The Church of Scientology has long claimed many of Hollywood’s most elite talents amongst its members, but now, one famous Scientologist is leaving the church, and he’s not going quietly. In a candid, confrontational letter to Scientology top brass that’s just been published online, Oscar-winning director Paul Haggis (Crash) details the abuses and cover-ups that have forced him to to leave Scientology after 35 years. It’s a must-read.
The letter was originally published in four parts on the blog of ex-Scientologist Marty Rathbun, and it’s directed at Scientology’s current national spokesman, Tommy Davis. In it, Haggis takes Davis to task for doing nothing after the church’s San Diego branch publicly sponsored the anti-gay Proposition 8.
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. […] I called and wrote and implored you, as the official spokesman of the church, to condemn their actions. 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 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.
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 5:48 PM
Holy shit.
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 6:04 PM
Oh my god. What a powerful letter.
I didn't know the Church had that stance against Prop 8. I knew of the isolation tactics, but I can't believe he had to go through that in his own family. So sick.
I disliked how Crash won the Oscar over Brokeback Mountain, but now I'm the biggest Crash and Paul Haggis fan. And he's Canadian to boot!
This better me all over the news soon. And so soon after the Nightline special on Scientology. Juicy! But it must be terrifying for him. The secrets they have on him.
Maybe that's why high profile celebrity members don't leave. The Secrets!
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 6:12 PM
Wow. Wonder what the Cruiser's response will be to that.
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 6:23 PM
But does he still believe we're clusters of bug-people? BUT DOES HE STILL BELIEVE WE'RE ALL CLUSTERS OF BUG-PEOPLE??
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 9:40 AM
Yes he still believes. Just like I am not a Catholic anymore but I still believe St. Anthony helps me find things.
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 6:24 PM
So called screenwriter and director Paul Haggis's claims about the Church of Scientology are absolutely ridiculous. They are so offensive as to be not worth responding to. In fact, I am not responding to them, right now. The insinuation that the Church of Scientology would ever use private information to smear it's critics is offensive and vulgar. Why would we need to smear them when they are obviously child molesters? This is a man who, I have it on good authority, poos in his pants. Is that someone we should take seriously? While he is off raping grandma's the CoS is saving lives and ensuring human rights. I once caught a fish so big that Aerosmith asked me to hang out backstage with them, and the suggestion that I did not is profoundly and inescapably homosexual.
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 7:39 PM
f-ing brilliant. hahaha!
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 6:53 AM
LOL Thanks for the good laugh. "This is a man who, I have it on good authority, poos in his pants." priceless
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 8:33 AM
I've seen your type before. You are a liar and a shill.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 8:57 AM
Keep spreading the truth Tommy; clearly, Haggis must be delusional and a homosexual to boot. That was a really big fish you caught and it was only through practicing the principles of scientology that anyone could ever catch a fish that big. ROLMFAO
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 2:00 PM
You are brilliant. Thank you for the deeply satisfying laugh.
S
Posted 27 Oct 2009, 5:21 AM
Whoever you are using tommy davis as a cover, you should simply feed yourself with the stuff that comes off your behind. You've already proven to be full of shit, so let's keep it that way.
Posted 27 Oct 2009, 10:59 AM
You might not be aware that the person posing as Tommy was purely being sardonic...they agree just like the rest of that Haggis is not just inspirational, but brave, for attacking CoS although I give credit to those before him as well for taking even larger risks.
Posted 27 Oct 2009, 2:22 PM
Marvelous!!
Posted 11 Nov 2009, 10:04 AM
LOL!! That was brilliant.
Posted 16 Nov 2009, 10:09 AM
Mr. Davis,
I understand that you are upset and have every right to be offended.
Consider the tone and character of those that offend. And treat the charge as you would any upset. From my past dealings with media they do not encourage real communication, if you get my drift.
As Mr. Pomerantz told me in October, "We are on the verge (coming onto a level playing field) and the enemy, knowing it does not have a chance on an even battlefield, will be throwing everything it has in the vain attempt to delay the inevitable - They are going down!" Their minion, The St. Pete Times is no exception. This is a bare-knuckle, no holds barred battle. Like JT in the role of Michael, treat it as a Big Game and the appropriate trophies shall adorn the wall at victory.
Godspeed and good luck,
Wm
Posted 04 Dec 2009, 5:39 PM
Wm, your lies don't make things any better for either side.
Posted 04 Dec 2009, 5:34 PM
You are nuts, sir.
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 6:26 PM
Okay, Paul, you asked for it. Don't be surprised when you are startled awake at 3am in the morning by a shadowy Tom Cruise shaped figure sitting just outside your property line and laughing manically.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 11:48 AM
It's gonna be hard to see a figure that stands just three foot six inches in elevators...in the dark
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 6:05 PM
Not if he grins. 'Slike a freakin' klieg light.
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 6:47 PM
Wow, major cognitive dissonance - my deep dislike of Crash vs. the pleasure of finally seeing a HW "name" have the balls to call out CoS. I didn't even know that CoS supported Prop 8; just one more strike against an already scary organization (Psychiatry kills? Really?).
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 7:28 PM
GOOD FOR HAGGIS! SCIENTOLOGY IS AN EVIL CULT WHOSE CREATOR, L. RON HUBBARD, WAS AS MANICALLY INSANE AND WICKED AS HITLER.
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 7:29 PM
Hurray! Maybe if Paul digs deep enough, he can turn Russell Miller's book about Hubbard, "Bare-Faced Messiah" into a movie.
Meanwhile, if this news can reach some of the Hollywood dupes who are in this abusive money-sucking cult of space cadets, and they read about the disconnection, prison camp, and the dictator Slappy Miscavige beating up the underlings. Come on, get a clue!
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 7:30 PM
I'm surprised it took him 35 years to realize it was a cult. Or does he even now realize it?
It is a straight up evil, destructive cult.
Scientology puts celebrities on a different track where they get all the special treatment. They get much better treatment then the run of the mill sucker that joins.
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 9:33 PM
Have you seen his movies? The things that man considers believable would make you seasick.
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 10:23 PM
That was my first thought. What in the hell took him so long? Good that he came up for air. I hope it allows many current members to get out as well as maybe keep others from ever drinking the Kool-Aid in the first place.
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 7:45 PM
Well!! The reply from Tommy Davis shows a lack of intelligence and morals, and as such, backs up Haggis's stand against CoS.
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 8:07 PM
Satire detection systems in need of repair.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 3:29 AM
snnnnrk I did a double-take on it too, I admit.
Davis won't respond until he goes through all Haggis' audit files for the worst of the worst confessions. They are absolutely without conscience; it makes me nauseous to think about it.
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 7:50 PM
What a great writer. Powerful, well-written truth -- good on you and may your honesty inspire othesr to move into the light and out of fear.
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 8:06 PM
Good for him, but more needs to be done.
This letter does nothing to further expose the insane beliefs of this destructive cult.
We must get their nonprofit status stripped, their financial center needs to be attacked.
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 8:07 PM
One less talent in the clutches of the cult.
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 8:10 PM
Scientology is not a church. Misnomer. It is a cult, a club anything else you can think of calling it, but it is not a Church. Hubbard wrote science fiction novels and brought this one to life.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 3:36 AM
All religions are cults. If only we had a Paul Haggis speaking out from each of the Big Three, this world might finally get on the track to peace.
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 8:12 PM
Powerful stuff. What is interesting is the process he's gone through that compelled him to search, read, ponder and act on material and information that has been openly available for some time.
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 8:14 PM
Finally, Scientology is going down. After all that they have been doing with Travolta, is good to see that hollywood people are finally waking up.
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 8:16 PM
Are you really surprised, Mr. Haggis? The poster child for Scientology is Tom Cruise, the biggest homophobe in the world. Please read Bronson Pinchot's comments about him:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/21/bronson-pinchot-bette-mid_n_328319.html
And remember that poster children are ALWAYS sick, sick, sick.
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 8:47 PM
I too am surprised that after 35 years he did not recognize the cancer that was the core of Scientology teachings. Perhaps this underlines the idea that celebrities are not required to undergo the slavish indoctrination that ordinary members have to endure.
Mr Haggis is in the position to become a great humanist from this experience, to examine the racist and oppressive teachings that make up L Ron's doctrine, and ensure that he stands up against it publicly.
For instance, why did Tom Cruise call people "squirrels stuck in an electronic incident" earlier this week? That is what is called "loaded language." It is a cult indoctrination tool. Scientology is full of loaded language. It is impossible to follow Scientology and still be a free thinker.
'"Loading the language" is another common theme in a cultic setting. A special jargon that gives the members a feeling of exclusiveness and that they possess some esoteric knowledge. This "loaded language" helps build solidarity amongst an elite group that speak the same cultic verbiage/lingo."
http://www.rickross.com/reference/general/general431.html
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 9:59 PM
If people in a cult could figure out they're in a cult, then they wouldn't be in the cult in the first place, would they?
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 5:47 AM
I am having a hard time imagining what electronic incident a squirrel could be involved in. The fact that they don't have thumbs is a big hindrance, isn't it?
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 8:59 PM
SEE! This kind of drama is the only thing religion is good for!
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 9:27 PM
I saw a British film a few months ago of a person who infiltrated a COS in England. They made this woman write down all of the sex partners she had ever had, wanted all of the minute details of her encounters, wanted to know about anything that she had done in her life that would be deemed offensive and/or illegal by the authorities. When she asked why they wanted that kind of personal info she was told so the COS could help her rid herself of negativity and become a more evolved being. She was unknowingly filmed everytime she was on the COS premises and discovered this fact when she was left alone in a room where there were papers out in the open on a desk. When she attempted to take some of them to the restroom to read and then return them she was promptly accused of theft, lead through the halls of the building and vilified by other members who worked there and forcefully escorted from the premises. IF this is what happens to members of the COS then that is a very great manipulating tool to keep people quiet and in line. Blackmail is an ugly word. It would seem to be synonymous with COS.
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 10:16 PM
What I am hearing is this:
Haggis has been taking heat for being a Scientologist for a while now. It's never all that shocking or feels like much of an intellectual loss to hear which moron actor was snookered, but when it comes to writer-directors no one loves gambling fifty million dollars on the personal worldview of a lunatic.
So, "Nightline" has pounced, the "church" is on the ropes, and hey, knowing when the coast was suddenly clear to send a falling bigwig a (oxymoron alert) "courageous email" sure didn't hurt Joe Esterhaus.
And look, gays! What cover could be more perfect? Everybody feels sorry for them lately. I suppose it is a bit convenient and unlikely that my conscience kicking in a year late caused me to seek out long-available information, but I've spun worse into Oscar!
I guess that year the Academy was dead set on honoring straights who uncomfortably exploit gays in the name of celebrating them.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 5:58 AM
Is it just one voice in your head or are you hearing many voices? Call a psychiatrist.
Posted 27 Oct 2009, 12:29 AM
Don't drink the Kool-Aid, guy. I've worked in Hollywood. For all the courageous sound of this letter, it could very easily have gone down just as Mattheww says. One thing Hollywood people know how to do is look good.
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 10:23 PM
I'd consider this a revelation
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 10:27 PM
Wow... so all you have to do to break some people from the grip of this absurd cult which is talking about 800,000 year old aliens, quack medical "cures", and the general lunacy that is the hallmark of any cult and religion is come out against gay marriage(?) and suddenly the scales fall from the eyes and all the OTHER SERIOUS.. REAL bullcrap that Scientology has done and brainwashes people into believing becomes a problem? I don't know what is worse.. being a rabid nutty scientologist or being so head up your ass to the gay affirmation movement that this is the only issue you can get upset about in the same way that some people only have room in their heads to deal with the clubbing of baby seals but have no trouble with the clubbing of 1000 protesting students!
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 10:30 PM
Whenever a "religion" demands that members disconnect with others that do not follow this religion,
it's a huge red flag that it is a hurtful, bigoted, relationship destroyer, and has nothing to do with
helping the planet or it's inhabitants. What took you so long to figure that out Paul? Guess you
are a little slow. Tom Cruise is obviously a nutcase that is intolerant of anyone not like him.
I will never forget what he said about Brooke Sheilds. What an ignorant soul he is, not too
bright either. He has been married 3 times and walks around giving others advice about how to
live their lives. It seems Scientologist are a bunch of narrcisists with blinders on. It's just
another sad case of organized religion.
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 10:33 PM
I am sure this is why Tom dumped Nicole, she probably was due for a disconnect. And Katie Holmes, how sad is that?
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 12:32 AM
Nicole Kidman paid the ultimate price--custody of her two children Connor an Isabella, to get free from Tom and his cult. If she did not agree to give hime primary custody then her 'personal audit' sessions would be 'somehow diclosed' to the public. SOMEBODY tell me is there anyother religion that blackmails you into staying???
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 6:04 AM
You weren't raised as a Catholic, were you? Most religions use blackmail against their members. They're all cults. Some of these cults, however, are far more vile and sinister than others, and the Prison of Scientology (PoS) is the paramount example.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 12:14 PM
At least Tom and CoS have taught Katie how to stoop over, when standing beside Tom.
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 11:23 PM
Scientology is a cult constructed in response to a dare. It is a joke. With the cult's long history of explicitly documented abuses and irrationalities, it is a little sad that it took this public outrage over ugly and irrational support of Prop.8 to turn around the long-standing affiliation of this brilliant director. Mr. Haggis should do a careful audit of the power that the use of his name gave to the Church of Scientology's ability to hustle and abuse suckers for 35 years.
After having weaned himself of the support of his adopted cult, I would like Mr. Haggis to write another letter --- say in six months --- on his retrospective views of the utterly preposterous nonsense that is the core of the Scientology scam. We'll see...
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 11:33 PM
35 years?
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 11:39 PM
Yeah, yeah... this still doesn't make up for Quantum of Solace.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 12:08 AM
The exposing of a woman's private life is part of the cult's tactics for keeping members in. And as for homosexuality, it's banned by the cult yet several famous Johns have been known to Cruise for gay sex yet publicly refute themselves being gay.
When one enters the cult, the victims go through a debriefing session that "takes out N-grams" which are your dirty personal secrets given in a sort of "confession". The person tells everything, nothing is hidden, because you have to get the "negative energies" out.
Then of course, if you try to leave the cult, your dirty secrets are bared to the world. It's blackmail, pure and simple, and is also how some members, especially celbrities, are forced to donate huge sums of money to the cult or do bad movies that the cult profits from, e.g. "Battlefield Earth".
Read "Operation Clambake" for more of the cult's dirty secrets, how they operate, and the suspicious deaths (read: murders) of former members and those who tried to quit.
www.xenu.net
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 2:58 PM
Only one thing... NOBODY profited from Battlefield Earth.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 12:48 AM
Scientology serves a useful purpose, quite similar to the inquisitions of the dark ages. (The old 'You won't quit swimming in poo until you've really wallowed in it' effect.) This especially applies to their upper echelon. While it is sad that they sting, brainwash and delude so many, the end process, the wake up call, for those that recover from their tactics, as Paul Haggis, is more effective than pointing out all the skulduggery that goes on.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 12:50 AM
Well, there goes his Hollywood career...
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 3:06 AM
That letter was pure Stick-It-To-The-Man. The smear campaigns backfired; who in sanity would join a religion that asks for the most intimate personal details and can use them against you any time your faith wavers?
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 3:40 AM
Oh, that more people would wake up to the harm that organized religions (not just Scientology) do to the world through their systematic, institutional mind-control.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 4:51 AM
Well, now he is a prime candidate for a membership with Anonymous.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 4:59 AM
Good for you, Paul Haggis!
And for any other celeb - or ANYBODY, for that matter.
DO NOT WORRY ABOUT YOUR SECRETS! The world doesn't care! But the world DOES care if you are being blackmailed and exploited into staying in a situation that you know is wrong.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 5:12 AM
Gee, those religions believe in strange stuff - aliens and thetans, men rising from the dead, nutjobs getting a crack at virgins in fairyland, humans drinking wine and eating bread that is magically transformed into the actual substance of some guy who supposedly lived 2000 years ago. If only we could manufacture enough psychiatrists...
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 5:15 AM
Thank goodness! Haggis is another $cientologist I can take off my boycott list! For many years I have refused to pay one cent for any movie or book (or whatever) with a $cientologist in it, or written or produced by one. No way will I support anyone who is a member of this creepy criminal cult. Luckily, it seems like the $cientology ship is sinking fast. Tick tock...it`s just a matter of time. The lawsuits are coming....Government investigations and raids are on the way...It`s about time!
Posted 20 Nov 2009, 11:14 AM
When the ship sinks, I have no doubt that many of these very weird, brain washed, sick people will be found to also be gay!!!
You can bet that many are.Tom Cruise, when you coming out of that closet? God, I can't stand that man. He is so freakin ugly inside and out!
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 5:24 AM
Yea Paul! Welcome back. I am always glad to see principle trump the market of organized religion.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 5:25 AM
OK. I understand that COS' core theology (Klatu/Nanu alien SF junk) is utter BS. I don't have a problem with that - all theologies are based in the same. Following COS is just another SYMPTOM of our society.
If people are gullible enough to believe this BS, are those that sell it really evil? If you know for a fact that you can sell people ANYTHING and they will happily and willingly buy into it, who wouldn't be tempted to profit from said gullibility? The COS does it, the Pope does it, the government does it, the globalist bankers do it and the public laps it up like fine champagne. Hell, Oprah does it.
We are a nation of proud morons and the COS is just another 21st century badge of idiocy worn by its proud members instead of a dunce cap. I find it humorous that Haggis' letter is being touted as some kind of revelation. Anyone who has looked at COS knows it for what it is and it is not a cult. It is a business - designed to control and impoverish its adherents. Haggis bought into this BS for 35 years and the fact he awakened one morning to find the Easter Bunny didn't exist doesn't bide well for his cognitive abilities. Soon as he found out the Easter Bunny was homophobic, he bailed out. Now he is in a new and growing cult, gay apologetics. Makes my head spin backwards.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 12:34 PM
Greg, your a very preceptive individual, showing an abundance of level headiness and intelligence, which isn't all that common in todays times. I don't know you, but if I ever met you, I know we'd be friends.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 6:15 AM
So Haggis is a Scientologist? No wonder he's built up such a good writing career in Hollywood, they all help each other. Any so-called religion that forces you to undergo a "personality test" when you join is deeply suspect. Strange that it took an intelligent man like Haggis 35 YEARS to figure it out!
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 6:33 AM
35 years to figure this out!
One cult is the same as any other.
Make believe everything, secret rights, handshakes and initiations.
Keeping all females repressed.
When will you fools figure out that there is no God period, nevr was, and never will be and that cause and effect rule the Universe?
Today, and everyday into the future on Planet Earth a million people will die agonizing deaths and not one of them will receive a life saving miracle from any man made God!
What you get is birth to death, and no more.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 6:34 AM
No matter the secrets, Haggis is sick & tired of being pushed around & bullied by these Cowards. He just tired and his secrets be damned! He's outing CoS because he wants the other celebs hiding behind CoS to come out & denounce them as well.
This is the best thing that's happened. However, I don't see Tommy Cruise coming out because he's clung to this shield tightly to hide his own person & professional secrets. There's no magic solution and everything inside CoS is just smoke & mirrors. I do see others & more celebs coming out & leaving CoS and finally making people realize there's just a man behind the curtain, like in the Wizard of Oz, who also is trying to use smoke & mirrors. to fool the public.
With the exit of more and more celebs and people, I do believe there is a nice HUGE crack in their mirror and it's just a matter of time before the whole church collapses around Tommy Boy's well crafted image.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 8:14 AM
I have never understood the attraction of this wholly man-made religion to begin with. If ever an organization had the earmarks of a cult this one certainly does and seems to be built upon power run amok. Keep in mind that L. Ron Hubbard was a sci fi writer rejected by the publishing houses. Still not clear how that qualified him to become a leader these folks follow, even in death.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 9:20 AM
All religions are "wholly man-made". At the very best, they're equal parts helpful and terminally crippling. At worst, as is the case with scientology, they're almost completely worthless idiocy employed to imprison the minds of those who aren't strong enough to utterly reject the drumbeat of persistent propaganda and its criminal priesthood.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 8:15 AM
MU-HU-HA-HA-HA! I, Lord Xenu of the Galactic Confederacy will relish feasting upon your thetan, Mr. Paul Haggis. To the volcano with you, fool!
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 8:34 AM
Co$ even when a "billion" snicker other things pop up to take you out of the spot light you find ways to continue to fail. This makes me happy. Paul Haggis I will now watch Crash. Congratulations on leaving the cult and pointing out infalably that disconnection exists. Forcing a child to disconnect from their parents. All $ciFa_s should be utterly ashamed of themselves. Pathetic cult is pathetic as are those who pathetically follow them.
Co$.... HA HAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!
So deserve the way you get treated.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 8:48 AM
THE SO-CALLED CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY IS NOTHING BUT AN EVIL CULT LED BY A BUNCH OF RICH IDIOTS!! YOU SEE WHAT IT DID TO THOMAS CRUISE, HAD HIM JUMPING OFF COUCHES AND CRAP! NOW HE'S RECRUITED HIS POOR WIFE INTO IT. "JOIN US...JOIN US...JOIN US." WOW.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 9:15 AM
Its sad that it took prop 8 for this man to denounce scientology. He should have denounced it years ago for the ridiculous teachings and absolutely baseless and insane beliefs. I find absolutely no credibility from this person after following them for 35 years.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 9:41 AM
Why should we give a crap about what Haggis has to say NOW? The guy joined this zombie cult and was dumb enough to hang around how many years? Only NOW does he get what a bunch of wankers they are? He can list his awards ad infinitum, but he's still a wanker for having believed in Scientology nonsense in the first place. To me he's still a colossal asshole.
If only science could sue Scientology for misuse of the word science!
Just another example of what stupid little monkeys the majority of humans on this planet are. And the smuggest ones think they are 'normal' believing in imaginary men in the sky that see and hear everything you do and who will damn your enemies to hell, you know for not believing in their imaginary man in the sky.
You can't fix stupid.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 10:14 AM
"You can't fix stupid."
...hard to take these words (and the rest of your post) seriously from someone who calls himself Elvis Gump :)
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 9:46 AM
Kudos to him! I hope that others will follow his example and leave this group. It is nothing more than a huge money making cult.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 9:58 AM
The original head of this church, L. Ron Hubbard, was a full blown addicted. Why would so many people follow his teachings?
Scientologists believe aliens came to earth and impregnated humans and made hybreds. Christians believe Jesus walked on water. Made the blind see. Raised the dead and rose from the dead himself.
If I had to choose which belief is wackier, it would be the latter. Of course I don't believe in religion of any kind so none of this is irrelevant.
We are born. We live. We die and become part of the earth. This is the cycle of life. Live you life to the fullest and be kind to one and all.
Posted 27 Oct 2009, 12:42 AM
I believe the Scientologists' stuff is whackier. Why? Context.
The stuff Christians believe originated two thousand years ago, centuries before widespread knowledge of even rudimentary science and in a country that had no technology. On the other hand, Lord L.Ron's...stuff...was thought up and disseminated during the 20th century, in a country where most of the things people know without even thinking much could never even have been conceived of, let alone believed, back in the days of Herod. Hell, most of us would have been stoned to death just for saying the earth went around the sun.
So for my money, the Hubbard crowd is far crazier, because they willfully believe things they KNOW are completely insane. Context is everything, my friend.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 9:58 AM
What a crock of sh*t this is. The church has been anti-gay since it's inception and he is only now complaining about it? Hubbard was calling gays the worst sort of people for years:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_scie.htm
35 years in and he's never read any of those bits? Science of Survival is one of their core books, if he hasn't read it in 35 years he is a bad Scientologist by their standards. I know some celebrities are really out of touch when it comes to what the church is really about. They quite often have a santitized view of the religion provided to them by their Celebirty centre handlers, but he wasn't a celebrity 35 years ago. Hell, before Crash, did anyone even know who this guy was? Only since Scientology has become unpalatable to the general public do you get to see defections and denouncements like this.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 10:37 AM
Tom Cruise will jump on Haggis' couch.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 12:51 PM
More like bending over.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 11:31 AM
These "churches" are supposed to be for the good of man kind. I see all churches as a means of using religion to profit from and to control people. Why anyone would want to join any church is beyond me.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 12:31 PM
Cheers Paul !!! Religions that prevent you from using common sense and dictate certain rules without a good explanation or logic behind them, such religions are to be avoided by far.
Scientology has always been a hoax in my book. The good, philosophical bits are mostly stolen from Buddhism from what Ive read about it (not a lot), I think that is why it succeded as far as it has. Buddhism is the most logical and common sense philosophy there is (it is not a religion).
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 1:12 PM
I wonder if scientologists know the L. Ron Hubbard quote, "the best way to get rich is to start a religion." That kinda tells you everything you need to know about why you should avoid religion and particularly his.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 2:32 PM
I am happy to see someone within hollywood calling out the CoS, however, many of the top executives of the church who have since left did so because they were unhappy with the people running the church, in a sense their problems are not with the church's warp teachings but instead resemble a corporate coup. To me, this is saddening, since many of the people who are speaking out against the church can't see the corruption that has been with the church since day one. Instead, they want a regime change in the personnel of the church and i'll bet they'd hop back on board. A much broader view is needed to see all the ills that the CoS has caused. I commend haggis, however, in shedding light to a very real example of the policy of "disconnection." Way to go, even thought I thought Crash was garbage.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 3:34 PM
I am always stunned in view of the obvious brainwashing that must have happened to some internet posters (or rather the traveling circus of "commenters" when it comes to stirring up anti-Scientology resentment). Scientology has never been and is not against homosexuals and supports their rights just as anyone else's. Given that, the big question is: why did Haggis bother to make such show-down out of his choice to sever his ties to the Church of Scientology (after several years of inactivity, as he admits)? Guesses, anyone?
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 11:55 PM
*(small print)The Co$ defines marriage as being between one man and one woman.
Posted 27 Oct 2009, 12:45 AM
AAANNND we have a shill!
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 4:49 PM
Hallelujah! I bet Nicole Kidman, and quite a few other former scientology celebrities who were 'fair gamed like Amy Scobee was, have experienced a hugh sigh of relief reading about this.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 6:42 PM
Thank you Paul! Denying disconnection from family and friends has been a constant with this cult. I wonder how they will respond now that we know you personally were affected by this disgusting cult.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 10:48 PM
Wow, this is unfortunate. Interesting story. Paul received a LOT of wonderful Scientology counseling early on. Scientology counseling increases one's ability. This is most evident in the transparent world of the arts. Paul joined the ranks of Chick Corea, John Travolta and Tom Cruise as celebrities whose careers skyrocketed after a developing a foundation in Scientology concepts. Just looking at all of the remarkable accomplishments and humanitarian measures in Paul's life... leads one to wonder if his basis in Scientology was THE major contributor. L. Ron Hubbard said that Scientology was to make the able more able. I happen to agree with Paul's side beefs though. Disconnection is too often 'suggested' and sometimes the wrong people are 'declared' (meaning declared suppressive to the Church).
In the early days, Hubbard placed homosexuality at the level of 'covert hostility' on his emotional scale. At the time it was accurate. Homosexuality was best hidden. Now, as any homosexual could tell you, the ability to come out of the closet today frees them of this over-arching covertness that has been necessary in times past. Nothing in the Church's Creeds or Codes prohibits any sexual orientation. It would be nice to hear them express a more liberal viewpoint publicly.
As far as the recent Rinder's and Rathbun's comments that were alluded to... They were both high-ranking Scientologists. They claimed that every now and then that Miscavaige (the Chairman of the Board) would give someone a smack. The Church denies this, but who knows. What is most interesting is what they didn't say. They DID have problems with Miscavaige. But they didn't have problems with the technology of Scientology as developed by L. Ron Hubbard. They didn't disparage the Technology at all. They just hoped for better management. What rings true here is that Scientology is definitely experiencing some growing pains along the way and has some problems, but that the concepts of Scientology work. Scientology makes the able more able. You can discover this for yourself in one weekend. Just buy a used copy of Self Analysis (by L. Ron Hubbard) and use it for a couple days. You will notice your mood improving, the world looking brighter, and your thinking will also be clearer. It is a fun process to increase ability that you can run on yourself or your friends.
I am guessing that Paul would basically agree with this letter and appreciate having it in his comments section.
Posted 27 Oct 2009, 2:12 AM
The bulk of your comment attempts to separate L. Ron and his "Technology" from "current management" and apportions all blame on the latter while exculpating the former. In any other "church", the option of schisming to form your own (sub-)sect would be open. Too bad for you, the one original idea that L. Ron came up with in his scheme to bilk the gullible was to copyright his "scriptures". Co$ lawyers will jump on your arse if you attempt to use or preach the "Technology", without paying them mucho dineros.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 11:59 PM
Hello, Paul. Another thing I would tell you may involve a trip to Vegas to confirm the date and death of Quentin Hubbard.
Posted 27 Oct 2009, 3:26 AM
For all those who are saying they'll now see Crash, I will now save you two hours of your life. Things you will learn from Crash:
- White people can be nasty or nice.
- Black people can be nasty or nice.
- Middle Easterners are tightly-wound psychos who shoot children in the back, or their twitchy, walking-on-eggshells wives.
- Asians are people traffickers who can't speak English or drive well.
- Crash sucks.
But then, if you go and watch a race drama written by someone who, at the time, was in an organisation that refers to non-members as 'wogs', whaddya expect...
Posted 27 Oct 2009, 5:52 AM
Most Scientologists cannot distinguish between White Scientology and Black Scientology. They think it's the same thing, and it is not. Black Scientology is an extension of Black Dianetics, and it does exist. It is very sad to witness such confusion. It is obvious that the forced disconnection is Black Scientology...the wrong indications (which might provoke psychosis) are a form of Black Scientology, the false datum "democracy has given us inflation and income tax." is another example of Black Scientology. In order to clear Scientology we must separate and recognize Black Scientology from White Scientology and see it as it is...a form of psychiatric human rights violation...
Posted 29 Oct 2009, 4:02 PM
Maybe the black and white avenues are a bit narrow for most people. Everything else on the planet is in the gray zone. And from all evidence this subject of Scientology and everyone glued to it is floating around in one little gray raindrop.
Posted 27 Oct 2009, 10:20 AM
Haggis wins this year's "No Duh" award for his keep grasp of the obvious.
It's commendable to see someone free themselves from a cult, but that feeling of victory is offset by the fact he was part of the cult for 35 years. As such, he is to blame as much as anyone else.
Posted 27 Oct 2009, 11:59 AM
How on Teegeeack can anyone possibly take this junk seriously? I bet Paul finally reached whatever OT level that "revealed" all the space opera crap and he finally saw how insane it was. But decided to use Prop 8 as the excuse. (Note that he still refers to the group as a "church". Sad, silly man.)
Posted 27 Oct 2009, 1:48 PM
OMG! How can they let a Scientology advert show on this page!
Posted 27 Oct 2009, 5:34 PM
Thank goodness! Haggis is another $cientologist I can take off my boycott list! For many years I have refused to pay one cent for any movie or book (or whatever) with a $cientologist in it, or written or produced by one. No way will I support anyone who is a member of this creepy criminal cult. Luckily, it seems like the $cientology ship is sinking fast. Tick tock...it`s just a matter of time. The lawsuits are coming....Government investigations and raids are on the way...It`s about time!
Posted 27 Oct 2009, 10:36 PM
Dude, really? Some of these comments are just dumbfounding! CoS was simple started as a tax dodge, and now one of their high profile members speaks out, some take him to task over his pro gay stance. Get a brain. The whole thing is a money making, load of B.S. They don't believe in meds, well if my father in law didn't take his he'd be have seizures all the time, try breathing through the pain on that one! If my nana didn't take her heart meds she would have died years ago from a heart attack (but it's all in her head, wink wink). However we are born from aliens & they are coming back to save us.... (once you've bought 100 books or so)
Posted 28 Oct 2009, 9:47 PM
Hmmmmm...... very interesting...I wonder what Paul's intention was in writing this letter?? Certainly not letting Scientology know he wanted to leave. Sound like he's trying to make Scientology look bad after they helped him!! Ha! In his own words! I don't believe for one minute that all Scientologists are anti-gay, I know some myself and I'm gay, so that's not true. It's like saying all Germans are Nazi's or all Christians hate gays. What a joke! What a joker!! I met him once and all he did was smoke and curse. What a great role model!
Posted 29 Oct 2009, 3:57 PM
Since .000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001%, at the best, of our Earth's population has even heard of Scientology, how can I get excited? Does any of this really matter against the big picture?
Posted 07 Nov 2009, 6:31 PM
I may be the only person ever get a refund of any kind from Scientology. I speak a foreign language and replied to Scientology's ad for translators of their materials. The branch I walked into (to apply
for this work) knew nothing about the translation situation.
But they chatted with me and learned that I was studying one more foreign language. They
said that their basic, "communications" course would teach me ways to learn languages
faster. AND there was a money-back guarantee.
There was nothing to lose, so I took their course and finished it. It was scary. There
was great pressure on the "students" in class to stand up one by one and say what they'd
learned each day. It was brain-washing, in a way.
When the course was over, I asked for my money back. I told them that this course
had not helped me learn the language I was studying. They told me (wait for it...) that I
must not have understood! If I'd understood the material, I would see how helpful it was.
I persisted and somehow got a refund. Maybe I'm the only one ...ever.
Posted 20 Nov 2009, 2:03 PM
There's a lot more bad to this religion than just being intolerant. This is the weirdest religion I've every read about.
Posted 20 Nov 2009, 2:09 PM
Its just another form of mindcotrol like jehovahs and mormons etc , just a different touch to it .These people are spiritual prisoners ......
Posted 26 Dec 2009, 3:14 PM
I asked an ex-Scilon what Scientolgy's unofficial line on gays is and he said that they consider homosexuality a 'curable disease'.
Posted 09 Mar 2010, 8:04 AM
Well, Paul Haggis is the one person to admire in Hollywood. Not only did he call it the way he saw it, but he resigned, and I'm sure is a much happier man because of his choice to leave.
And as for Scientologists, if they really think homosexuality is curable, I've got a bridge in Brookly to sell to 'em.
Posted 07 Aug 2010, 2:03 PM
Just a heads up... your website looks very peculiar in Mozilla on a mac