What is the ‘Scientology speedrun’ and why is the media all over it? | | Science

Wait, if someone said “Scientology speedrun” to me I would think of Tom Cruise in tight shorts. But that’s not what’s happening, is it?

Of course not, Cait. The Scientology speedrun appears to have started in March when creator Swhileyy filmed himself. expelling the Church of Scientology on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. The video was viewed 90m before it was removed.

Since then, many boy bands have shown themselves to be running at the LA Center, attracting millions of attention. TikTok. Unofficial goal: see how high up the house you can get.

It has grown quickly. Some users have started mapping the building based on the terrorist videos.

Some have taken the more extreme route, arriving at the reception area dressed as such Jesus or Friends he wants to see Tom Cruise. In order to avoid being recognized, high speed athletes often wear face coverings, cat masks or even full dinosaur costumes.

So it started in LA, but now people are doing it in Australia. Why do people do this?

I can’t speak for the athletes themselves, but it mostly comes down to a mix of social intrigue and the internet’s appetite for stupidity.

Scientology, founded by American author L Ron Hubbard in the 1950s, has long denied that it is professional. a dominant group or religious groupwhich the church strongly rejected. Combine this with the fact that public stupidity ensures that you can get attention on social media and you have a way of knowing that you are infected.

We have already seen the global spread of these speedruns in the UKwhere hundreds of young people tried to run Scientology buildings in different places. Now, the trend has reached Australian shores.

Sign up for Breaking News Australia email

On Saturday, the Sydney and Brisbane Scientology buildings were surrounded by a large group of young people, trying to enter the building.

In Sydney, “a crowd of around 100 youths” gathered outside the church on Castlereagh Street at about 1:30pm, according to New South Wales police. The police spokesman said that the police, including members of the riot group, dispersed the group. A 19-year-old woman and a 17-year-old girl were arrested for failing to comply with police orders.

A similar crowd headed to the Brisbane Scientology building on George Street in the CBD. According to the Queensland police, a young man jumped on the driver’s side of a police car before quickly getting out, while another rode a BMX bike on the roof of the same car. Two youths, aged 15 and 18, were charged.

Despite the confusion, neither the Sydney nor Brisbane team entered the building to achieve their racing goals.

There were whispers about this happening in South Australia. “I saw 3 kids having fun out front yesterday,” a Reddit user commented under a thread about the Adelaide Scientology run. Another said, “What happens on TikTok usually makes me angry, but I have to pass it on to the kids.”

What? But is Scientology big in Australia?

In terms of existence, sure. As for the exact numbers, it is not known.

Scientology has a large presence in Los Angeles, with celebrity followers including Tom Cruise and John Travolta, but its reach extends worldwide.

In Australia, the church has established many locations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Canberra.

Top Australian members include singer Kate Ceberano, whose grandmother raised her family such as Scientologists.

What do old church members seem to be disinterested in?

Apostates, including actress Leah Remini, have criticized the church for promoting a culture of violence. Remini took a dig at the media experience, calling it “unhelpful”. Remini wrote on X that “going through the Scientology house” only reinforces the church’s narrative that the outside world is dangerous, causing members to repeat their beliefs.

“Please focus on exposing the dangers of Scientology, not making spectacles.”

Alexander Barnes Ross, who has led anti-Scientology protests in the UKhe was concerned that speedruns underestimated the big announcement.

“There’s nothing funny about Scientology. It’s a dangerous, harmful organization,” he said, adding that forced registration prevents legitimate protests.

What has the Church of Scientology said about this?

In a statement to Guardian Australia, the church said “people have repeatedly forced their way into Church property, disrupted religious and public facilities, damaged Church property, and harassed staff, parishioners and visitors”.

“In the main event, many people rushed into the building without permission. Workers were knocked down due to the chaos, and the church is looking at all available measures to protect the workers, visitors and property,” he said.

“Churches are quiet places to welcome parishioners, visitors and the general public.

The statement said the church has reported the incident to the police and increased security, saying that “the chapel and public information have been repeatedly targeted by people seeking attention on the Internet”.

“The church welcomes legitimate visitors. It does not allow people to force entry, damage property, disturb religious places or endanger people to see,” said the document.