Exclusive: Actress Leah Remini Quits Scientology after Years of "Interrogations"
July 11, 2013


“King of Queens” star Leah Remini is making a dramatic break from the Church of Scientology, a source said, after being subjected to years of “interrogations” and “thought modification” for questioning leader David Miscavige’s rule.

The source tells us Remini is quitting because of policies that don’t allow parishioners to question Miscavige’s management or the reported abuse of members of its Sea Org religious order — and for forcing followers to “disconnect” from family members branded as “suppressive persons” if they choose to leave the church.

“It all began when Leah questioned the validity of excommunication of people,” a source said of her decision. “She is stepping back from a regime she thinks is corrupt. She thinks no religion should tear apart a family or abuse someone under the umbrella of ‘religion.’”





Former Sea Org member Mike Rinder blogged this week that at Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ 2006 wedding, Remini innocently asked where Miscavige’s wife, Shelly, was. Former Scientology Celebrity Centre head Tommy Davis scolded her, “You don’t have the [bleeping] rank to ask about Shelly.” Mrs. Miscavige reportedly hasn’t been seen in public since 2007.

As a result, Remini “was put through interrogations and blacklisted within the church that she donated millions to and that her family has spent their lives in. She was put through ‘thought modification’ for five years,” our source said.

The source added that church friends Remini had for “25 to 30 years wrote internal reports” about her that “caused an investigation on her family.”





Someone close to Remini said she’s weighing going public “when she sees what the church tries to do. She has heard they use people to scare you into silence.”

The source added, “She’s from Brooklyn. The church can’t hurt her . . . they don’t have her family, that’s all that matters to her.” And, “It’s not about wanting or not wanting to do Scientology . . . The issue is that Miscavige is taking down this church and hurting people and families.”

A Scientology rep denied all allegations.

http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/remini_quits_scientology_kPy6Yw4WymA6dSg9VQYVEN

She's better off. It's nothing but a cult.

Leah Remini Thanks Media Amid Reports of Break with Scientology
7/11/2013
by THR Staff


Leah Remini has issued a statement regarding reports that she has cut ties with the Church of Scientology.

"I wish to share my sincere and heartfelt appreciation for the overwhelming positive response I have received from the media, my colleagues and fans from around the world. I am truly grateful and thankful for all your support."



The star of "King of Queens" left the church after criticizing its treatment of followers and the leadership of David Miscavige, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed. This follows years of scrutiny during which she allegedly was subjected to forced interrogations and underwent "thought modification" sessions.

A Church of Scientology representative tells THR, "The Church respects the privacy of parishioners and has no comment about any individual Church member."

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/leah-remini-thanks-media-reports-584037

Seems to me it's just a cult to control & bleed gullible celebs of their money. I've never heard of any real religion treating their members like that. Even L Ron Hubbard's grandson denounced Scientology.

Harlan Ellison even talked about when L Ron Hubbard was given the idea to start a religion after he complained about needing to find a way to make easy money - it is basically a pyramid scheme that uses an all-encompassing cult atmosphere to control its members.

i think Leah Remini has reason to fear for her life and her family's safety, but she is still better away from that dangerous cult.

once tom cruise is out of work they will have no more famous faces

Watch your back girl!

I remember when Leah sent scientology literature with autographed photos she sent out to fans. Ugh!

Seems to me it's just a cult to control & bleed gullible celebs of their money. I've never heard of any real religion treating their members like that. Even L Ron Hubbard's grandson denounced Scientology.
:yeahthat

Leah Remini on Scientology: "No One Is Going to Tell Me How I Need to Think"
by Reagan Alexander
7/29/2013


Leah Remini may have split from Scientology earlier this month, but she's not suddenly on her own.

"We stand united, my family and I, and I think that says a lot about who we are, and what we're about," the former "King of Queens" star, 43, told PEOPLE on Saturday at the 15th annual DesignCare event in Malibu.

She added, "I believe that people should be able to question things. I believe that people should value family, and value friendships, and hold those things sacrosanct. That for me, that's what I'm about. It wouldn't matter what it was, simply because no one is going to tell me how I need to think, no one is going to tell me who I can, and cannot, talk to."





The actress – who was defended by the niece of David Miscavige, the most powerful man in Scientology – explained, "It doesn't matter, it could be anything. I thought about the family being broken up for some other cause, and I'm not about to shut up."

After being a very visible member of the religion for more than three decades, following her departure, Remini thanked fans for their support.

"I wish to share my sincere and heartfelt appreciation for the overwhelming positive response I have received from the media, my colleagues, and from fans around the world. I am truly grateful and thankful for all your support," she said in a statement earlier this month.

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20721105,00.html?icid=maing-grid7|main5|dl7|sec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D350568

Good for her. While I respect people's rights to form and follow their own beliefs regarding God and religion in general, I can't say I agree with Scientology. So I'm glad she's out of that. (No offense to any followers of this religion, but I have some serious theological differences as a follower of Christ.) I pray she will come to know Christ as well. God bless her in her journey of faith.

Leah Remini Plans Tell-All Memoir
8/4/2013
by Andy Lewis


Actress Leah Remini, whose very public split from the Church of Scientology produced a negative round of publicity for the religion, is now planning on writing a tell-all book about her life.

Details about how much Remini will spill about Scientology are scarce.





Her public comments to date about why she left the church have been circumscribed, but her discussion about a possible memoir hints at a willingness to open up about Scientology.

"The King of Queens" actress, who is a second-generation Scientologist, told US Weekly at the annual DesignCare event in Malibu on July 27 that a memoir would include "my experiences, everything that's taboo to talk about."

At the same event, she told People, "I believe that people should be able to question things. I believe that people should value family, and value friendships, and hold those things sacrosanct. That, for me, that's what I'm about. It wouldn't matter what it was, simply because no one is going to tell me how I need to think; no one is going to tell me who I can, and cannot, talk to."





A Remini memoir could be a blockbuster. She was friendly with many of the most famous Scientologists, including Tom Cruise and the religion's controversial leader, David Miscavige.

Indeed, a comment Remini supposedly made about the absence of Miscavige's wife, Shelly, from Cruise's wedding to Katie Holmes in 2006 is reported to have gotten her in trouble with church leaders.

A memoir from Remini that talks not only about her own experiences but also about her relationships with Miscavige and other celebrity Scientologists could attract a multimillion-dollar advance, especially with multiple publishers bidding.





Going Clear, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Lawrence Wright's history of Scientology, was an instant best-seller when it was published in January. Add in Remini's celebrity, and publishers have a recipe for a huge hit.

Multiple publishers have already approached the actress with interest in the project. Reuters reported she had received "a number of offers" for the as-yet-unwritten book.





Remini is probably the most famous long-standing celebrity adherent to break from the church. Screenwriter Paul Haggis left Scientology in 2009. His exit drew widespread attention after it was the subject of a New Yorker story by Wright and was prominently featured in Going Clear.

Even though Haggis won a 2006 Oscar for writing Crash, his public profile pales in comparison to Remini, who has been a well-known actress since a guest stint on "Saved by the Bell" in 1991.



Her longest-running role was as Kevin James' wife on CBS' "The King of Queens", which aired from 1998-2007.

In 2010-11, she was one of the hosts of the CBS daytime talk show "The Talk".

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/leah-remini-plans-tell-all-599364

Should make for interesting reading...

Leah Remini on "Ellen": I've Lost Friends Since Leaving Scientology
Sep 9, 2013
by Kate Stanhope


Leah Remini opened up about her life since leaving Scientology on the season premiere of "Ellen" Monday.

"It's hard. We lost friends who can no longer talk to us who are still in the organization," Remini said. "But we have other friends, who are not in the church, who have stood by us, and that's all we can ask for."



News that Remini left the church first broke in July. Her appearance on Monday's episode to talk about her upcoming stint on "Dancing with the Stars" was one of the first times the former sitcom star has spoken publicly about why she left Scientology.

"My mother got involved when we were very young, so it's all we really knew. But over time, my eyes got opened, and I could just no longer be affiliated with the organization, and my family felt the same, so we left," she said.



To hear more about Remini's exit from the church and how her "Dancing with the Stars" practices are going so far, check out the clip below:

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Leah-Remini-Scientology-1070110.aspx

that **** is for nutcases


glad she left before she went missing like the leaders wife

http://www.lipstickalley.com/showthread.php/875752-Leah-Remini-Speaks-Out-About-Leaving-Scientology-This-Is-SCARY

For years and years now we've heard about the Church of Scientology and how shady it is, and how it takes in celebrities and makes them very strange and then unleashes them on the world to make everyone uncomfortable. Of course there's Tom Cruise, who is all but lost to us now, and John Travolta, those stars who are very tight with the church. But then there are celebrities like Leah Remini, people who are famous and very involved, but not so publicized. And then, if we're really, truly lucky, we'll get to see someone like Leah break free from the organization and then tell us all its secrets.

Leah still isn't spilling every last bit of information, even though she discussed her time in the religion with Oprah on her "Where Are They Now?" show (http://www.fishwrapper.com/post/2015/05/20/leah-remini-quotes-interview-scientology-family-rules-church-comments/#ixzz3ajnpMlWE):

"My mother was in Scientology my whole life. Most people don't know that we were raised in it. I didn't decide to get into it — I was brought into it by my mom."

She talks a bit about what the church requires:

"I don't think people know the amount of dedication it takes to be in this organization. I mean it was every day, three-and-a-half hours minimum, seven days a week usually. You know, I'm working most of my time, and then the other time was spent at the church, so minimal time is really spent with your family."

And she shares a sad story about missing out on time with her family in order to be a "good" Scientologist:

"I was at one of these hotels in Florida, and I saw my daughter swimming for the first time while I'm reading this thing [Scientology coursework]. And a tear came down my face. And I was like, 'What am I doing?'"

She also discussed her reasons for leaving the church and how hard it was:

"Our decision to leave the organization — it's not just something you get over. It's people and a lifestyle you've known all your life. It formed who I am, good and bad. It formed the way I think, good and bad. And so there's a lot of pain connected to it, there's a lot of healing. When you are raised in something, and you are taught to think a certain way, a lot of times you grow up thinking, 'That's the way I think.' I'm learning there's a new world out here, and there shouldn't be any kind of judgment toward somebody who has a belief system that is not yours."

And while Leah is obviously so great and so brave for sharing all of this, and for having the courage to leave in the first place, the church gave Us Weekly this official statement:

"Given Leah Remini's insatiable desire for attention, it comes as no surprise that for two years she has been incapable of moving on with her life and remains obsessed with shamelessly exploiting her former religion in a pathetic attempt to get publicity."

I'm so glad she got out and I'm glad she's still talking about it. Maybe with her still talking about it and keeping it in the spotlight, more and more people will get out before it's too late. I'm proud of Leah and this just makes me like her even more.

Leah Remini Opens Up about the "Repercussions of Leaving Scientology"
by Amanda Michelle Steiner
7/15/15


The second season of Leah Remini’s Lifetime reality show, "It’s All Relative", will explore the actress’ much-publicized departure from the Church of Scientology.

In a sneak peek at the premiere obtained by People, Remini says that she decided to leave the church following the birth of her daughter, Sofia, in 2004.

“I decided I didn’t want to raise my daughter in the church because from what I’ve experienced and what I saw, the church becomes your everything. It becomes your mother, your father, your everything. You are dependent on the church,” she explains.

“I just didn’t want her to be raised that way, because let’s say in 10 years if I don’t want to be connected to the church anymore, my own daughter would be taught to disconnect from me.”





Indeed, Remini has been labeled a “suppressive person” by the church. As Remini tells it, that means “the church has put a stamp on you which says you are bad. They then go to all your family and friends and say you have to disconnect from the suppressive person.”

In the clip, Remini says that her friend was declared an SP for not disconnecting from another SP.





When reached for comment, the church told EW:

“It comes as no surprise that someone as self-absorbed as Leah Remini with an insatiable craving for attention would exploit her former religion as a publicity stunt in a pathetic attempt to get ratings for her cable show and seem relevant again. She is rewriting history and omits that she was participating in a program to remain a Scientologist by her own choice, as she was on the verge of being expelled for her and her husband’s ethical lapses.”

http://www.ew.com/article/2015/07/15/leah-remini-scientology-its-all-relative

Leah Remini is Writing a Scientology Tell-All Called Troublemaker
by Jessica Roy
Sept. 24, 2015


Somebody put on the tea for Leah Remini!

The "King of Queens" actress is getting ready to spill it all in a forthcoming memoir about her time as a Scientologist, titled Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology, Ballantine Books announced Thursday.

Troublemaker will be released on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Remini tweeted the cover of the book, adding, "Very excited about this..."





Remini joined the church at the age of 10, and left in 2013, allegedly because she had been criticizing Scientology leadership.

"I'm not about to shut up," she said at the time of her exit, though she also noted she didn't want to come off as bitter.

http://www.tvguide.com/news/leah-remini-scientology-tell-all-memoir-troublemaker/

She really is a good actress as I never would have pegged her for a submissive cult follower. Wow.....

Indeed, Remini has been labeled a “suppressive person” by the church. As Remini tells it, that means “the church has put a stamp on you which says you are bad. They then go to all your family and friends and say you have to disconnect from the suppressive person.”
___________________________________________________________________

Someone should put that stamp on The Church of Scientology. Why any sane person would get involved with these cultish organizations are beyond me. I'm surprised at the number of celebrities that belong to it.

^^^ Weak minded followers.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/leah-remini-says-scientology-views-tom-cruise-critics-as-‘evil’/ar-BBmoY4Z?li=AAa0dzB&o cid=mailsignout

In a new ABC News promo for her sit-down interview on "20/20," the former "King of Queens" star discussed how Tom Cruise, the church's most famous member, was a factor in her leaving.

"Being critical of Tom Cruise is being critical of Scientology itself... You are evil (http://www.lipstickalley.com/showthread.php/943204-Leah-Remini-Says-Scientology-Views-Tom-Cruise-Critics-as-%E2%80%98Evil%E2%80%99?)," Remini told ABC's Dan Harris.

The "King of Queens" actress also delved into how she got caught up in Scientology and the methods they used to isolate members from the rest of the world.

"The decision to leave is you are giving up everything you have ever known and everything you have worked for your whole life," she said. "People need to understand, this has been my whole life, and I want them to understand how this happens... As time goes on, you start to lose touch with the real world. The mindset becomes 'us against them.'"

gpmcbkAidvM

Kirstie Alley Retweets Jenna Elfman Quote Following Leah Remini Interview: "I'm Not Interested in Sensationalism" (http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/kirstie-alley-retweets-quote-following-leah-reminis-2020-interview-20153110)

http://www.tmz.com/2015/11/30/tony-dovolani-scientology-leah-remini/

"I know I was followed a few times,” the Dancing with the Stars pro tells TMZ. "I think they try to find anything they can on a person and try to use that against them."

I wish I had this woman's cojones. I love her spunk. :cool:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/leah-remini-breaks-down-and-you-will-too-in-first-trailer-for-new-scientology-docuseries_us_5819dd61e4b00f11fc5cc3f6

YxvPtWAymGU

http://www.nickiswift.com/83332/leah-remini-claims-church-scientology-pressed-recruit-co-star-kevin-james/

The King of Queens star is continuing to open up about her involvement with the Church of Scientology—and she just revealed that they'd wanted her to recruit her co-star Kevin James.

Speaking with People (http://people.com/tv/leah-remini-scientology-wanted-to-convert-kevin-james-why-she-didnt/), Leah Remini said, "They always tried to get me to, [asking] 'Why is he not in? Why have you not promoted it to him?' I was like, 'Because he's Catholic. He doesn't want anything to do with it.'"

The 47-year-old continued, "They let it go after a while, but usually you'd be expected to recruit, especially with somebody you work with for nine years."

However, the Church of Scientology has fired back, accusing the actress of lying for attention. "We have nothing to do with Kevin James and never attempted to 'recruit' him to the Church. How does Leah Remini bring this up now after she wrote an entire book and didn't mention it? Remini does it to get attention," a spokesperson told E! News (http://www.eonline.com/news/876795/leah-remini-claims-she-was-asked-to-convert-king-of-queens-co-star-kevin-james-to-scientology). "Indeed, the only thing we know about Kevin James is that Remini would repeatedly tell the Church that he was a bully and we tried to counsel her to be more open and communicate so they could get along better."

Since her departure from the Church of Scientology in 2013, Remini has embarked on a mission to discredit Scientology, publishing the tell-all memoir, Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology, and launching the investigative series Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath—for which she's earned an Emmy nomination.

While we wait for Remini to respond to the Church of Scientology's recent claims, read up on all the stars who have a strange involvement with the controversial religion.

Read More: http://www.nickiswift.com/83332/leah-remini-claims-church-scientology-pressed-recruit-co-star-kevin-james/?utm_campaign=clip

Leah Remini Sues Scientology for Harassment; Seeks to End Church’s Alleged “Suppressive Persons” Retribution Polices
by Dominic Patten
August 2, 2023


Just days before a critical pre-sentencing hearing for convicted rapist and prominent Scientologist Danny Masterson is scheduled to take place in downtown LA, the Church finds itself back in court.

Leah Remini today filed a blistering complaint in Los Angeles Superior Court against the L. Ron Hubbard-created organization and its leader David Miscavige.




Citing years of attacks, the multi-claim filing alleges Scientology harassed and defamed the high-profile former Church member and former "The King of Queens" star. The complaint seeks unspecified damages.

Remini also is looking for injunctive relief “to end Scientology’s policies against Suppressive Persons so that current and former Scientologists, and others who wish to expose Scientology’s abuses, including journalists and advocates, may feel free to hold Scientology accountable without the fear that they will be threatened into silence.”




“This lawsuit does not challenge Scientology’s ability to defend itself through legal means,” Remini’s attorneys at Florida-based Edwards Henderson Lehrman and South Carolina-set Motley Rice LLC added.

The Church of Scientology did not respond to Deadline’s request for comment on Remini’s suit, which the actor unveiled online today. We will update this post if and when the Church of Scientology issues a response.

https://deadline.com/2023/08/leah-remini-scientology-lawsuit-david-miscavige-harassment-defamation-1235453291/

She has been asking what happened to Miscavige's Wife for years.

This lawsuit is going to be tough. She could have sued her parents for introducing her into Scientology. The Deep Pockets are with Scientology - that is where she is going.

Scientology Goes Off on Leah Remini as “Horrible Person” & “Bigot” in Response to her Harassment Suit – Update
by Dominic Patten
August 3, 2023


The relations between Leah Remini and her former friends in Scientology have been bitter for a decade, as the actor’s harassment lawsuit against the church this week made clear.

On Thursday, in an invective-filled response to that suit, the David Miscavige-led organization made the point themselves.




Calling the multi-claim complaint against the church and Miscavige “ludicrous and the allegations pure lunacy,” Scientology got personal in its response, referring to Remini as “a horrible person” and “a hate-speech-spewing bigot.”

The statement seemingly sidestepped the issues brought up in the suit to slam once-favored member Remini as “toxic to so many who have the misfortune to come in contact with her.”




Known to play offense in lieu of defense in its public stances against critics, Scientology’s statement today ends with: “The Church is not intimidated by Remini’s latest act of blatant harassment and attempt to prevent truthful free speech.

If Remini does not believe in free speech, then she should consider emigrating to Russia.”

https://deadline.com/2023/08/leah-remini-scientology-lawsuit-david-miscavige-harassment-defamation-1235453291/

Wow, those comments against Leah are very unprofessional -- whoever wrote those is a childish representative of the Church of Scientology. They're getting into libel & slander.

Bump

There's a lot of info coming out on Scientology due to the Danny Masterson rape trial, and practically all of it is very damning as far as their policies. No offense but it's a very dangerous cult. I admire Leah for her efforts.