'We don't worship rabbits!' Erika Christensen tries to explain Scientology as she declares it's NOT 'the Hollywood religion'

Erika Christensen has spoken out in defense of Scientology.
The 30-year-old Parenthood star has practiced the religion since she was a child and dismissed outrageous claims made about its practice in a newly-released video interview.
Sitting down with fellow actress Joy Bryant, Christensen said: 'If I had to sum it up, the goal of Scientology is giving the person back to themselves. Like, your own power of choice.'

Misconceptions: Erika Christensen dismissed outrageous claims made about Scientology in a newly-released video interview

The interview was conducted for Bryant’s web series Across the Board.

After a day of paddle boarding, the pair sit down for a chat and Christenen is asked about what keeps her grounded.

Scientology, she says, is at the top of the list.

 

Christensen goes on to discuss what she feels are misconceptions about the church, whose followers include Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Kirstie Alley.

'One, that we are some kind of closed group. Two, that we are the Hollywood religion and three, that we worship rabbits,' she said, laughing.

Girl talk: The interview was conducted by actress Joy Bryant for her web series Across the Board

'It's a study tool': Christensen goes on to discuss what she feels are misconceptions about the church, whose followers include Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Kirstie Alley

Christensen explained she was introduced to Scientology as a young girl: her parents are also Scientologists.

Bryant asked how she might approach the topic of religion with her own children.

'I would expose to them, like, this is what I do, which is how my parents did it, because my parents are Scientologists,' she said, recalling: 'When I was like seven, they did like this demonstration. There is this thing in Scientology, it’s a study method to demonstrate things out.

'I would give them the option, of like, these are our study tools. You can use them in school, get good grades, learn,’ she said.

High-profile: The Scientology Celebrity Centre and Church in Los Angeles, California

Scientology has earned its fair share of headlines in recent months, particularly in the wake of a divorce between one of its most high-profile members, Cruise, and his ex-wife, Katie Holmes, late last year.
In an article published by Vanity Fair in September, it was alleged the secretive religious group organised an 'audition' process to find Cruise a wife, grilling dozens of young women to make sure they posed no threat to the church or its most famous member.

In the article, special correspondent Maureen Orth  claims that the project to identify a new partner for Cruise, following the break-up of his relationships with Nicole Kidman and Penelope Cruz, started in 2004 and was headed by Shelly Miscavige, wife of the church's top official David Miscavige.