Global Increase in Unauthorized Entries into Church of Scientology Buildings
Introduction
A coordinated social media trend involving people breaking into Church of Scientology properties has spread from the United States to several other countries, including Australia.
Main Body
This trend is called 'speedrunning,' a term taken from video games where players try to complete a game as quickly as possible. It began in March after a viral video showed someone entering a facility in Los Angeles. This event caused a global trend, and similar break-ins were later reported in Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Participants often wear masks and costumes to stay anonymous, using the organization's secretive reputation to attract more views and engagement online. Recently, these activities in Australia have caused significant public disorder. In Sydney, police used riot squads to break up a group of about 100 people, resulting in the arrest of two women. Meanwhile, in Brisbane, a crowd of over 200 people overwhelmed the police. Some individuals tried to force their way into the George Street headquarters and interfered with police cars, leading to charges against two people aged 15 and 18. Queensland authorities described these actions as intimidation and are now investigating social media to find the people who started the trend. Different groups have different views on these events. The Church of Scientology has stated that these actions are illegal trespassing and harassment, emphasizing that these 'viral stunts' put staff in danger and disrupt religious services. On the other hand, former members and activists, such as Leah Remini, have criticized the trend. They argue that these spectacles are not helpful because they either support the organization's claim that they are being attacked or make light of serious reports of institutional abuse.
Conclusion
Police agencies are continuing to monitor social media platforms to prevent further disruptions as this trend continues around the world.
Learning
⚡ The 'B2 Jump': Moving from Basic to Precise Verbs
At the A2 level, you use 'general' words. To reach B2, you need 'specific' words. Look at how this text describes movement and conflict. Instead of saying 'people went into the building', the text uses Unauthorized Entries and Trespassing.
🔍 The Upgrade Path
| A2 (Basic) | B2 (Professional/Precise) | Context from Text |
|---|---|---|
| Go in / Enter | Break into | "people breaking into Church properties" |
| Make a mess / Fight | Public disorder | "caused significant public disorder" |
| Stop / Break | Disrupt | "disrupt religious services" |
| Start / Cause | Trigger/Lead to | "leading to charges against two people" |
💡 The Logic of 'Collocations'
B2 fluency is not about big words; it is about word pairs. In the article, we see 'Viral Stunts'.
- Viral = spreads fast online.
- Stunt = a planned action to get attention.
If you say "a popular action", you are A2. If you say "a viral stunt", you are speaking like a B2 user.
🛠️ Grammar Pivot: The Passive Voice for News
Notice the phrase: "similar break-ins were later reported".
Why do this? In A2, you say: "People reported break-ins." (Focus on the people). In B2, you say: "Break-ins were reported." (Focus on the event).
When reporting a trend or a crime, the action is more important than who saw it. This shift in focus is a hallmark of upper-intermediate English.