Paul Haggis Renounces Scientology in Scathing Letter

By PopEater Staff Posted Oct 26th 2009 07:34AM

Oscar-winning director Paul Haggis has had enough of Scientology, and he enumerated his reasons for abandoning the celebrity-riddled religion in a scathing letter to Church of Scientology's Celebrity Centre leader Tommy Davis. Roger Friedman of The Hollywood Reporter broke the story, pointing to the main cause of Haggis' angry departure: Scientology's support of Proposition 8 in California banning gay marriage.

In the letter to Davis - published in full on the blog of former Scientologist Marty Rathbun - Haggis wrote, "I told you I could not, in good conscience, be a member of an organization where gay-bashing was tolerated ... 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 'Million Dollar Baby' director added, "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."

Haggis also addressed the Scientologists' practice of "disconnection," which Davis publicly denied in a recent CNN interview. "We all know this policy exists. I didn't have to search for verification – I didn't have to look any further than my own home," Haggis wrote.

"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 ... 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."

Haggis acknowledged the likelihood that personal information shared during his audit sessions would be made public now that he has left the organization, writing, "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. Well, luckily I have never held myself up to be anyone's role model."

Haggis concluded his letter by definitively severing ties with the church: " I am only ashamed that I waited this many months to act. I hereby resign my membership in the Church of Scientology."

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Paul Haggis Photos

Actor Colin Farrell, writer Paul Haggis and actress Olivia Wilde attend the Artist For Peace And Justice Kick-Off Party held at the Windsor Arms during the Artist For Peace And Justice Kick-Off Party on September 11, 2009 in Toronto, Canada. Artist For Peace And Justice Kick-Off Party - 2009 Toronto International Film Festival Toronto, ON Canada September 11, 2009 Photo by Jason Gemnich/WireImage.com To license this image (16947252), contact WireImage.com

Jason Gemnich/WireImage.com

WireImage.com

Paul Haggis Snapshots

Jason Gemnich/WireImage.com

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 12: (L-R) VP and Publisher of Vanity Fair Edward Menicheschi, David Belle, Diane von Furstenberg, Olivia Wilde, guest and Paul Haggis attend the DVF & Vanity Fair Preview BRANDAID Project's "Mask & Mirrors" at Diane Von Furstenberg Gallery on September 12, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Vanity Fair) *** Local Caption *** Edward Menicheschi;David Belle;Diane von Furstenberg;Olivia Wilde;Paul Haggis

Getty Images for Vanity Fair

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 12: (L-R) Serge Jolimeau, Pierre Edgard Satyr and Paul Haggis attend the DVF & Vanity Fair Preview BRANDAID Project's "Mask & Mirrors" at Diane Von Furstenberg Gallery on September 12, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Vanity Fair) *** Local Caption *** Serge Jolimeau;Pierre Edgard Satyr;Paul Haggis

Getty Images for Vanity Fair

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 12: (L-R) VP and Publisher of Vanity Fair Edward Menicheschi, Olivia Wilde, Serge Jolimeau, Pierre Edgard Satyr, Heather Graham and Paul Haggis attend the DVF & Vanity Fair Preview BRANDAID Project's "Mask & Mirrors" at Diane Von Furstenberg Gallery on September 12, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Vanity Fair) *** Local Caption *** Edward Menicheschi;Olivia Wilde;Serge Jolimeau;Pierre Edgard Satyr;Heather Graham;Paul Haggis

Getty Images for Vanity Fair

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 12: (L-R) VP and Publisher of Vanity Fair Edward Menicheschi, Olivia Wilde, Serge Jolimeau, Heather Graham and Paul Haggis attend the DVF & Vanity Fair Preview BRANDAID Project's "Mask & Mirrors" at Diane Von Furstenberg Gallery on September 12, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Vanity Fair) *** Local Caption *** Edward Menicheschi;Olivia Wilde;Serge Jolimeau;Heather Graham;Paul Haggis

Getty Images for Vanity Fair

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 12: VP and Publisher of Vanity Fair Edward Menicheschi, actress Olivia Wilde, designer Diane Von Furstenberg and director Paul Haggis attend the DVF & Vanity Fair Preview BRANDAID Project's "Mask & Mirrors" at Diane Von Furstenberg Gallery on September 12, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Vanity Fair) *** Local Caption *** Edward Menicheschi;Olivia Wilde;Diane Von Furstenberg;Paul Haggis

Getty Images for Vanity Fair

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 12: Director Paul Haggis and Tony Piggot attend the DVF & Vanity Fair Preview BRANDAID Project's "Mask & Mirrors" at Diane Von Furstenberg Gallery on September 12, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Vanity Fair) *** Local Caption *** Paul Haggis;Tony Piggot

Getty Images for Vanity Fair

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 12: Director Paul Haggis attends the DVF & Vanity Fair Preview BRANDAID Project's "Mask & Mirrors" at Diane Von Furstenberg Gallery on September 12, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Vanity Fair) *** Local Caption *** Paul Haggis

Getty Images for Vanity Fair

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 12: VP and Publisher of Vanity Fair Edward Menicheschi and director Paul Haggis attend the DVF & Vanity Fair Preview BRANDAID Project's "Mask & Mirrors" at Diane Von Furstenberg Gallery on September 12, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Vanity Fair) *** Local Caption *** Edward Menicheschi;Paul Haggis

Getty Images for Vanity Fair

Tags: paul haggis, PaulHaggis, scientology, tommy davis, TommyDavis

Comments

(45)

Monday 26 October

By Jan

Vote down Vote up Report this

no matter what I think of Scientology, I do agree with them on the gay marriage thing....that is a chosen lifestyle and I feel so sorry for our children and grandchildren. What a weird, different world! Who is Paul Haggis?

By Jim

The Israelites, Catholics and Baptists are all against Scientology. Organized religion doesn't want another member in their club fearing the financial draining of their coffers. "My invisible being is the right one", yes that's their logic (sic). This director denouncing Scientology, is doing nothing more than self promotion. In Hollywood you have to have a "cause" to be noticed. All the big diseases are already taken by other people in the film industry, so he denounces Scientology.

By MR SMITH

THIS A HOLE IS NOT ONLY GODLESS HE A FAG TOO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE FAT BOY

Tuesday 27 October

By joanne

that's "spelling and Grammar" not grammer...
do not be the one to cast the first stone....

By Cynjy

Scientology - I left also - with $$ on the table. They try to get you to confess any "thought" none-the-less action you've ever had so this way they control you. That is what he is talking about - they are controlling and want people's money. They feed on people who are basically insecure -they enhance your I.Q. by teaching you methods to learn and in the meantime they are sucking you in for your $$ and any way they can keep you. I was so happy to get out of that cult.

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