Just replace 'Church of Scientology' with 'Jehovah's Witnesses' as you read this article.
Appearing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show for her first interview since abruptly leaving the Church of Scientology ((Jehovah's Witnesses)) in July, Leah Remini revealed she's been having a difficult time adjusting to the consequences.
"I hear it's different than leaving another religion, are you okay?" DeGeneres asked her.
Taking a big sip from her coffee cup, Remini, 43, paused before replying, "I'm okay. I'm okay. It's hard. We've lost friends that can no longer talk to us who are still in the organisation."
"That is a thing, when you leave the church, they can't talk to you and you can't talk to them ...?" asked DeGeneres.
"Correct," said Remini, who has joined the new cast of Dancing with the Stars, confirming reports that followers of the controversial religion are told to shun people who decide to leave the church.
"And these are friends that we've had for dozens of years," she continued. "But I have great friends that are not in the church that have stood by us, and our family is stronger, we're together, and that's all I could ask for."
Still, Remini admits the break from the church has not been easy. "It's all we ever really knew," the actress tells DeGeneres of her long-standing relationship with Scientology, which began when Remini's mother joined the child "when we were very young."
Eventually - Remini says her differences with the church were too concerning to ignore: "Over time, my eyes opened and I just could no longer be affiliated with the organisation - and my family felt the same way - so we left."
In early July, it was reported that Remini had decided to quit the controversial religion, citing a source's claim that the 43-year-old actress had been subjected to years of "interrogations" and "thought modification," along with policies preventing members to question the leadership of David Miscavige ((The Governing Body)).
Remini later issued a statement to WHO: "I wish to share my sincere and heartfelt appreciation for the overwhelming positive response I have received from the media, my colleagues, and from fans around the world. I am truly grateful and thankful for all your support.