10/26/2009

in

Paul Haggis' outrage over a church's backing of Proposition 8 led to his decision to end his membership.

Blakely Slater

Scientology, an increasingly popular religious trend among Hollywood stars, was recently strongly renounced by an elite director.  
  
Paul Haggis, best known for his Oscar-winning movies, "Million Dollar Baby" and "Crash," left the Church of Scientology after being a member for 35 years, citing many disappointments as his reasons for resigning.  
  
His issue with the church first stemmed from his appall over the support that the San Diego branch gave Proposition 8, the amendment that took away marriage rights from gay couples in California. Haggis sent a letter, displayed in the [Los Angeles Times](http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/thedishrag/2009/10/-crash-director-paul-haggis-renounces-scientology-over-gay-rights.html) report, to Tommy Davis, head of the Church of Scientology's Celebrity Centre International, elaborating on his grievances.  
  
"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," the letter begins. Haggis went on to write "Their public sponsorship of Proposition 8, a hate filled legislation that succeeded in taking away the civil rights of gay and lesbian citizens of California—rights that were granted them by the Supreme Court of our state—shames us."  
  
Further on, Haggis expressed his disappointment with the lack of action that was originally promised by Davis.  
  
"The church's refusal to denounce the actions of these bigots, hypocrites and homophobes is cowardly," Haggis wrote.  
  
At the end of his diatribe, Haggis admitted to being "ashamed" for putting off his decision for so long.  
  
Haggis is now consumed with work on his newest project. Currently, he is filming "The Next Three Days," starring Russell Crowe, Liam Neeson, and Jason Beghe.