Scientology 'Speed Runs' Go Viral, Church Calls Them 'Hate Crimes'

Is barreling into a church and racing past security guards into the church’s back rooms a hate crime?

What about if the church belongs to the Church of Scientology?

That’s what Scientologists are alleging following a viral TikTok stunt known as ‘Scientology speed runs’, where perpetrators try to run as deep as they can into Los Angeles Scientology buildings before getting thrown out by security. One speed runner described the stunt as “a mix of exposure, prank and activism.” 

Each new video quickly racks up tens of millions of views, though TikTok’s own safety teams are steadfastly removing them (likely because they depict crimes actively being committed).

Now, the Church of Scientology says they’re not only the victims of trespassing and harassment, but victims of a religious hate crime – and it seems like the police agree.

Scientology Speed Runs

The trend takes its name from the world of video games, where ‘speed runners’ attempt to complete a given goal in a game as fast as possible, often using exploits or glitches to race through missions or stages. Scientology speed runners even speak about this trespassing in video game terms: Each incident is a new run, where they try to get further than they did the last time. Each new room entered? That’s unlocking a new level.

At the end, they jest, they might even face off against L. Ron Hubbard – Scientology’s "final boss."

The first Scientology speed run was posted on TikTok in early March and quickly went viral, inspiring numerous copycats, many of whom appear to be teenagers. 

“These incidents are not ‘speed running.’ They are organized trespasses into religious and public information facilities for social media attention,” stated a Scientology spokesperson.

“Over recent weeks, individuals have repeatedly forced their way into Church properties on Hollywood Boulevard, disrupted religious and public facilities, damaged Church property, and endangered staff, parishioners and visitors.”

The Church has taken some preventative measures, including removing handles from targeted buildings and beefing up security.

The Los Angeles Police Department agrees, and they’re increasing patrols in areas near the buildings to catch perpetrators. Though no arrests have been made, the LAPD just assigned Major Crimes detectives to the case, and are investigating speed runs as religious hate crimes.

But even as crackdowns grow, the trend is spreading around the world – at least, according to a recent post that purports to show a speedrun happening in Scotland:

What Do Former Scientologists Think?

Former members of the Church, many of whom are outspoken about Scientology online, are divided on whether these speed runs are beneficial to their anti-Scientology activism. 

Jenna Miscavige, niece of church head David Miscavige and herself an anti-Scientology activist, said that the speed runs are beneficial in “[turning the Church] into a joke so that new people don’t get trapped by them.” “

“I for one very much appreciate it,” she said.

But in a post on X, actress Leah Remini – another former Scientologist turned anti-Scientology crusader – disagreed, arguing that the speed runs are only going to radicalize members further.

“What they are doing is unhelpful, and by engaging in these actions, they are unwittingly helping Scientology,” she wrote. “Please focus on exposing the dangers of Scientology, not making a spectacle out of it.”

Ex-Scientologists are seemingly split on the trend, but what do you make of it? Are they just a silly prank? A form of activism? Or, as the Church alleges, a hate crime?