Paul Haggis Renounces Church of Scientology in Blistering Letter
The Church of Scientology has long claimed many of Hollywood's most elite talents amongst its members, but now, one famous Scientologist is leaving the church, and he's not going quietly. In a candid, confrontational letter to Scientology top brass that's just been published online, Oscar-winning director Paul Haggis (Crash) details the abuses and cover-ups that have forced him to to leave Scientology after 35 years. It's a must-read.
The letter was originally published in four parts on the blog of ex-Scientologist Marty Rathbun, and it's directed at Scientology's current national spokesman, Tommy Davis. In it, Haggis takes Davis to task for doing nothing after the church's San Diego branch publicly sponsored the anti-gay Proposition 8.
As you know, for ten months now I have been writing to ask you to make a public statement denouncing the actions of the Church of Scientology of San Diego. [...] I called and wrote and implored you, as the official spokesman of the church, to condemn their actions. I told you I could not, in good conscience, be a member of an organization where gay-bashing was tolerated.
In that first conversation, back at the end of October of last year, you told me you were horrified, that you would get to the bottom of it and "heads would roll." You promised action. Ten months passed. No action was forthcoming. The best you offered was a weak and carefully worded press release, which praised the church's human rights record and took no responsibility. Even that, you decided not to publish.
The church's refusal to denounce the actions of these bigots, hypocrites and homophobes is cowardly. I can think of no other word. Silence is consent, Tommy. I refuse to consent.
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More like bending over.
I wonder if scientologists know the L. Ron Hubbard quote, "the best way to get rich is to start a religion." That kinda tells you everything you need to know about why you should avoid religion and particularly his.
You are brilliant. Thank you for the deeply satisfying laugh.
S
I am happy to see someone within hollywood calling out the CoS, however, many of the top executives of the church who have since left did so because they were unhappy with the people running the church, in a sense their problems are not with the church's warp teachings but instead resemble a corporate coup. To me, this is saddening, since many of the people who are speaking out against the church can't see the corruption that has been with the church since day one. Instead, they want a regime change in the personnel of the church and i'll bet they'd hop back on board. A much broader view is needed to see all the ills that the CoS has caused. I commend haggis, however, in shedding light to a very real example of the policy of "disconnection." Way to go, even thought I thought Crash was garbage.
Only one thing... NOBODY profited from Battlefield Earth.
I am always stunned in view of the obvious brainwashing that must have happened to some internet posters (or rather the traveling circus of "commenters" when it comes to stirring up anti-Scientology resentment). Scientology has never been and is not against homosexuals and supports their rights just as anyone else's. Given that, the big question is: why did Haggis bother to make such show-down out of his choice to sever his ties to the Church of Scientology (after several years of inactivity, as he admits)? Guesses, anyone?
Hallelujah! I bet Nicole Kidman, and quite a few other former scientology celebrities who were 'fair gamed like Amy Scobee was, have experienced a hugh sigh of relief reading about this.
Not if he grins. 'Slike a freakin' klieg light.
Thank you Paul! Denying disconnection from family and friends has been a constant with this cult. I wonder how they will respond now that we know you personally were affected by this disgusting cult.
Wow, this is unfortunate. Interesting story. Paul received a LOT of wonderful Scientology counseling early on. Scientology counseling increases one's ability. This is most evident in the transparent world of the arts. Paul joined the ranks of Chick Corea, John Travolta and Tom Cruise as celebrities whose careers skyrocketed after a developing a foundation in Scientology concepts. Just looking at all of the remarkable accomplishments and humanitarian measures in Paul's life... leads one to wonder if his basis in Scientology was THE major contributor. L. Ron Hubbard said that Scientology was to make the able more able. I happen to agree with Paul's side beefs though. Disconnection is too often 'suggested' and sometimes the wrong people are 'declared' (meaning declared suppressive to the Church).
In the early days, Hubbard placed homosexuality at the level of 'covert hostility' on his emotional scale. At the time it was accurate. Homosexuality was best hidden. Now, as any homosexual could tell you, the ability to come out of the closet today frees them of this over-arching covertness that has been necessary in times past. Nothing in the Church's Creeds or Codes prohibits any sexual orientation. It would be nice to hear them express a more liberal viewpoint publicly.
As far as the recent Rinder's and Rathbun's comments that were alluded to... They were both high-ranking Scientologists. They claimed that every now and then that Miscavaige (the Chairman of the Board) would give someone a smack. The Church denies this, but who knows. What is most interesting is what they didn't say. They DID have problems with Miscavaige. But they didn't have problems with the technology of Scientology as developed by L. Ron Hubbard. They didn't disparage the Technology at all. They just hoped for better management. What rings true here is that Scientology is definitely experiencing some growing pains along the way and has some problems, but that the concepts of Scientology work. Scientology makes the able more able. You can discover this for yourself in one weekend. Just buy a used copy of Self Analysis (by L. Ron Hubbard) and use it for a couple days. You will notice your mood improving, the world looking brighter, and your thinking will also be clearer. It is a fun process to increase ability that you can run on yourself or your friends.
I am guessing that Paul would basically agree with this letter and appreciate having it in his comments section.
Exactly! the Co$ supports the same marriage* rights for gay men, as are enjoyed by other men. See, equal rights for all.
*(small print)The Co$ defines marriage as being between one man and one woman.
Hello, Paul. Another thing I would tell you may involve a trip to Vegas to confirm the date and death of Quentin Hubbard.
Don't drink the Kool-Aid, guy. I've worked in Hollywood. For all the courageous sound of this letter, it could very easily have gone down just as Mattheww says. One thing Hollywood people know how to do is look good.
I believe the Scientologists' stuff is whackier. Why? Context.
The stuff Christians believe originated two thousand years ago, centuries before widespread knowledge of even rudimentary science and in a country that had no technology. On the other hand, Lord L.Ron's...stuff...was thought up and disseminated during the 20th century, in a country where most of the things people know without even thinking much could never even have been conceived of, let alone believed, back in the days of Herod. Hell, most of us would have been stoned to death just for saying the earth went around the sun.
So for my money, the Hubbard crowd is far crazier, because they willfully believe things they KNOW are completely insane. Context is everything, my friend.
AAANNND we have a shill!
Would you care to expand on this and advise the Co$ (and us) as to the appropriate circumstances and frequency for ordering "disconnection" and "declaration"? Please feel free to base your assessment on the writings and "Technology" of L. Ron.
The bulk of your comment attempts to separate L. Ron and his "Technology" from "current management" and apportions all blame on the latter while exculpating the former. In any other "church", the option of schisming to form your own (sub-)sect would be open. Too bad for you, the one original idea that L. Ron came up with in his scheme to bilk the gullible was to copyright his "scriptures". Co$ lawyers will jump on your arse if you attempt to use or preach the "Technology", without paying them mucho dineros.
For all those who are saying they'll now see Crash, I will now save you two hours of your life. Things you will learn from Crash:
- White people can be nasty or nice.
- Black people can be nasty or nice.
- Middle Easterners are tightly-wound psychos who shoot children in the back, or their twitchy, walking-on-eggshells wives.
- Asians are people traffickers who can't speak English or drive well.
- Crash sucks.
But then, if you go and watch a race drama written by someone who, at the time, was in an organisation that refers to non-members as 'wogs', whaddya expect...
Whoever you are using tommy davis as a cover, you should simply feed yourself with the stuff that comes off your behind. You've already proven to be full of shit, so let's keep it that way.
Most Scientologists cannot distinguish between White Scientology and Black Scientology. They think it's the same thing, and it is not. Black Scientology is an extension of Black Dianetics, and it does exist. It is very sad to witness such confusion. It is obvious that the forced disconnection is Black Scientology...the wrong indications (which might provoke psychosis) are a form of Black Scientology, the false datum "democracy has given us inflation and income tax." is another example of Black Scientology. In order to clear Scientology we must separate and recognize Black Scientology from White Scientology and see it as it is...a form of psychiatric human rights violation...
Haggis wins this year's "No Duh" award for his keep grasp of the obvious.
It's commendable to see someone free themselves from a cult, but that feeling of victory is offset by the fact he was part of the cult for 35 years. As such, he is to blame as much as anyone else.
You might not be aware that the person posing as Tommy was purely being sardonic...they agree just like the rest of that Haggis is not just inspirational, but brave, for attacking CoS although I give credit to those before him as well for taking even larger risks.
How on Teegeeack can anyone possibly take this junk seriously? I bet Paul finally reached whatever OT level that "revealed" all the space opera crap and he finally saw how insane it was. But decided to use Prop 8 as the excuse. (Note that he still refers to the group as a "church". Sad, silly man.)
OMG! How can they let a Scientology advert show on this page!
Marvelous!!
Thank goodness! Haggis is another $cientologist I can take off my boycott list! For many years I have refused to pay one cent for any movie or book (or whatever) with a $cientologist in it, or written or produced by one. No way will I support anyone who is a member of this creepy criminal cult. Luckily, it seems like the $cientology ship is sinking fast. Tick tock...it`s just a matter of time. The lawsuits are coming....Government investigations and raids are on the way...It`s about time!
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