UK6 min(s) read
Published 15:55 22 May 2026 GMT
A former Scientologist has issued a warning to people partaking in a viral TikTok trend that sees teenagers storming Church of Scientology buildings.
The so-called "speedrun" trend first gained traction at the end of March after TikToker Swhileyy uploaded a video of himself running through the lobby of the Church of Scientology’s Los Angeles headquarters.
The clip racked up millions of views before eventually being deleted.
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Since then, dozens of similar clips have surfaced online, with some participants trying to map out the buildings while others leaned fully into chaos.
One creator entered dressed as Jesus, while another group arrived in Naruto costumes.
The Church of Scientology strongly condemned the trend, describing it as "trespassing, harassment, and disruption of religious facilities," in a statement to The Independent.
"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 said.
Alex Barnes-Ross, a former Scientologist who now campaigns publicly against the organization, shared mixed feelings about the viral trend during an exclusive interview with VT.co.
"I think the speed running is a memification and trivialization of the real stories of abuse that are occurring within this organization," he said.
"I think it's fantastic that a new generation is, you know, doing something in terms of protest. And I think it's great that it's bringing a lot of media attention to the issue of abuse in Scientology. However, I think it comes at the cost of survivors," he added.
Alex argued that Scientology has long been dismissed as a bizarre celebrity-backed movement rather than what he believes is a dangerous movement.
"I think what we've been struggling with over the last, however many decades, is people considering Scientology to be this crazy, wacky, American, space cult. And although that is true, what I've been trying to do is change the narrative, so people see this organization [for] what it actually is...a totalitarian extremist belief system, and an organization that is engaging in widespread harm and abuse, including human trafficking and more than slavery," he shared.
He added that while the trend raises awareness, it can also undermine campaigners pushing for legal reform.
"It doesn't help our credibility as survivors when it comes to campaigning for legislative change, because it plays into Scientology's narrative of being the victim," he explained. "Scientology love to use any excuse to claim religious persecution."
"And running through their buildings and filming it, and knocking the staff members over, kicking in front doors - there's a video, for example, of a teenager dropping a knife inside a Scientology building. These things are simply not okay."
"That is illegal activity, and all it does is give Scientology an excuse to request even greater protection than they currently have," Alex added.
The activist joined Scientology when he was just 15 years old and later became the director of book sales for the Church of Scientology in London, where he spent years recruiting newcomers into the movement.
Now, through his YouTube channel Apostate Alex and protests outside Scientology buildings across the UK, he says he is trying to expose what he describes as abusive practices within the organization.
While he stopped short of telling people how they should protest, he warned that the legal consequences in the UK could be far more serious than in the US.
"Scientology buildings are recognized in cases of public worship here in the UK under the Ecclesiastical Court Jurisdiction Act, 1860," he explained. "Essentially, that law means that creating some sort of disturbance within a place of worship is a criminal offence. That is not something that exists in the US. In the US, it will likely just be seen as trespass."
"In the UK, it's not just a case of trespass. So, my concerns about speed running are only because of that antiquated law that we currently have, and that [means] that speed running is going to be seen very differently here in the courts as it is over there," he added.
Alex has encouraged people to consider peaceful forms of protest and to focus on survivors and awareness campaigns rather than viral stunts.
Alex has shared that he has personally faced years of intimidation and harassment since becoming one of Scientology’s "most vocal" critics in the UK.
He said the Church publicly insists the "fair game" policy no longer exists, but argued the approach behind it is still active.
"Scientology claims that the fair game policy was cancelled, but if you actually read it, the cancellation says, 'We're cancelling the policy known as fair game, but the treatment of suppressor people, i.e. ex-members and critical people, remains the same.' So, on paper, technically, the policy is cancelled, but what the policy says to do remains in force," he said.
According to him, the backlash has escalated dramatically over the years. His social media has been flooded with hate tweets, his front door was kicked in, and his employer, landlord, friends, and family have all received targeted messages from Scientologists.
He also alleges that the Church has tried to cancel his speaking engagements and launched a defamatory smear website against him.
"The policy is to destroy my life utterly. That's what the policy says, and that's what they're trying to do. And it is currently being investigated by the police as a targeted hate crime," he said.
Despite everything, Alex said the experience has only reinforced his determination to keep speaking publicly as the alleged intimidation "proves that this is an organization that stifles free speech, that attempts to intimidate critics into silence, and or do whatever they can to ruin people's lives".
To hear more about Barnes-Ross' journey, you can check out his YouTube Channel.
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