Leah Remini: Everything the actress has said about her time in Scientology

When you think of the Church of Scientology, what names come to mind? Tom Cruise? Katie Holmes? Maybe one of the lesser known names of Scientology like Leah Remini. You may not think of her name, but she was a member of the church for over three decades, and has been outspoken against the Church since she left. 

Leah Remini decided to part ways with the Church of Scientology in 2013, releasing a book two years later about her time in that religion and the reasons why she decided to quit. The book caused some controversy, especially among Scientology members & leadership who criticized her statements in the past.

But, what were the reasons why Leah Remini left Scientology and how good (or bad) was the time she spent there? If you’re just as curious as we are, here’s what Leah Remini had to say about her years at the Church of Scientology.

Tom Cruise

When the book was about to be released, Leah Remini gave several interviews about her reasons she left Scientology. In all of them, one name has become central in her decision: Tom Cruise.

Cruise is one of the most public figures in Scientology today, so his name has become associated with the religion. Which led Leah Remini to believe that Cruise could have become very powerful at the church, attempting to discredit any criticism or any bad thing said against the entity.

In one of the most powerful interviews, Leah Remini told ABC News that being critical of Cruise was considered “being critical of Scientology itself”, and she further claimed that in Scientology’s eyes, that was going against the church. She also added that Tom Cruise couldn’t be separated from Scientology, as his star power was so important for its leaders.

No challenges to leadership

When Leah Remini first told the media she left Scientology, she bashed the church’s leadership & policies. During that time, the actress mentioned that Scientology had policies that prevented members from criticizing its leader David Miscavige’s management, as well as to report abuse from some of its patrons.

Leah Remini also stated that Scientology implemented cruel practices against former members who decided to leave the church. In some interviews, she claimed the religion branded those who left as “suppressive persons”, forcing family members who were still part of the church not to have any contact with the former members.

Furthermore, Leah Remini also stated she left due to her daughter. In February 2014, she told the media that she left Scientology because she didn’t like the fact that her daughter’s life was resembling her own, which was spent at a church-centered compound in Florida.

Scientology was a “lie”

Leah Remini continued to speak out against her former faith when she told the press that Scientology teachings were a lie. In another interview that she gave in 2014, the actress stated that the church taught some values that interfered with family life.

Remini recalled that when she moved to Scientology’s Florida compound with her family, she and her sisters were separated from their mother, being forced to sign contracts and to work for the church “from morning to night” without many schooling opportunities. Because of her experience, Leah Remini stated she resented she didn’t spend time with her mother.

Another issue Leah Remini raised was an inconsistency between what is the center of the home. She said in interviews that she criticized Scientology’s “church first” approach, saying that she told her family that in her house was “family first” but she was not showing the family, as she spent most of the time at the church.

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What do you think of Leah Remini’s departure from Scientology? Let us know in the comments!