‘Handmaid’s Tale’ star Elisabeth Moss defends Scientology in rare comment

Former “Mad Men” star Elisabeth Moss has rarely spoken publicly about being a Scientologist.

But when a few fans on Instagram this week criticized Scientology, she defended it.

The controversial Church of Scientology, founded by L. Ron Hubbard, is in the news because of former member Leah Remini’s expose on A&E – “Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath.”

Remini has been a high-profile critic since leaving the church in 2013 after 34 years. Her series is nominated for a best informational series or special Emmy.

Earlier this week Moss posted to her Instagram a message to fans of her current series, “The Handmaid’s Tale.” She promised that the second season of the show, also nominated for an Emmy, “is going to blow your minds.”

A handful of people mentioned Moss’s involvement with Scientology. One person referred to it as a “cult.”

“Another celebrity I loved that I find out is in the Scientology cult and cannot love anymore. So sad. I hope you find your way out. You’re so talented,” another wrote.

Moss responded to a comment from Instagram user @moeleybanks, who wondered if there were parallels between Scientology and the totalitarian regime, Gilead, portrayed in “Handmaid’s Tale.”

“Love this adaptation so much. Question though, does it make you think twice about scientology?” @moeleybanks wrote. “Gilead and Scientology both believe that all outside sources (aka news) are wrong and evil ... it’s just very interesting.”

Moss responded: “@Moeleybanks That’s actually not true at all about Scientology. Religious freedom and tolerance and understanding the truth and equals rights for every race, religion and creed are extremely important to me. The most important things to me probably. And so Gilead and THT hit me on a very personal level. Thanks for the interesting question!”

To which @moeleybanks replied: “Appreciate the response. Unfortunately that’s the information that we have on your religion based on what the general public hear if we are not apart of it ... Thank you for taking the time to try and explain a little. Either way, you do you and imma do me and if that makes us happy i supposed that’s all that matters.”

Remini, former star of “The King of Queens,” talked about Moss in an interview earlier this month in The Hollywood Reporter in which she called for a federal investigation into the church.

“Elisabeth Moss believes that she can’t talk to me,” Remini told THR. “There’s a thing in Scientology called ‘acceptable truth.’ It means you only say what’s acceptable to the public. “But she believes that I’m an antisocial personality — because I’ve spoke out against Scientology. So she isn’t allowed to talk to me. And me knowing that, I wouldn’t put her in the awkward position.”

After that interview, Scientology spokeswoman Karin Pouw told Us Weekly that “Leah Remini continues to foment anti-religious bigotry and will do so as long as the media acts as her enablers in monetizing her bias and hatred.”

Remini told Larry King last year that Tom Cruise, arguably the church’s most famous member, thinks of her as “the devil” for leaving the church.

She got specific this week when a Reddit user asked how she’s treated by other Scientologists in Hollywood now that she’s launched her crusade.

“They ignore me and walk out of rooms,” she responded.

This story was originally published August 18, 2017 at 3:41 PM with the headline "‘Handmaid’s Tale’ star Elisabeth Moss defends Scientology in rare comment."