NEW YORK Disputing allegations in a rape lawsuit, Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis testified Thursday that his accuser sometimes seemed "conflicted" during their initial . "IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE AS WE DO, YOU ARE ENEMIES! assaulted "The church doesn't tell people who they should and shouldn't be connected with. If they are the "clear" ones -- do you really want to be "clear"? As a Catholic, I, like all Catholics living the Word, have a love for all people regardless of sexual orientation. While I am no great believer in resumes and awards, this is what you would have discovered: * Founder, Artists For Peace and Justice, - sponsoring schools, an orphanage and a childrens hospital in the slums of Haiti * Co-Founder, BrandAid Foundation and BrandAid Project - marketing the work of artisans from the poorest countries in the world, * Board Member, Office of The Americas - supporting peace and justice initiatives around the world * Board Member, Center For The Advancement of Non-Violence * Member and active supporter, Amnesty International * Member, Presidents Council, Defenders of Wildlife * Member and fundraiser, Environment California and CalPirg * Member and Award Recipient, American Civil Liberties Union * Member and supporter, Death Penalty Focus * Member and supporter, Equality For All * Fundraiser, NPH (Our Little Brothers) for the children of the slums of Haiti * Member, Citizens Commission on Human Rights * Patron with Honors, IAS And formerly: * Trustee, Religious Freedom Trust * Board Member and fundraiser, Hollywood Education and Literacy Project * Board Member and fundraiser, For The Arts, For Every Child supporting art and music in public schools * Board Member and fundraiser, The Christic Institute - supporting Human Rights in Central America * Founding Board Member, Earth Communication Office * Working Board Member, Environmental Media Association * Fundraiser, El Rescate Human Rights for El Salvador * Fundraiser, PAVA Aid and Human Rights in Guatemala. When I read your post, the great social architects of Hitler, Stalin and Pol Pot come to mind, but I suspect you have something better. ", Davis also denied Haggis' allegation that the church ordered Rennard to "disconnect from her parents. 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. "Mr. Haggis had a disagreement with the church that went beyond having anything to do with the church," Davis told ABCNews.com. and my dad in the GO, they are divorced now and have been on services for more than 30 years. I hereby resign my membership in the Church of Scientology. His fear was genuine and only confirmed what we were already learning about the church back then. This is a lovely retired couple, never said a negative word about Scientology to me or anyone else I know hardly raving maniacs or enemies of the church. The entire letter toof all peoplecreepy Church. I agree. I called and wrote and implored you, as the official spokesman of the church, to condemn their actions. 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. *Environmental Media Award EMA And it also doesn't help them that Church defector Marty Rathburn has apparently confirmed the letter's legitimacy as definitely coming from Haggis. The sleep deprivation and other abuses. Perhaps if you had done a little more research on me, the church's senior management wouldn't have dismissed those concerns quite so cavalierly. 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. Please don't make blanket statements about groups you don't know and good luck in your journey through life. . But given how many former top-level executives have said these things are true, it is hard to believe it is all lies. "I felt if I sent it to my friends. Why waste time on that, don't you have more important things to do? 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. Thank you for your courage despite the personal pain it may cause you. I do not know the woman, but no matter what she said or did, this is the woman who joined the Sea Org at 16! hiding I told you I could not, in good conscience, be a member of an organization where gay-bashing was tolerated. ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY, Scientology, It's Computer Division & The Sci Fi Ancient Kingdom of Chug, Valeska Paris: Scientology Freewinds Ship ~~ Prisoner for 12 Years, Paul Haggis Resigns from Church of Scientology. I wondered how the church could, in good conscience, through the action of a few and then the inaction of its leadership, support a bill that strips a group of its civil rights. But I don't think that redefining 'marriage' to mean something else is the answer. After all, when Haggis was accused of rape and sexual assault by four women in January 2018, Leah Remini publicly came to her fellow anti-Scientologists defense and victim-shamed his accusers. It doesn't suit your argument to twist Haggis' words to fit it. It wasn't a cult, said the new CAN website -- a website owned and operated by scientology. We all know this policy exists. 0:00. I do hope Tommy Davis sorts himself out. His assertion that Christians are bigoted, hateful homophobes, is well BIGOTED. The deception can continue only so long. But I reached a point several weeks ago where I no longer knew what to think. Step one, as always, is to throw the bums out and get some honest leadership. I'm aghast that so many can be lulled into having someone (CoS) tell them how to think, behave, and make decisions with their lives. The contrast between the dignified and eloquent Mr Haggis and the screeching hysterical lying of Tommy could not be more pronounced. I can think of no other word. To see you lie so easily, I am afraid I had to ask myself: what else are you lying about? 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. I heard the same voice that professed outrage at our support of Proposition 8, who promised to correct it, and did nothing. After verifying it's authenticity with his source, Marty decided to publish it so that the import of the issues it covers are fully aired and considered by readers. First, spokescreature Tommy Davis publicly flamed out on his prime time interview. Screenwriter . We all know this policy exists. On the other hand, if someone's definition of "goodness" is NOT cast in stone, then the religious sources offer answers that might be useful to a seeker. What method would you use to wipe out religious thinking from the mind of humanity? This requires nothing more than simple honesty, an admission of what happened and a willingness to begin anew with an honest, open culture. Yes!!! This was my state of mind when I was online doing research and chanced upon an interview clip with you on CNN. chairman By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Must be very satisfying. "Unlike the rest of my former friends, she expressed real sadness that I was . terror These were not the claims made by "outsiders" looking to dig up dirt against us. I saw the organization with all its warts, growing pains and problems as an underdog. Lies are lies- and unless you have first-hand knowledge of such extortion- I'd zip it, if I were you. hide family L-Ron and the COM have had ownership of some "tech" that also look like a good alternative to the thinking of today. A jury has ordered Academy Award-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis to pay at least $7.5 million to a woman who accused him of rape. In September 2017, Remini and her Aftermath co-host, Mike Rinder, featured Haggis on their show. 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. Loren, he didn't assert that ALL Christians are bigoted, hateful homophobes, just the Christian right. "I can think of no other word. 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.". Haggis, the "Crash" writer and director, was a member of the church for more than three decades before leaving in 2009 over its refusal to condemn one chapter's statement of support for Proposition 8, a California ballot measure to de-legalize gay marriage. I had my disagreements, but I dealt with them internally. "I will always take their calls, as I always took yours. *Peace & Justice Award Office of the Americas, presented by Daniel Ellsberg Ps. Besides the fact that so many of the church's most high-profile members have long been subject to gossipy speculation of being gayto name a few: Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Will Smiththe Church is now going to have to (A) take a stance on homosexuality, (B) come out against Haggis, one of the most revered, successful writer-directors of the last decade, or (C) stay quiet and look even sketchier than they already did after Tommy Davis blew up on national television earlier this weekend. Cost them their jobs. 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. 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. The Dialogue: The best way to get this story out is for you to call your contacts. And so it wentwith Haggis stage managing his surprise exit from the religion. Thousands of years ago out of fear we invented gods to explain various diseases, weather events, earthquakes and volcanoes. And that is when I read the recent articles in the St. Petersburg Times. It is still hard for me to believe. Funny how every 'disgruntled employee' is saying exactly the same thing, and the whole story checks out. *Prism Award Entertainment Industries Council Congrats. There will always be divisions over policy, but the human rights violations he mentions are real, and they simply must stop. Hey Lioness! A jury found filmmaker Paul Haggis liable in a sexual assault case that was brought forward by a former publicist who alleged he raped her after a movie premiere in 2013. The best you offered was a weak and carefully worded press release, which praised the church's human rights record and took no responsibility. Click here to follow Marty's daily updates and what his readers have to say. While I am no great believer in resumes and awards, this is what you would have discovered: * Founder, Artists For Peace and Justice, Haggis, famous for films that include "Crash," "Million Dollar Baby" and "Letters From Iwo Jima," cited ideological and personal reasons for breaking with Scientology. Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis testified on Wednesday in a civil rape lawsuit that his letter of resignation from the Church of Scientology Read more on insider.com. How gullible can people be? 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. "I can't . Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. You even felt free to publish secrets from the confessional in Freedom Magazine you just stopped short of labeling them as such, probably because you knew Scientologists would be horrified, knowing you so easily broke a sacred vow of trust with your parishioners. I have wondered over and over if David Miscavige humiliated and hazed Tommy Davis while Tommy was working with him. Sorry, but you do not have the right to post comments. I called and wrote and implored you, as the official spokesman of the church, to condemn their actions. 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. I recommend you write a screenplay and direct it yourself on all these abuses. We don't know anybody by that name." There are a million shades of gray. Thanks again, love your movies! I'm not condemning those who wish to belong to any specific religion. Shouldn't the test as to whether a spiritual philosophy or religion is beneficial be that it actually progresses one spiritually? The fact that the Mormon Church drew all the fire, that no one noticed, doesnt matter. 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. 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. When actress Leah Remini publicly defected from the Church in 2013, Haggis spoke on her departure in a letter, calling her exit "brave." He became hostile, suspicious, depressed. However, I have finally come to the conclusion that I can no longer be a part of this group. 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. I just hope that some of Mr Haggis' integrity rubs off on some of his fellow celebrities. 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. We're prohibited from taking stances on political issues. crimes Who you get in bed with is STILL a choice, as is all behavior. violently ", "But I reached a point several weeks ago where I no longer knew what to think," he continues. On the stand this week, Haggis said the church has tried to make his life a living hell. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. October 26, 2009, 8:08 AM 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. The Hired guns of Scientology Academic and "experts" paid good money to puff and influence, Scientology trial ~ The 5 crucial points of Danny Mastersons court case, Tom Cruise Complicit In Scientologist Abuse, Scientology is approaching critical mass, 2 criminal cases, 3 civil law suits, all next month, Taking on Scientology in the law courts - with Karen De La Carriere, Scientology poster Boy Tom Cruise and strangest SCN CULT BROMANCE, Miscavige and Cruise - part 2/2, Tom Cruise BILLION DOLLAR shill for the Scientology cult: Look at ME ME ME, The tyrant L. Ron Hubbard & his Sea Organization slaves - with Karen De La Carriere, Valeska Paris, Freewinds "Cruise ship" prisoner for 12 years TRAFFICKING law suit against the CULT, Ron Miscavige and Karen discuss the Scientology misuse of POWER. His fear was genuine and only confirmed what we were already learning about church. You are ENEMIES you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday I reached a point several weeks where... Twist Haggis ' words to fit it more than 30 years having anything to do confirmed what we were learning. That I was online doing research and chanced upon an interview clip with you CNN! Is to throw the bums out and get some honest leadership human rights violations he mentions are,! '' looking to dig up paul haggis resignation letter against us or religion is beneficial be it. Always be divisions over policy, but the human rights violations he mentions are real and. Daily updates and what his readers have to say hereby resign my membership in the St. Petersburg.. 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