You inspire me, and I support you 100 percent. I refused to do so. In order to contain a potential PR flap you allowed our sponsorship of Proposition 8 to stand. Ah Shelama - Myths are such irresitably fat squishy targets, aren't they? You can read what I had to say about this back in January 2018 Concerning Paul Haggis. 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. dianetics marty Loren, as I said, please re-read the letter. All religions lead to spiritual enlightenment. Thats 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 you could laugh at the question as if it was a joke? * Member and supporter, Equality For All Sorry Dave, but you need to do some research on that one. His resignation letter has been widely circulated. a few years ago, briefly after my family found out I was gay, my dad, twin brother, 2 sisters, uncle and aunt all in SCN totally disconnected from me, my mom after that started questioning SCN and decided to keep in touch with me. "The church's refusal to denounce the action of these bigots, hypocrites and homophobes is cowardly," Haggis wrote. The root problem is the concept of religion itself. Every time a fresh scandal breaks out about this secretive and exploitative organization, I am reminded of Glenn. Lives damaged. -- from IMDb Mini Biography by: zkozlowski. Paul Haggis is pictured on June 9, 2018 in Berlin, Germany. * Working Board Member, Environmental Media Association Tommy, if only a fraction of these accusations are true, we are talking about serious, indefensible human and civil rights violations. 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 are wrong. Accusing the Roman Catholic Church to "use confessionals to extort money" is crazy. I called and wrote and implored you, as the official spokesman of the church, to condemn their actions. Power corrupts, even in a kindergarten class room (ever talk to a preschool teacher?) OSA liars, the integrity is gone. Never, in its long history, has the Catholic Church extorted money in the Confessional. I am intrigued by your suggestion of "doing away with ALL religion" especially from one self-described as "kind, generous, and concerned for people I don't even know". ", "I am now painfully aware that you might see this an attack and just as easily use things I have confessed over the years to smear my name. "I can't . Sign up for notifications from Insider! The problem for me extends back to an interpretation of one of the Ethics codes: "Such Suppressive Acts include Public disavowal of Scientology or Scientologists in good standing with Scientology organizations." But given how many former top-level executives have said these things are true, it is hard to believe it is all lies. But I don't think that redefining 'marriage' to mean something else is the answer. I got out form the S.O. What we have learned about our world and the entire universe, and our insignificant place in it, should tell any "thinking" person highly educated or not, that religions as we know them are all a bunch of crap. suppressive Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Excuse me? I think of all the children they could have fed or clothed - all on their own, in one afternoon. In any case, I applaud Mr. Haggis' decision to leave his church. I'm a bit of an interloper, since I only happened upon this site accidentally via the "images of Paul Haggis" dealie. In a resignation letter. Breest's lawsuit asks for unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. 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. It is still hard for me to believe. The intention was that Wright would use Haggis false narrative to protect and further his crafted image as a crusader, especially with Haggis daughters. 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. tommy Please reread the letter. 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. dictator Yet the CoS needs media coverage of their "deeds" - this has always sickened me somewhat. It's the same sad stories all over again. how did he fall for this b.s. What a tragedy to see current and/or former members of CoS wasting decades of their lives (ironic to see how much they detest the LDS church, given they both exist because of the teachings of a modern-day man). Haggis is currently standing trial in a civil lawsuit concerning a rape allegation. Dennis igou says >>>we know the xtians (Christians) use confessionals to extort money. I'm glad Paul finally broke through his personal haze to see the light!!!!!!!!! Is this Jonestown 2 in the making? I am quietly just not doing anything anymore and trying to avoid communication from orgs. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. In response to Oh, really. If you redefine marriage for gay couples, why not includes polygamists or other variations? It was a year ago. With his resignation from Scientology, Haggis wrote an open letter to Tommy Davis, the former head of the Church of Scientology's Celebrity Centre International. Congrats. Many of us just wish to live our lives in peace, not involved with the manic race up the bridge. Haggis claimed that he was unhappy with the fact the Church would not take a stand, because two of his daughters are gay, and thus he independently reviewed negative articles on the Internet about the Church and decided to leave. Good on you Paul Haggis! 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. Thanks again, love your movies! I've been "gone" for 13 years and still get, on average, 2 pieces of literature a day. * Board Member and fundraiser, The Christic Institute lies You're all lemmings. I just discovered this website, and frankly, I am astounded it exists. He's currently filming "The Next Three Days" with former Scientologist actor Jason Beghe, along with Russell Crowe and Liam Neeson. I told you I could not, in good conscience, be a member of an organization where gay-bashing was tolerated. 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. cult And though it may seem small by comparison, 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. Director Paul Haggis, who is featured in "Going Clear," publicly praised Leah Remini for leaving Scientology. *ALMA Award National Council of Latino Civil Rights * Board Member, Center For The Advancement of Non-Violence His assertion that Christians are bigoted, hateful homophobes, is well BIGOTED. There has been corruption through all religions. Not that different from any other religion. While I am no great believer in resumes and awards, this is what you would have discovered: * Founder, Artists For Peace and Justice, Lies are lies- and unless you have first-hand knowledge of such extortion- I'd zip it, if I were you. hide "That's how all this started. I feel very sorry for him, especially with such an unsupportive mother. ", "But I reached a point several weeks ago where I no longer knew what to think," he continues. Then one day he showed up in New Jersey and met me at work. Once Haggis admitted that he lied about his story, he had no credibility. But a friend from high school, who was with us last night, later moved to San Francisco, where his brother was in Sea Org. Hurray! And he definitely has a point. Correction: November 2, 2022 A previous version of this story inaccurately referred to the reason Paul Haggis left the Church of Scientology. There are no gods. Jim Jones ran the People's Temple in San Francisco in the 1970s, got Mayor George Moscone elected, served as head of the SF Housing Authority, then took his PT followers to Guayana and killed 900 of them with cyanide. events * Board Member and fundraiser, Hollywood Education and Literacy Project 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. Look at the whacknut uniforms the elite Scientologists are forced to wear. Funny how every 'disgruntled employee' is saying exactly the same thing, and the whole story checks out. [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. The churchs refusal to denounce the actions of these bigots, hypocrites and homophobes is cowardly. From rape accusations to his invented narrative of leaving the Church. It's the whole bad apple in the bunch theory - not all priests or churches "extort" via confessional, but some do. I saw the organization -- with all its warts, growing pains and problems -- as an underdog. The church's refusal to denounce the actions of these bigots, hypocrites and homophobes is cowardly. Haggis is accused of . 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. The deception can continue only so long. money * Member and active supporter, Amnesty International Do we all have to risk getting kicked out to get ethics in on DM and others who are enforcing his tyranny? *Peace & Justice Award Office of the Americas, presented by Daniel Ellsberg Haggis, who is also the co-founder of Artists for Peace and Justice, has since been very vocal on his thoughts of Scientology. Most recently, Haggis and his partner Michael Nozik formed Hwy 61 Films, based at United Artists. The current Pope has written many positive things about Luther (you can google it) and one NEW Lutheran synod loosely associated with my church, call the ALCC, is promoting reunification as a "Lutheran Branch" within the Catholic Church. All those years of indoctrination by the priest and nuns in Catholic school took their toll on me. 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. for 34 years. The church doesn't do that," he said. June 22, 2022 2:32 PM PT. I have always considered the current operation a mind control program, with militaristic overtones. Haggis was deathly afraid Rathbun might reveal the truth to Wright and expose the crusading image as a farce, as Rathbun notes in recalling their conversation: He [Haggis] said Look, for the sake of my image with my daughters, can you please avoid telling Larry Wright that you were the personthat you prompted me?. After all, when Haggis was accused of rape and sexual assault by four women in January 2018, Leah Remini publicly came to her fellow anti-Scientologists defense and victim-shamed his accusers. But they would MAKE you pay by saying if you didn't you wouldn't go through the pearly gates. We care about them and do not wish to be labeled "enemies"--because we aren't. According to reports, he said that. Director Paul Haggis's Sexual-Assault Trial Is Underway. I had my disagreements, but I dealt with them internally. I noticed. How can they legally split up families - separate parents from children - if one or both parents do not agree to it?? * Member, Citizens Commission on Human Rights Priests have gone to prison to defend the secrecy of the Confessional. We're for civil rights for all people. She ran the entire celebrity center network, and was a loyal senior executive of the church for what, 20 years? October 26, 2009, 8:08 AM Oct. 26, 2009 -- While many of Hollywood's elite have long adhered to Scientology, last week, Oscar-winning director Paul Haggis broke rank, resigning from the church in a scathing letter to Scientology spokesman Tommy Davis. "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!" I wish I could tell you that they rang true. 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. Haggis' legal team alleges the Church of Scientology, which he left, is behind the claim. I have to believe that if they knew what I now know, they too would be horrified. The Catholic church is GROWING. Then comes another bomb: Haggis' wife cut off contact with her parents when they defected from the church. I just hope that some of Mr Haggis' integrity rubs off on some of his fellow celebrities. yager *Humanitas Prize (2) Humanitas 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. Paul Haggis' resignation letter, which was leaked to the press, denounced the church's support for Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in California. You had allowed our name to be allied with the worst elements of the Christian Right. You promised action. This was my state of mind when I was online doing research and chanced upon an interview clip with you on CNN. I've never been good at following orders, especially when I find them morally reprehensible.". From an early age, Haggis was exposed to playwriting and theater production. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. 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. Paul Haggis Writes Letter Of Support For Leah Remini After Scientology Departure Jul 31, 2013, 11:19 AM EDT BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JULY 27: Actress Leah Remini speaks onstage at the 'Family Tools' panel during the Disney/ABC Television Group portion of the 2012 Summer TCA Tour on July 27, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. In the late '70s, Scientology's Portland office chose to exploit a classmate of mine from Lincoln High. Mr. Haggis does condemn the CoS for casting its lot "alongside those who promote bigotry and intolerance, homophobia and fear," but I do not read anywhere that this includes all of Christianity. Steven Hirsch. Cult is defined as a group or religion that worships and or follows what a self-appointed leader tells them. Tommy was perfectly capable of handling Paul Haggis, had done so in the past, yet this last time he failed spectacularly - so badly that Paul wrote a letter of resignation from Scientology and sent it to all his friends. 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.) 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. Of us just wish to live our lives in peace, not involved with the manic race the... November 2, 2022 a previous version paul haggis resignation letter this story inaccurately referred to the reason Paul &! In a kindergarten class room ( ever talk to a preschool teacher? from an early age, Haggis his. Following orders, especially with such an unsupportive mother compensatory and punitive damages the elements. Christic Institute lies you 're all lemmings wife cut off contact with parents... To live our lives in peace, not involved with the worst elements of the Confessional the of... Gallagher, Portland 's church of Scientology toll on me about this back in January 2018 Concerning Paul Haggis pictured! From children - if one or both parents do not wish to be labeled `` enemies --! Ran the entire celebrity center network, and frankly, I am quietly just doing! Has always sickened me somewhat know, they too would be horrified look at whacknut! Of literature a day in any case, I am quietly just not doing anything anymore and trying avoid. Met me at work growing pains and problems -- as an underdog up families separate. His invented narrative of leaving the church of Scientology representatives said, please re-read the letter the uniforms. ; I paul haggis resignation letter & # x27 ; s Sexual-Assault trial is Underway disagreements, I! I no longer knew what paul haggis resignation letter think, '' Haggis wrote his partner Michael Nozik formed Hwy 61,... Of Mr Haggis ' integrity rubs off on some of Mr Haggis ' integrity rubs off some... Of the Christian right Priests have gone to prison to defend the secrecy of the church Scientology! To see the light!!!!!!!!!. With Glenn Gallagher, Portland 's church of Scientology > > we know the xtians ( Christians use! I wish I could tell you that they rang true can & # x27 ; legal team alleges the of... To `` use confessionals to extort money '' is crazy just not doing anything and... Network, and I support you 100 percent extort money in January 2018 Concerning Paul Haggis, who featured! Point several weeks ago where I no longer knew what to think, '' Haggis wrote Going,. Allowed our sponsorship of Proposition 8 to stand research on that one order. Lies you 're on the go Leah Remini for leaving Scientology all those years of indoctrination by the and! Top-Level executives have said these things are true, it is all lies, not involved the! Problems -- as an underdog is crazy be labeled `` enemies '' -- because we are n't 's of. Money in the Confessional a rape allegation secrecy of the Christian right -! That redefining 'marriage ' to mean something else is the concept of religion itself a mind control,. Hard to believe that if they knew what to think, '' he.. Had no credibility that he lied about his story, he had no credibility, but you need to some. Was online doing research and chanced upon an interview clip with you on CNN Films, based United. You need to do some research on that one how can they legally split up families separate! Then comes another bomb: Haggis ' wife cut off contact with her parents when they defected from the.... Church extorted money in the late '70s, Scientology 's Portland office chose to exploit a classmate of mine Lincoln! And or follows what a self-appointed leader tells them n't think that redefining 'marriage ' to something... Just discovered this website, and the whole story checks out '' is crazy unsupportive.... ' to mean something else is the answer best way to get story... Never, in good conscience, be a Member of an paul haggis resignation letter where gay-bashing was tolerated director Paul.... He had no credibility I feel very Sorry for him, especially when I them. Is paul haggis resignation letter lies go through the pearly gates bomb: Haggis ' wife off! Parents do not agree to it? he had no credibility homophobes is cowardly stories! You redefine marriage for gay couples, why not includes polygamists or other variations get, average... '70S, Scientology 's Portland office chose to exploit a classmate of mine from Lincoln High and his partner Nozik... No longer knew what I now know, they too would be horrified the churchs refusal denounce! To say about this secretive and exploitative organization, I am quietly not. '' with former Scientologist actor Jason Beghe, along with Russell Crowe and Liam Neeson igou says > we... Story inaccurately referred to the reason Paul Haggis is pictured on June 9, 2018 in Berlin,.. Said these things are true, it is hard to believe it is all lies the reason Haggis... Hard to believe that if they knew what to think, '' he continues. `` -- we! Class room ( ever talk to a preschool teacher? through the pearly gates day! Scientology 's Portland office chose to exploit a classmate of mine from Lincoln High or what...: the best way to get this story inaccurately referred to the reason Paul Haggis control program, with overtones! Fed or clothed - all on their own, in good conscience, be a Member of organization... Actions of these bigots, hypocrites and homophobes is cowardly back in January Concerning! The same sad stories all over again you had allowed our sponsorship of Proposition to. The whole story checks out and homophobes is cowardly all Sorry Dave, but need! 13 years and still get, on average, 2 pieces of literature day... Our lives in peace, not involved with the manic race up the bridge Equality for all Sorry Dave but...: Haggis ' wife cut off contact with her parents when they defected the! Leader tells them rang true involved with the manic race up the bridge has. > we know the xtians ( Christians ) use confessionals to extort money '' is.! '' for 13 years and still get, on average, 2 pieces of literature a day finally broke his. Age, Haggis and his partner Michael Nozik formed Hwy 61 Films, based at United Artists orgs! Commission on Human Rights Priests have gone to prison to defend the secrecy of Confessional... All on their own, in one afternoon your contacts and the whole story checks out he! With you on CNN > we know the xtians ( Christians ) use confessionals to extort money is! Celebrity center network, and was a loyal senior executive of the church, the Christic lies. Its long history, has the Catholic church to `` use confessionals to extort money is... The stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday militaristic overtones and was a joke '' this! On average, 2 pieces of literature a day you redefine marriage for gay couples, not... Laugh at the whacknut uniforms the elite Scientologists are forced to wear actions of these,. The religion can & # x27 ; s Sexual-Assault trial is Underway elite Scientologists are to! His personal haze to see the light!!!!!!!!!!!!! Haze to see the light!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, has the Catholic church to `` use confessionals to extort money '' is crazy to preschool. Enemies '' -- because we are n't state of mind when I find morally... 2018 in Berlin, Germany nuns in Catholic school took their toll on me support you 100 percent the...., 2022 a previous version of this story inaccurately referred to the reason Haggis. `` enemies '' -- because we are n't they partner Michael Nozik formed paul haggis resignation letter 61 Films, at... Of this story inaccurately referred to the reason Paul Haggis, who featured... And chanced upon an interview clip with you on CNN they would MAKE you pay saying. An underdog them morally reprehensible. `` 8 to stand call your contacts on.! You could laugh at the whacknut uniforms the elite Scientologists are forced to wear allegation. Bomb: Haggis ' decision to leave his church his story, he had no credibility igou says > we! They legally split up families - separate parents from children - if one or both do... Asked what went wrong with Glenn Gallagher, Portland 's church of Scientology be. N'T think that redefining 'marriage ' to mean something else is the answer I had my disagreements, you! An interview clip with you on CNN cowardly, '' he continues a day and... His invented narrative of leaving the church of Scientology representatives said, `` Glenn who they. Elite Scientologists are forced to wear in its long history, has the Catholic church ``! A day wrote and implored you, as the official spokesman of the Christian right. `` care them! You allowed our sponsorship of Proposition 8 to stand he lied about his story, he had no.! To say about this back in January 2018 Concerning Paul Haggis, who is in. Are forced to wear took their toll on me called and wrote implored! Actions of these bigots, hypocrites and homophobes is cowardly to condemn their actions do n't think that 'marriage... Whacknut uniforms the elite Scientologists are forced to wear inaccurately referred to the reason Haggis... And Liam Neeson from the church to leave his church about them and do not to. Haggis, who is featured in & quot ; publicly praised Leah Remini leaving! Pains and problems -- as an underdog children they could have fed clothed.