Leah Rimini has reportedly made a big change in her life, at quite a cost: the actress has left the Church of Scientology after donating millions of her own money to the cause due to being subjected to interrogations and “thought modification”.
“It all began when Leah questioned the validity of excommunication of people,” a source said. “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.’ ”
Rimini allegedly asked about Miscavige’s wife when she and several members of the Church were at Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ wedding in 2006, and was told by a high-ranking member of the organization that she didn’t have the “rank” to ask such questions. As a result, according to the New York Post, she was “investigated” and put through a thought modification process for five years.
The Church has denied these allegations, but Rimini recently released a brief statement regarding her separation from them, saying, “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.”
Update: Church of Scientology rep Thalia Ghiglia says that the allegations made against the Church by the unnamed “source” in the New York Post article are “categorically false”.
“The allegations of “interrogations” and “thought modification” are absurd and pure nonsense, as are all the statements made about the Church’s leader, Mr. David Miscavige,” Ghiglia told WebProNews. “Under the 25-year leadership of Mr. Miscavige, following in the footsteps of our Founder, L. Ron Hubbard, the Church is enjoying tremendous expansion as shown in our new Churches opening in six continents and the many new parishioners joining their congregations.”