“What Elisabeth Moss said was amazing. I hope she starts within herself and examines the injustices of Scientology,” wrote one.

Rumours of a rigid culture of fear and suppression have long swirled around the Church of Scientology. The religion has been accused of homophobia thanks to the writings of its founder, L Ron Hubbard, and it has been claimed that Church leaders attempt to brainwash and control the lives of some worshippers.

The Church is also notorious for retaliating against people who speak out publicly against Scientology – whether they are former members of the Church or journalists who have investigated the religion. Hubbard, who died in 1986, introduced a formal policy called “attack the attacker”, resulting in multiple lawsuits against those who criticise Scientology in the press. Many critics of the religion also say that they have been subjected to threats and harassment in their private lives – and those who choose to leave it find themselves cut off from their friends and family.

Indeed, Leah Remini – once Moss’ childhood friend – recently claimed that Moss “believes that she can’t talk to me”.

“There’s a thing in Scientology called ‘acceptable truth.’ It means you only say what’s acceptable to the public,” she said, adding that she does not hold anything against her former best friend.

“[Moss] believes that I’m an antisocial personality because I’ve spoken out against Scientology. So she isn’t allowed to talk to me.

“And me knowing that, I wouldn’t put her in the awkward position.”

Why Elisabeth Moss’ stirring Golden Globes speech has divided the internet