Scientology is probably the most stigmatized religion in America already. Lawrence Wright More Quotes by Lawrence Wright More Quotes From Lawrence Wright It's easy enough to predict that there will be conflict, but you place yourself in a maelstrom when you offer a view about the conflict, and I don't have an investment in one side or the other; I feel compassion for both sides. I've spent a fair amount of time in Gaza and Israel, done a lot of reporting and lived over there, and the tragedy is sometimes overwhelming. At the same time, America does have an investment in what happens. Lawrence Wright tragedy done compassion It's the hardening of these narratives that makes peace so difficult. If each side can see the narrative, the claims that the other has, then there is a much more likely possibility of making a resolution. But what I see is the opposite. There is a total disclaiming of the validity of the other side, and talk that I find really unsettling, the kind of chatter you get from ultra-right Israelis and Hamas is of annihilation. In that kind of dialogue, there's no way to move toward peace. Lawrence Wright resolution kind moving The goal was to get enough people that it emboldened others who would know Alex Gibney wouldn't be in this alone, there was a lot of fear and a lot of tears in reporting this story. Lawrence Wright us I envisioned that I would have to defend every single word in there, it's one reason there are very few adjectives. Lawrence Wright us We're not attacking the beliefs of the church. Lawrence Wright us I love apples. I actually do eat an apple a day. Lawrence Wright eat apple day love Our intelligence community was extremely poorly prepared before 9/11. Lawrence Wright our before intelligence community A documentary film is a great way of helping people understand because, somehow, when one is able to see the people involved, it lends a certain immediacy and understanding that is hard to get on the page. Lawrence Wright great understand people way For my parents, leaving the close social quarters of Abilene was like getting out of jail. They were not true West Texans; they had not come to love the unending monotony of mesquite barrens or the high, hot blue sky that made sunsets a matter of prayerful thankfulness. Lawrence Wright parents sky blue love Scientology is not a terrorist organization. Scientology has used intimidating tactics and vindictive litigation. Lawrence Wright litigation tactics used organization If you look at all those terrorist groups - I'm talking, going back, Hezbollah, Hamas, al-Nusra, al-Qaeda, ISIS - they're all proxy armies in an Islamic civil war. Lawrence Wright back look you war I deplore sexual harassment. Lawrence Wright sexual harassment Dallas was a place where dreamers like my father were given a chance. Lawrence Wright place like chance father Dallas was not a caring city, but it was efficient. Lawrence Wright city dallas efficient caring Craziness doesn't have anything to do with how successful a religion might be. Lawrence Wright how craziness successful religion If you look at Mormonism, it's a very appealing community. It takes care of itself; there are active charities. It's got a successful work ethic. Whatever you might think about the authenticity of their theology or their history, it's immaterial in terms of how the religion itself actually functions. Lawrence Wright you work history religion The Middle East has been a part of my life since I was a young man, when I went to teach in Cairo. Lawrence Wright my-life man teach life I spent two years in Cairo, and I felt a certain urgency about trying to understand the region and the conflict here, in the modest way that a journalist might be able to try and shed some understanding and enlightenment on a region that is profoundly conflicted, and a conflict that has real consequences for Americans. Lawrence Wright understand conflict understanding way When the price of oil goes up, the entire Texas economy takes a deep breath. Millionaires blossom like rain lilies. News races through the countryside that the money train is pulling into the station. Hop on board! Lawrence Wright deep news money rain In places where money comes out of the ground, luck and a willingness to take risks are the main denominators that determine one's future, not talent or education or hard work. Money that is so easily acquired somehow comes to seem well deserved, because those who have it must be either uniquely perspicacious or divinely favored. Lawrence Wright future hard-work education work
