Leah Remini reveals secrets about former religion: 'There is no end to Scientology'

As actress Leah Remini, best known for her role in "The King of Queens," launches a television series about her former life in the Church of Scientology, she's been talking candidly about the way she perceives the church operates.

In a Hollywood Reporter interview published Tuesday ahead of A&E's "Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath," Remini details a few incidents where she says the church pressured her into working towards their ends, including a time when she was asked to contact CBS head Les Moonves and ask him to kill a "60 Minutes" story (he declined to do so).

She also took to Reddit to take part in an AMA ("Ask Me Anything"), and answer users' questions about her time in the religion. Here are some of her revelations:

Celebrities who are current or former Scientologists. Celebrities who are current or former Scientologists. Photo: Mysa Photo: Mysa Image 1 of / 29 Caption Close Leah Remini reveals secrets about former religion: 'There is no end to Scientology' 1 / 29 Back to Gallery

On what is the Church's "single most horrible thing":

"I would say the 'church's' Fair Game policy, and how they systematically go after anyone who publicly speaks out against them. Anyone who speaks out against the "church" is seen as an enemy."

On how many celebrities are actually Scientologists:

"If you really look at the numbers at the entertainment industry, in comparison to the small number of scientologists that are celebrities, the number wouldn't even register. I think Scientology has done an amazing job convincing people that there is a great number of celebrities in the 'Church.'"

On the most shocking Scientology secret:

"When you reach the top of The Bridge (OTP 8) you will be told that God is lie for [L. Ron Hubbard], and there are more levels ahead, that will cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars. There is no end to Scientology."

On how Scientology keeps its members from reading anti-Scientology news and op-eds:

"Very early on in the brainwashing process, L. Ron Hubbard's 'technology' teaches you that outside sources (i.e. The news, the Internet, books, magazines) are ALL LIES and hellbent on destroying something decent like Scientology. The AMA, and APA, and all 'governments' do not give scientology its due because they have a vested interest in not healing people and not helping people. And Scientology is in the business of making people better. So Scientologists are taught that their safest bet is to get their info from the only true decent people...and those are Scientologists. And if they look on the internet, if they read time mag, they will be met with punishment at their expense. And, as a Scientologist...you have to confess that you've read outside materials, and that will be met with punishment at your expense."

On how the Church approaches psychiatry:

"The 'Church' doctrine thinks that fields of psychology and psychiatry are a sham. They deny mental illness and afflictions. They promote that you can heal your psycho-sematic [sic] issues with their "technology." They will get in the way of people taking medications. They will prevent people from getting the real medical help that they need. and in some cases have caused suicides because of it. Scientology is mentally abusive because we are all taught that we are responsible for everything.

Remini's new show, "Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath" premieres on A&E Tuesday, November 29.

Alyssa Pereira writes about pop culture, music, news, and beer for SFGATE and the San Francisco Chronicle. She has a cat and regretfully, four fantasy football teams.

Send news tips to Alyssa at Read her latest stories , and follow her on Twitter at @alyspereira Send news tips to Alyssa at apereira@sfchronicle.com writes about pop culture, music, news, and beer for SFGATE and the San Francisco Chronicle. She has a cat and regretfully, four fantasy football teams.

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