Oscar-winning director of 'Crash', Paul Haggis, dumps Scientology over Prop 8

[ccharles000]

Paul Haggis belonged to the Church of Scientology for 35 years, so this very public break, written in a letter directerd at Scientology's current national spokesman, Tommy Davis, was published by ex-Scientologist Marty Rathbun. A snippet:

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.

...The great majority of Scientologists I know are good people who are genuinely interested in improving conditions on this planet and helping others. I have to believe that if they knew what I now know, they too would be horrified. 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. 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. I will always take their calls, as I always took yours. However, I have finally come to the conclusion that I can no longer be a part of this group. 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. I am only ashamed that I waited this many months to act. I hereby resign my membership in the Church of Scientology.

http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/13762/oscarwinning-director-of-crash-paul-haggis-dumps-scientology-over-prop-8

[mitchum]

1. There goes his networking

[glen123098]

2. Scientology's anti gay viewpoint is just one of many reasons to stay away from them.

I did a report on Scientology back in college. They are the most corrupt "religion" there is, with the possible exception of Jim Jones cult.

[MindandSoul]

3. Denouncing support by Church of Scientiolgy for Prop 8

This is good news! I hope it demonstrate real progress toward erasing the harm done by prop 8 and finally recognizing that the right to marry for gay people is a human right.

[KamaAina]

4. He'll never work in this town again

by "this town", of course, they mean Clearwater, Fla.

[Spazito]

5. WTG Mr. Haggis!

I hope others follow his lead!

[Ikonoklast]

6. Enturbulator.

Watch the long knives come out for Haggis now that he kicked those frauds to the curb.

[Kerrytravelers]

7. Well done, Mr. Haggis, well done.

:applause:

[dmr]

8. I've got a lot of respect for this man n/t

[donco6]

9. I wonder what the "event" was that he referred to?

I can't find it.

[Feron]

10. Good for him.

I'm always happy to read that someone else has left that evil cult.

[Imagine My Surprise]

11. I knew dated a gay Scientologist who lived directly across...

from the L. Ron Hubbard Center on L. Ron Hubbard Way in the heart of Hollywood. He lived with his parents who were totally OK about it. I'm not sure where the homophobia came from. Unless they've changed.