QUICK TAKES - Oct. 27, 2009

“Crash” director Paul Haggis has severed his ties with the Church of Scientology, in part because of what he alleged is the organization’s stance against gay marriage.

Haggis wrote a letter addressed to Tommy Davis, the head of Scientology’s Celebrity Centre. In it, Haggis said he was disappointed by the church’s tacit denial of gay rights in the debate over California’s gay marriage ban.

The 56-year-old Haggis, who won an Oscar in 2005 for co-writing “Crash,” said he was quitting the church after 35 years.

The letter, dated Aug. 19, was published in a blog about Scientology and has since been widely circulated online. A publicist for Haggis confirmed that the director wrote the letter.

Davis said Haggis’ complaints were based on misunderstandings and that he has since spoken to the filmmaker. Davis strenuously disagreed with Haggis’ claim that the Church of Scientology is in any way anti-gay.