The hot topic that seems to be swirling around social media and television among young adults and adults is the world that is Scientology. Scientology, which has been around since 1955, has recently begun to spark an interest in many people following the documentary featured on A&E titled: Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath.
Former Scientologist herself, Remini explores and depicts the Church of all its done not only to its members but to its ex-members. Remini interviews many people that have "escaped" the Church in hopes to bring justice to them, and ultimately shut the Church down once and for all.
When I first came across this documentary I didn't really think anything of it. I had heard of Scientology before but never really understood what it was about. My mom told me that she had watched an episode or two of it, and thought it would be something I'd like.
Little did I know after watching the first episode I'd be hooked so fast! The documentary brought me so many emotions all at once: hurt, sadness, anger, disgust and there was absolutely nothing I could do about it.
From stories about people that were forced into getting abortions against their wills that way they could stay in the Church, getting kids as young as 12-years-old to sign a BILLION YEAR contract, vowing to spend their lives serving the Chruch of Scientology, and even going to the extent of hiring private investigators to hunt down a woman that had escaped the Church to South America and bring her back.
But the worst thing of all that the Church could do and continues to do to this day is tear families apart. Many families are a part of the Church, families with children, to extended families, and close friends they consider family. But as time goes by and people change they may realize they don't want to be involved with the Church.
In many other religions, the member has the choice whether or not to stay, and that is their right. And they're allowed to move on and live their life as any ordinary person. But when it comes to Scientology choosing to leave the Church makes you a 'Suppressive Person' (SP) - a person who seeks to suppress other people in their vicinity - in other words, bring them out of the Church.
Once deemed an SP the remaining family and friends left in Scientology are required to 'disconnect' from that person. In some cases never see or speak to their family and friends of 20+ years ever again. This rule from Scientology is breaking apart families and making them think that it's acceptable.
Many celebrities like John Travolta, Tom Cruise, and Kirstie Alley are still involved and a part of the Church of Scientology, and continue to support this "religion" even after all the hurt and damage they support, the fact that they can still stand by them makes me question whether or not I support them as an actor.
