A peculiar trend is gaining traction on TikTok, where thrill-seeking influencers are rushing into Church of Scientology buildings around Los Angeles. This escapade is garnering millions of views, though it straddles the line between a prank and outright trespassing.
Known as “Scientology Run,” the viral challenge invites participants to dash through the main entrance of a Scientology facility and see how far they can get before being stopped and kicked out.
One notably popular clip features the TikTok user swhileyy, who filmed a sprint through a Hollywood location, which quickly amassed over 35 million views in just a week.
The Church of Scientology, established in the 1950s by L. Ron Hubbard, a science fiction writer, teaches that humans are immortal spiritual beings referred to as “thetans” with untapped potential.
A central practice of the faith, known as “auditing,” employs a device called the “E-meter” to uncover psychological trauma, with the goal of achieving a state called “clearness.”
The Church maintains a notable presence in Los Angeles, with its headquarters on Sunset Boulevard, transformed into an “Ideal Organization” in 2010, along with a Celebrity Center catering to entertainers.
Hollywood’s notoriety has elevated the Church’s profile, primarily due to high-profile members like actors Tom Cruise and John Travolta, who are among its most recognized advocates.
Other celebrities associated with Scientology include actresses like Elisabeth Moss, Katherine Bell, Jenna Elfman, and Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart Simpson from “The Simpsons.”
While estimates of active members worldwide vary significantly, independent studies and former members roughly place the number between 10,000 and 35,000.
On TikTok, however, the emphasis seems to be on audacity rather than doctrine. Participants can be seen bolting through lobbies and hallways, some even using skateboards, as they attempt to accomplish what one user dubs the “deepest run ever recorded.”
Most attempts are thwarted quickly, with staff stepping in or security escorting participants out, often through a side exit before they can get far. In one instance, a teenage boy skates toward the entrance, only to have the door close behind him.
This kind of online prank aimed at Scientology sites isn’t entirely new, but the fast-paced approach has surged in popularity recently. So far, no one has managed to penetrate the depths of the Church’s headquarters, yet that hasn’t deterred others from attempting to go even deeper in their next run.
