Oscar-winner Paul Haggis quits Scientology over gay rights stance

[Yves]

Paul Haggis Renounces Scientology In Blistering Letter
Huffington Post

NEW YORK — "Crash" director Paul Haggis has severed his ties with the Church of Scientology, in part because of what he alleged as the organization's stance against gay marriage.

Haggis wrote a letter addressed to Tommy Davis, the head of Scientology's Celebrity Centre. In it, Haggis said he was disappointed by the church's tacit denial of gay rights in the debate over California's gay marriage ban.

"I could not, in good conscience, be a member of an organization where gay-bashing was tolerated," Haggis wrote.


Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/25/paul-haggis-renounces-sci_n_333261.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/26/paul-haggis-scientology-prop-8

 

[MystikWizard]

I have the utmost respect for him.

Now, if only Tom Cruise could do the same.

 

[NedNickerson]

Now, if only Tom Cruise could do the same.

Since he's supposedly "second in command,"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Cruise#Scientology
that's not likely to happen.

If anything, he probably encourages Scientology's postion on gay issues...

Check this link out for the lastest on Tom Cruise and Scientology
(the article calls it a "sci-fi cult") :

Tom Cruise hosts Scientology party
http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/people/tom-cruise-hosts-scientology-party-20091022-h9rw.html

 

[hotatlboi]

I have the utmost respect for him.

Now, if only Tom Cruise could do the same.

As much as I wish I could say that, I can't just bring myself to have a high degree of respect for anyone with the intellectual inferiority it would take to be associated with the church of Scientology.

Maybe if he had said he was quitting because he finally realized how completely absurd everything about them is.

 

[Fire]

I have the utmost respect for him.

If the "church's" stance on gay marriage is the straw that breaks the camel's back for you, and not the whole it being a transparently invented pseudoscientific/religious scam thing, I really have to wonder if you deserve our respect and not, say, our pity.

^beat me to it.

 

[CGHJ]

That's a great reason to leave and I applaud him for it. I also woulda settled for "I left because they're bat-shit crazy*"

* They believe that aliens came here billions of years ago in spaceships that looked like DC-8 airplanes, were stuffed into volcanoes, and then nuked by galactic overlord Xenu. As transmitted by a science fiction writer. Actually calling them bat-shit crazy is an insult to bat shit.

 

[lostnfound]

Have you guys seen the Nightline special on Scientology w/ Martin Bashir? It's fucked up.

Oh, and check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Freakout

 

[theFallenGod]

Does this mean that the cult is going to try to do everything in it's power to destroy Haggis?

Because if you disassociate from the cult you become a public enemy in the eyes of its followers.

 

[kayman23]

This almost makes up for Crash winning Best Picture over Brokeback.

Uh Nik, both of those movies were lame, and I'm puzzled as to why either would be nominated...

 

[SonOfSlobone]

I didn't even know he was a member, so I'm not terribly impressed that he belatedly got smart enough to leave. What is it with these Hollywood people?

 

[theFallenGod]

Crash was lamer than Brokeback.

I refer you to post #8 by ohNOyoudidn't about sticking behind anything that supports gay people... Even crappy stereotypical movies that have been done over and over and over again in Hollywood about gay men who will NEVER be happy together.


Crash was amazing and deserved the Oscar over the trite "lame" Brokeback... The only reason it has so much gay fanfare behind it is because it had 2 actors that 90% of gay men WISH were gay. Nevermind that the story had indeed been done several times before and that this was actually a boring excuse for movie based on a boring book. A story about gay men who have to cheat on their spouses and one ends up alone because the other was whoring himself out and ended up getting bashed... I could name at least 20 gay themed movies that are much better Brokeback.

 

[davy]

We gays have a tendency to quickly endorse anyone who sticks up for us, perhaps because we're so desperate for support and acceptance from our straight counterparts.

I don't know if that's true; but it sure would make sense when you consider how remarkably so few poweful straights have gone up to bat for us.

It's more common that we have straights say that they're on our side, but when pitted against popular opinion or money they stay silent and allow us to be dehumanized.

... Obama anyone?

 

[BRIOHAZARD]

I have the utmost respect for him.

Now, if only Tom Cruise could do the same.

Tom Cruise can stay right where he is. He's sued way to many people over them calling him gay.

As much as I wish I could say that, I can't just bring myself to have a high degree of respect for anyone with the intellectual inferiority it would take to be associated with the church of Scientology.

Maybe if he had said he was quitting because he finally realized how completely absurd everything about them is.

Haha, I agree with you there.

 

[frankfrank]

That's a great reason to leave and I applaud him for it. I also woulda settled for "I left because they're bat-shit crazy*"

* They believe that aliens came here billions of years ago in spaceships that looked like DC-8 airplanes, were stuffed into volcanoes, and then nuked by galactic overlord Xenu. As transmitted by a science fiction writer. Actually calling them bat-shit crazy is an insult to bat shit.

They're wrong!

Everybody knows the correct spelling is XENUU.

 

[kayman23]

Crash was lamer than Brokeback.

Haggis went to Fanshawe in London, Ontario...and that alone provides enough laughter for a lifetime.

I stand by my point because both movies about a whole bunch of nothing but stereotypes...