I'm not surprised that Harkus would automatically defend the Church. Who you get in bed with is STILL a choice, as is all behavior. ", "But I reached a point several weeks ago where I no longer knew what to think," he continues. - sponsoring schools, an orphanage and a children's hospital in the slums of Haiti Say what you will about them now, these were staunch defenders of the church, including Mike Rinder, the churchs official spokesman for 20 years! OSA liars, the integrity is gone. To help you draft your resignation letter, here's a checklist of what to include: Your name and address - Follow proper business letter formatting and place your name and address in a centered list at the top of the page. It is still hard for me to believe. I can think of no other word. 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. He also had a raft of celebs ready to give him credibility. As we can see, the business of Scientology is now beginning to fail but the GATES OF HELL will NOT prevail against the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, although I admit evil has attempted, it will NEVER overpower the Blood of Christ. All Rights Reserved. Writer: Crash. 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. ", "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 goes on later in his letter. donations Or at least in the application of the religion or philosophy. I was left feeling outraged, and frankly, more than a little stupid. Never, in its long history, has the Catholic Church extorted money in the Confessional. Step one, as always, is to throw the bums out and get some honest leadership. Look at the whacknut uniforms the elite Scientologists are forced to wear. Paul Haggis established himself over twenty years with an extensive career in television, before his big break into features arrived when he became the first screenwriter to garner two Best Film Academy Awards back-to-back for his scripts: "Million Dollar Baby" (2004) directed by Clint Eastwood, and "Crash" (2005) which Paul directed himself. scientologist We Catholics and non-Catholics have grown up with programming of our own. And I have always had a thing for underdogs. 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. This website is a simple answer to those who tried to monopolize and corporatize spiritual freedom: An open gateway dedicated to helping people move up to higher levels of awareness and ability under their own steam. The interview lasted maybe ten minutes it was just you and the newscaster. I heard the same voice that professed outrage at our support of Proposition 8, who promised to correct it, and did nothing. Well, luckily I have never held myself up to be anyones role model. Awards for outspoken support of Civil and Human Rights: * Valentine Davies Award Writers Guild of America for bringing honor and dignity to writers everywhere *Bill of Rights Award American Civil Liberties Union *Hubert H. Humphrey Civil Rights Award Leadership Conference on Civil Rights *Peace & Justice Award Office of the Americas, presented by Daniel Ellsberg *Signis Award, Venezia, World Catholic Association *ALMA Award National Council of Latino Civil Rights *Ethel Levitt Award for Humanitarian Service Levitt & Quinn *Prism Award Entertainment Industries Council *Humanitas Prize (2) Humanitas *Legacy Award, for Artistic and Humanitarian Achievement *Environmental Media Award EMA *EMA Green Seal Award EMA *Image Award NAACP *Creative Integrity Award Multicultural Motion Picture Association *EDGE Awards (2) Entertainment Industries Council *Artistic Freedom Award City of West Hollywood *Catholics in Media Award Catholics in Media Associates. But the accused rapist continues to shop his scripted story to media who will buy it. I agree. I recall being sent to the priest every time I expressed an independent thought. The great majority of Scientologists I know are good people who are genuinely interested in improving conditions on this planet and helping others. He also said he hoped it would "open the eyes" of those still with the church and help them "get out.". Paul Haggis testified his resignation letter from Scientology helped Leah Remini leave the church. 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. 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. 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. "Unlike the rest of my former friends, she expressed real sadness that I was . * Board Member, Office of The Americas I think of all the children they could have fed or clothed - all on their own, in one afternoon. Good on you Paul Haggis! Sure it starts off with a simple, "I hit my little sister" and the penance is to bake her some cookies and say you are sorry. 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. 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. It's about not living in a glass house. sexual Excuse me? That's just more BS persecution coming from those who wish to tear down the Catholic church. ", Davis also denied Haggis' allegation that the church ordered Rennard to "disconnect from her parents. scientologists I have always considered the current operation a mind control program, with militaristic overtones. *Prism Award Entertainment Industries Council * Founding Board Member, Earth Communication Office This was my state of mind when I was online doing research and chanced upon an interview clip with you on CNN. In a lengthy resignation letter leaked to the. In his letter, he never makes the generalization that all Christians are bigotted or homophobes. Some people like pickles, some like cucumbers. You said straight-out there was no such policy, that it did not exist. miscavige ), and wanted to add a few thoughts Copyright 2008. "The church doesn't tell people who they should and shouldn't be connected with. The church doesn't do that," he said. * Fundraiser, El Rescate Human Rights for El Salvador However, I have finally come to the conclusion that I can no longer be a part of this group. Mon 26 Oct 2009 12.29 EDT. I knew Jim Jones, and he also practiced disconnection, confessions, sleep dep, and physical abuse to defend his liturgy. Those poor, poor people who are still stuck in COS. Mike Rinder could certainly spin a lot more convincingly. Thank you for your courage despite the personal pain it may cause you. 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". "During my twenties and early thirties, I studied and received a great deal of counseling. Ps. That people could fanatically embrace the Christian Myth, based on the Jewish life and Roman death of the historical Jesus from Nazareth, makes it not so far-fetched to understand how they could fall for the L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology myths. torture The point is this is a huge blow to David Miscavige, at least he's still got Tom Cruise fooled. terror No action was forthcoming. 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. 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, if only a fraction of these accusations are true, we are talking about serious, indefensible human and civil rights violations. Lives damaged. According to Vanity Fair, Boniadi, 32, was audited . From rape accusations to his invented narrative of leaving the Church. These were not the claims made by "outsiders" looking to dig up dirt against us. Why waste time on that, don't you have more important things to do? Mistrial. I had my disagreements, but I dealt with them internally. assaulted During my twenties and early thirties I studied and received a great deal of counseling. And you could laugh at the question as if it was a joke? Some stop by and smell the roses. My understanding is that scientology previously sued the cult awareness network (CAN) to not only stifle free speech, but to actually take over CAN. Although it caused her terrible personal pain, my wife broke off all contact with them. But then again, Remini also proudly boasted that she refused to vet the credibility of her subjects, and that A&Es attorneys let her get away with it. The fact that the Mormon Church drew all the fire, that no one noticed, doesnt matter. And I felt sick. Alas, with religions out there, those seekers may not easily find the path to your person wisdom. Cost them their jobs. *Catholics in Media Award Catholics in Media Associates. Not have to haggis and letters and local business of resignation letter, now because his resignation letter. SCARY - very scary! 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. 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. Steven Hirsch. I openly and vigorously defended the church when ever it was criticized, as I railed against the kind of intolerance that I believed was directed against it. 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. To see you lie so easily, I am afraid I had to ask myself: what else are you lying about? 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. We care about them and do not wish to be labeled "enemies"--because we aren't. You inspire me, and I support you 100 percent. Funny how every 'disgruntled employee' is saying exactly the same thing, and the whole story checks out. 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. We, as a planet, would all do better if we eliminated these groups of intolerance and hatred. 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. 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". Isn't the proof in the pudding? UPDATE: The Church of Scientology has reached out to Bustle, stating: "The accusations made in the film are entirely false and alleged without ever asking the Church.". And for those that have had questions about Scientology before, Haggis' letter proves to reveal some interesting facts from someone once on the inside, and while we see some of it in HBO's Going Clear, there's a bit more when you look at the entire document. Mr. Haggis, as all who support this lifestyle, push these labels on everyone to try to shame them, when it is he who should be shamed for supporting this culture of death and immorality. Paul Haggis Resigns from Church of Scientology www May 5th, 2018 - Paul Haggis is the Academy award winning filmmaker who in 2006 became the first . Hurray! 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. 0:00. Maybe DM should send Heber next time. "Scientology has been taken over by a self-appointed dictator, David Miscavige, who has turned the Creed of the Church of Scientology, the Code of a Scientologist, and the Credo of a True Group Member on their heads and instituted the virtual practice of Reverse (Black) Dianetics" Learn More iscientology.orgScientology Reviews Free and Able The Truth RundownMike Rinder's Blog Friends of L. Ron Hubbard SaveScientology.com RediscoverScientology.com Karen de la Carriere Spiritual Freedom Zone A Guide for the DisillusionedGerman Independents SuperPower fraud. * Member and supporter, Equality For All * Member and Award Recipient, American Civil Liberties Union Haggis directorial follow-up to Crash was In the Valley of Elah which he wrote, directed, and produced, for Warner Independent Pictures. You're all lemmings. dictator Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis wants a jury to hear evidence he claims will prove the Church of Scientology is behind the rape lawsuit he faces at trial next month. 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. 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.) ", "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. I am a christian and consider my self conservative, but even I can't deny the fact that there are some "Christian" sects out there that are bigotted and even VIOLENTLY opposed to homosexuals and other people that don't follow the Word of God. Far from being a principled decision by Haggis over gay rights, it was actually Rathbun who approached Haggis starting in June 2009 and coached him on how to make his exit and obtain maximal publicity. Paul Haggis testified his resignation letter from Scientology helped Leah Remini leave the church. Nov. 10, 2022 A jury on Thursday found the Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis liable for raping a former film industry publicist in his Manhattan apartment in 2013, ordering him to pay her at. Paul Haggis Pens Open Letter Praising Leah Remini's 'Brave' Break With Scientology. violence We're a minority, we don't discriminate. Paul Haggis renounces, secret-spills on Scientology In an email to Showbiz 411 published Sunday, the Oscar winner confirmed that he met Boniadi three years ago while he was looking. 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." However, I have finally come to the conclusion that I can no longer be a part of this group. All religions lead to spiritual enlightenment. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Having been exposed to the Christian belief system for many years I came to the realization that all religions are profit and or control motivated. 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. I feel the need to defend Mr. Haggis. You want to rebut her accusations, do it, and do it in the strongest terms possible but that kind of character assassination is unconscionable. An elite coterie obscenely enriched by the efforts of others. * Patron with Honors, IAS With Paul Haggis, everything is calculated. ..H. Praise for Paul Haggis. But given how many former top-level executives have said these things are true, it is hard to believe it is all lies. tommy And when I pictured you assuring me that it is all lies, that this is nothing but an unfounded and vicious attack by a group of disgruntled employees, I am afraid that I saw the same face that looked in the camera and denied the policy of disconnection. And I felt sick. 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. The fact that most scientologists working in the org are recruited right out of high school is the problem. "I refused to do so. Stay up to date with what you want to know. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis testified on Wednesday in a civil rape lawsuit that his letter of resignation from the Church of Scientology helped motivate fellow celebrity and member Leah Remini to leave the religion as well. Not now. Independence, unfettered knowledge, freedom of thought etc. However, in 2009, Haggis resigned from the church due to their opposition to same-sex marriages. Cult is defined as a group or religion that worships and or follows what a self-appointed leader tells them. When actress Leah Remini publicly defected from the Church in 2013, Haggis spoke on her departure in a letter, calling her exit "brave." Both sides would be agog, so who knows if it will happen, but such dynamics are seldom as simple as some of these posts. Congrats. * Member and active supporter, Amnesty International I can think of no other word. It doesn't suit your argument to twist Haggis' words to fit it. I also ask that you read this post, which is a letter from Paul's ex-wife: About Paul Haggis. Paul Haggis; Church of Scientology; Haggis; Leah Remini; British Cuisine I'm a bit of an interloper, since I only happened upon this site accidentally via the "images of Paul Haggis" dealie. Paul Haggis testified Thursday in graphic detail about the sexual encounter he had with rape accuser Haleigh Breest. Church Board Member Resignation Letter Church Board Member Resignation Letter Form of Government Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Haggis is currently standing trial in a civil lawsuit concerning a rape allegation. 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. Breest's lawsuit asks for unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. That was my last brush. An answer to the corrupt monopoly of Scientology. 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. Most recently, Haggis and his partner Michael Nozik formed Hwy 61 Films, based at United Artists. Then one day he showed up in New Jersey and met me at work. But a friend from high school, who was with us last night, later moved to San Francisco, where his brother was in Sea Org. I remember after the poor sap who was sued (the former CAN owner) had to give up CAN to the scientologist nutbags, CAN then became a new scientology tool. - supporting Human Rights in Central America If you redefine marriage for gay couples, why not includes polygamists or other variations? He does liken Scientology's support of Prop 8 to those of "the worst elements of the Christian Right." We all know this policy exists. (Introduction to Scientology Ethics;Ch 12 The Scientology Justice Codes and Their Application). He is married, the father of four children, and splits his time between residences in Los Angeles and New York. I refused to do so. Are we going to see bloodshed before this is all over? Reformed Episcopal Church Wikipedia. *Peace & Justice Award Office of the Americas, presented by Daniel Ellsberg Jury deadlocked. His letter . Really? Loren, he didn't assert that ALL Christians are bigoted, hateful homophobes, just the Christian right. 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. 1:26. - Now, if he could write a screenplay for it also, perhaps starring Tom Cruise and John Travolta - that's a movie I would pay big money to see! 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. Four other women testified with similar allegations of sexual misconduct against Haggis during the trial. We realize that the PR coming out of DM's office is terrible, and Scientology will be splitting into two sects soon. *Ethel Levitt Award for Humanitarian Service Levitt & Quinn * Board Member and fundraiser, The Christic Institute Breest will not look the other way any longer.". You had allowed our name to be allied with the worst elements of the Christian Right. The sleep deprivation and other abuses. And in it I saw you deny the churchs policy of disconnection. Silence is consent, Tommy. 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. You can read what I had to say about this back in January 2018 Concerning Paul Haggis. *Bill of Rights Award American Civil Liberties Union 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. porn It's the same sad stories all over again. Scientology has claimed that their high-profile defectors hold personal grudges against them for demotions and other bureaucratic failings. 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. You could publicly state that it doesnt exist? Paul Haggis Resigns from Church of Scientology www May 5th, 2018 - Prob with religion are the people to much power given to few . 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. How dare you use private information in order to label someone an adulteress? You took Amy Scobees most intimate admissions about her sexual life and passed them onto the press and then smeared them all over the pages your newsletter! Awards for outspoken support of Civil and Human Rights: * Valentine Davies Award Writers Guild of America 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. Ps. supporting art and music in public schools P.S. All those years of indoctrination by the priest and nuns in Catholic school took their toll on me. Haggis' publicist said the director does not plan to comment further on the matter. "Paul Haggis deserves, based on his record as a gentleman and humanitarian, to be judged when all the evidence has been taken under penalty of perjury in a court of law," Remini and Rinder. *Image Award NAACP I find that scientologists are VERY ignorant about other religions and condemn other religions without knowing any facts. *EDGE Awards (2) Entertainment Industries Council Paul Haggis. Exactly pursuant to Hubbard policy on what you do with enemies. Also, indulgences are a grey area and very, very often misinterpreted. After that, it could levy accusations about just about every other cult, while pretending scientology wasn't like them. How dare you use private information in order to label someone an "adulteress?" Ten months passed. November 10, 2022, 1:55 PM. 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. As Rathbun tells it: So he [Haggis] says, By October, Marty Rathbun got a hold of the letter. Well, I actually have an email of 23 August, two months earlier, where Im already talking with Paul Haggis.Not only do I have the letter, but Im getting detailed meticulous instructions about how to present it deceptively to media contacts that Ive established.Paul Haggis consulted with me every step of the way, on how he should position this and how he should do this.. Paul Edward Haggis, writer, director, producer (born 10 Mar 1953 in London, Ontario). On September 2, Oscar-winning filmmaker and former Scientologist Paul Haggis wrote an e-mail to Showbiz 411 confirming the auditing took place. 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. * Member, President's Council, Defenders of Wildlife Director Paul Haggis, who is featured in "Going Clear," publicly praised Leah Remini for leaving Scientology. * Fundraiser, PAVA Aid and Human Rights in Guatemala. I'm glad Paul finally broke through his personal haze to see the light!!!!!!!!! financial The deception can continue only so long. I hereby resign my membership in the Church of Scientology.". hidden We're for civil rights for all people. Many of us just wish to live our lives in peace, not involved with the manic race up the bridge. So: this ought to be interesting to watch play out, no? They had him on the corner of Salmon and Broadway all day, every day, in all kinds of weather like a robot for Scientology. It wasnt the first time she defended Haggiseven when she knew he was lying. It sounds like a place that takes advantage of its members and doesn't allow for any disagreement. This was the only way an unemployed high school grad like himself could pay for the multi-thousand dollar "auditing courses," which they convinced him would make everything clear. Thank you Paul for standing up for what you believe in. 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.
Wooden Plank Studios Patreon Panels,
American Airlines Embraer 175 First Class,
Articles P