Jason Beghe Turned Away at NY Scientology Building

“To keep you out,” one answered.

Beghe explained that he believed he had a right to go through the doors and talk to Scientologists inside. “I paid a million dollars, and I want to go in,” he said, referring to the total amount of money he estimates that he paid Scientology in the 12 years he was a member. But that appeal fell on deaf ears.

Beghe asked the one who seemed to be the leader, an African-American man wearing wire-rim glasses, whether he was familiar with Scientology beliefs.

“I don’t know much about it,” the man answered.

“Do you understand what you’re protecting?” Beghe asked, sounding incredulous.

At that point, the tallest of the men seemed to get impatient, and told Beghe to go back across the street in what sounded like a Brooklyn accent.

Beghe, who’s played plenty of tough characters over the years, assumed a hard edge in his voice. “I’m supposed to take orders from this guy? I can talk loud, too.”

Further confrontation seemed futile. Beghe turned to leave, nodding to the tall guard.

“Nice to meet you, tough guy.”

And as he stepped away, he muttered. “I smell pussy.”

Back among the protesters, Beghe attempted to telephone the church. “I called and asked for John Carmichael and said I was Jason Beghe. Then they hung up.”

The actor stayed and talked with more of the protesters, some of whom he’d already been communicating with in posts at enturbulation.org and other websites. He told them that he’s making plans for other ways of publicizing criticisms of the church, and assured the picketers that he’d keep Anonymous informed.

Then he walked away, while Anonymous kept up chants like “Scientology kills!” and “Pay your taxes!”