“Katie Holmes ‘Biggest Nightmare’ in Scientology History, Say Experts”

That’s the headline of a Hollywood Reporter story that is packed with remarkable chunks of text. Here are some of my favorites:

Holmes appears more aggressive and fearless than those who have taken steps to distance themselves from the church or have “blown” — Scientology parlance for leaving the church — according to one-time key members of the church who have left, many after years of soul searching, and endured what they claim was often harassment, intimidation and being cut off from their families. But some of Holmes’ apparent courage could stem from the fact that many of the high-ranking Scientologists who ran interference for Cruise during his marriage to Kidman and often discouraged or intimidated mainstream media from reporting on Scientology have left the church. A number of them are now actively working against Miscavige and Cruise by spilling church secrets to the very reporters they once threatened.

“Katie ambushed Tom Cruise and in so doing outwitted some of the most controlling people on Earth,” says Karen De La Carriere, who was once one of the most powerful executives in Scientology and was married to Heber Jentzsch, Scientology’s longtime president who mysteriously hasn’t been seen in years.

Even Rupert Murdoch tweeted this week that the church was “evil” and “creepy” in a move some saw as proof that the media should no longer fear reporting about the church. Fox News’ Geraldo Rivera followed the boss’ tweet with one of his own on Monday, asking, “Does Scientology have special program to provide cover for closeted gay superstars?”

“Katie could blow Scientology wide open,” says Rathbun, who was in the church for 22 years before leaving in late 2004. Rathbun, who calls himself an “independent Scientologist” and writes a candid blog popular with former members, was Cruise’s auditor and handled Cruise’s divorce from Kidman.”If Tom’s smart, he won’t fight her on anything, even custody. He should just try to settle his way out of it,” says Rathbun. “She could press this sole-custody issue and litigate it, and that would be the biggest nightmare in the Church of Scientology’s history. It would be a circus they couldn’t survive.”

Stay tuned.