The Church of Scientology is currently at odds with social media creators after a bizarre “speed running” challenge turned their Hollywood properties into a racetrack.
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To combat the chaos, the organization has taken the drastic step of removing door handles and restricting public access to its landmarks. The trend, which is blowing up on TikTok and Instagram, involves young people filming themselves sprinting through the church’s halls while dodging security before being kicked out.
The organization isn’t taking the stunts lightly, releasing a statement that slams the trend as “harassment and disruption.” According to the church, these incidents have escalated far beyond harmless pranks.
“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 stated. They further added that turning their buildings into “targets for viral stunts is not journalism, protest or civic activity.”
The LAPD has confirmed they are keeping a close watch on the situation following a string of calls to the Hollywood Division. Authorities believe the trend was sparked by an incentive on Twitter that offered money to anyone who could capture the best footage.
While officers are still identifying those involved, they are treating certain cases as hate crimes, with some individuals already wanted for felony vandalism and burglary. One of the most chaotic moments occurred last Saturday when a mob—including people in Jesus and Sonic the Hedgehog costumes, pushed their way into the L. Ron Hubbard Life Exhibition.
“Staff members were knocked down in the chaos, and the Church is reviewing all available remedies to protect its personnel, visitors and property,” the church noted.
“The Church welcomes lawful visitors. It does not welcome mobs forcing entry, damaging property, disrupting religious spaces or endangering people for views.”
Even vocal critics of the religion are asking the public to cut it out. Leah Remini warned her followers on Twitter that these stunts are actually backfiring. She explained that if a member is “brainwashed for years into believing the outside world is filled with dangerous lunatics,” seeing a group of people storming their building only confirms those fears and “leads them to dedicate themselves even more to the cause.”
The teenager behind the original video, an 18-year-old known as Swhileyy, has also tried to back-pedal. He told The Hollywood Reporter that he never wanted a wave of copycats. “I do not condone what I did, even though I didn’t break any laws,” Swhileyy said. “All I did was explore the building. I was never asked not to come back to the premises. I never once in any video or any comment section or anywhere promoted the idea of running through there or beating my record.”
