- marketing the work of artisans from the poorest countries in the world, My understanding is that scientology previously sued the cult awareness network (CAN) to not only stifle free speech, but to actually take over CAN. WHO ARE WE TO JUDGE ANYONE? Tie them up in litigation and make it expensive for them. Haggis false story served as the opening anecdote and linchpin for a 2011 article in The New Yorker by anti-Scientology author Lawrence Wright, and Wrights subsequent book. 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. 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've attached our email correspondence. Sad. While I have not been an active member for many years, I found much of what I learned to be very helpful, and I still apply it in my daily life. Just because marriage is defined in the way it's been used historically does not mean that gay couples can't live together or be connected in some other fashion like a civil union. * Founding Board Member, Earth Communication Office In any case, I applaud Mr. Haggis' decision to leave his church. Never, in its long history, has the Catholic Church extorted money in the Confessional. To see these great human beings so misguided - especially about other faiths (Christian "Protestant", Catholic, etc) - what they are taught breeds hate, distrust all the things the CoS supposedly abhors. However, I have finally come to the conclusion that I can no longer be a part of this group. ", "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. 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. I've read the whole thread up to this point, and just wanna say, I'm a huge fan of you! Haggis, famous for films that include "Crash," "Million Dollar Baby" and "Letters From Iwo Jima," cited ideological and personal reasons for breaking with Scientology. Ten months passed. Steven Hirsch. But what happens when you are an adult - and someone of power like a city council member, senator or other influential entity? Confessionals are not used to extort money idiot. On September 2, Oscar-winning filmmaker and former Scientologist Paul Haggis wrote an e-mail to Showbiz 411 confirming the auditing took place. Paul Haggis is a screenwriter who pretended to be a Scientologist so that he could gain publicity for "leaving" the religion in 2009. *EMA Green Seal Award EMA as well as other partner offers and accept our. As Haggis stated: Marty is likely telling a truth. 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. Well, luckily I have never held myself up to be anyone's role model. We realize that the PR coming out of DM's office is terrible, and Scientology will be splitting into two sects soon. To Dennis Igou- you "know" nothing of the sort. are all things that scare religious organizations. Exactly pursuant to Hubbard policy on what you do with enemies. 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. hiding It took some serious planning and the help of an long time, high ranking member of Scientology, who made it her mission to "deprogram" everyone she could convinced to leave.My brother was one of the lucky ones, but he still suffers much fallout to this day, over 30 years later, not able to regain his sense of self esteem or balance in his life. I will argue that there is a distinct difference between "Christian belief system" and "religion". *Environmental Media Award EMA While I admire Mr. Haggis' stance against hypocrisy in the Scientology Church, I must "out" some blatant hypocrisy of his own. Step one, as always, is to throw the bums out and get some honest leadership. Thank you Paul for standing up for what you believe in. Frankly, I had to look no further than your refusal to denounce the churchs anti-gay stance, and the indefensible actions, and inactions, of those who condone this behavior within the organization. Here are some of the best resignation letter examples and templates for a variety of circumstances you can use to leave your job, including basic and formal letters, email resignation messages, letters giving two weeks' notice, letters with a reason for leaving, short notice or no notice letters, personal reasons letters, letters announcing a . The bottom line is this: this is bad, bad news for the Church. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. 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. All religions lead to spiritual enlightenment. Haggis found this, apparently, to be the first in a series of straws that broke a 35 year-old camel's back. Hurray! The best you offered was a weak and carefully worded press release, which praised the churchs human rights record and took no responsibility. 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. "for bringing honor and dignity to writers everywhere" Director Paul Haggis, who is featured in "Going Clear," publicly praised Leah Remini for leaving Scientology. Names like Tom Cruise and John Travolta have long been attached to Hollywood's connection with Scientology. It's the whole bad apple in the bunch theory - not all priests or churches "extort" via confessional, but some do. That was my last brush. The current Pope has written many positive things about Luther (you can google it) and one NEW Lutheran synod loosely associated with my church, call the ALCC, is promoting reunification as a "Lutheran Branch" within the Catholic Church. donations The screenwriter, who left the church in 2009, writes that he was surprised how quickly "Leah was attacked . * Fundraiser, PAVA Aid and Human Rights in Guatemala. abuse Awards for outspoken support of Civil and Human Rights: * Valentine Davies Award Writers Guild of America That's the trouble with sending lay people around to collect money for the Church - they totally misrepresented the building of St Peter's by adding their own 'Donate to the fund and get to Heaven'; that was not sanctioned by the Church. However - the Bible also states that we are not to judge, that we are to love our neighbor.. and that's how most Christians live their lives. we love the sinner and hate the sin. divorce 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. rinder We're for civil rights for all people. marty Haggis took the stand Wednesday in New York Supreme Court, in connection to a lawsuit filed by publicist Haleigh Breest, who alleges Haggis raped her at this apartment in January 2013. And you could laugh at the question as if it was a joke? Have you read it? 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. One night in NY city in the sixties a group of us was approached by a Scientology recruiter. The root problem is the concept of religion itself. I find it amazing how a person will talk about 'tolerance' and then talk down other groups from 'other religions'. public I just hope that some of Mr Haggis' integrity rubs off on some of his fellow celebrities. Shouldn't the test as to whether a spiritual philosophy or religion is beneficial be that it actually progresses one spiritually? 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. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Jury deadlocked. Families parted. "the same face that denied the policy of disconnection". * Fundraiser, NPH (Our Little Brothers) for the children of the slums of Haiti The Self destruction of Scientology, the Iron fist and dark heart, what sustainability? 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. Davis told Haggis that "heads would roll" over this about ten months ago. Search for "sleep deprivation" and you'll see numerous articles on the subject. "That's how all this started. 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. 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. These accusations were made by top international executives who had devoted most of their lives to the church. 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. 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