Oscar-Winning Filmmaker Quits Scientology
by Mike KrumboltzOct 26, 2009
Paul Haggis, the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind "Crash," has formally resigned from the Church of Scientology over what he says are the church's negative views on gay rights.
In a letter to Tommy Davis, a Scientology spokesman, Haggis criticizes the organization's public sponsorship of Proposition 8, a California law that took away the rights of gay and lesbian citizens to legally marry. Haggis wrote, "The church’s refusal to denounce the actions of these bigots, hypocrites, and homophobes is cowardly. I can think of no other word. Silence is consent, Tommy. I refuse to consent."
But that's apparently only part of the reason for the break. Mr. Haggis also wrote that his wife, actress Deborah Rennard, was "ordered to break off from her parents and have nothing more to do with them because they’d violated some code of the sect."
The story was first reported in the Hollywood Reporter, but has since been picked up on blogs across the Web. The Reporter comments that Haggis has taken an enormous step, "and one that should resonate among all celebrity Scientologists." The Village Voice explains that Haggis has long been known for his "humanitarian efforts and strong support for civil liberties." While best known for "Crash," Haggis played himself in an episode of "Entourage." He also wrote the screenplays for box office hits "Million Dollar Baby" and "Casino Royale."
According to a publicist for Haggis, the letter was never intended to be made public. Nevertheless, the resignation has stirred up plenty of Web searches. Lookups on Mr. Haggis jumped from zip into the thousands overnight, and queries on "scientology church" and "scientology beliefs" also soared.
