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?
47 comments
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Leslie A. Hulberg Née Tomasura
As much as I am not a follower, nor do I care much for being a mark because I am not a supporter, I still believe that if this happened at a temple, a synagogue, a mosque or a church, the people of that faith would be up in arms. Keep in mind that the people who follow Scientology have the same rights as people who follow the Abrahamic faiths.
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DeElla J Kirkpatrick
Our ancestors came to this country partly for freedom of religion. I am not sure when it became okay to insult, and threaten violence on anyone for disagreeing with us. We should respect others beliefs, as long as those beliefs do not call for physical harm to anyone who believes differently. We should be respectful to all.
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P. Keith Benefiel
Hilarious.
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James Paul Pero
Yes, P If they are not of that religion, it is a hate crime!! why don't they run throw their Churches
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Minister Joseph
The question we should be asking is, is protesting against Evil a hate crime? Was it a hate crime when people protested against how Germany was treating Jewish people, even though Germany heavily used religious justifications for Nazi persecution of Jews? Or is it a hate crime when people protest against child molestation, if the culprit hides behind the shroud of a church or religious beliefs?
Let's not forget that the reason Scientology is a religion is because they orchestrated sending thousands of individual lawsuits by their members to flood the courts, and in exchange to withdraw the suits, they negotiated to get their church status. From then on they have done an immense amount of harm to people that have fallen into their hands, including separating mothers from their babies, raising children without proper care, and denying them basic education, without mention of the physical and emotional abuse. Any other place would have been raided in a heartbeat with less than 10% of what the Church of Scientology has been accused of.
So why would someone protesting against a business office masquerading as a religious group be considered a hate crime? It is not even trespassing until the protesters are asked to leave, and only if they refuse after being informed would it be considered trespassing. So before being too hasty to call it a "Hate Crime" and rush to judgment, ask yourself why people are protesting in the first place. Discernment is not hatred, it is wisdom.
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Patricia Ann Gross
Minister Joseph,
There is no question that this was a crime. It did not occur on public property, these kids were trespassing (on private property), which is a crime. If they had stayed outside on the sidewalks with picket signs, it would be different. They were doing it to see who could get the furthest inside the church, and posting it on social media for kicks. They targeted a "Scientology" church, so if it was for the religion, yes it was a hate crime. If they targeted the church simply because of its architecture with maze-like hallways, then, it could be questionable. Even protesting has its limits on legality. It is good and righteous to protest evil, but you cross a line when you break the laws. I question whether or not these kids knew about the ins and outs of the religion itself.
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Mark Poliner
First, this is not a religion. L. Ron Hubbard lost tights to Dianetics and needed to find a new income source, so he invented a religion. In the 1970's Scientology members, including Hubbard's wife, infiltrated the FBI and U.S. Attorney Office to plant bugs and steal documents. All this was in an effort to achieve their tax exempt status.
Second, Scientology has a history of destroying their critics. They tried to get journalist Paulette Cooper committed to a psychiatric institute or prison for investigating them. See also: Richard Behar; free-speech advocates Karin Spaink, David S. Touretzky, Keith Henson and Grady Ward; and former Scientology members Cyril Vosper, Lawrence Wollersheim, Jon Atack, Gerry Armstrong, Steven Fishman, Dennis Erlich, Arnie Lerma, and Bonnie Woods.
Finally, investigations in Europe led to Scientology being described as a cult - not a religion. It may have the trappings of a religion, but it was solely a money making scheme. Hubbard has been recorded as saying that being a writer does not make you money, founding a religion will (paraphrased).
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Samantha Walker
This is a hate crime. Anything done out of dislike and hate in the heart is a hate crime. The people are trying to "draw attention" to practices- insinuating someone's personal belief system is wrong and taking it upon the self to "expose" them. In a country where there is freedom of religion (in America where I am writng from), this is a violation of a protected right and obstruction of practice which does constitute "hate". While I do not agree with Scientology I have no direct information on the belief system other than it is a lot of reading, self assessments and investment of money. These young people need their strong adults to set boundaries in their lives and need consequences for this stupid and maligned behavior. You do not agree- dont keep it on your radar. Focus on YOU. Focus on your relationship with your own faith system. Leave others alone if you are not going to have reasonable dialogue with willing parties.
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Cam Kirmser
It's trespassing. Arrest the kids and throw the book at them.
I'm not a fan of Scientology - I think they're a collection of whack jobs who were conned by L Ron Hubbard - but, they have the right to be as wrong as they like without having these people trespass on their property.
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Ari Joseph Bertine
If annoying someone by committing a misdemeanor is a hate crime now, then I have been hate-crimed a myriad of times and I should start calling the police every time someone gets on my nerves, too. Or I could be an adult and not try to make more drama and flog a dead horse, and just be satisfied with keeping people from committing misdemeanors.
Kids have been dumb, disrespectful and annoying since the dawn of time. I personally would not like to see us go back to killing them for being foolish little jerks. Let's stick with pissing off their parents by making them have to pick them up from the station. Or, if they REALLY need to be punished hard, induct them into Scientology. That'll hit them in the wallet and teach them a real lesson about jumping in where angels fear to tread.
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A Bartos
No discussion, it is a CRIME. It is Trespassing, It is wrong.
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Alya Mozden
Well. From a ministers prospective, the scientology folks practice things that are not Jesus related, and the kids are being kids. Two wrongs do not make a right.
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Sidney Burston
Do we not have anything better to do with our time? This has nothing to do with Scientology. Scientology was chosen because of it's vuneralibility. I agree with the other comments saying that if they understand right from wrong and choose to follow the path of fools, then only a fool's result will we run into. This is a strange country. We have more choices than any other country and/or continent on planet earth, and yet we embrace opportunities to squander our natural freedoms. If children are running through buildings and/or businesses just to get attention, then this means either their homes are not functional or maybe they are just dysfunctional, I'm just saying. If we are to be representations of our own environment... then tell me something... where do we come from? It's purely criminal to do what they're doing. They saw the idiot on television trying to disrupt the Press Core Award Dinner and decided to turn that into a game. Wow! Really! Be careful who you choose to follow(i.e Just take a look at our country). You can make a choice. It's a biblical sound principle. I hope that God convicts individuals who are doing this adolescent style of entertainment to stop this before someone gets seriously hurt. Take care of yourself and others. God Bless Sid B.
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Cyril R. VanKeirsbelk
Disrespectful. yes. Hate crime, no. There is no violence or intimidation. Scientologists don't feel threatened by this. They are just annoyed. Technically it's not even trespassing until they are asked to leave. There is no organization, no secret conspiracy, just a bunch of kids being kids. And Scientology doesn't have a leg to stand on when t comes to complaining about harassment.
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Roy S. Thorpe
Disruption of other's churches or places of worship is a hate crime whether its kids or adults! You may not like it but it is the law! Community service for kids! Gray bar hotel for adults!
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Cyril R. VanKeirsbelk
Disruption is not a hate crime. It's rude, but not proof of hate. They aren't interrupting active worship. They are running through a business office that is unsecured. Trespass them and tell them not to come back. Over and done with. If they come back have them charged with trespassing. It's simple. If you call anything that annoys you a hate crime, everything will end up being called a hate crime. Then it has no meaning.
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Vee
Are they toddlers running through in a bid for joyous freedom? Then they're not just being "kids". They know right from wrong. They aren't doing it unconsciously. They're making a decision based on awareness to evoke fear. Leah Remini says it best: there are a host of ways better suited to draw awareness to a cult. Trespassing will only make Scientology members the victim, which lessens the point, or loses it all together when the law sides with the center.
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Religion as a Weapon is Wrong
Scientology is a cult but legally it is a religion. The church owns the majority of downtown Clearwater, Florida and expensive properties all over the world. Some countries don't allow them to operate at all. American law is on their side, as former members that were born into the church were put on ships, forced to work as children, denied an education and sued. To the best of my knowledge, they lost. Scientology takes all of your money, separates you from your family and friends, and controls your entire life. That said, the stupid runs are just for clicks that make money. I doubt that those posters have any idea what Scientology is about and don't care.
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Toni Owen
Not sure at all why Leah would have anything to say about this. However it trespassing, harassment and disrespectful. If it were a muslum or catholic,any other religion period it would be stopped already. It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt or worse.... 🔫
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Patricia Ann Gross
If they are breaking the law to protest a "specific religion," then yes, it is a hate crime, no different than breaking the law to protest Islam, Judaism, or Christianity. What would be the "hate crime" enhancement to a misdomeaner trespass anyway? An extra day in jail? Upgrading to a felony? Asking for a friend. I do NOT believe that "kids being kids" justifies breaking the law in any way whether it is littering, defacing property, or bullying. Kids need to learn to respect other people's property and rights.
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Ari Joseph Bertine
I think the purpose is to giggle mischieviously while doing something naughty, and get people to click on their video. It's not really a protest sort of activity, it's just stupid and disrespectful and attention-seeking. Definitely should be treated like misdemeanor trespassing so they learn to think before doing things, but it does not meet the definition of a hate crime--there is no intent to cause any sort of harm to someone, whether physical, mental or emotional. I doubt they are even mature enough to think of the people in the buildings as having feelings to hurt.
Escalating it to a hate crime when the base is a misdemeanor trespass is pulling out the big guns, just to be vicious. It's the difference between maybe going to jail for 3-6 months at most or paying fines, and going to jail for years or decades on a felony charge. I mean, I'm pissed off when neighborhood kids trample through my flowers and I want their parents to yell at them and maybe make them come fix it or even buy me new ones, but I think trying to destroy their entire lives is overkill.
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Patricia Ann Gross
Good point, as long as the sentence fits the crime. Even 16-year-old kids are capable of cold-blooded murder, however, and this is far from that (admittedly). Spending a few months in juvie or a couple hundred hours of community service might wake some of them up.
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Deborah Jane Vogel
Let’s call it for what it is : trespassing. Move forward with legal proceedings against the perpetrators each time, increasing the legal consequences for repeat offenders.
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Javid Iftikhar
I do not believe it is a hate crime ... although the people in question may. But it is trespass, unless they were given permission to do the run. I also think it could cause terror in the people being run at ... some one running at me, in a location that I am not expecting would feel scarey, especially in a world were nutters break into places and kill people. That would just be my first thought and I fully except that it may not be likely, but that would be an after thought.
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Billy Coley
The closest it would be would fall under cult jokes
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Amber Fry
Kids being kids. Rude, disrespectful perhaps, even ignorant but hate? That's going a bit far. Now if people could just learn to respect beliefs and ideas whether they agree or not and focus more on making bullying, assault and controlling actions more punishable we might actually get somewhere more peaceful in society.
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Lady Mutt Cat
More like jerks being jerks,
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Wesley Richard Hunt
First. Scientology is full of it. Second it is a Hate crime.
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Tami Tabone
No. There are other ways to protest. This could be very scary for people at the buildings. Also someone could get hurt. Trespassing and harassing are not ok.
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Colleen McAllister
Another passing fad that will be gone soon.
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Rev. Miche'al Yosef Dixon
Regardless of how cultists anyone is; trespassing and destruction of property is a criminal act. You wouldn't want them just coming into your home or business and running amok. They are targeting a specific group elevating it to a "Hate crime".
What ever you do don't ask them for more information on themselves, my wife in 1992 bought the book and sent in the card for more information on them and they followed us for 10 years no matter where we moved. Even my address in California at my business.
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Rev Ned
Robert Heinlein is the guy responsible for the Hubbardites. L. Ron was once grousing to his pal Heinlein about not making enough money. Heinlein said that if you wanted to make money, you should start a religion. Scientology was born.
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Rev Ned
LOL!!!
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John Alex Paxson
Deadly force on any crime is a deterrent.
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Minister Joseph
We have become accustomed to using the threat of violence as something acceptable to throw around in conversations. People used to be embarrassed to voice the darker thoughts that cross their minds. When they did, the community would shun them, as a reminder that some thoughts, once spoken aloud, revealed more about the speaker than they intended. Have we lost all sense of shame? Have we lost our dignity?
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Patricia Ann Gross
Exactly, and then we act surprised when someone acts accordingly.
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Patricia Ann Gross
Please tell me you do NOT advocate for shooting kids running through a church.
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Brother Peter
Also happened in New York City this weekend. Interesting situation for them.
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Reverend Paula Copp
Scientology is a cult, just as much as Jim Jones’ cult was. Jim Jones’ followers ended up dead… they all drank the KoolAid. Scientologists are in a cult, but they can’t see it. They are to be pitied and educated…
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Nicholas J Page
A total disgrace running in a church and disrespectful to religion 😒
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Michael Burton
The Scientolgy "church" is a Labyrinth of offices. If this were a Catholic Church or a synagogue, the run wouldn't be half as much "fun", unless jumping over pews counts.
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
But there ARE some ‘secluded’ rooms in a Catholic church. Either that or priests are kinky.
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Douglas Robert Spindler
We know priests are kinky.
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Douglas Robert Spindler
Let's hope they do it to other religions as well.
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Robert Gagnon
Great idea, gender clinics would be a great place. Hearing all those girlish screeches would make a much better video.
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Stefano Di Stefano
Scientology è Ipnosi pura
As much as I am not a follower, nor do I care much for being a mark because I am not a supporter, I still believe that if this happened at a temple, a synagogue, a mosque or a church, the people of that faith would be up in arms. Keep in mind that the people who follow Scientology have the same rights as people who follow the Abrahamic faiths.