attack Paul Haggis Writes Letter Of Support For Leah Remini After Scientology Departure Jul 31, 2013, 11:19 AM EDT BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JULY 27: Actress Leah Remini speaks onstage at the 'Family Tools' panel during the Disney/ABC Television Group portion of the 2012 Summer TCA Tour on July 27, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. and my dad in the GO, they are divorced now and have been on services for more than 30 years. 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. I just discovered this website, and frankly, I am astounded it exists. 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. Yet the CoS needs media coverage of their "deeds" - this has always sickened me somewhat. Ps. I agree. Then maybe it's "make sure the zoning law gets passed so the church can continue its work" or "donate $$$ or host a fund raiser so the church can do ____". 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. Is this Jonestown 2 in the making? I hope your letter of resignation reaches many people and finally gets the message that this so-called Church is full of the worst kind of misguided teachings. Ive attached our email correspondence. . Academy Award winning screenwriter Paul Haggis has penned an opus of a different kind: an open letter supporting actress Leah Remini's decision to break with the Church of Scientology. management Haggis testified the sex act went on for 10 to 20 minutes before . However, I have finally come to the conclusion that I can no longer be a part of this group. Representatives for Remini did not immediately return Insider's request for comment. I am only ashamed that I waited this many months to act. Oct. 26 2009, Published 3:30 p.m. I can think of no other word. ", "That's not true. In fact, as Rathbun reveals, Haggis asked Rathbun and others to lie for him to Lawrence Wright, who was working on his The New Yorker article at the time. Haggis' final bomb, which is going to ring true to many, many Scientologists on every level, is about that same St. Petersburg Times report, in which the Church dredged up old documents and audits on their members to expose salacious, damning details about their personal lives to paint their defection as a cover for their personal indiscretions. I noticed. Scientology has claimed that their high-profile defectors hold personal grudges against them for demotions and other bureaucratic failings. It isn't a far stretch of the imagination that something like this can balloon, especially when Catholics are programmed from birth to do what the priest says for forgiveness without question. The problem for me extends back to an interpretation of one of the Ethics codes: "Such Suppressive Acts include Public disavowal of Scientology or Scientologists in good standing with Scientology organizations." But given how many former top-level executives have said these things are true, it is hard to believe it is all lies. I wish I could tell you that they rang true. In January 2018, Haggis was . Academy Award -winning film director Paul Haggis declared to Scientology spokesman Tommy Davis that he had decided to leave the Church of Scientology after being a member for 35 years. You said straight-out there was no such policy, that it did not exist. ..H. Praise for Paul Haggis. People are so attached to their money it would have never lasted this long. 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. chairman I think the other reasons Mr Haggis gives make more sense as to why one would leave any church or organization. The entire letter toof all peoplecreepy Church. [Rathbun] broke his silence on the matter in 2017 to reveal that he and Haggis had orchestrated Haggis departure story and there is no truth whatsoever to the Haggis account. Mon 26 Oct 2009 12.29 EDT. You want to rebut her accusations, do it, and do it in the strongest terms possible but that kind of character assassination is unconscionable. My younger brother got roped into a three year ordeal during a most vunerable time of his life, early 20's, and was forced to disassociate with our loving and very concerned family for ridiculous reasons, all the while spending hours, day and night doing whatever they instructed him to do in their downtown Toronto outfit. Sure it starts off with a simple, "I hit my little sister" and the penance is to bake her some cookies and say you are sorry. It was a terrible time. A priest would go to jail before revealing secrets from the confessional, no matter what the cost to himself or his church. Highlighting Management Skills From Retail On Resume *EDGE Awards (2) Entertainment Industries Council Now, Oscar-winning Crash director Paul Haggis' public resignation from Scientology has leaked. 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. Silence is consent, Tommy. Those who do cut off gay family members or friends are detestable, and not doing so because of God. As we can see, the business of Scientology is now beginning to fail but the GATES OF HELL will NOT prevail against the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, although I admit evil has attempted, it will NEVER overpower the Blood of Christ. And for our side at least, "Civil" is used in the most eloquent, non-violent sense of the word. for whatever the reason. In September 2017, Remini and her Aftermath co-host, Mike Rinder, featured Haggis on their show. Rathbun revealed that Haggis wrote his ultimate spec script choreographing his exit from the Church to make him seem like a noble do-gooder rather than the cynical opportunist he is. In order to contain a potential 'PR flap' you allowed our sponsorship of Proposition 8 to stand. *Bill of Rights Award American Civil Liberties Union Not that any of that would matter to Leah Remini, who featured Paul Haggis and his discredited, false narrative on, Mark Rathbun Calls Out Paul Haggis False Tale, as Told by Alex Gibney, Church of Scientology International. "Meet the abusive individual who turned Scientology into a cult, doesn't practice the religion himself, has refused auditing for 19 years, won't even do a course in Scientology. You are also wrong about the Catechism of the Church. I feel the need to defend Mr. Haggis. That's the kind of integrity I thought we had, but obviously the standard in this church is far lower the public relations representative can reveal secrets to the press if the management feels justified. Really? Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Hey Lioness! By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Isn't the proof in the pudding? donations 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. They had him on the corner of Salmon and Broadway all day, every day, in all kinds of weather like a robot for Scientology. It is a example of total greed and nuttiness. As Rathbun tells it: So he [Haggis] says, By October, Marty Rathbun got a hold of the letter. Well, I actually have an email of 23 August, two months earlier, where Im already talking with Paul Haggis.Not only do I have the letter, but Im getting detailed meticulous instructions about how to present it deceptively to media contacts that Ive established.Paul Haggis consulted with me every step of the way, on how he should position this and how he should do this.. He does liken Scientology's support of Prop 8 to those of "the worst elements of the Christian Right." 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 Leah Remini to leave the religion as well. I was shocked. 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 Leah Remini to leave the religion as well. I am not religious nor am I a member of a religious group but I don't understand why it's 'gay bashing' to define marriage in this way. Director Paul Haggis's Sexual-Assault Trial Is Underway. 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. torture 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. But what happens when you are an adult - and someone of power like a city council member, senator or other influential entity? * Fundraiser, El Rescate Human Rights for El Salvador :-). The Church of Scientology lost one of its most high-profile members when the Hollywood film-maker Paul Haggis quit the organisation in protest at its stance on same-sex . The deception can continue only so long. Accusing the Roman Catholic Church to "use confessionals to extort money" is crazy. Writer: Crash. 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. resignation from Scientology, Haggis wrote an open letter, Haggis spoke on her departure in a letter, calling her exit "brave. I hereby resign my membership in the Church of Scientology. However, in 2009, Haggis resigned from the church due to their opposition to same-sex marriages. And that is when I read the recent articles in the St. Petersburg Times. Paul Haggis, the Oscar-winning filmmaker who directed "Crash," has been living under a cloud since a woman sued him in civil court . Mistrial. And you could laugh at the question as if it was a joke? Not that any of that would matter to Leah Remini, who featured Paul Haggis and his discredited, false narrative on Aftermath three months later. June 22, 2022 2:32 PM PT. Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis wants a jury to hear evidence he claims will prove the Church of Scientology is behind the rape lawsuit he faces at trial next month. You want to rebut her accusations, do it, and do it in the strongest terms possible but that kind of character assassination is unconscionable. Paul Haggis established himself over twenty years with an extensive career in television, before his big break into features arrived when he became the first screenwriter to garner two Best Film Academy Awards back-to-back for his scripts: "Million Dollar Baby" (2004) directed by Clint Eastwood, and "Crash" (2005) which Paul directed himself. There is more to humanity than "them" and "us." "I felt if I sent it to my friends. Shine forth brave souls. hubbard That's just more BS persecution coming from those who wish to tear down the Catholic church. Jones earned a Best Actor Oscar nomination for his performance in the film. Names like Tom Cruise and John Travolta have long been attached to Hollywood's connection with Scientology. ", "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. I am intrigued by your suggestion of "doing away with ALL religion" especially from one self-described as "kind, generous, and concerned for people I don't even know". Haggis views the church's actions as "cowardly," and thus, after thirty-five years of membership, is resigning. WHO ARE WE TO JUDGE ANYONE? A group of decent people mislead, betrayed and controlled by their management. I attended 2 years of Catholic High School and wrote a paper for religion class about "buying forgiveness" and the dangers it presents - and got kicked out of school for my troubles. Holy Xenu! Paul Haggis. Some are to just whip through earth time and get to the end. I have always considered the current operation a mind control program, with militaristic overtones. - sponsoring schools, an orphanage and a children's hospital in the slums of Haiti 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. One night in NY city in the sixties a group of us was approached by a Scientology recruiter. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. That's not ancient history, Tommy. To the extent that anything prohibits or infringes on anyone's civil rights, we don't agree with it. 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. I refuse to consent. I recall being sent to the priest every time I expressed an independent thought. 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. Most Catholics (even very wealthy ones) don't use them. Must be very satisfying. chairman I told you I could not, in good conscience, be a member of an organization where gay-bashing was tolerated. People are kept ignorant to education, other cultures and religions and are not taught to respect people's beliefs. 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. Lies are lies- and unless you have first-hand knowledge of such extortion- I'd zip it, if I were you. Are we going to see bloodshed before this is all over? 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