I still say Brokeback should have won, but I really respect Paul Haggis ("Crash") in light of this

[closeupready]

>>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...

"The great majority of Scientologists I know are good people who are genuinely interested in improving conditions on this planet and helping others. I have to believe that if they knew what I now know, they too would be horrified. 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. 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. I will always take their calls, as I always took yours. However, I have finally come to the conclusion that I can no longer be a part of this group. Frankly, I had to look no further than your refusal to denounce the church’s anti-gay stance, and the indefensible actions, and inactions, of those who condone this behavior within the organization. I am only ashamed that I waited this many months to act. I hereby resign my membership in the Church of Scientology.

"Sincerely, Paul Haggis"<<

http://www.movieline.com/2009/10/paul-haggis-renounces-scientology.php?page=2

Good for him. :applause:

[YOY]

1. Dunno...it took THAT to make him leave...not the whole BS pyramid scheme thing?

n/t

[closeupready]

2. I guess if leaving Scientology is incumbent upon VIP's such as Haggis, homophobia is a good choice.

I do think there are many, many things to object to with regard to Scientology, just as I fervently believe there are an equal number of things to object to about the Roman Catholic Church, the Southern Baptists, Mormons, Judaism, Hinduism and Islam. I (and many others) have heard one or another of these churches referred to as violent, racist, money launderers, woman-hating, slave enabling, etc. Where does one separate the hyperbole from the facts, if one is unfamiliar with such churches?

And also, those who subscribe to each of these schools of thought/religions almost always have to subscribe to all of it, or else risk losing the right to call themselves legitimate members.

The fact that he was apparently moved to leave Scientology over homophobia indicates to me that he found this to be overwhelmingly objectionable. I just personally think this is to his credit.

[Lilith Velkor]

3. Good for him, but Crash is still a horrible film.

[closeupready]

4. Being 100% honest, not snarky, I thought so, too.

I tried to like it, since there were parts that were funny, and I've always liked Matt Dillon, but it was just a yawner, even silly, film. I wasn't aware Haggis was a Scientologist at the time, but if so, then I wonder to what extent his beliefs provided a framework for the story, seeing as how it was a commentary on society?

[Hissyspit]

8. I couldn't sit through it, I thought it was so bad.

Yes, it was a Scientologist tract, badly done.

Sorry, if I'm being arrogant and elitist, but intelligent people have no excuse for being involved with this awful organization. Much of the truth about this organization has been out there for two, three decades.

[Skittles]

7. I thought it was OK

but Oscar-worthy? No f***ing way.

[QC]

5. Kudos, but Crash is still nothing but a Lifetime Thursday Night Movie.

It won because it provided a way for the Academy to slap the queers around without losing their liberal street cred entirely.

[Divine Discontent]

6. Good for him for realizing, finally, that they're full of shit. Cult group nuts.

Crash didn't deserve the Oscar. Not even by a long shot....

sad to hear Travolta going through personal hell ---

But the always controversial church has come under pressure recently after the death of Travolta's son, Jett, who was believed to be autistic. The church does not believe in recognizing autism nor in treating it. The church considers mental illness to be psychosomatic and argues that it should be treated through spiritual healing.

Travolta has said his son, who died at 16 of a seizure, had Kawasaki syndrome, a disease of the lymph nodes, and that he had been treated through the church's detoxification programs.Travolta reportedly has been distraught over his son's death and is questioning his decisions to follow church doctrine.



Maybe he will finally reject the nutball cult group, too. God help 'em escape it! Tom Cruise - he's a lifer, though! ha

[Toasterlad]

9. Travolta Will Never Leave Scientology.

There are too many skeletons in his "closet". The only way he's getting out of scientology is if he comes out. But who knows what other stuff they're blackmailing him with?

[joeybee12]

10. "The great majority are good people"????

Maybe, but they're also really stupid people, too.