Elisabeth Moss makes rare statement about Scientology beliefs: 'It's a lot to get into and unpack'

'That’s where I stand and the only place I can speak from is my own'

Elisabeth Moss has made a rare public statement about the Church of Scientology after being asked outright about her beliefs in a new interview.

In the past, the actor - who was raised a Scientologist as a child - has faced criticism for her association with the religion, with many suggesting her beliefs are at odds with the oppressive themes presented in the TV series she stars in, The Handmaid's Tale.

Moss, when asked by The Daily Beast to offer a comment on the criticism, said: “Listen, it’s a complicated thing because the things that I believe in, I can only speak to my personal experience and my personal beliefs. One of the things I believe in is freedom of speech. I believe we as humans should be able to critique things. I don’t ever want to take that away from anybody, because that actually is very important to me.

"At the same time, I should hope that people educate themselves for themselves and form their own opinion, as I have," she continued." The things that I believe in personally, for me, The Handmaid’s Tale, and the ability to do something that is artistically fulfilling but is also personally fulfilling, I’ve never had that."

After the interviewer highlights that the religion has a history of expressing anti-LGBTQ views, one of which is the belief that homosexuality can be "cured", Moss said: “Which is not where I stand. It’s like, it’s a lot to get into and unpack that I can’t do. But that is not my bag."

“I am obviously a huge feminist and huge supporter of the LGBTQ community and believe so strongly – I can’t even tell you – in people being able to do what they want to do, to love who they want to love, to be the person that they want to be – whoever that is. To me, it’s a huge reason why I love doing the show."

Finishing off her point, Moss continued: “That’s all I can say. I can’t speak to what other people believe, I can’t speak to what other people’s experiences have been. That’s where I stand and the only place I can speak from is my own.”

The Handmaid's Tale returns to Hulu for a third season on 5 June; a UK release date yet to be announced. New film Her Smell will be released later this year.