Oscar Winner leaves Church of $ over Gay Rights

[the4thpip]

NEW YORK — "Crash" director Paul Haggis has severed his ties with the Church of Scientology, in part because of the organization's stance against gay marriage.

Haggis wrote a letter addressed to Tommy Davis, the head of Scientology's Celebrity Centre. In it, Haggis said he was disappointed by the church's tacit denial of gay rights and its backing of California's gay marriage ban.

The 56-year-old Haggis, who won an Oscar in 2005 for co-writing "Crash," said he was quitting the church after 35 years.

"I could not, in good conscience, be a member of an organization where gay-bashing was tolerated," Haggis wrote.

The filmmaker said that he was promised that action would be taken but that he was frustrated after time passed.

"Silence is consent, Tommy," Haggis wrote. "I refuse to consent."

The letter, dated Aug. 19, was published in a blog about Scientology and has since been widely circulated online.

Ziggy Kozlowski, a publicist for Haggis, confirmed that the director wrote the letter. Kozlowski said the letter was intended to remain private.

Messages left with the Church of Scientology in Los Angeles weren't immediately returned Monday.

For an organization often shrouded in secrecy, the letter offered an unusual window into a dialogue between the church and one of its famous members. Occasionally, Scientology materials are leaked. Last year, a promotional video starring its most famous member, Tom Cruise, was watched by millions.

Haggis said he was "shocked" that the Church of Scientology was publicly denying that it adheres to a policy of disconnection — of severing ties with a friend or family member who's antagonistic toward Scientology. Haggis said that his wife, Deborah Rennard, was given precisely those orders and didn't speak to her parents for more than a year.

"The great majority of Scientologists I know are good people who are genuinely interested in improving conditions on this planet and helping others," Haggis wrote. "I have to believe that if they knew what I now know, they too would be horrified."

Haggis, who also wrote the Oscar-winning "Million Dollar Baby," is shooting "The Next Three Days" in Pittsburgh. It stars Russell Crow, Liam Neeson and Elizabeth Banks.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...RTiCAD9BJ0K1O0

[Red Jack]

Good for Paul.

[jesse_custer]

I'm just wondering why Haggis waited this long. From what I understand, the church has never fought for gay rights. Has Haggis always been for gay rights?

[NickThompson]

Originally Posted by jesse_custer

I'm just wondering why Haggis waited this long. From what I understand, the church has never fought for gay rights. Has Haggis always been for gay rights?

Wouldn't that not neccesarily be an issue? His problem isn't not fighting for gay rights, it's a problem with gay-bashing.

[jesse_custer]

Haggis clearly states that silence is consent--or gay bashing, in other words.

[titanfan]

I'm just wondering why Haggis waited this long. From what I understand, the church has never fought for gay rights. Has Haggis always been for gay rights?

He acts like he's so appalled over the things he discovered in his letter--where if he bothered to google for 5 minutes, he could have found out about this stuff years and years ago.

[M. Bushbug]

Originally Posted by titanfan

He acts like he's so appalled over the things he discovered in his letter--where if he bothered to google for 5 minutes, he could have found out about this stuff years and years ago.

Speaking of using google.

http://www.google.com/search?q=Scien...8&aq=t&rls=com

[Charles RB]

Originally Posted by jesse_custer

I'm just wondering why Haggis waited this long.

It could be that he'd been a bit leery about it for a while now and one little thing just set it all off.

[Electric i]

Originally Posted by M. Bushbug

Speaking of using google.

http://www.google.com/search?q=Scien...8&aq=t&rls=com

Ah yes...Cultists have demonstrated themselves to be tech-savvy. Couple that with the wealth that CSI has at its disposal and you have a powerful organization indeed.

Good for them.

[CYOTI]

The poor fool.

He is going to be hounded by the church of $$$ to the ends of the Earth.

You simply don't leave, the church is like the Mob.

[CBikle]

I think a little gay-bashing is a small price to pay for the security of knowing that there's at least, someone out there keeping the evil Xenu from stealing my thetans.

[Eliseu Gouveia]

He´ll never do business in Hollywood again.

[mikekerr3]

Originally Posted by CYOTI

The poor fool.

He is going to be hounded by the church of $$$ to the ends of the Earth.

You simply don't leave, the church is like the Mob.

He;'s publicly visible enough that they will leave him alone, they can't work in the light of day.

[FeminineMystique]

Originally Posted by mikekerr3

He;'s publicly visible enough that they will leave him alone, they can't work in the light of day.

Much like most forms of vermin, they prefer to skulk in the darkness. And much like most forms of vermin their irritating and seem impossible to get rid of.

[DeadXMan]

Originally Posted by CBikle

I think a little gay-bashing is a small price to pay for the security of knowing that there's at least, someone out there keeping the evil Xenu from stealing my thetans.

All priase to Xenu!