The Church of Scientology has always been covered in mystery, and keeping things secret has been hard since the internet became popular. But a recent move at its Los Angeles information center has taken things to a new level. To stop the viral “speed run” challenges that have been all over TikTok, the center removed the handles from its doors.
This move was caught on video by someone walking by, and it has started a big debate online. Many people have pointed out that this is a serious fire code violation, and some have even tagged the Los Angeles Fire Department in their comments. The question everyone is asking is: will this fix be temporary, or will it backfire and get the Church of Scientology in bigger trouble?
To understand why this happened, we need to look at the “Scientology Run” trend that has been popular on the internet, reports Brobible. Young people are trying to break into Scientology centers, often running at top speed, and complete a “deep recorded run” by getting as far as possible before being stopped and kicked out. The goal seems to be gaining social media fame and getting lots of views.
Social media clout drives these risky church challenges
But what’s the reason behind these church-based challenges? It’s simple: social media fame. One user, @depression2019, got 23.7 million views on one of his Scientology-run videos, while another video got almost 18 million views.
The numbers show just how popular this trend has become among content creators looking for viral moments. The comments section is full of users sharing their thoughts, and some are not impressed by the trend.
The church has long attracted attention due to celebrities who joined the organization, making it a popular target for online content creators. According to Unilad, the Church of Scientology, a religion linked to famous celebrities like Tom Cruise and John Travolta, removed door handles to stop young people from rushing in and going viral.
This fame has turned Scientology centers into hotspots for people seeking quick internet attention and views on social media platforms. One user wrote: “One of these days these kids are gonna go too deep inside and end up having to fight Tom Cruise in an underground battle sequence. 😭”
The responses show mixed feelings about the trend, with some finding it funny while others see it as crossing a line. This trend has raised concerns about mental health and neurodivergence. Experts from the University of East Anglia and Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust have warned people to stop getting advice about these topics from social media.
They point to the high levels of wrong information on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. Many public figures have faced scrutiny over their connections to Scientology, adding to the ongoing conversation about the organization and its influence in popular culture.
Dr Alice Carter, from UEA, said: “When we looked closely at TikTok content, studies reported that 52 percent of ADHD-related videos and 41 percent of autism videos analyzed were inaccurate.” This shows how dangerous it can be to trust social media for health information. The research highlights a growing problem with misinformation spreading on social platforms.
TikTok said in a statement that it actively removes “harmful health misinformation” and provides “access to reliable information from the WHO, so that our community can express themselves about what matters to them and find support.”
However, it’s clear that more needs to be done to fix these problems and protect users from bad information. The Church of Scientology’s door handle removal may stop some viral attempts, but it raises serious safety questions that could create legal problems for the organization moving forward.
Published: Apr 30, 2026 10:37 am