Over the weekend, “Crash” director Paul Haggis deep-sixed any chances of working with Tom Cruise, Will Smith and Beck (don’t laugh, he collaborated with everyone) after he quit the Church of Scientology. And maybe ruined his chances at another Oscar? Nobody else could have shoe-horned his victory other than Scientology, no?
Haggis not only quit the Church, he penned a poison letter at Scientology’s current national spokesman, Tommy Davis and his failure to denounce the San Diego branch’s endorsement of Prop 8.
In that first conversation, back at the end of October of last year, you told me you were horrified, that you would get to the bottom of it and “heads would roll.” You promised action. Ten months passed. No action was forthcoming. The best you offered was a weak and carefully worded press release, which praised the church’s human rights record and took no responsibility. Even that, you decided not to publish.
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.
Scientology rules call for “disconnection” once a member has quit the church which basically means all members are to shun association with such a heathen. However such rule is never publicly admitted which Haggis find total bullshit. “I was shocked. We all know this policy exists. I didn’t have to search for verification — I didn’t have to look any further than my own home.”
The director, who evidently took thirty five years to figure out Scientology was a bigoted scam finished his letter with, “I am only ashamed that I waited this many months to act. I hereby resign my membership in the Church of Scientology.”
Haggis wrote “Crash” after his car was stolen in Los Angeles and he went home and started concocting a story that touched upon all the lives of Angelinos (evidently he assumed someone of n0n-Caucasian race took his car). Does that mean we’ll see a new poisonous and hamfisted screed against sham churches? We can only pray, errr, I mean, hope. [Movieline]
I'm so freaking sick of hearing about these Hollywood people that think gay marriage is the most crucial thing facing the world today. They probably compare themselves to Civil Rights leaders in the 50s they are so blind. Brad Pitt recently said if he were to become governor of California of some shit, his first two acts of business would be to legalize gay marriage and marijuana…yes, because those are the most pressing issues California is dealing with right now! WTF? They act like homosexuals are being persecuted or something. And then they are so self rightousess when they act out against it. You would think Brad Pitt would care more about ll the people dying in Africa or AIDS or something.
Getting close to homophobia, there buddy. If you didn't have the right to legally get married and get those kinds of benefits and what not, you wouldn't be happy about it either.
No marriage = no automatic probate benefits under state law.
No marriage = no health benefits for spouse through your employer.
No marriage = no visitation rights, end of life decisions, ovearall health care decisions for your spouse.
No marriage = no adoption.
No marriage = no tax benefits from Uncle Sam or your individual state.
I'd say the gay marriage is very significant and very discriminatory. It is the equivalent of persecution. Haggis has every right to be upset that his own church is promoting bigotry. Considering the statistics, even bigotry against its own members.
So, cirkusfolk, you might want to actually think before you type.
And that's another thing I can't stand, the word "homophobia." Do the people who describe others as "homophobes" really think those people are scared of homosexuals? Even if you're just talking about the fear of what homosexuality represents, I don't think it's fair to label somebody based on their opinions regarding a subject. Let me just get this straight…if you are opposed to anything that benefits homosexuals, you are a homophobe? So if the next act of Congress was to issue homosexuals a million dollars apiece for pain and suffering for their years of persecution and not being able to legally marry, and you were against that bill, you would be a homophobe?
Just because California is dealing with other problems doesn't mean the gay marriage debate is unimportant, and if the church's stance on the issue is one reason why Haggis left, why should he not speak out about it? What does California's economic problems have to do with that?
In addition, supporting gay marriage only means supporting equal rights for homosexuals, not giving away things heterosexuals don't get (the usual 'slippery slope' argument), and Haggis is not saying otherwise.
What an asinine comment.
Homosexuals AREN'T being persecuted? Hm. Well, that's great news, I guess.
Anyway, fuck marriage. Monogamy is for suckers.