Scientology Volunteer Ministers

According to the David Miscavige blog


"At the grand opening of one of the newly renovated Scientology churches, as a guest of honor, Mr. David Miscavige spoke of the activities of the Scientology Volunteer Ministers, “They are seen everywhere, in nations across the globe, bringing effective solutions before it is too late. Constantly visiting new communities to offer help with everything from marital difficulties, to tutoring of children, to providing counseling for the lonely."

The most recent example of this is the work Scientologists are doing to help the victims of last month's Java earthquake.

Scientology churches around the world each have their own corps of Scientology Volunteer Ministers.

Human Rights Activists at the Church of Scientology of Tampa

I was looking through the web site of the Church of Scientology of Tampa and found this piece on the formation of a Youth for Human Rights International group at the church there.

I was particularly impressed that where most teens I know are pretty self-absorbed worrying about their social life or at best their academic acheivment, these youth are actually aware of and working to put an end to human rights abuses.

Here's what the article says:

"Youth for Human Rights International Club (YHRI) of Tampa Bay, an organization that teaches children around the globe the importance of human rights, did a presentation on this subject to the upper classes of the Clearwater Academy in Clearwater. The YHRI Club of Tampa Bay is comprised of 17-year-old Eagle Scout, Nick Lister, their spokesman and teens Travis Weber, Simone Indianer, Melissa Ryan and Ryan Smith.

"Nick said, 'I decided to start a chapter in the Tampa Bay area because I want to do something that will help young people like me learn the value of promoting and standing up for human rights. Many children are confronted daily by poverty, illiteracy and drug abuse. Millions are the target of intolerance. The place to start teaching respect for the rights of others is with young people.'"

I've found the Scientology religion to be very much oriented toward promoting and working to protect and guarantee human rights.

For example, the Creed of the Church of Scientology begins with the following statement:

We of the Church believe:

That all men of whatever race, color or creed were created with equal rights.

Scientologists have been very active in the anti-drug war, educating kids through various community programs, helping addicts get through the trauma, doing all sorts of drug prevention activities.

There is a website called the drug salvage site. This gives a lot of information to both kids, teenagers and parents.

Drugs are a problem and I know from working in this area that there are solutions.

One doesn't have to be involved in the Scientology religion to know that its important to let kids know about the dangers and get them turned off drugs from an early age. This way if they have certainty about it, they won't be pressured so easily.

I think anyone, whatever their race, color or creed should get involved with pushing the drug-free message.

More information about the problem see the David Miscavige speech, "This is Scientology."

Church of Scientology of Buffalo

For some reason I'm always very interested in the Church of Scientology of Buffalo and what is happening with the Scientology Church in that city.

As a city, Buffalo hit a long decline in the 80's and 90's and the Church is working with local groups to help revitilize the city.

Here's a story about a "Jazz Night" they held, to pull together people interested in working with them to create a "Brighter Future for Buffalo."

Scientology Summer of Events

Over the past few years it has become a tradition to have a series of events on four subsequent weekends during the summer.

These are recorded on the Freewinds, a religious retreat that travels through the Carribean.

In 1988 the Maiden Voyage of the Freewinds was held. She was christened on June 6th, and each year Scientologists from around the world gather at the ship to review the progress that has been made in the expansion of the Scientology religion and its humanitarian activities.

David Miscavige is usually the master of ceremonies for each of these events. Mr. Miscavige's presentations are the highlight of the events for me.

Here's a little ad for this year's events. The date when the event will be held at each church can be found on the individual church web sites. You can locate Scientology churches at www.churchofscientology.com

Here's a follow up on the story about Priscilla Presley

6/04/06
Permalink 21:00:34, Categories: Celebrity News
Priscilla Presley Uses Scientology To Reach Out To Drug Addicts

Priscilla PresleyPriscilla Presley shared the pain of her former husband Elvis Presley's drug problems during the opening of a rehabilitation centre yesterday.

The 61-year-old spoke at the Michigan launch of a centre inspired by the teachings of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. Presley is a Scientologist.

She insisted her own encounters with drug addictions made her delighted to be able to help others, saying, "We have become a drug culture and we need to do something about it. We all know someone who struggles with the problems of alcohol or substance abuse."

In an earlier statement Presley explained the so-called Narconon program is "capable of eliminating the very cravings that drive addicts in recovery back to drugs".

Here's a follow up on the story about Priscilla Presley

6/04/06
Permalink 21:00:34, Categories: Celebrity News
Priscilla Presley Uses Scientology To Reach Out To Drug Addicts

Priscilla PresleyPriscilla Presley shared the pain of her former husband Elvis Presley's drug problems during the opening of a rehabilitation centre yesterday.

The 61-year-old spoke at the Michigan launch of a centre inspired by the teachings of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. Presley is a Scientologist.

She insisted her own encounters with drug addictions made her delighted to be able to help others, saying, "We have become a drug culture and we need to do something about it. We all know someone who struggles with the problems of alcohol or substance abuse."

In an earlier statement Presley explained the so-called Narconon program is "capable of eliminating the very cravings that drive addicts in recovery back to drugs".

Priscilla in Australia

I was reading one of my favorite blogs today to see if there was any Scientology religion news and found something I didn't expect -- Priscilla Presley was in Australia. I only found out as she was leaving to go back to the States to attend the dedication of a new Narconon center in Michigan.

In the course of this I also found a new Scientology blog I really like. It's the Create Expressions blog, and reading through that I was reminded of how excited Mr. David Miscavige was to announce that Narconon Arrowhead is working on opening a center where they can train many more people to open new Narconons.

Drugs is such a problem all over the world, and Mr. Miscavige made the point that training those who will open new centers, Narconon can increase its capability to help by an enormous amount.

Anniversary of the Maiden Voyage of the Freewinds

We are approaching the anniversary of the launch of the Freewinds Motor Vessel.

It's known as "June 6th" or "the Maiden Voyage" to most of my friends, and each year there is an anniversary cruise aboard the ship.

Each night there is an event and these are all filmed and shown throughout the summer at Scientology churches and missions -- one event each week on a Saturday or Sunday night, depending on what works out best for the members of that church.

Each night, David Miscavige is the MC, and for some of them he does the entire presentation.

Everyone I've spoken to who has spent time aboard the Freewinds has told me it is the most special place in the world - totally safe, vibrant, friendly, rejuvenating.

I would love to go to the Maiden Voyage event aboard the Freewinds, but going to the events with the opportunity of hearing the latest news from Mr. Miscavige is a complete treat in itself.