Hollywood Scientologist slams church

Former friend of Tom Cruise and ex-Scientologist slams controversial religion

A former friend of Tom Cruise and long-term member of the Church of Scientology has slammed the controversial religion in an online video rant.

Jason Beghe, who has starred in shows like CSI and Melrose Place, says 'Scientology is destructive and a rip-off'.

As a member of the international group for 13 years, Beghe made his way to the hallowed OT5 level of members, which also includes Cruise and John Travolta, but he has now turned his back on them, warning: 'The further up the bridge, the worse you get.'

In the three-minute clip, which has been posted on YouTube, he adds: 'I don't have an agenda. I'm just trying to help. I have the luxury of having gotten into Scientology and after having been in it, been out. And that's a perspective that people who are still in and not out do not have.'

A rep for Scientology tells Page Six: 'There are millions of Scientologists around the world who will tell you of their daily wins in applying Scientology in their lives. One need only visit www.scientology.org to see this for yourself.'