Hollywood Writer Director Paul Haggis Quits Scientology
Hollywood Oscar-winning director and writer, Paul Haggis has publicly renounced Scientology after being a member for 35 years, reports many Hollywood celebrity gossip news rumor sites. He left the cult religion popular with Hollywood stars including Tom Cruise and John Travolta.
Paul Haggis sent a scathing letter to the church’s PR guy Tommy Davis which says the church broke its promises on Prop 8:
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.
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 fact that the Mormon Church drew all the fire, that no one noticed, doesn’t matter. I noticed. And I felt sick. 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.
“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. 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. In fact it was they who introduced my wife to Scientology.
Although it caused her terrible personal pain, my wife broke off all contact with them. I refused to do so. I’ve never been good at following orders, especially when I find them morally reprehensible.
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. It was a terrible time.
That’s not ancient history, Tommy. It was a year ago.
Paul Haggis wrote the multiple academy award winning film, Crash, Million Dollar Baby, directed and produced many others including Quantum Of Solace, Letter From Iwo Jima, Casino Royale and Flags Of Our Fathers. He also wrote for many TV shows including LA Law and Facts Of Our Lives.
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