We’ve written about Lori Hodgson a few times previously. In the photo here at the right, you see her in happier times with her two children, Jessica and Jeremy Leake.
Since that photo was taken, however, Lori did the unforgivable in the eyes of her kids: she left the Church of Scientology and spoke publicly about it. Declared a “suppressive person” by the church (Scientology’s equivalent of excommunication), Lori became someone her kids had to avoid at all costs or risk being declared “SP” themselves.
But Lori never gives up. She sent us an open letter she wants to get to her children, and asked us to post it. We agreed.
Dear Jessica and Jeremy,
I have no way of reaching you directly, so I’m giving this a try. I’m asking all of my friends, family, and anyone else that gets this letter to please pass it on to each of you.
Despite what you might have been told, I am doing well in all areas of my life. The only thing missing is the two of you. I am still the same mom who loves you both very much.
But I want you to understand that I will never go back into the Church of Scientology. You have both asked me to talk to the International Justice Chief and get back in good standing with the church. I cannot agree to this. I am not a part of the church anymore and do not have to go by their rules. I am free now to think for myself and do what I think is best.
I don’t agree with the church’s Disconnection Policy that you both are following, forcing you to stay away from me. Your grandmother and I will not disconnect from you, and we will continue to love you.
I really want you both to think long and hard about this disconnection that is keeping you away from us. Do you both really never want to see me and your grandmother again? Do you never want to see the rest of the family because your grandmother and I won’t go back into the church?
If you both want to stay in Scientology we respect that, but at the same time you need to respect that we don’t want to be a part of it anymore. If I were in your shoes I would never agree to this disconnection. I would tell the church that I would remain a part of my family’s life. I would never allow the church to force me to disconnect from the people I love.
Your grandfather is 75, your grandmother is turning 75, and I am turning 50. Time is going by fast and we should all enjoy many more good times together.
You both know the reasons why I resigned from the church. It was mainly because of the way you were heavily recruited to be on staff or in the Sea Org at only 15 years old. I wanted you both to stay in school and get a full education. I fought with the church because my parental rights were being violated. I also saw what you both went through while being recruited and what you both went through while being in the Sea Org. I wrote everything that happened in “A Mother’s Heartbreak” which it would be good if you both read so you can really see what happened.
Forever loving you both,
Your Mom
