Comments on: Paul Haggis ditches Scientology, writes scathing letter

By: Lokelani

Lokelani — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 17:50:13 +0000

I think that Mr. Paul Haggis’ decision to leave the church of scientology was just as it no longer defends those of his own personal beliefs. I believe that one should not confirm to any religion and simply defend all that it stands for just to remain a conformist, one should be a part of a religion that represents the morals and values of that individual. Mr. Haggis was not bashing the religion, he simply could not be a part of it anymore based on decisions and beliefs that will forever have an effect on his life.

By: william

william — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:38:31 +0000

i held a certain respect for mr. haggis as i read his letter; that respect then vaporized when i discovered he had itemized his numerous awards in his communication with mr. davis, as if his career achievements entitled him to some platform of greater importance than someone who does not entertain for a living. i love the lead-in…”while i’m no great believer in resumes and awards….” the faux humility was palpable! felt like I was reading a high school journalism project.
P.S.– this homophobia thing is a bit passe’ isn’t it. i’m not afraid of pedophiles, but i still have a strong opinion about their conduct. i don’t think trying to attach the “homophobe” label to those who see marriage as a religious institution really works any more…seems more desperate than intellectual.

By: BJ

BJ — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:28:13 +0000

Jehovah’s Witnesses have the same “policy” for lack of a better word. It is called disfellowshipment. The members in good standing can take this to extreme’s as in one mother I remember bragging about how she would not let her disfellowshipped, starving and “down-and-out” son to even step into her home for a meal…she insisted that he eat outside, like a bum in her front yard! They are so emotionally numb inside that this kind of action is not only condoned, but encouraged. I myself have been disfellowshipped for many years, and have not had a loving and normal relationship with my aging mother for the past couple of years.

By: JEFF SINGER

JEFF SINGER — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:59:31 +0000

Hello–
I hope this is read by as many as possible. I was in the “Church” for a while, and feel my age and background will give me an excellent bunch of qualifications to give an honest assessment. I divide my comments into 4 categories:
POLICY MAY HAVE CHANGED AND/OR I DON’T KNOW
FAVORABLE TO THE CHURCH
UNFAVORABLE TO THE CHURCH
MIXED FEELINGS

POLICY MAY HAVE CHANGED, ETC:
On gay marriage, when I was there, in 1977-78, I asked policy and got a kind of “silly” answer. Since it was not “Anti”, or malicious, I didn’t react. Had there been any formal denouncement of gays, I would have quit, or fought them.

On “splitting families apart”, there was no evidence then whatsoever, and even, to be truthful, nice attempts toward maintaining closeness.

FAVORABLE
L. Ron Hubbard’s opposition to physical violence–including no spanking of kids.

It worked for many, where nothing else did.

Attempts to get everyone to “reason out” things

A history of success with many hard core, problematic or delinquent etc

Freud’s better ideas converted nicely to simple, workable methods

Non judgmental problem solving–

Excellent conditioning–but just for those able to take it (like sesitivity training or a “T group”.)

AGAINST THE CHURCH.NOTE: ALTHOUGH I LIST MANY, I DID NOT QUIT, AS MANY OF THESE I FELT WERE MINOR, AND/OR THERE WERE WAYS AROUND, OR I COULD JUST IGNORE.

Very Dogmatic (I was able to accept this a bit more than maybe I should have, due to my belief that, at least, I consider ‘Hubbard to have been brilliant, and, although interested in $$$$, absolutely worked hard to give a lot in return.
A stupid E Meter that was childish
Everything becomes, soon, very expensive (but secret is to take the first two courses, then buy their books only from then on.)
Everyone kind of acts like a “robot”–stereo type “How are you?” ” I am fine”. This you would hear constantly.
The dogmatic stand against “Prozac”, etc. There was no Prozac then, but, Tom (Cruise), you are an idiot on this one. You are no doctor, and Prozac and such has saved enormous amount of lives.

MIXED FEELINGS

The strong “anti drug” stand, and their solutions. They mean well, are to be applauded for tackling, with a lot of success, this issue. But it is too simplistic for many drug issues, and gets them into having to judge, often incorrectly, drug problems on one hand, and those taking for legitamite reasons.

Also, although it is a behavior modification, intense therapy, it is shallow in the understanding and learning about life and teaches little insight. This I could accept–as “changing situations for the better” was a lot–and the lack of “intellect”, I overlooked. Many did not need “intellectual understanding” so much anyway–but something that would change behavior fast.

I think the above to be be about as honest and fair and accurate as possible.

Sincerely,

Jeff Singer

By: D.G.A.

D.G.A. — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:02:57 +0000

I’d like to make just one simple observation, and then comment, regarding Mr. Haggis’ use of the word “homophobe”. As someone who’s known and been friends with gay folks, I’d like to make clear that I’m not, nor are people who take a stance against gay unions, afraid of homosexuals. There’s truly no phobia about it, and there’s a difference between someone who’s against the concept of gays, and someone who’s truly “afraid” of gays. “Homophobia” is just a word that pro-gay activists use to make themselves feel better, and I wish they’d learn to distinguish the difference between being afraid of something, and believing it’s wrong in the eyes of God.

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:20:59 +0000

Wow. I guess under his logic all Christians should leave Christianity and all Mormons should leave the Mormon Church as they were for Prop. 8. Sounds like he lost it and also sounds like he has not been practicing Scientology for a while. I saw him once and he was smoking & cursing the whole time.