Paul Haggis Says Peace Out to Scientology
The Chuch of Scientology has long been the church of choice for the Hollywood elite. But one famous member has decided to leave, and he’s making a pretty big scene.
According to Moveline, writer-director Paul Haggis (who won an Oscar for Crash) has renounced Scientology after being a member for 35 years. He wrote a letter to church spokesman Tommy Davis, detailing why he chose to leave, zeroing in on the fact that the San Diego branch of Scientology sponsored Proposition 8, the ballot measure that banned gay marriage in California earlier this year.
Here’s an excerpt from the candid and confrontational letter, which was just published online:
“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.”
Haggis said that Davis had promised to take action against the San Diego branch, but nothing ever happened. “The church’s refusal to denounce the actions of these bigots, hypocrites and homophobes is cowardly,” Haggis wrote. “I can think of no other word. Silence is consent, Tommy. I refuse to consent.”
Many members of Hollywood were staunch in their opposition to Prop 8 – I wonder if they’ll consider leaving Scientology too?
