Haggis’ Big Disconnect From Scientology

Staff / Truthdig Feb 8, 2011 Screenwriter and director Paul Haggis' public exit from the Church of Scientology continues with a long exposé in this month's issue of The New Yorker, in which Haggis describes his troubled early years, his initial embrace of L Ron Hubbard's religion and the fallout . Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Hollywood Can’t Take a Joke

Staff / Truthdig Jan 18, 2011 Ricky Gervais had everyone laughing as he hosted the Golden Globes on Sunday -- everyone except the stars in the room. Gervais' jokes at the expense of terrible movies did not go over with the people who made them, nor did his quips about scandalized celebs and Scientology. (more) Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Filmmaker to Spill Scientology Story

Staff / Truthdig Jan 6, 2011 His defection from the Church of Scientology's celebrity coterie was big news in 2009, and now writer and director Paul Haggis is following up with a detailed exploration of his former organization, in the form of a book collaboration with journalist Lawrence Wright. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Colbert to Frum: ‘When Has the Head Helped the Conservative Movement?’

Staff / Truthdig Apr 3, 2010 Although he denies it in this clip from Thursday's "Colbert Report," David Frum is indeed a "conservative apostate." What else can being fired from the American Enterprise Institute possibly mean? And what does all of this have to do with Scientology? Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Scientologists Hire Journalists to Investigate Journalists

Staff / Truthdig Feb 22, 2010 The St Petersburg Times has done some in-depth reporting about the Church of Scientology that hasn't always cast the organization in the best light, let's say The Times' top brass must've known what they were getting into in opening that particular Pandora's box, though, as the CoS (continued). Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Scientology: Coming to Your Neighborhood?

Staff / Truthdig Dec 12, 2009 Nancy Cartwright, the face behind the voice of Bart Simpson, is here to tell you in her non-cartoon voice about the excitement of recruiting new members for the Church of Scientology, which has long counted her among its members There's a "crusade" afoot in 2010, according to Cartwright (continued) . Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Top Writer-Director Breaks With Scientology Over Proposition 8

Staff / Truthdig Oct 26, 2009 The Church of Scientology counts several high-profile figures from the world of entertainment among its members -- Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Kirstie Alley, to name a few -- and they sometimes act as public advocates for their religion. However, one of their own, screenwriter and director Paul Haggis, has very publicly left the fold after taking issue with the church's stance on Proposition 8. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Wikipedia Slams Door on Scientology’s Editors

Staff / Truthdig May 29, 2009 It's been a rough week for the Church of Scientology. First there was the opening of a trial that could lead to the banning of the organization in France, and on Thursday L. Ron Hubbard's controversial religion was banned from revising articles in Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia that is edited by Internet users. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Hello, Ralph Nader, We Are Anonymous

Staff / Truthdig Feb 27, 2008 If you've never seen any of the anti-Scientology videos of "Anonymous," this clip might seem a bit strange. While we would never compare Ralph Nader to the Church of Scientology, this spot-on parody is probably worth your 2 minutes and 21 seconds. Unless you're one of those titans of industry who makes a million dollars a minute. Then it probably isn't. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Cruise Not Willkommen in Germany

Staff / Truthdig Jun 25, 2007 The German government has long been aggressive in its stance against the Church of Scientology, and it has thrown down the gauntlet once again by banning the filming of a Tom Cruise movie because of the American's religious affiliation. Cruise will play a German military officer who tried to assassinate Adolf Hitler. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Travolta Takes On the BBC

Staff / Truthdig May 14, 2007 Actor John Travolta and other members of the Church of Scientology are steaming mad about a BBC program about their controversial religion that aired Sunday in Britain, claiming that presenter John Sweeney was biased, as evidenced by his angry outburst at a church member during filming. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

‘South Park’ Scientology/Tom Cruise Spoof Rejoins Lineup

Staff / Truthdig Jul 13, 2006 The Emmy-nominated episode that lampooned Tom Cruise and his Scientology beliefs will rejoin the rotation on Comedy Central, nearly four months after the network yanked it, reportedly under pressure from Cruise himself (more). Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )