New Age Religion

I read the article "Actress Leah Remini blasts Scientology in exclusive '20/20' interview". It was written in reflection on an interview 20/20 had with former Scientologist believer Leah Remini. 

Leah Remini describes her 30 years with this religion in her new book Trouble Maker.  Growing up, she worked laborious hours because that was what the faith required of children. They saw them are spiritual creates and not treated as a child. You are given a lot of responsibility and because of this, your ego is inflated. She continues to explain her comments towards Tom Cruise, Scientology's biggest image and follower. Remini told Cruise to "get a freakin' room" when she was teaching him and his girlfriend Katie Holmes salsa dancing as Cruise was "forcibly kissing" Holmes. The church of Scientology later wrote up Remini for her comments, correlating her disgust towards Cruise and her disgust towards the religion. 

Scientology interview with Leah Remini

In our book, Religion in Contemporary America, Scientology is described as being a cult, which is something Remini talks about in the interview. The book also talks about Tom Cruise being a major figure in it. It doesn't talk as much as how the see children in Scientology, but it was interesting to see how it has affected Remini's life. Both the book and Remini talk about the payments Scientologists make to become more involved in the church and gain access to it's higher levels.

Overall, I really enjoyed watching this clip and reading the interview. I feel more inclined to read Leah Remini's book to see a more in depth experience inside the church.