Scientology Spokesperson Denies Church’s Alleged Anti-Gay Stance
Scientology spokesperson Tommy Davis says that his church is not anti-gay, and says that the faith did not support Proposition 8.
The church’s supposed anti-gay stance came into the headlines with the departure of longtime Scientologist Paul Haggis, an Oscar-winning screenwriter and director, who wrote Davis a much-publicized letter condemning the church’s seeming involvement with the anti-gay voter referendum in California that rescinded the rights of gay and lesbian families last year.
The church was listed as a supporter of the narrowly-passed measure, which amended the California constitution.
In the letter, Haggis gave vent to his frustration at the church’s lack of action in the wake of the alleged mistaken listing of Prop. 8 support, telling Davis that, "for ten months now I have been writing to ask you to make a public statement denouncing the actions of the Church of Scientology of San Diego. Their public sponsorship of Proposition 8, a hate-filled legislation that succeeded in taking away the civil rights of gay and lesbian citizens of California--rights that were granted them by the Supreme Court of our state--shames us.... I told you I could not, in good conscience, be a member of an organization where gay-bashing was tolerated."
An Oct. 27 Examiner article cited MSNBC as reporting that Davis has come out to address the remarks made by Haggis in the letter, and to talk about the church’s conviction of fraud by a French court.
The Examiner article quoted Davis as saying, "I don’t want any misunderstanding. The church supports civil rights for everybody, regardless of sexual orientation, race, color or creed. We are a minority, too; we understand what it’s like to be persecuted, so to the extent that anything prohibits or inhibits on civil rights, we don’t agree with it.... Church of Scientology San Diego had been put on a list of churches that supported Proposition 8 out in California. It was incorrectly included and named when it should have never been on the list to begin with."
Davis’ words seem to contradict the writings of church founder and science fiction novelist L. Ron Hubbard, who decreed that gays should be "disposed of quietly and without sorrow."
As to why the church did not come out afterward to explain that the inclusion on the list of Prop. 8 supporters was a mistake, Davis explained that under the law churches are not permitted to take public stands when it comes to political matters. Moreover, Davis indicated that Haggis had been looking for the church to take just such a stand.
The Examiner article expressed doubt as to this explanation.
The Catholic Church, the Mormon Church, and other denominations have come out publicly against equal marriage rights for gay and lesbian families. The Mormon church in particular drew criticism for its role in promoting the anti-gay amendment that California voters narrowly approved last November. However, neither church has suffered legal sanction for their political activities.
