Prisoners of Faith

When Academy Award winning writer and director Paul Haggis (Million Dollar Baby, Crash) left the Church of Scientology after three decades of loyal service, the organisation suffered a crushing blow. Alongside Tom Cruise and John Travolta, Haggis was one of the church's Hollywood trophies. But Haggis' personal investigation of the church to which he had pledged his faith uncovered a litany of horrors, including physical abuse, forced abortions, slavery and imprisonment of its members. With his belief shattered, Haggis resigned from Scientology and here u for the first time u he speaks out about his experiences. Prisoners of Faith explores the roots of Scientology, from the life of its eccentric founder, L. Ron Hubbard, to the practices of its current leader David Miscavige. Encompassing flashes of brilliance and insanity, we discover the appeal of Scientology through Haggis' eyes, especially to talented and ambitious members of the entertainment industry. This is the most profound reckoning to date with the powerful and secretive organisation that dominates celebrity headlines. It is also a moving human story of the lure of extreme faith and the price of leaving it.