Speedrun Scientology: TikTokers Storm US Churches

Since April 2026, groups of young people have been forcibly entering Church of Scientology buildings across the United States, primarily in Los Angeles, filming interiors and posting videos on TikTok under the hashtag #speedrunscientology. The trend, inspired by video game culture, aims to map and document the notoriously secretive organization's spaces as quickly as possible. On April 25, a group of at least ten individuals—including one dressed as an alien, two as hot dogs, and one as Jesus—violently forced entry into the Hollywood Boulevard church in Los Angeles, knocking over lamps and other objects. The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating potential crimes. In response, the church removed door handles and restricted public access. The trend originated with content creator Swhileyy, who posted a non-aggressive video on March 31 that went viral before being removed from TikTok and Instagram. Swhileyy later told the Hollywood Reporter that his video involved no illegal or aggressive actions, unlike later imitators. Many original videos have been deleted, though clips remain. Scientology, founded in the 1950s by science fiction writer Ron Hubbard, is a wealthy, controversial religious movement known for its secrecy, celebrity members like John Travolta and Tom Cruise, and auditing sessions. It has faced satire and investigative scrutiny, notably in the 2015 documentary Going Clear.