Church of Scientology declares conflict on TikTokers after Jesus and an enormous scorching canine storm constructing
The Church of Scientology has bolted its doors after a ‘speed running’ TikTok trend saw a mob of pranksters, including a man in a hot dog suit, storm its Hollywood bases
Scientology buildings in LA are being targeted by TikTok pranksters(Image: Getty Images)
The Church of Scientology has hit out at social media pranksters after a bizarre viral trend saw a mob, including a man dressed as Jesus and another in a giant hot dog suit, storm their Hollywood HQ. In a desperate bid to keep the intruders out, the infamously private organisation has reportedly removed door handles and bolted its entrances shut.
The “speed running” fad involves TikTokers filming themselves sprinting through Scientology buildings in Los Angeles, dodging security guards to see how deep they can get into the secretive facilities before being tackled or intercepted.
The church, founded by sci-fi writer L. Ron Hubbard and famous for A-list followers like Tom Cruise and John Travolta, is not seeing the funny side.
In a statement to The Independent, they slammed the stunts as: “trespassing, harassment and disruption of religious facilities.”
The church said: “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 drama reached boiling point last Saturday during an incident where a rowdy mob descended on the L. Ron Hubbard Life Exhibition.
Footage of the raid, which has racked up over 1.4 million likes on Instagram, shows a crowd yanking open doors and charging past guards. Among the trespassers were individuals in costumes, including the Messiah and a frankfurter.
Scientology officials claim the stampede turned violent, saying: “Staff members were knocked down in the chaos, and the church is reviewing all available remedies to protect its personnel, visitors and property.”
The LAPD confirmed they are “monitoring the situation” after being flooded with calls. At least two participants are now wanted for crimes, including burglary and felony vandalism.
Despite the crackdown, the 18-year-old creator who started the trend, known as Swhileyy, has distanced himself from the recent chaos.
He told The Hollywood Reporter: “I do not condone what I did, even though I didn’t break any laws. All I did was explore the building. I was never asked not to come back to the premises.
“I didn’t do this whatsoever to come out against them or anything, even though that’s kind of what it looks like. Not once did I say it’s a cult or get out or anything like how the other people do it.”
Scientology’s fiercest critic, actress Leah Remini, has begged the TikTokers to pack it in. The former church member warned that the pranks actually play into the organisation’s hands by making the outside world look “dangerous.”
Writing on X, she said: “If someone is brainwashed for years into believing the outside world is filled with dangerous lunatics who wish to impede Scientology, a group of people running through a Scientology building is only going to confirm that belief and lead them to dedicate themselves even more to the cause they believe in.”
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