The Catholic church is GROWING. But given how many former top-level executives have said these things are true, it is hard to believe it is all lies. reverse All Rights Reserved. Now if all "religious" people (Christian, Muslim, etc, etc) could just take the leap of knowledge ([. 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. "You had allowed our name to be allied with the worst elements of the Christian Right. We're prohibited from taking stances on political issues. Scientology has claimed that their high-profile defectors hold personal grudges against them for demotions and other bureaucratic failings. Confessionals are not used to extort money idiot. Our core beliefs are family and love for others even those who disagree. I've attached our email correspondence. Internationally, he is renowned for a number of film achievements. And I have always had a thing for underdogs. 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. However, I have finally come to the conclusion that I can no longer be a part of this group. To see you lie so easily, I am afraid I had to ask myself: what else are you lying about? Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. A priest would go to jail before revealing secrets from the confessional, no matter what the cost to himself or his church. Oct. 26 2009, Published 3:30 p.m. In a lengthy resignation letter leaked to the. Exactly pursuant to Hubbard policy on what you do with enemies. 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. Haggis testified the sex act went on for 10 to 20 minutes before . In response to Oh, really. Most Catholics (even very wealthy ones) don't use them. 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 was on Sunday detained in Italy on sexual assault . I would dearly love to be honest with everyone concerned, but I can't. Perhaps if you had done a little more research on me, the church's senior management wouldn't have dismissed those concerns quite so cavalierly. 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. Or at least in the application of the religion or philosophy. Obviously, Harkus was raised Catholic just like I was. That was my last brush. A judge ruled on Friday that director Paul Haggis will be allowed to argue at his upcoming civil trial that the Church of Scientology is behind a rape allegation against him. I am amazed that the reason given by Mr. Haggis for leaving Church of Scientology of San Diego ia due to "their public sponsorship of Proposition 8" which advocates that "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California". Doing good works, from a Christian perspective, is to be done anonymously, according to the Bible - with no fan fare, no pats on the back.. nothing. I have to believe that if they knew what I now know, they too would be horrified. 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. Oscar winning screenwriter and director Paul Haggis ( Crash, Million Dollar Baby) has penned a long letter to a Scientology official in which he outlines the reasons why he's breaking ties with the cult. But I reached a point several weeks ago where I no longer knew what to think. *Signis Award, Venezia, World Catholic Association public 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. Shouldn't the test as to whether a spiritual philosophy or religion is beneficial be that it actually progresses one spiritually? 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. 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. To the extent that anything prohibits or infringes on anyone's civil rights, we don't agree with it. suppressive *Prism Award Entertainment Industries Council It was a terrible time. Their first venture is an adaptation of the celebrated Australian novel The Rangers Apprentice., Haggis was born in London, Ontario, Canada and moved to California in his early 20s. Have you read it? With Paul Haggis, everything is calculated. 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. He's currently filming "The Next Three Days" with former Scientologist actor Jason Beghe, along with Russell Crowe and Liam Neeson. "I joined the Church of Scientology 35 years ago," Haggis writes. 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. These are two 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. Do we all have to risk getting kicked out to get ethics in on DM and others who are enforcing his tyranny? This is why I'm not affiliated with any religion, which is my personal decision. The Paul Haggis Lie Smoking-gun evidence has long exposed Haggis' lies, from his sham "resignation" from the Church of Scientology to his latest conspiracy theory. Religions have been used to allow some to control the masses, and for the most part are male dominated. Robin, there are many of us who will not "come out" as ex-members of $cn because of our existing ties to family and friends who are still in the church. According to Vanity Fair, Boniadi, 32, was audited . Not now. 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. I'm aghast that so many can be lulled into having someone (CoS) tell them how to think, behave, and make decisions with their lives. It isn't a far stretch of the imagination that something like this can balloon, especially when Catholics are programmed from birth to do what the priest says for forgiveness without question. I hereby resign my membership in the Church of Scientology. Mr. Haggis, Bravo and Kudos on finally terminating your long time association with this dreadful, hateful and misguiding organization. Oscar-winning "Crash" director leaves faith, admonishes Church of Scientology. By The Associated Press. Then maybe it's "make sure the zoning law gets passed so the church can continue its work" or "donate $$$ or host a fund raiser so the church can do ____". Some are to just whip through earth time and get to the end. Bottom line: Once Haggis admitted that he lied about his story, he had no credibility. Silence is consent, Tommy. 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. Really? Very quickly, this gentle trusting young man's whole demeanor took a turn for the worse. I can think of no other word. 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. are all things that scare religious organizations. I have always considered the current operation a mind control program, with militaristic overtones. assaulted Dennis. It was over the church's refusal to denounce one chapter's statement of support for Proposition 8. No action was forthcoming. Haggis' publicist said the director does not plan to comment further on the matter. *Hubert H. Humphrey Civil Rights Award Leadership Conference on Civil Rights 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. "During my twenties and early thirties, I studied and received a great deal of counseling. As a former Catholic, I can tell you, Harkus, that once your mind is freed, you can see that the Church had a corrupt history. Haggis is accused of . Our Catechism based belief in the sanctity of marriage between one man and woman, has nothing to do with homophobia; it instead elevates the preservation of the foundation of society-- the nuclear family. we love the sinner and hate the sin. Scientology cult Core Secrets and the Bait and Switch into Exorcism, Scientology, celebrities, & children: why people stay, & why they leave - with Karen De La Carriere, The Life and Death of Alexander Jentzsch, 27, born in the cult of Scientology. 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. Some walk, some fly. Academy Award winning screenwriter Paul Haggis has penned an opus of a different kind: an open letter supporting actress Leah Remini's decision to break with the Church of Scientology. 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. After 35 years as a Scientologist . Jury deadlocked. Paul Haggis testified his resignation letter from Scientology helped Leah Remini leave the church. Haggis, who is best known for his work on Crash, Million Dollar Baby, and Casino Royale, began his time with Scientology before he was in Hollywood, but had a very public resignation in 2009. 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. Paul Haggis testified his resignation letter from Scientology helped Leah Remini leave the church. We don't know anybody by that name." In January 2018, Haggis was . I hope your letter of resignation reaches many people and finally gets the message that this so-called Church is full of the worst kind of misguided teachings. The best you offered was a weak and carefully worded press release, which praised the churchs human rights record and took no responsibility. It is still hard for me to believe. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? You said straight-out there was no such policy, that it did not exist. hubbard So, 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. It can only do good--that is the sort of person you appear to me. ET. These were not the claims made by "outsiders" looking to dig up dirt against us. *Artistic Freedom Award City of West Hollywood But what happens when you are an adult - and someone of power like a city council member, senator or other influential entity? I recall being sent to the priest every time I expressed an independent thought. It is still hard for me to believe. Sadly, for humanity at large to embrace this simple truth would be like expecting intellectual discourse from a field mouse. It's a policy that's been well documented in the press, but especially by the reporting done by the St. Petersburg Times, who've chronicled many members who were once forced to "disconnect" people from their lives. 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. Haggis is currently standing trial in a civil lawsuit concerning a rape allegation. 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. Paul Haggis Pens Open Letter Praising Leah Remini's 'Brave' Break With Scientology. I had my disagreements, but I dealt with them internally. I also ask that you read this post, which is a letter from Paul's ex-wife: About Paul Haggis. miscaviges rinder These accusations were made by top international executives who had devoted most of their lives to the church. 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. Academy Award -winning film director Paul Haggis declared to Scientology spokesman Tommy Davis that he had decided to leave the Church of Scientology after being a member for 35 years. He created the acclaimed, if short-lived, CBS series EZ Streets which the New York Times cited as one of the most influential shows of all time, noting, that without it there would be no Sopranos.. Mars Hill Church Wikipedia. Scientology's Danny Masterson DOES NOT GET ACQUITTED. That's just more BS persecution coming from those who wish to tear down the Catholic church. And that is when I read the recent articles in the St. Petersburg Times. HBO In the wake of Remini's break from Scientology, Haggis wrote an open letter. sexual It's the whole bad apple in the bunch theory - not all priests or churches "extort" via confessional, but some do. Ah Shelama - Myths are such irresitably fat squishy targets, aren't they? 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. Paul Edward Haggis was born on March 10, 1953 in London, Ontario, Canada. Seriously, this doesn't help your credibility when you try to smear with lies that are easily disproved. If your definition of "good for the sake of being good" comes from your own personal definitions, then you have a workable, rock-solid, personal approach to goodness. To win at any cost, costs a lot. Ps. Hurray! *Bill of Rights Award American Civil Liberties Union [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. Haggis' publicist, Ziggy Kozlowski, confirmed to ABCNews.com today that the letter posted on scientology-cult.com Friday was indeed written by the director in August. In 2006, Haggis screenplay collaborations included the duo Clint Eastwood productions Flags of our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima, the latter earning him his third screenplay Oscar nomination. All Rights Reserved. * Member and supporter, Equality For All He is co-founder of Artists for Peace and Justice, a working board member of EMA (The Environmental Media Association) as well as the advocacy group Office Of The Americas, among others. 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. The sleep deprivation and other abuses. The date - Left-align the date you submit the letter under your address. It doesn't suit your argument to twist Haggis' words to fit it. Paul Haggis. 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. 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. "He wanted the church to take an active stance on a political issue, which we don't do. I will always take their calls, as I always took yours. In any case, I applaud Mr. Haggis' decision to leave his church. and less to do with "Myth of the empty tomb." At some point it became evident that you did not value my concerns about the churchs tacit support of an amendment that violated the civil rights of so many of our citizens. Excuse me? *ALMA Award National Council of Latino Civil Rights Most recently, Haggis and his partner Michael Nozik formed Hwy 61 Films, based at United Artists. I called and wrote and implored you, as the official spokesman of the church, to condemn their actions. When it rains, it pours on the Church of Scientology. lies Please don't make blanket statements about groups you don't know and good luck in your journey through life. Not that different from any other religion. Once Haggis admitted that he lied about his story, he had no credibility. 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