This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8327183.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Crash director quits Scientology | Crash director quits Scientology |
(about 23 hours later) | |
Oscar-winning film director Paul Haggis has severed his ties with the Church of Scientology because what he said was the organisation's anti-gay stance. | Oscar-winning film director Paul Haggis has severed his ties with the Church of Scientology because what he said was the organisation's anti-gay stance. |
In a letter, Haggis said he was disappointed by the church's tacit denial of gay rights in the debate over California's gay marriage ban. | In a letter, Haggis said he was disappointed by the church's tacit denial of gay rights in the debate over California's gay marriage ban. |
Haggis, who directed film Crash, said he could not be a member of a body "where gay-bashing was tolerated". | Haggis, who directed film Crash, said he could not be a member of a body "where gay-bashing was tolerated". |
A Scientology official denied the claim the church was in any way anti-gay. | A Scientology official denied the claim the church was in any way anti-gay. |
In the letter to church spokesman Tommy Davis, Haggis criticised the organisation for not rebuffing comments by the Scientology's San Diego branch backing Proposition 8 - a ban on gay marriage in California. | |
We're all for civil rights and the rights of minorities Tommy Davis, Church of Scientology | We're all for civil rights and the rights of minorities Tommy Davis, Church of Scientology |
"The church's refusal to denounce the actions of these bigots, hypocrites and homophobes is cowardly. I can think of no other word," Harris said. | "The church's refusal to denounce the actions of these bigots, hypocrites and homophobes is cowardly. I can think of no other word," Harris said. |
The Canadian-born director had been a member of the church for 35 years. His letter, which appeared in a blog, was dated 19 August. | The Canadian-born director had been a member of the church for 35 years. His letter, which appeared in a blog, was dated 19 August. |
Mr Davis responded by saying Haggis' claims were based on misunderstanding. | Mr Davis responded by saying Haggis' claims were based on misunderstanding. |
"We're all for civil rights and the rights of minorities," Mr Davis said. | "We're all for civil rights and the rights of minorities," Mr Davis said. |
"We know what it is to be a minority and have your rights curtailed. We're very vocal in our stance on discrimination against anybody. We take it very seriously," he added. | "We know what it is to be a minority and have your rights curtailed. We're very vocal in our stance on discrimination against anybody. We take it very seriously," he added. |
The Church of Scientology was set up in the United States in 1954 and claims to have more than eight million members worldwide. | The Church of Scientology was set up in the United States in 1954 and claims to have more than eight million members worldwide. |
The church offers self-improvement on the basis of the writings of the late science-fiction author L Ron Hubbard, who spelled out principles that he called Scientology and Dianetics. | The church offers self-improvement on the basis of the writings of the late science-fiction author L Ron Hubbard, who spelled out principles that he called Scientology and Dianetics. |
But critics claim it is a fake religion based on making money from its followers. | But critics claim it is a fake religion based on making money from its followers. |
Previous version
1
Next version