For the first time in five years, Katie Holmes can join in when we all joke about Scientology. That’s the beauty of divorcing Tom Cruise! Divorce settlement moolah is fun, but when you’re already rich, there must be a simple joy in being able to mock the religion with the most crackpot-sounding name. (Hey, believe what you want, but believe that this name sounds like something made-up! Oh wait…)

The flip side on being on the outside, however, is worrying about what will happen once you’ve strayed. According to TMZ, Katie is freaked out and thinks that the church is following her, especially in New York City. Supposedly, she’s noticed some sketch cars following her that aren’t paparazzi, and is getting pretty paranoid.

Now, the Church of Scientology claims that it has not put a surveillance detail on her. But if you were following someone would you say you were following them? Uh, NO.

We probably shouldn’t get into conspiracy theories with this one, especially because the church is so secretive about its practices on a normal day, but it will be interesting to see how this “are they or aren’t they?” will play out, what with most of the world thinking Scientology is for loonies and the rest…being Scientologists.

Photo: Wenn