In one of the most thorough articles revealing the true nature of Scientology that I’ve ever read in a relatively short read, recent defector Paul Haggis (who, as you’ll read about in the article, has produced, directed and/or written for a number of Hollywood top movies) left the Church of Scientology over a row regarding gay rights. Beyond Haggis’ story though, the report goes on to cover church abuses from its inception to present day. Excellent read.
Excerpt:
Jefferson Hawkins, a former Sea Org member and church executive who worked with Haggis on the rejected Dianetics ad campaign, told me that (David) Miscavige had struck or beaten him on five occasions, the first time in 2002. “I had just written an infomercial,” he said. Miscavige summoned him to a meeting where a few dozen members were seated on one side of a table; Miscavige sat by himself on the other side. According to Hawkins, Miscavige began a tirade about the ad’s shortcomings. Hawkins recalls, “Without any warning, he jumped up onto the conference-room table and he launches himself at me. He knocks me back against a cubicle wall and starts battering my face.” The two men fell to the floor, Hawkins says, and their legs became entangled. “Let go of my legs!” Miscavige shouted. According to Hawkins, Miscavige then “stomped out of the room,” leaving Hawkins on the floor, shocked and bruised. The others did nothing to support him, he claims: “They were saying, ‘Get up! Get up!’ ”
