Leah Remini quit Scientology, claiming that the church belittled her. Remini had been devoted to Scientology for 30 years, and gave millions of dollars in donations to the church.

However, an incident at the Scientology wedding of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes left her questioning Scientology so much that she quit the church altogether.

Remini is believed to have quit the organization because she is against its policy of barring members from questioning the authority of Scientology leader David Miscavige.

The rift began at the wedding of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes in 2006.  Tom Cruise is a highly ranking member of Scientology, so his wedding was filled with its members.

Leah Remini allegedly asked about Miscavige's wife Shelly's absence from the Tom Cruise Katie Holmes wedding, causing former head of the Scientology Celebrity Center Tommy Davis to berate her.

According to a blog by ex-Scientology member Mike Rinder, Davis said: 'You don't have the [bleeping] rank to ask about Shelly.'

Scientology leader Miscavige's wife has not been seen in public for six years.

The actress was then subjected to five years of 'thought modification', according to the Post. Eventually The 'King Of Queen' actress couldn't take the patronizing treatment and left the church.

Leah Remini said in a statement: "I wish to share my sincere and heartfelt appreciation for the overwhelming positive response I have received from the media, my colleagues, and fans from around the world."

"I am truly grateful and thankful for all your support."

Leah Remini made no reference to the circumstances surrounding her defection from the controversial religion Scientology.

Church friends, many of whom Remini had known for years, allegedly wrote reports on her reasons for leaving.

According to Mr Rinder's blog, Remini 'will no longer tolerate the squirreling and human rights abuses perpetrated in the church'.

However according to a contradictory blog post by Village Voice editor Tony Ortega on July 5, Remini remains loyal to the Scientology movement.

Ortega, who has investigated Scientology for 20 years, spoke to Remini's husband Angelo Pagán, who said neither he nor his wife were at odds with the church and remained within the organization.

According to the Daily Mail, a Church of Scientology spokeperson said: 'The Church respects the privacy of parishioners and has no comment about any individual Church member.'

Leah Remini is one of the most recognizable faces of Scientology, which also includes celebs such as Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Kirstie Alley and Juliette Lewis.  

In an interview with CNN, Rimini said of Scientology's critics: 'If somebody is going to get turned off about something because of what they read or heard, then that person's not smart enough to even enter a church.

'If you're really against something, then know what you're against.'

Remini promoted the launch of a Hollywood museum backed by Scientology.  The museum is the 
'Citizens Commission on Human Rights Psychiatry: An Industry of Death'. An important element of the Scientology religion is its criticism of psychiatry.

Remini, who was born in Brooklyn, joined the the church 30 years ago, after her mother joined in the 1970s.

Leah's departure is a rarity in Hollywood. Its members seem loyal for life and this is the first public Scientology drop out.

Will Scietology be hit hard with this public denouncement?