it's not very different from paying indulgences to ensure fast-track access to end-game content (aka heaven), a practice employed for centuries by one of the most extended and recognized religions in the world.
i mean, i get your point, i'm not defending scientology by any
Re: (Score:2)
> i don't know of any religion that doesn't have a "cult" to be followed, that is, a set of rites or norms expected to be observed, and a set of followers.
A "cult" has come to mean a group (religious or otherwise) that exploits or abuses its members in one or more ways. Not all religions are cults, and not all cults are religions.
There have been many efforts to characterize what constitutes a cult. One of the better ones I have heard of is [1]the BITE model. [freedomofmind.com]
[1] https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/bite-model-pdf-download/
Re: (Score:2)
good observation. i had to tuck "cult" in there somehow :-)
then again note that even bite doesn't limit "cult" (mind control) to religions. many cults will use some god concept or faith as a channel or pretext, but mind control is actually a separate thing from religion and happens in many contexts. you'll notice that many of their listed characteristics apply perfectly well to other entities, like governments, ideologies, lobby groups ... i like their definition: "manipulative groups".
> Not all religions are cults, and not all cults are religions
i would say not all c
Watch The Master (Score:2)
Great director, great actors and though not named directly, 'The Cause' is really Scientology.
> Anderson finally admitted outright a couple weeks ago that he based the charismatic leader Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman) on Hubbard, adding that much of the film “related to the early days of Dianetics.”
[1]https://slate.com/culture/2012... [slate.com]
[1] https://slate.com/culture/2012/09/the-master-and-scientology-just-how-much-of-lancaster-dodd-comes-from-l-ron-hubbard.html
Lightweight hijinx (Score:2)
The so called church of scientology needs to be fully exposed and shutdown for the obvious scam that it is. For profit enlightenment, campaigns of harassment, forced labor in international waters, disappearances..and theyre worried about kids making tiktok videos.
Never thought I'd have to say this. (Score:2)
> Last Saturday someone dressed as Jesus "was among the dozens of people in costumes and masks seen on a video forcing open the door of a Scientology building on Hollywood Boulevard," reports the Los Angeles Times, "after a tug-of-war with a security guard."
It wasn't Trump. :-)
(Not even [1]"Doctor" Trump [theguardian.com] this time. /s)
[1] https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/19/trump-religious-right-pope-feud-ai-jesus-posts
So its about monetization .... (Score:1)
> The 18-year-old who started the trend told the Hollywood Reporter his original video has been viewed over 100 million times. "From there on out, I pretty much knew that Scientology was like a free gateway to a lot of views."
So it's about monetization of one's content. I'm sure L Ron Hubbard would approve. ;-)
You see folks, the preceding is a joke. It mocks a group without invading their "home", without being an entitled a-hole who imagines they possess the moral superiority to trespass onto someone else's "refuge".
If the church were smart (Score:1)
they'd use the attention for recruiting, setting up big signs and a Q&A desk.
If runners reach the top of the building :o (Score:2)
.. if runners reach the top of the building, they'll find Tom Cruise.
L. Ron Hubbard shurly :o
[1]Technology Cocktail [tonyortega.org]:
L. Ron Hubbard: “A service facsimile is a brother to R/Ses and evil intentions. This is easily seen when one understands the anatomy of the service fac and the right/wrong, dominate and survive computations that enter into it. And when one understands that an R/S always means a hidden, evil intention and that the total reason for an R/S is to make wrong. In order to get someon
[1] https://tonyortega.org/2025/07/06/scientology-opens-shrine-to-l-ron-hubbard-in-country-he-wanted-to-take-over/
Re: (Score:2)
I had to google for it, so for those who are wondering: "R/S" stands for Rock Slam -- a particular sudden needle-movement that occurs on an e-meter when someone is being audited. Scientology auditors usually associate it with negative thoughts about the organization.
> What was right about it is now wrong about it and what was once wrong is now right. A=A=A enters into the situation where rightness becomes wrongness.
Chilling. The equation or confusion of opposites is one of the standard methods of mind control.
This brings up some interesting issues (Score:2)
"if runners reach the top of the building, they'll find Tom Cruise." - What if they go to the basement? Will they find David Miscavige's wife?
"Scientology is an official religion"
+ Scientology was not a recognized religion in the U.S. until 1993.
+ Before that their members still wrote their donations off their taxes as "religious deductions".
+ IRS charged them penalties.
+ Several Scientologists filed lawsuits against the IRS.
+ Members of the House/Senate were worried donations to their campaign from Sciento
DO NOT GET CAUGHT (Score:2)
If they get you, they will dump all the thetans in you.
You will be the entire church's thetan bucket.
Re: (Score:2)
Damn, I didn't even consider the possibility that they have Ghostbusters-style Thetan Traps!
Re: (Score:2)
A sad commentary on some people's morality that they think this is okay. What ever happened to the "golden rule?"
Well, let's think about that (Score:5, Insightful)
> A sad commentary on some people's morality that they think this is okay. What ever happened to the "golden rule?"
Well, on the other hand, if it was an actual "religion" rather than a sci-fi writer's spoof of one I might have more sympathy. The thing is so bizarre that it is a living example of Poe's law - you literally can't tell the difference between Scientology and a spoof of Scientology.
So, sure, get all hot and bothered about the morality of this, but a group of people making fun of something that's indistinguishable itself from making fun, is pretty morally neutral actually.
Re: (Score:2)
You must be full of Thetons. You need an audit now. That'll be $5000 please.
Going into their house is morally wrong (Score:3, Insightful)
It's not morally neutral, it's a dehumanization based on ideology. It doesn't really matter if the ideology is ridiculous, we are not entitled to be abusive to others over their beliefs in their own house. If they want to proselytize in public, debating them is entirely fair and reasonable. If they want to run for public offices of responsibility, questioning tenants of their ideology in an effort to determine if they are rational decision makers if fair game. But going into their house to mock them is mora
Dial it back a little (Score:3)
> Going into their house is morally wrong ... it's a dehumanization based on ideology
Let's dial it back a little. Reel your neck in just a touch.
It's no one's house per se. It's a church. Most churches are open to the public. This isn't a home invasion. No one has been hurt.
It could be said to be valid, if somewhat loud, protest. Considering how Scientology has with great intent in many cases forced itself onto others, how its tax-free stratus makes it a drain on public coffers, and how it has openly used the threat of financial ruin to coerce ongoing membership.
Now, that is likely a
Dial it back a little, as in be respectful ... (Score:1)
>> Going into their house is morally wrong ... it's a dehumanization based on ideology
> Let's dial it back a little. Reel your neck in just a touch. It's no one's house per se. It's a church. Most churches are open to the public. This isn't a home invasion.
"The lady doth protest too much, methinks." No one said "home invasion". Is English not your native language, have you never heard the phrase "house of worship"?
Being open to the public is not a license to act like an entitled a-hole and mock someone else's ideology. It really is cult vs cult behavior.
"Dial it back a little", as in be a polite guest in someone else's house, refuge, etc? Yes.
> Considering how Scientology has with great intent in many cases forced itself onto others ...
If you want to mock them in when they are in public proselytizing, by all means, let them have it. That is the c
Re: (Score:1)
Nice try Miscavige (LOL) - Alleged and/or proven in court: Financial exploitation / Extortion, Fraud and deceptive business practices / Abuse and mistreatment of members / Forced labor / Harassment, intimidation, and private investigations of critics and defectors (including alleged smear campaigns) / Litigation and strategic lawsuits against critics and journalists / pressuring members to cut ties with critics or exmembers, family / Withholding medical care or discouraging psychiatric treatment / Psychol
Re: (Score:1)
> If this is their punishment, they are getting off easy.
Self entitled vigilantism is not moral either.
If you want to confront them when they come out into public to proselytize by all means expose and mock them. But their house, their refuge, should be off limits ... it really is cult vs cult behavior to go there. Entitled ass-hattery.
Re: (Score:2)
>> A sad commentary on some people's morality that they think this is okay. What ever happened to the "golden rule?"
> Well, on the other hand, if it was an actual "religion" rather than a sci-fi writer's spoof of one I might have more sympathy. The thing is so bizarre that it is a living example of Poe's law - you literally can't tell the difference between Scientology and a spoof of Scientology.
> So, sure, get all hot and bothered about the morality of this, but a group of people making fun of something that's indistinguishable itself from making fun, is pretty morally neutral actually.
Seems like a dangerous attitude. This barging in on the Scientologists is very much like the teenagers knocking on doors and then running away. Would it be acceptable to distinguish between the doors of neighbors that we like and don't like? It's an outrage when the teenagers bother the nice old widow but something we condone when it's the unfriendly curmudgeon. That doesn't sound right.
Its just cult vs cult (Score:1)
> A sad commentary on some people's morality that they think this is okay. What ever happened to the "golden rule?"
We've descended into ideological cults, and if there is one thing a cult hates and cannot tolerate it is the other cults. The other ideologies. The golden rule requires the non-cult like behaviors of tolerance and minding one's own business unless someone is in danger.
Re: (Score:2)
> A sad commentary on some people's morality that they think this is okay. What ever happened to the "golden rule?"
If only Scientology itself practised that philosophy. Instead it has been litigious with its critics, and cruel, manipulative, and avaricious towards its members.