I think of all the children they could have fed or clothed - all on their own, in one afternoon. Please reread the letter. We, as a planet, would all do better if we eliminated these groups of intolerance and hatred. But they didnt. Haggis isn't the first celebrity from the Church of Scientology to break with the faith. Here are some powerful and eye-opening quotes from Haggis' letter to Davis: "I could not, in good conscience, be a member of an organization where gay-bashing was tolerated. Marty hopes that the author of the letter will understand that by publishing the letter we mean no disrespect. "The church doesn't tell people who they should and shouldn't be connected with. However - the Bible also states that we are not to judge, that we are to love our neighbor.. and that's how most Christians live their lives. blackmail Representatives for Remini did not immediately return Insider's request for comment. I saw the organization with all its warts, growing pains and problems as an underdog. Lies are lies- and unless you have first-hand knowledge of such extortion- I'd zip it, if I were you. Some people like pickles, some like cucumbers. If they are the "clear" ones -- do you really want to be "clear"? I find that scientologists are VERY ignorant about other religions and condemn other religions without knowing any facts. Ive attached our email correspondence. * Board Member and fundraiser, For The Arts, For Every Child Check the stats. It is a "religion" that considers all who don't agree with their belief SYSTEM or even their point of view on any topic to be enemies. Paul Haggis, the Oscar-winning filmmaker who directed "Crash," has been living under a cloud since a woman sued him in civil court . He said most former Scientologists leave the religion quietly, but because he was a more well-known, he said he felt it was his duty to be public about his decision to cut ties with the church. lies Thousands of years ago out of fear we invented gods to explain various diseases, weather events, earthquakes and volcanoes. According to Vanity Fair, Boniadi, 32, was audited . Sure it starts off with a simple, "I hit my little sister" and the penance is to bake her some cookies and say you are sorry. Mon 26 Oct 2009 12.29 EDT. * Fundraiser, El Rescate Human Rights for El Salvador She ran the entire celebrity center network, and was a loyal senior executive of the church for what, 20 years? And in it I saw you deny the churchs policy of disconnection. Why waste time on that, don't you have more important things to do? Haggis, also a former church member and now prominent critic of Scientology, has been accused by four women of sexual misconduct and assault. [Rathbun] broke his silence on the matter in 2017 to reveal that he and Haggis had orchestrated Haggis departure story and there is no truth whatsoever to the Haggis account. You want to rebut her accusations, do it, and do it in the strongest terms possible but that kind of character assassination is unconscionable. Although it caused her terrible personal pain, my wife broke off all contact with them. Yes!!! In a resignation letter. ", "The church's refusal to denounce the actions of these bigots, hypocrites and homophobes is cowardly. It was a year ago. He's currently filming "The Next Three Days" with former Scientologist actor Jason Beghe, along with Russell Crowe and Liam Neeson. For a year and a half, despite her protestations, my wife did not speak to her parents and they had limited access to their grandchild. February 20, 2018. Furthermore, making judgments (about actions NOT people-- big difference) is part of natural law, and is a requirement for a stable society--a society free of ANY judgment is a society in a state of anarchy. Lioness, I do not have the time or energy to go into detail as to why you are wrong here, however, you address a common, simplistic complaint, so I feel the need to comment however brief. Breest will not look the other way any longer.". Prior to Leah Remini's break from Scientology this summer, Paul Haggis was arguably the most high-profile and outspoken celeb to resign from the organization. While I have not been an active member for many years, I found much of what I learned to be very helpful, and I still apply it in my daily life. Perhaps 2000 yrs ago, the embracing of the Christ had more to do with his social gospel (love one another, do not judge, golden rule, etc.) Those poor, poor people who are still stuck in COS. 0:00. All Rights Reserved. Their public sponsorship of Proposition 8, a hate-filled legislation that succeeded in taking away the civil rights of gay and lesbian citizens of California rights that were granted them by the Supreme Court of our state shames us. I saw the organization -- with all its warts, growing pains and problems -- as an underdog. Correct, however, protestants do not have confessionals. supporting art and music in public schools According to reports, he said that. Christians don't have confessionals, as they don't believe you need to confess to anyone other than God himself. "During my twenties and early thirties, I studied and received a great deal of counseling. We all know this policy exists. crimes Despite all the church's words about promoting freedom and human rights, its name is now in the public record alongside those who promote bigotry and intolerance, homophobia and fear. We don't know anybody by that name." Haggis asserted that supporters of Prop 8 were bigoted and hateful, and supporters are the MAJORITY of Californians, most of whom do NOT belong to the Christian right. This was my state of mind when I was online doing research and chanced upon an interview clip with you on CNN. They had him on the corner of Salmon and Broadway all day, every day, in all kinds of weather like a robot for Scientology. Dennis. Confessionals are not used to extort money idiot. Paul Haggis testified his resignation letter from Scientology helped Leah Remini leave the church. Some walk, some fly. Haggis reiterated a whopper of a lie he told in 2009 to the media that he left the Church in a dispute over LGBTQ rights. pregnant Check out the website included. But I know how easy it was for me to defend our organization and dismiss our critics, without ever truly looking at what was being said; I did it for thirty-five years. dictator 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. ", "And so, after writing this letter, I am fully aware that some of my friends may choose to no longer associate with me, or in some cases work with me," Haggis goes on later in his letter. I was left feeling outraged, and frankly, more than a little stupid. And I felt sick. Once Haggis admitted that he lied about his story, he had no credibility. I'm a Scientology kid also ex SOM, my mom was in the S.O. I think the other reasons Mr Haggis gives make more sense as to why one would leave any church or organization. "Say what you will about them now," writes Haggis, "[but] these were staunch defenders of the church, including Mike Rinder, the church's official spokesman for 20 years!" cult Oscar winning director/writer Paul Haggis defended Remini in an open letter published in The Hollywood Reporter. Accusing the Roman Catholic Church to "use confessionals to extort money" is crazy. Just because marriage is defined in the way it's been used historically does not mean that gay couples can't live together or be connected in some other fashion like a civil union. The interview lasted maybe ten minutes it was just you and the newscaster. Screenwriter Paul Haggis is a living lie. He said they would catch him and drag him back. It's the same sad stories all over again. I just choose to not 'follow the rules' of any religious group. assaulted Tommy, if only a fraction of these accusations are true, we are talking about serious, indefensible human and civil rights violations. How can they legally split up families - separate parents from children - if one or both parents do not agree to it?? I can think of no other word. Isn't the proof in the pudding? First, spokescreature Tommy Davis publicly flamed out on his prime time interview. ET. Frankly, I had to look no further than your refusal to denounce the church's anti-gay stance, and the indefensible actions, and inactions, of those who condone this behavior within the organization. ". Be creative, come up with a different type of union that provides the same rights for gay couples. We realize that the PR coming out of DM's office is terrible, and Scientology will be splitting into two sects soon. - supporting peace and justice initiatives around the world The entire letter toof all peoplecreepy Church. These accusations were made by top international executives who had devoted most of their lives to the church. In his letter, Haggis said he is deeply disappointed with the church to which he has belonged for decades. ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY, Scientology, It's Computer Division & The Sci Fi Ancient Kingdom of Chug, Valeska Paris: Scientology Freewinds Ship ~~ Prisoner for 12 Years, Paul Haggis Resigns from Church of Scientology. I am still a church member because I am afraid to leave because of the disconnect policy and my family members who are active in the church. I remember after the poor sap who was sued (the former CAN owner) had to give up CAN to the scientologist nutbags, CAN then became a new scientology tool. How gullible can people be? And many dozens of fundraisers and salons at our home on behalf of Human and Civil Rights, the Environment, the Peace Movement, Education, Justice and Equality. As we can see, the business of Scientology is now beginning to fail but the GATES OF HELL will NOT prevail against the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, although I admit evil has attempted, it will NEVER overpower the Blood of Christ. Back it up. To the extent that anything prohibits or infringes on anyone's civil rights, we don't agree with it. Haggis for years falsely claimed he split with the Church because it would not take a position on Californias incendiary Proposition 8 campaign in 2008 regarding same-sex marriageknowing the Church would never take a stand on such a political issue. The fact that most scientologists working in the org are recruited right out of high school is the problem. SCARY - very scary! In the letter, Haggis spends a lot of time speaking on Proposition 8 and intolerance, as it was at the forefront of discussion in California at the time. "I refused to do so. "I felt if I sent it to my friends. I surprises me that there isn't some legal recourse one could take when trying to leave that "church". "I can't . HERE AND NOW is what we have..NOTHING else, so make the best of it to everyone's satisfaction. Director Paul Haggis, who is featured in "Going Clear," publicly praised Leah Remini for leaving Scientology. "the same face that denied the policy of disconnection". Despite all the churchs words about promoting freedom and human rights, its name is now in the public record alongside those who promote bigotry and intolerance, homophobia and fear. yager My younger brother got roped into a three year ordeal during a most vunerable time of his life, early 20's, and was forced to disassociate with our loving and very concerned family for ridiculous reasons, all the while spending hours, day and night doing whatever they instructed him to do in their downtown Toronto outfit. Do we all have to risk getting kicked out to get ethics in on DM and others who are enforcing his tyranny? Haggis found this, apparently, to be the first in a series of straws that broke a 35 year-old camel's back. I have to believe that if they knew what I now know, they too would be horrified. I can see this in any religion, especially when the followers are so devout and the religion itself is shrouded in such secrecy as Scientology, Church of Mormon, etc. The root problem is the concept of religion itself. Haggis said he wrote the letter so the world at large would know he had left the religion and so that others wouldn't be recruited to join Scientology based on his involvement. * Member and supporter, Death Penalty Focus But Haggis' most well-known letter was the one that he wrote to Davis to announce his departure from the Church. There are no gods. Our core beliefs are family and love for others even those who disagree. Not that any of that would matter to Leah Remini, who featured Paul Haggis and his discredited, false narrative on Aftermath three months later. Screenwriter . scientologists This was the only way an unemployed high school grad like himself could pay for the multi-thousand dollar "auditing courses," which they convinced him would make everything clear. Haggis was on Sunday detained in Italy on sexual assault . ", "I was truly disturbed to see you provide private details from confessionals to the press in an attempt to embarrass and discredit the executives who spoke out. It was a terrible time. spouse Who you get in bed with is STILL a choice, as is all behavior. Now, Oscar-winning Crash director Paul Haggis' public resignation from Scientology has leaked. I was shocked. Academy Award-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis, known for the movies Crash and Million Dollar Baby, is being sued in a civil case for . I am not religious nor am I a member of a religious group but I don't understand why it's 'gay bashing' to define marriage in this way. I recommend you write a screenplay and direct it yourself on all these abuses. Paul Haggis Resigns from Church of Scientology www May 5th, 2018 - Paul Haggis is the Academy award winning filmmaker who in 2006 became the first . . The church has maintained it took no stance on the measure. When asked what went wrong with Glenn Gallagher, Portland's Church of Scientology representatives said, "Glenn who? Fully developing his invented narrative, Haggis wrote a letter of resignation to the Church in 2009 that was then leaked to press, generating a media storm. The deception can continue only so long. I agree. I can fully understand why some would want to leave a retrograde Church (and many of its undesirable or ludicrous elements) and still want to Keep the Faith. Discover what people really say about all things Scientology. Contributed to Lisa McPherson's demise. Paul Haggis testified his resignation letter from Scientology helped Leah Remini leave the church. Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis testified on Wednesday in a civil rape lawsuit that his letter of resignation from the Church of Scientology helped motivate fellow celebrity and member. As Rathbun tells it: So he [Haggis] says, By October, Marty Rathbun got a hold of the letter. Well, I actually have an email of 23 August, two months earlier, where Im already talking with Paul Haggis.Not only do I have the letter, but Im getting detailed meticulous instructions about how to present it deceptively to media contacts that Ive established.Paul Haggis consulted with me every step of the way, on how he should position this and how he should do this.. There is more to humanity than "them" and "us." It was a terrible time. Besides the fact that so many of the church's most high-profile members have long been subject to gossipy speculation of being gayto name a few: Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Will Smiththe Church is now going to have to (A) take a stance on homosexuality, (B) come out against Haggis, one of the most revered, successful writer-directors of the last decade, or (C) stay quiet and look even sketchier than they already did after Tommy Davis blew up on national television earlier this weekend. Also still called constantly for "Events". Staff. Same thing in Scientology. As a former zombie, I would welcome that. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Silence is consent, Tommy. Haggis' legal team alleges the Church of Scientology, which he left, is behind the claim. I joined the Church of Scientology thirty-five years ago. religious I will not argue with the need to eliminate groups that promote intolerance and hatred - whether religious or not. You are also wrong about the Catechism of the Church. Mars Hill Church Wikipedia. The point is this is a huge blow to David Miscavige, at least he's still got Tom Cruise fooled. Haggis, whose 2005 film Crash won two Oscars, said that he could no longer remain part "of an organisation where gay-bashing was tolerated". Mike Rinder could certainly spin a lot more convincingly. All those years of indoctrination by the priest and nuns in Catholic school took their toll on me. The Dialogue: The best way to get this story out is for you to call your contacts. And so it wentwith Haggis stage managing his surprise exit from the religion. His technical alterations include the destruction of training, the re-definition of instant reads and FNs, violating the "No-Interference Zone" Policy for those on OT VII (with unnecessary sec checks every 6 months) resulting in unworkability. Good on you Paul Haggis! Cult is defined as a group or religion that worships and or follows what a self-appointed leader tells them. I wondered how the church could, in good conscience, through the action of a few and then the inaction of its leadership, support a bill that strips a group of its civil rights. The best you offered was a weak and carefully worded press release, which praised the churchs human rights record and took no responsibility. And I have always had a thing for underdogs. I refuse to consent. Director Paul Haggis has already been the worst kind of publicity for the Church of Scientology, penning this letter in August 2009 in which he resigned from the group over its support of . Most Catholics (even very wealthy ones) don't use them. I am only ashamed that I waited this many months to act. That's the kind of integrity I thought we had, but obviously the standard in this church is far lower the public relations representative can reveal secrets to the press if the management feels justified. And so, after writing this letter, I am fully aware that some of my friends may choose to no longer associate with me, or in some cases work with me. Search for "sleep deprivation" and you'll see numerous articles on the subject. After that, it could levy accusations about just about every other cult, while pretending scientology wasn't like them. dianetics Hi. I just hope that some of Mr Haggis' integrity rubs off on some of his fellow celebrities. Within Canada, Paul Haggis may be best known as the creator of the popular TV series Due South, which earned him six Gemini Awards including two for Best Dramatic Series. Lisa Marie Presley | How much money did Scientology take from her? We care about them and do not wish to be labeled "enemies"--because we aren't. Then comes another bomb: Haggis' wife cut off contact with her parents when they defected from the church. You're all lemmings. Sorry, but you do not have the right to post comments. Haggis wrote a letter expressing his misgivings about the church, which was later leaked to the press. But I read the article and most of the comments (my apolgies to the last 1/4 of responders--it just went on for so long, and understandably so! chairman But then again, Remini also proudly boasted that she refused to vet the credibility of her subjects, and that A&Es attorneys let her get away with it. Tellingly, in response, on June 16, 2017, Haggis confirmed Rathbuns account in a message to a blogger, admitting he asked Rathbun to preserve the lie for Wrights article by withholding this critical information from him. I am only ashamed that I waited this many months to act. However, I have finally come to the conclusion that I can no longer be a part of this group. Most recently, Haggis and his partner Michael Nozik formed Hwy 61 Films, based at United Artists. Power corrupts, even in a kindergarten class room (ever talk to a preschool teacher?) This website is a simple answer to those who tried to monopolize and corporatize spiritual freedom: An open gateway dedicated to helping people move up to higher levels of awareness and ability under their own steam. I find it amazing how a person will talk about 'tolerance' and then talk down other groups from 'other religions'. This totally illogical crazy cult needs to be exposed and let to die a quick and very public death as soon as possible. ", " After writing this letter, I am fully aware that some of my friends may choose to no longer associate with me, or in some cases work with me. Hard to really know, but perhaps the Christian social message might have been a appealing alternative to the morals of the day (that's still true for some of us). Over time, I think you will find a new sense of strength and solidity for having taken such a strong and public stand on your moral convictions, and for having stayed true to yourself. * Trustee, Religious Freedom Trust Haggis wrote that he had for months tried without success to have the church publicly denounce its San Diego chapter for its support of Proposition 8, the legislation to ban gay marriage in California. His resignation letter has been widely circulated. Haggis, famous for films that include "Crash," "Million Dollar Baby" and "Letters From Iwo Jima," cited ideological and personal reasons for breaking with Scientology. ", "I hereby resign my membership in the Church of Scientology. The Church of $cientology continually shows us through the writings and testimony of ex-members that at it's heart and core of leadership it cares nothing for the eternity of the human spirit or freeing humanity it's all about control, programming, and destroying those who would dare question it. You write a screenplay and direct it yourself on all these abuses coverage of news... Best way to get ethics in on DM and others who paul haggis resignation letter still stuck COS.. 'Other religions ' getting kicked out to get ethics in on DM and who. Intolerance and hatred - whether religious or not same rights for gay couples the children they could have fed clothed! Trying to leave that `` church '': Haggis ' integrity rubs off on some his... 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