Elisabeth Moss has opened up about Scientology in a new interview, saying that it’s ‘complicated.’ 'It’s a complicated thing because the things that I believe in, I can only speak to my personal experience and my personal beliefs,' The Handmaid’s Tale actress told The Daily Beast. 'One of the things I believe in is freedom of speech. I believe we as humans should be able to critique things. I believe in freedom of the press. I believe in people being able to speak their own opinions. I don’t ever want to take that away from anybody, because that actually is very important to me.'
The star also hit out at people who say she is a hypocrite for believing in the religionbecause of her role on the Handmaid’s Tale, as she said the show 'lines up so perfectly parallel with my own beliefs in freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the things that this country was actually built on.'
Talking about the secretive religion, she added, ‘There’s two things you’re never supposed to talk about at a dinner - politics or religion - and of course I’m doing The Handmaid’s Tale, which is politics and religion, so it’s a strange situation where you’re going to be asked about these topics. I choose to express myself in my work and my art. I don’t choose to express myself about it in interviews.’
The 36-year-old also stressed she's 'obviously a huge feminist and huge supporter of the LGBTQ community.'
In 2017, Elisabeth also publicly defended her beliefs.A fan wrote of The Handmaid’s Tale on Instagram: ‘Love this adaptation so much. Question though, does it make you think twice about Scientology? Gilead and Scientology both believe that all outside sources (aka news) are wrong and evil... it’s just very interesting.’ In a rare break from protocol, Elisabeth replied, saying, ‘That’s actually not true at all about Scientology. Religious freedom and tolerance and understanding the truth and equal rights for every race, religion and creed are extremely important to me. The most important things to me probably. And so Gilead hit me on a very personal level. Thanks for the interesting question!’
Look below to see some unexpected celebrity Scientologists...
Celebrities Who Have Idenitified As Scientologists
1 of 7Tom Cruise
The Mission Impossible actor became involved with Scientology in 1990 through his first wife, Mimi Rogers.
2 of 7Juilette Lewis
Juilette's father Geoffrey Lewis was a Scientologist. She was reported to say about the controversial religion: "The thing about Scientology is it is anti-drug in that you're seeking relationship or communication tools – simple basics on how to live better."
3 of 7Peaches Geldof
Peaches professed to being a Scientologist during she died during a 2009 interview with Fearne Cotton for the documentary show When Fearne Met Peaches Geldof. In November that year, she attended the 25th anniversary of the International Association of Scientologists in Sussex.
4 of 7Beck
The musician was born into Scientology, and in a 2012 interview with Vulture the star (born Bek David Campbell) revealed: "It's just something that I've been around. People in my family do it. I've read books, and I've learned about it."
5 of 7John Travolta
John Travolta has been a practicing Scientologist since the 1970s, and it's even claimed he has tried to convert some of his co-stars, including John Conaway and Forrest Whitaker.
6 of 7Elizabeth Moss
The Handmaid's Tale actress said in an interview with The Telegraph: "Some people say yoga really helps them feel centered... or there's Buddhism or whatever. I mean, I think that for me it's [Scientology], one thing that has helped me at times, and it's kind of as simple as that."
7 of 7Kirstie Alley
The Cheers star has been a Scientologist for over 30 years, and says it helped her overcome her cocaine addiction.