“Crash” Oscar-winning writer-director and EP of the eponymous Starz television series Paul Haggis has left the Cult of Scientology.
02/24/2008 - Deborah Rennard and Paul Haggis. The tipping point for Haggis, a 35 year member of the cult, was Scientology’s backing of Proposition 8 in California banning gay marriage. USA © Bob Charlotte / PR Photos
Roger Friedman of Showbiz 411 reported Sunday that Haggis penned a poison letter aimed at Anne Archer's son Tommy Davis, the Scientology celebrity liaison of the "church."
The tipping point for Haggis, a 35 year member of the cult, was Scientology’s backing of Proposition 8 in California banning gay marriage.
The letter Haggis wrote also reveals a painful family struggle where his wife, actress Deborah Rennard, came into Scientology through her parents, and was ordered by the cult to break off from her parents and have nothing more to do with them because of a perceived infraction.
Haggis, according to Friedman, is in production with “The Next Three Days” with Russell Crowe, Liam Neeson, and another famous ex Scientologist, Jason Beghe.
Beghe publicly broke with Scientology and videotaped revealing insider details about the cult that requires large sums of money to move up the "OT" chain.
Friedman published his letter.
Tommy,
As you know, for ten months now I have been writing to ask you to make
I called and wrote and implored you, as the official spokesman of
In that first conversation, back at the end of October of last year,
The church’s refusal to denounce the actions of these bigots,
I joined the Church of Scientology thirty-five years ago. During my
But I reached a point several weeks ago where I no longer knew what to
The fact that the Mormon Church drew all the fire, that no one noticed,
This was my state of mind when I was online doing research and chanced
I was shocked. We all know this policy exists. I didn’t have to search
You might recall that my wife was ordered to disconnect from her parents
Although it caused her terrible personal pain, my wife broke off all
For a year and a half, despite her protestations, my wife did not speak
That’s not ancient history, Tommy. It was a year ago.
And you could laugh at the question as if it was a joke? You could
To see you lie so easily, I am afraid I had to ask myself: what else
The great majority of Scientologists I know are good people who are
Sincerely,
Paul Haggis
Ps. I’ve attached our email correspondence. At some point it became
[Haggis lists his numerous awards]
The full text of the letter can be found HERE
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