If you happened to pass by the internet recently, you may have come across videos called “Scientology Speedruns.” Speedruns refer to the common practice of trying to complete video games and other actions as fast as possible.
The speedruns involve running inside scientology offices, with phones drawn to record the inside of the buildings. The buildings themselves are white offices secured by employees at the front of them. Runners try to get as far as possible inside, trying to reach the fabled “room of Xenu.” Xenu is a central figure within the scientology doctrine and is an intergalactic alien dictator who brought humans to Earth 75 million years ago. Once runners get inside office doors, they attempt to map out the place until they get stopped by workers or law enforcement.
Scientology was founded in 1953 by pulp fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard. The church believes that humans are immortal spiritual beings (“Thetans”) who are trapped inside human bodies. The church’s introductory practice is known as auditing, in which people are asked a series of questions and monitored with “e-meters”.
Scientology has long been the subject of satirical media. In 2005, South Park aired the famous episode, “Trapped in the Closet.” The episode involves Stan joining Scientology, who is discovered to have unnaturally high Thetan levels, and is recognized as the reincarnation of Scientology founder, L. Ron Hubbard. The episode was nominated for an Emmy, and was surrounded with controversy from scientologist Tom Cruise.
Much of the controversy of scientology has stemmed from the church’s secrecy and ranking system. Higher level rooms and teachings are available to higher ranked and higher paying members. Suspense around the religions odd teachings and buildings have set off internet trends trying to discover more about it.
Both speedrunning and Scientology’s long overlap with satirical pop culture have combined into short form videos in which young people time and map themselves running through the scientology building. The trend has a game quality in which people map out the buildings to help the next person’s attempt.
The Church of Scientology has a long history of attacking individuals which it deems to be a problem. The Church has a well documented history of stalking and harassing critics and former members using its “fair game” policy, which states that it is acceptable to attack enemies of the church.
Scientology employees are trained to instantly lock doors and go inside whenever people approach with their phones out. The trend has been met with an increase in security outside Scientology buildings and police involvement.
