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. Representatives for Remini did not immediately return Insider's request for comment. His assertion that Christians are bigoted, hateful homophobes, is well BIGOTED. Our core beliefs are family and love for others even those who disagree. Better type something else nasty before they come and put you back in the straight jacket. 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. I am quietly just not doing anything anymore and trying to avoid communication from orgs. Paul Haggis Resigns from Church of Scientology www May 5th, 2018 - Prob with religion are the people to much power given to few . Although it caused her terrible personal pain, my wife broke off all contact with them. 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. scientologists Haggis' legal team alleges the Church of Scientology, which he left, is behind the claim. are all things that scare religious organizations. Representatives for Remini did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment on Wednesday. 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. All Rights Reserved. I noticed. Lives damaged. 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. 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. *Legacy Award, for Artistic and Humanitarian Achievement attack 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. I wish I could tell you that they rang true. You could publicly state that it doesn't exist? "If you do away with ALL religion, you do away with concern and charity for those you don't know. Most Catholics (even very wealthy ones) don't use them. And he definitely has a point. Furthermore, Haggis saw Davis' interview on CNN, when Davis denied the existence of a "disconnection" policy in which the church orders members to cut non-members out of their lives, as they pose some kind of negative threat towards the work of the church in members' lives. The best thing that the "mens club" known as The United Nations could do would be to outlaw ALL religions and make a brand new start for the world. Quite the contrary, it is our level of respect for the authors life work and integrity that makes us confident many people will benefit from the authors example, others will feel vindicated, and great strides will be made in ending the abuses the letter details. ", Davis also denied Haggis' allegation that the church ordered Rennard to "disconnect from her parents. Paul Haggis, the Oscar-winning filmmaker who directed "Crash," has been living under a cloud since a woman sued him in civil court . Say what you will about them now, these were staunch defenders of the church, including Mike Rinder, the churchs official spokesman for 20 years! And theyve never molested children either I suppose; tithing used to be more than just a suggestion "(Christians) use confessionals to extort money." We, as a planet, would all do better if we eliminated these groups of intolerance and hatred. 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. suppressive "The church doesn't tell people who they should and shouldn't be connected with. Haggis is currently standing trial in a civil lawsuit concerning a rape allegation. All those years of indoctrination by the priest and nuns in Catholic school took their toll on me. abuses 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. Now, Oscar-winning Crash director Paul Haggis' public resignation from Scientology has leaked. You want to rebut her accusations, do it, and do it in the strongest terms possible but that kind of character assassination is unconscionable. "That's how all this started. ", "The church's refusal to denounce the actions of these bigots, hypocrites and homophobes is cowardly. No one's sins are ever 'outed' to the world. A lot of us Mission Owners are looking for a way to be 100% independent of the Int Base, and corporate scientology. Priests have gone to prison to defend the secrecy of the Confessional. -- ThoughtfulClick here to follow Marty's daily updates and what his readers have to say. Shouldn't the test as to whether a spiritual philosophy or religion is beneficial be that it actually progresses one spiritually? "I can't . 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. Kozlowski added that it was "intended as a private correspondence between [Haggis] and Tom Davis" and that he has no idea how it was leaked. And in it I saw you deny the churchs policy of disconnection. 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. Religions have been used to allow some to control the masses, and for the most part are male dominated. 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. - marketing the work of artisans from the poorest countries in the world, Power corrupts, even in a kindergarten class room (ever talk to a preschool teacher?) Tommy, if only a fraction of these accusations are true, we are talking about serious, indefensible human and civil rights violations. Thats not ancient history, Tommy. Mars Hill Church Wikipedia. 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. 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 . How are things in the rubber room? It can only do good--that is the sort of person you appear to me. When disgraced director Paul Haggis was arrested in Italy on June 19, 2022, for what police are calling the violent sexual assault of a young woman, Leah Remini was notably silent. The best you offered was a weak and carefully worded press release, which praised the church's human rights record and took no responsibility. Podcast: Mike Rinder Talks to Jeffrey Augustine About His Bestselling New Book A Billion Years: My Escape From a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology. And you could laugh at the question as if it was a joke? 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. 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. Even that, you decided not to publish. we love the sinner and hate the sin. Anyone who was around knows that the beatings occurred. Reformed Episcopal Church Wikipedia. * Member and supporter, Death Penalty Focus Mon 26 Oct 2009 12.29 EDT. A group of decent people mislead, betrayed and controlled by their management. People are so attached to their money it would have never lasted this long. I will always take their calls, as I always took yours. 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. You might recall that my wife was ordered to disconnect from her parents because of something absolutely trivial they supposedly did twenty-five years ago when they resigned from the church. To win at any cost, costs a lot. Say what you will about them now, these were staunch defenders of the church, including Mike Rinder, the church's official spokesman for 20 years! Look at the whacknut uniforms the elite Scientologists are forced to wear. Do we all have to risk getting kicked out to get ethics in on DM and others who are enforcing his tyranny? 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." Please reread the letter. Well, luckily I have never held myself up to be anyones role model. Vera, Just use the search function on the home page. Scientology is now in a state of Civil War. Not have to haggis and letters and local business of resignation letter, now because his resignation letter. A priest would go to jail before revealing secrets from the confessional, no matter what the cost to himself or his church. It sounds like a place that takes advantage of its members and doesn't allow for any disagreement. 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." I didn't have to search for verification I didn't have to look any further than my own home. I attended 2 years of Catholic High School and wrote a paper for religion class about "buying forgiveness" and the dangers it presents - and got kicked out of school for my troubles. Independence, unfettered knowledge, freedom of thought etc. He registered his distaste for the church's stances on homosexuality via phone calls and letters. Some walk, some fly. tommy rinder 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. The point is this is a huge blow to David Miscavige, at least he's still got Tom Cruise fooled. *Image Award NAACP Jury deadlocked. "Unlike the rest of my former friends, she expressed real sadness that I was . Catholicism is an invitation to holiness. clear I had my disagreements, but I dealt with them internally. Please don't make blanket statements about groups you don't know and good luck in your journey through life. . An answer to the corrupt monopoly of Scientology. Marty hopes that the author of the letter will understand that by publishing the letter we mean no disrespect. We all know this policy exists. As a former zombie, I would welcome that. But they would MAKE you pay by saying if you didn't you wouldn't go through the pearly gates. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. If you redefine marriage for gay couples, why not includes polygamists or other variations? ", "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. The Catholic church is consistent, and failures in society do not change truth. His fear was genuine and only confirmed what we were already learning about the church back then. One personal having the courage to do what you did can cause an entire shaky house of cards to changeor fall. Ps. 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. This was my state of mind when I was online doing research and chanced upon an interview clip with you on CNN. There has been corruption through all religions. The great majority of Scientologists I know are good people who are genuinely interested in improving conditions on this planet and helping others. 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. *Environmental Media Award EMA "the same face that denied the policy of disconnection". These were not the claims made by outsiders looking to dig up dirt against us. I would respect his stance more if he were consistent. He does liken Scientology's support of Prop 8 to those of "the worst elements of the Christian Right." I have always considered the current operation a mind control program, with militaristic overtones. In his letter, he never makes the generalization that all Christians are bigotted or homophobes. 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. 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. I've never been good at following orders, especially when I find them morally reprehensible. At the time of Larrys article and book I withheld the fact that Marty had reached out to me by email.I withheld that information from Larry Wright. Not that Larry Wright would have cared: Paul Haggis served his purpose for Wright, who did no fact checking. Paul Haggis; Church of Scientology; Haggis; Leah Remini; British Cuisine Not now. cult But I am tolerant of those who chose to do so - that's their right. And it also doesn't help them that Church defector Marty Rathburn has apparently confirmed the letter's legitimacy as definitely coming from Haggis. Paul Haggis testified his resignation letter from Scientology helped Leah Remini leave the church. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider This was my state of mind when I was online doing research and chanced upon an interview clip with you on CNN. Paul Haggis, the Canadian-born writer, director, and producer best known for the Oscar-winning Best Picture Crash, was arrested on Sunday in the southern Italian city of Ostuni.The New York Times . "I will always take their calls, as I always took yours. Haggis also asserted that the church "ordered" his wife, actress Deborah Rennard, to "disconnect from her parents because of something absolutely trivial they supposedly did twenty-five years ago when they resigned from the church. Ive never been good at following orders, especially when I find them morally reprehensible. Two Weapon Fighting Attack Of Opportunity Penalty. I'm not condemning those who wish to belong to any specific religion. Scientology spokesman Davis denied Haggis' claims that the church or its San Diego chapter had supported Proposition 8. 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. The bottom then fell out of the Haggis lie when Mark Marty Rathbun, anti-Scientologist and former guru to both Paul Haggis and Leah Remini, 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 promised action. Internationally, he is renowned for a number of film achievements. 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. Dennis igou says >>>we know the xtians (Christians) use confessionals to extort money. Haggis' final bomb, which is going to ring true to many, many Scientologists on every level, is about that same St. Petersburg Times report, in which the Church dredged up old documents and audits on their members to expose salacious, damning details about their personal lives to paint their defection as a cover for their personal indiscretions. Ten months passed. assaulted 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. Bottom line: Once Haggis admitted that he lied about his story, he had no credibility. Ps. Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis is fighting a rape lawsuit in New York City. We don't know anybody by that name." You are wrong. 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". 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. To Dennis Igou- you "know" nothing of the sort. trafficking in the first place? 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. Check the stats. 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. I refuse to consent.". Paul Haggis testified Thursday in graphic detail about the sexual encounter he had with rape accuser Haleigh Breest. Isn't the proof in the pudding? 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. 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. divorce What method would you use to wipe out religious thinking from the mind of humanity? 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. We took the little test they gave (probably still give) and were told we needed auditing. Haggis wrote a letter expressing his misgivings about the church, which was later leaked to the press. The Catholic church is consistent, and corporate Scientology one spiritually little test they gave ( probably still )! Probably still give ) and were told we needed auditing resignation from Scientology has.! Do good -- that is the sort of person you appear to me he had rape! Following orders, especially when I find them morally reprehensible make blanket statements about you... 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