The reception area of the Church of Scientology in Basel.Image: KEYSTONE
This Tiktok challenge from the USA is polarizing: young creators storm through the buildings of the Church of Scientology in Los Angeles. You can read here what the trend is all about and whether the participants are committing a criminal offense.
April 10, 2026, 8:55 p.mApril 10, 2026, 8:55 p.m
Anika Bentley / watson.de
“Currently mastering free will” – the attempt to perfect the complete use of free will: This is what it says in the profile description of Tiktoker Jayden (“swhilley”), whose video about his “Scientology Run” has already received over 35 million views.
A “Scientology Run” describes the challenge of penetrating as deeply as possible into a Church of Scientology building. After the participants first greet the employees in a friendly manner at the reception, they sprint past them to get to the part of the building that is actually inaccessible to non-members.
They evade the members’ attempts to hinder them, but leave the building after a clear request.
Jayden isn’t the first to try the challenge. At the end of March 2026, a user with the name “5.0arrodo” uploaded a video with the title “Maniac 16 year old infiltrates the Church of Scientology,” i.e.: Crazy 16-year-old storms the Church of Scientology.
In it, he rides a skateboard to the organization’s building on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, runs past the woman at the entrance and shouts “Get out!” (“Go away!”) as he is finally caught by an employee and escorted to the back door. The video received over 39 million views on Tiktok.
The users in the comments support the actions. “It’s kind of disrespectful – but I love it,” writes one user. Viewers continue to joke: “The brother got so far that he almost met Tom Cruise!”
Tom Cruise is a popular member of Scientology
“Mission Impossible” actor Tom Cruise is known, among other things, for his membership in the Church of Scientology. He joined in 1986 and leaves loud star Since then, there has been no opportunity to advertise the organization.
Other well-known members of Scientology include the acting stars John Travolta (“Pulp Fiction”) and Elisabeth Moss (“The Handmaid’s Tale”).
Why is Scientology controversial?
Scientology is an organization that sees itself as its own religion. It assumes that people are immortal spiritual beings who can purify themselves from worldly pain by attending seminars offered by the organization.
According to the, these seminars and the advancement within the community are particularly important Sect Information Center very expensive in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution in Baden-Württemberg classifies the religious community as critical. Within the organization, hierarchical power structures, a claim to political power, strong surveillance of members and a denigration of democracy are observed. Therefore label critics of Scientology the organization also as a cult.
Is a “Scientology Run” punishable?
Participation in the challenge operates in a legal gray area. As Trespassing Entry into the building only applies when outsiders of the organization move into areas that are no longer publicly accessible.
If barriers are ignored or closed doors are passed through, this can be viewed as trespassing in Germany. It becomes clear when the participants ignore the request to leave the building.
This applies in California Law Stricter: Even unauthorized entry into the areas behind reception and the information center can be considered trespassing, even without prior notice to leave.