divorce And then another: Haggis cites the aforementioned reporting by the St. Petersburg Times, which including some of Scientology's most high-profile defectors in its history, as accurate and astonishing, considering the level of the defectors. Congrats. ..H. Praise for Paul Haggis. You even felt free to publish secrets from the confessional in Freedom Magazine you just stopped short of labeling them as such, probably because you knew Scientologists would be horrified, knowing you so easily broke a sacred vow of trust with your parishioners. Ps. Ive never been good at following orders, especially when I find them morally reprehensible. Jones earned a Best Actor Oscar nomination for his performance in the film. Paul Haggis. Also still called constantly for "Events". Dave, back up what you say with facts. Silence is consent, Tommy. In response to Oh, really. And that is when I read the recent articles in the St. Petersburg Times. The church doesn't do that," he said. Say what you will about them now, these were staunch defenders of the church, including Mike Rinder, the churchs official spokesman for 20 years! Tom Cruise could learn a lot from this gentleman On Friday night, Tommy huffed out of the ABC Nightline interview in front of four million viewers. ), and wanted to add a few thoughts Copyright 2008. Then one day he showed up in New Jersey and met me at work. That's not ancient history, Tommy. Dennis. That was my last brush. Families parted. "Mr. Haggis had a disagreement with the church that went beyond having anything to do with the church," Davis told ABCNews.com. "IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE AS WE DO, YOU ARE ENEMIES! I openly and vigorously defended the church when ever it was criticized, as I railed against the kind of intolerance that I believed was directed against it. And it did. On the stand this. *Peace & Justice Award Office of the Americas, presented by Daniel Ellsberg violence The fact that most scientologists working in the org are recruited right out of high school is the problem. However, I have finally come to the conclusion that I can no longer be a part of this group. His resignation letter has been widely circulated. Ah Shelama - Myths are such irresitably fat squishy targets, aren't they? It is still hard for me to believe. 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. Well, luckily I have never held myself up to be anyone's role model. We all know this policy exists. In any case, I applaud Mr. Haggis' decision to leave his church. in the first place? Haggis is currently standing trial in a civil lawsuit concerning a rape allegation. It is a example of total greed and nuttiness. "Paul Haggis deserves, based on his record as a gentleman and humanitarian, to be judged when all the evidence has been taken under penalty of perjury in a court of law," Remini and Rinder. I hereby resign my membership in the Church of Scientology. * Member, President's Council, Defenders of Wildlife Haggis wrote a letter expressing his misgivings about the church, which was later leaked to the press. I was left feeling outraged, and frankly, more than a little stupid. * Member and Award Recipient, American Civil Liberties Union The interview lasted maybe ten minutes it was just you and the newscaster. How dare you use private information in order to label someone an "adulteress?" He registered his distaste for the church's stances on homosexuality via phone calls and letters. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. A jury has ordered Academy Award-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis to pay at least $7.5 million to a woman who accused him of rape. We all know this policy exists. Haggis' publicist said the director does not plan to comment further on the matter. I refuse to consent. 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. First, spokescreature Tommy Davis publicly flamed out on his prime time interview. reverse Haggis took the stand Wednesday in New York Supreme Court, in connection to a lawsuit filed by publicist Haleigh Breest, who alleges Haggis raped her at this apartment in January 2013. Marty hopes that the author of the letter will understand that by publishing the letter we mean no disrespect. I was shocked. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Paul Haggis Resigns from Church of Scientology Friday, 23 October 2009 22:57 Paul Haggis is the Academy award winning filmmaker who, in 2006, became the first screenwriter, since 1950, to write two Best Film Oscar winners back-to-back - "Million Dollar Baby" (2004) directed by Clint Eastwood, and "Crash" (2005) which he himself directed. Thats not ancient history, Tommy. Even that, you decided not to publish. Please reread the letter. He tore apart international management. * Member and fundraiser, Environment California and CalPirg I have wondered over and over if David Miscavige humiliated and hazed Tommy Davis while Tommy was working with him. Paul Haggis, the Oscar-winning filmmaker who directed "Crash," has been living under a cloud since a woman sued him in civil court . dianetics In September 2017, Remini and her Aftermath co-host, Mike Rinder, featured Haggis on their show. SCARY - very scary! Scientology has claimed that their high-profile defectors hold personal grudges against them for demotions and other bureaucratic failings. 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 have never pretended to be the best Scientologist, but I openly and vigorously defended the church whenever it was criticized, as I railed against the kind of intolerance that I believed was directed against it. ET. terror Church Board Member Resignation Letter Church Board Member Resignation Letter Form of Government Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Haggis' legal team alleges the Church of Scientology, which he left, is behind the claim. During my twenties and early thirties I studied and received a great deal of counseling. The film, which starred Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron and Susan Sarandon, was a suspense drama of a fathers search for his missing son, who is reported AWOL after returning from Iraq. I feel the need to defend Mr. Haggis. Tommy, if only a fraction of these accusations are true, we are talking about serious, indefensible human and civil rights violations. Oscar-winning "Crash" director leaves faith, admonishes Church of Scientology. And formerly: But given how many former top-level executives have said these things are true, it is hard to believe it is all lies. Silence is consent, Tommy. Please don't make blanket statements about groups you don't know and good luck in your journey through life. The churchs refusal to denounce the actions of these bigots, hypocrites and homophobes is cowardly. Do we all have to risk getting kicked out to get ethics in on DM and others who are enforcing his tyranny? Haggis, the "Crash" writer and director, was a member of the church for more than three decades before leaving in 2009 over its refusal to condemn one chapter's statement of support for Proposition 8, a California ballot measure to de-legalize gay marriage. This is really very arrogant of scientologists to think this way. On September 2, Oscar-winning filmmaker and former Scientologist Paul Haggis wrote an e-mail to Showbiz 411 confirming the auditing took place. This is a lovely retired couple, never said a negative word about Scientology to me or anyone else I know hardly raving maniacs or enemies of the church. You had allowed our name to be allied with the worst elements of the Christian Right. Independence, unfettered knowledge, freedom of thought etc. Ive attached our email correspondence. I had my disagreements, but I dealt with them internally. When actress Leah Remini publicly defected from the Church in 2013, Haggis spoke on her departure in a letter, calling her exit "brave." 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. 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. miscavige I've never been good at following orders, especially when I find them morally reprehensible. I do hope Tommy Davis sorts himself out. In his resignation letter, Haggis said, "We all know this policy exists." Haggis reminded Davis that a few years earlier his wife had been ordered to disconnect from her parents, "because. A lot of us Mission Owners are looking for a way to be 100% independent of the Int Base, and corporate scientology. In January 2018, Haggis was . Oct. 26 2009, Published 3:30 p.m. This requires nothing more than simple honesty, an admission of what happened and a willingness to begin anew with an honest, open culture. These accusations were made by top international executives who had devoted most of their lives to the church. I'm not condemning those who wish to belong to any specific religion. attack 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! Having been exposed to the Christian belief system for many years I came to the realization that all religions are profit and or control motivated. I hereby resign my membership in the Church of Scientology.". 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. Never, in its long history, has the Catholic Church extorted money in the Confessional. porn I carefully read all of your rebuttals, I watched every video where you presented the churchs position, I listened to all your arguments ever word. I had my disagreements, but I dealt with them internally. Haggis, also a former church member and now prominent critic of Scientology, has been accused by four women of sexual misconduct and assault. Vera, Just use the search function on the home page. 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/was Catholic and I hate to burst everyone's bubble, but they did extort. When I read your post, the great social architects of Hitler, Stalin and Pol Pot come to mind, but I suspect you have something better. We took the little test they gave (probably still give) and were told we needed auditing. tommy UPDATED with more testimony, 5:09 PM: Back on the witness stand Thursday, Paul Haggis denied sexually assaulting any of the four Jane Does who have testified in support of Haleigh Breest, the New Y But a friend from high school, who was with us last night, later moved to San Francisco, where his brother was in Sea Org. Representatives for Remini did not immediately return Insider's request for comment. 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. You're all lemmings. And I have always had a thing for underdogs. * Board Member and fundraiser, For The Arts, For Every Child Excuse me? Haggis directorial follow-up to Crash was In the Valley of Elah which he wrote, directed, and produced, for Warner Independent Pictures. All Rights Reserved. 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. Power corrupts, even in a kindergarten class room (ever talk to a preschool teacher?) torture I hereby resign my membership in the Church of Scientology. -- ThoughtfulClick here to follow Marty's daily updates and what his readers have to say. As for the issue of homosexuality - yes, the Bible states that it is forbidden. I was shocked. Sad. "Meet the abusive individual who turned Scientology into a cult, doesn't practice the religion himself, has refused auditing for 19 years, won't even do a course in Scientology. "I joined the Church of Scientology 35 years ago," Haggis writes. suppression I learned a long time ago that believing in any type of god is very primitive to say the least. And I felt sick. We, as a planet, would all do better if we eliminated these groups of intolerance and hatred. How dare you use private information in order to label someone an adulteress? You took Amy Scobees most intimate admissions about her sexual life and passed them onto the press and then smeared them all over the pages your newsletter! After verifying it's authenticity with his source, Marty decided to publish it so that the import of the issues it covers are fully aired and considered by readers. In 2009, Mr. Haggis left the Church of Scientology over its support of Proposition 8, the ban on same-sex marriage passed by California voters and later overturned. Not that different from any other religion. From hair trends to relationship advice, our daily newsletter has everything you need to sound like a person whos on TikTok, even if you arent. scientologists Davis apparently drew up a press release he showed to Haggis, which eventually got canned. suppressive I've read the whole thread up to this point, and just wanna say, I'm a huge fan of you! 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