Tag: David Miscavige

Scientology Leader David Miscavige Goes Missing: Report

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By Anita Tai.
Published: 3 mins ago

David Miscavige, leader of the Church of Scientology, is allegedly missing.

TMZ reports that process servers have had difficulty locating the figure after multiple attempts to serve him a child sex trafficking lawsuit.

The outlet writes that servers have attempted to serve him the suit over a four month period between Scientology offices in L.A. and the Scientology headquarters in Clearwater, Florida.

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The suit comes from three plaintiffs who previously belonged to the Scientology sect Sea Org. They claim they were forced into the church as children and worked into their adulthood with minimal compensation.

This isn’t the first time ex-sect members have sought legal action against the religious organization.

Previous members of Sea Org, Valeska Paris, along with Gawain and Laura Baxter, quit the sect and filed a civil complaint against Miscavige in 2022.

“Miscavige cannot be permitted to continue his gamesmanship,” wrote one plaintiff’s lawyer in their filed documents.

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Miscavige’s wife, Shelly, was also reported missing in 2013 by ex-Scientologist Leah Remini after she was last seen in public in 2007.

In 2012, her lawyer issued a statement, writing, “Any reports [Shelly] is missing are false.”

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Anita Tai

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January 26, 2023
Celebrating Freedom July 4 and the Founding of the Church of Scientology in the Nation’s Capital

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Established July 4, 1955, by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard, the Founding Church of Scientology in Washington, D.C., holds a unique place in the history of the Scientology religion.

Press Release
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updated: Jul 3, 2021

LOS ANGELES, July 3, 2021 (Newswire.com)
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L. Ron Hubbard inaugurated the Founding Church of Scientology July 4, 1955, blocks from the White House, where it served as the first fully formed center of Scientology training and religious counseling and the first international administrative headquarters for the burgeoning religion.

Located at 1812 19th St NW, it was from his office on the second floor that Mr. Hubbard served as Executive Director and coordinated the religion and its activities and churches on five continents.

In dedicating the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office in Washington, D.C. in 2012, Mr. David Miscavige, ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, highlighted “freedom” as an essential element in Scientology Scripture and made it clear that L. Ron Hubbard selected that date and location for inaugurating the new international headquarters quite deliberately. “Just as this nation was founded upon the principles of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness, so too those principles are woven into the very fabric of our Scripture,” he said.

Mr. Miscavige pointed out that the ideals enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, whose adoption we celebrate on Independence Day, are incorporated in the Creed of the Church of Scientology, published in 1954. The Creed affirms:

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

That all men have inalienable rights to their own religious practices and their performance.

That all men have inalienable rights to their own defense.

That all men have inalienable rights to conceive, choose, assist or support their own organizations, churches and governments.

That all men have inalienable rights to think freely, to talk freely, to write freely their own opinions and to counter or utter or write upon the opinions of others.

And that no agency less than God has the power to suspend or set aside these rights, overtly or covertly.

The full text of the Creed is available in a video on the Scientology Network, as is a three-part series, L. Ron Hubbard, In His Own Voice, which chronicles Mr. Hubbard’s life and discoveries through excerpts from his recorded lectures.

In an essay published in August 1954, L. Ron Hubbard wrote:

“We are extending to you the precious gift of freedom and immortality—factually, honestly.

“You are a spirit. You are your own soul. You are not mortal. You can be free.”

In that same essay, he credits America with having “kept wide the doorway” for this accomplishment “by retaining religious freedom.”

To learn more about L. Ron Hubbard and the Scientology religion, visit the Scientology Newsroom or watch programs on the Scientology Network, available on DIRECTV Channel 320, Scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire, and Apple TV platforms.

Source: Church of Scientology International

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July 3, 2021
Where Spirituality Intersects With Human Brilliance: The New Church of Scientology Opens in Silicon Valley

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Renowned for the digital revolution, the world’s high-tech capital welcomes the evolutionary religious technology of L. Ron Hubbard.

Silicon Valley, California, February 20, 2018 (Newswire.com)
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There are locations so special that just their names evoke powerful images and words—Gettysburg, Stonehenge, the Parthenon, to name just a few. Places where fables, great deeds and histories were born and recorded.

Here’s another storied locale: Silicon Valley, tucked between San Francisco Bay and the Santa Cruz Mountains. This was where the Digital Age took root and blossomed, where just about everything in humankind’s civilization was transformed by computer chips and the internet, where the language of the future was written in ones and zeros.

“Here, indeed, is where the ‘Digital Technology’ revolution can transform into a ‘Spiritual Technology’ evolution—and all in the name of human ingenuity, human brilliance and personal freedom

Mr. David Miscavige, Ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion

And on a bright, late winter day, February 18, 2018, another chapter was added to the Silicon Valley legend. In a special place where the brilliance of intellect was revered, 2,000 people gathered to celebrate the other defining dimension of humanity: the spirit.

The event was the opening of the Church of Scientology of Silicon Valley. Capturing the style and culture of the digital world, the Church is a modern, gleaming, two-story, 50,000-square-foot structure, located minutes from the center of the City of Mountain View in the heart of Silicon Valley. Nearby are the sprawling campuses and office complexes housing Googleplex, Microsoft, Apple, Intel, Tesla, Netflix and eBay.

“Here, indeed, is where the ‘Digital Technology’ revolution can transform into a ‘Spiritual Technology’ evolution—and all in the name of human ingenuity, human brilliance and personal freedom,” said David Miscavige, the ecclesiastical leader of Scientology, in inaugurating the Silicon Valley Church, the 65th such facility across the globe. Those churches embody the dual aspirations of Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard—the optimum locations where the religion’s members can advance along the spiritual path called the Bridge to Total Freedom, and where entire communities can be galvanized in crusades to fight drugs, combat social strife and psychiatric abuse, promote ethics and morality, support human rights, and respond to catastrophes.

The churches are a nexus for communities—and, even more, a place where the intersection of mind, body and spirit is a tangible reality. As Mr. Miscavige explained to the crowd of Scientologists and well-wishers, with the grand opening of the new Church of Scientology of Silicon Valley, comes a new connection: The power to unleash the full potential of this new millennium, the power of the spirit.

The Silicon Valley opening had a unique status. Another new Scientology Church, this one in Salt Lake City, was also inaugurated by Mr. Miscavige during the same weekend. It is the first time that Scientology has opened two new Churches back to back—testimony to the accelerating pace of Church openings and the growing worldwide expansion of the religion.

Along with Silicon Valley, Scientologists have been active in the Bay Area for years in nearby San Francisco, San Jose and Los Gatos. The work of local parishioners and volunteers brought the Church-sponsored United for Human Rights campaign to more than 10,000 residents to learn their human rights. The Drug-Free World program has proved most effective, with over 300,000 The Truth About Drugs booklets distributed, contributing to drug-related crime dropping across high-risk zones—the first drop in over a decade. And recently, local Scientology Volunteer Ministers provided relief to rescue teams in the wake of the 2017 Sonoma County fires.

Many of Silicon Valley’s acclaimed civic leaders joined the grand opening celebration: Mr. James Sweeney, an attorney active in the Black American Political Association of California; Lt. Glenn Walsh of the California Narcotics Officers’ Association and the California High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program; Ms. Anu Peshawaria, advisor to the City of Fremont; and the Rev. Alice Baber-Banks of the Christian Fellowship Ministry and a consultant to California’s Children Medical Services.

Mr. Sweeney praised the Church and its support for Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), which combats the over-drugging of California foster kids. “The Church of Scientology has an unceasing dedication to humanity,” he said. “It’s what I like to call a ‘bulldog tenacity’ on behalf of the good guy. And I’ve been privileged enough to have a ringside view. In fact, I’ve stepped into the ring. We’ve fought and we’ve won permanent change to curb the drugging of our children and have it inscribed into the laws of our land.”

Lt. Walsh spoke of his long history with the Church-sponsored Drug-Free World program: “I’ve seen how drugs ravish an individual. Drugs don’t care about your religion, your economics, your gender, or how many friends you have on Facebook,” he said. “Well, it stops here, it stops now, and it stops with Drug-Free World and the Church of Scientology. You’ve built a movement that can actually hold back the tide of drug abuse.”

Ms. Peshawaria told the crowd, “I believe the Church of Scientology can evolve the healing process for every citizen of Silicon Valley. It gives me great hope to see your programs now paving a path to better living right here.” In an area known for its innovative thinking, she added, “Today, we celebrate a whole new paradigm of possibilities. Because, after all, this is the 21st-century religion—the Church of Scientology!”

And Pastor Baber-Banks recounted her partnership with Scientologists in championing united communities through interfaith collaboration. “I learned of the Church of Scientology at the Interfaith Bureau when I joined over a decade ago,” she said. “It was so exciting to see 10 religious leaders around the table, all different-looking, different-acting, different-thinking. But when we got through praying with and for each other, we were one… The way we treat each other, it’s like we’re united. Yes, it’s the America we all want, coming alive right before our very eyes at the Church of Scientology.”

“In the name of eternal brotherhood and sisterhood,” she added, “let’s rise up and celebrate this awesome day and glorious grand opening. And let’s stand together to make a better nation and a better world!”

Visitors arrive at the new Church of Scientology Silicon Valley by crossing a spacious, palm tree-flanked courtyard. They enter a Public Information Center that offers them an introduction to Dianetics and Scientology. Its displays, containing more than 500 films in 17 languages, present the beliefs and practices of the Scientology religion and the life and legacy of Founder L. Ron Hubbard.

The Information Center also details the many humanitarian initiatives that Scientology supports. They include a worldwide human rights education campaign; far-reaching drug education, prevention and rehabilitation programs; a global network of literacy and learning centers; and the Scientology Volunteer Ministers corps, which has become the world’s largest independent relief force.

The Chapel of the city’s new Church of Scientology provides for Scientology congregational gatherings that include Sunday Services, Weddings and Naming Ceremonies, as well as a host of community-wide events such as banquets, seminars and workshops, open to members of all denominations.

The stylish Bayshore Café—with both indoor and outdoor seating—presents a meeting place for those attending events, as well as for parishioners during breaks in their Scientology services.

The new Church allows for the delivery of all Introductory Services. Visitors frequently attend afternoon, evening and weekend Dianetics and Scientology seminars, imparting an overview of fundamental principles and their application for living, as well as an array of Scientology Life Improvement Courses to help better any aspect of one’s life.

The Silicon Valley Church further includes dozens of specially appointed rooms providing the ideal setting for Scientology auditing (spiritual counseling). Multiple course rooms are also dedicated to training auditors (spiritual counselors), for Scientologists studying the technology of auditing, to help others attain spiritual freedom.

The opening of the new Church of Scientology Silicon Valley comes during a period of tremendous expansion for the religion with 65 new Churches of Scientology from Los Angeles to Tampa, London to Milan, Tel Aviv to Tokyo and Kaohsiung to Bogotá, including 19 in the Western United States alone.

In just the past year, openings of new Churches of Scientology have taken place in Auckland, New Zealand; the San Fernando Valley, California; Miami, Florida; Copenhagen, Denmark; Dublin, Ireland; Birmingham, England; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Johannesburg North, South Africa; and Salt Lake City, Utah.

More Church openings are planned in 2018 for global cities in Europe, Latin America, North America, Africa and Australia.

Read the article on the Scientology Newsroom.

Source: ScientologyNews.org

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February 20, 2018
In the Spirit of Its Historic Pioneers, City of Salt Lake Welcomes Utah’s First Ideal Church of Scientology

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In the heart of the Rockies, on iconic South Temple Street, the Church of Scientology Salt Lake City opens its doors to all.

SALT LAKE CITY, February 20, 2018 (Newswire.com)
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In a city whose name itself carries for all Americans connotations of religious faith and commitment, the Church of Scientology Salt Lake City dedicated its newest addition February 17 to an ever-expanding congregation of churches worldwide.

On a balmy Saturday under the bright sun — uncommon for midwinter in this picturesque mountain city — the Church was welcomed by civic and religious leaders who joined local and regional members to officially open its new home in Utah, just a mile from the heart of Salt Lake.

While the weather in Salt Lake in February typically stays below freezing, the warmth of welcome at this grand opening was typical of the descendants of the city’s pioneers, whose belief in respect for individual liberties continues to run like an undercurrent within the community.

As the Church of Scientology Salt Lake City took its place on this storied street, under the majestic Wasatch Range, Mr. David Miscavige, ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, welcomed the crowd.

“Before that ribbon falls and every surrounding mountain rises six or seven hundred feet,” he said, “we come to what L. Ron Hubbard would have you remember before venturing forth across this valley. Not ‘good luck,’ nor ‘happy trails,’ but merely and simply: ‘Change no man’s religion, change no man’s politics. Instead, teach Man to use what he has and what he knows to the factual creation of a civilization on Earth for the first time.’ Wherefore comes freedom from ignorance and then, perhaps, a Kingdom of Heaven on Earth.”

More than a thousand Scientologists and their guests gathered beneath the city’s vibrant peaks to dedicate the state’s first Ideal Church of Scientology. The opening anthem—“We Will Rock You”—embraced the backdrop, as city and state dignitaries embraced the humanitarian spirit that permeated the ceremony.

Known for friendliness and community spirit, Salt Lake has already witnessed benefits from the Church’s dynamic social programs, carried out by local Scientologists and volunteers. The results have often been dramatic: legislation to protect the rights of the family from coerced drugging of children; a detox program based on L. Ron Hubbard’s groundbreaking technology that helped save lives of 100 Utah police officers exposed to methamphetamine toxins; and a Salt Lake Scientology Volunteer Minister Corps that contributed 30,000 disaster response hours in the last year alone.

The Church’s gracious new 43,000-square-foot facility near the heart of the city stands as a commitment by Salt Lake’s Scientology community to social betterment within Utah. In a testament to that, dignitaries from across the state came to welcome and recognize that commitment. Prominent among them were: Utah State Senator Mrs. Margaret Dayton; retired Utah Major Crime Unit Officer, Sergeant Brandon Burgon; Director of Operation Underground Railroad, Mrs. Taryn Dipo; and Utah State Voluntary Agency Liaison, Mr. Ken Kraudy.

Senator Dayton commended local parishioners who have joined her in the Capitol fighting for family rights and religious freedoms. “Together we enacted legislation protecting families from being broken up, just because parents wouldn’t put their children on dangerous psychotropics,” she said. “And when that bill passed, together we had secured the most important right for Utah families: The right to be a family.”

Brandon Burgon, retired Sergeant of the Utah Major Crime Unit, recalled how his life was transformed thanks to the work of Salt Lake Scientologists. “When I see Scientologists and the work you do,” he said, “I see a badge that reads: ‘We’re here to help.’ You looked at the officers drowning under the poison of those meth labs. You reached out to us when no one else knew what to do, and said: ‘We are going to help you.’ And because of that, you can count on us never forgetting L. Ron Hubbard and the Church of Scientology.”

Mrs. Taryn Dipo of Operation Underground Railroad, who works to recover victims of human trafficking around the world, highlighted Church members’ devotion to the basic rights of humankind. “We first met members of your Church when testifying at Capitol Hill,” she said. “We immediately collaborated on education efforts on behalf of freeing men, women, and children from modern-day slavery. But if that’s not committed enough, you’ve even put your own lives on the line, flanking our extraction operations to expose real-life traffickers. Yes, you educate, you empower and you most certainly liberate in the name of freedom.”

Mr. Ken Kraudy spoke of his admiration for the Scientology Volunteer Ministers. “You’re willing to deploy anywhere, to face anything … In fact, during this record-setting disaster season, you were everywhere. So, for all Scientologists out there, you should take pride, because you’re making a massive difference,” he said. “That is, both in terms of what you have done and what you are continuing to do. I’d like to say we are ‘cut from the same wood’ as you. And, we consider that a heck of a compliment for us. Because you are not only accepted, but are applauded for your disaster work in Utah and all over the world.”

When entering the new Salt Lake City Church, visitors are provided with an introduction to Dianetics and Scientology, beginning with the Public Information Center. Its displays, containing more than 500 films in 17 languages, present the beliefs and practices of the Scientology religion and the life and legacy of Founder L. Ron Hubbard.

The Information Center also details the many humanitarian initiatives that Scientology supports. They include a worldwide human rights education campaign; far-reaching drug education, prevention, and rehabilitation programs; a global network of literacy and learning centers; and the Scientology Volunteer Ministers corps, which has become the world’s largest independent relief force.

Salt Lake City’s Chapel provides for Scientology congregational gatherings that include Sunday Services, Weddings, and Naming Ceremonies, as well as a host of community-wide events such as banquets, seminars and workshops, open to members of all denominations.

The Peaks Café presents a meeting place for those attending events, as well as for parishioners during breaks in their Scientology services.

The new Church allows for the delivery of all Introductory Services. These include afternoon, evening and weekend Dianetics and Scientology seminars, imparting an overview of fundamental principles and their application for living, as well as an array of Scientology Life Improvement Courses to help better any aspect of one’s life.

The Salt Lake City Church further includes dozens of specially appointed rooms providing the ideal setting for Scientology auditing (spiritual counseling). Multiple course rooms are also dedicated to training auditors (spiritual counselors), for Scientologists studying the technology of auditing, to help others attain spiritual freedom.

The opening of the new Ideal Church of Scientology Salt Lake City comes during a period of massive expansion for the religion with more than 60 new Churches of Scientology from Los Angeles to Tampa, London to Milan, Tel Aviv to Tokyo and Kaohsiung to Bogotá, including 18 opened in the Western United States alone. “Ideal” is the standard set by L. Ron Hubbard so that every Church is a perfect expression of the religion’s principles and practices, including its many community outreach and humanitarian programs.

In the past year, openings of new Ideal Churches of Scientology have taken place in Auckland, New Zealand; the San Fernando Valley, California; Miami, Florida; Copenhagen, Denmark; Dublin, Ireland; Birmingham, England; Amsterdam, Netherlands; and Johannesburg North, South Africa.

Further Church openings are planned in 2018 in cities across Europe, Latin America, North America, Africa and Australia.

Read the article on the Scientology Newsroom.

Source: ScientologyNews

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February 20, 2018
IAS Gala Weekend Fetes Year of Humanitarian Help and Advance
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The International Association of Scientologists (IAS), an ever-expanding force for good within the worldwide humanitarian community, gathered in East Grinstead, Southern England, on the first weekend in October to recognize a year of expansion and accomplishment.

Press Release
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updated: Oct 25, 2017
EAST GRINSTEAD, England, October 15, 2017 (Newswire.com)
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The narrow old carriage roads that twist and turn through the small villages and farms of West Sussex were crowded with cars and buses on a Friday evening in early fall, as thousands of Scientologists, guests and friends poured onto the well-manicured grounds of Saint Hill Manor—the home of Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard.

Through openings between the dense hedges and trees that line those roads, visitors could see the distant outline of the elegant Saint Hill—alive with light on the rolling horizon—glowing like distant fire in the fading autumn light.

Beyond the Manor gates, past the entrances and down the long sweeping drive to the pavilion and the Great Hall, to a stage erected under cover of a massive marquee, members of the International Association of Scientologists from more than 65 nations filled the air with diverse language as they walked into the arena with a purpose—to celebrate their humanity and that of all mankind.

The celebration for 2017 marked the 33rd since the IAS was founded at Saint Hill in 1984 to unite, advance, support and protect the world’s youngest and fastest-growing major religion. Members and guests came also to honor those who helped the Church realize a year of hope and achievement on the path toward Scientology’s goals for a better life for all.

“Yes, you’ve arrived at this Kingdom of the IAS,” said David Miscavige, the ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion.

“Where all similarities to the physical universe are purely coincidental…

“Where IAS members from all over this Earth, come in and take a seat: From North America, South America, Africa, Asia, Oceania, a hundred cities of Europe and from all over this United Kingdom.

“Because, and all told, we now celebrate 147 lands with an IAS presence no one will ever forget.”

So it was, Mr. Miscavige outlined each punctuation point of that presence across two and a half hours of solid-packed energy. In fact, the night not only surveyed the kingdom of humanitarian outreach from the highlands to the lowlands of Earth, but it further focused on expansion of the religion itself in outlands never previously seen.

The accelerating pace of the Church’s expansion and of its humanitarian missions is also reflected in the account of stories featuring diverse expressions of social goodwill. Each story unto itself is a chart-topper, but altogether they form a symphony of humanitarian help spanning renowned IAS-sponsored initiatives. All began with telling accounts of mental health abuse and its rapid reform by the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR).

Campaign action further unfolded courtesy of: Drug-Free World and a power movement driving The Truth About Drugs against the tide of abuse; United for Human Rights, keeping alive the flame of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; The Way to Happiness instilling moral resurgence through its 21 precepts for universal living; and the wave of Volunteer Minister support brought to 21 major disaster sites this year alone, not to mention countless moments of personal strife for individuals across this world.

Examples of the sheer impact of the initiatives during the presentation included:
- The Way to Happiness ambassadors entering uncharted territory in the Philippines, sparking widespread adoption to train some 29,000 police officers on the booklet’s universal moral precepts.
- In Zambia, a land where survival is a day-to-day endeavor, an Anglican Minister forming 70 Way to Happiness groups, turned a message from the pulpit into a tenfold increase in productivity across a region of 50,000 square miles.
- United for Human Rights enlightening and empowering over 19,000 Pakistani students and subsequently drafting and getting passed, the “Punjab Protection of Women Against Violence Act” to guarantee their rights forevermore.
- 5,000 Drug-Free World volunteers leading a campaign that launched at the Brazil Olympics and saw over 2 million Truth About Drugs booklets distributed across São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
- And the Scientology Volunteer Ministers traversing 200,000 miles to bring life and hope to nearly four million people including those worst hit by an onslaught of natural and man-made disasters.
Many more tales unfolded, led by the stars of this bright and dynamic night. Namely, three IAS Freedom Medal Winners, who each epitomize relentless progress toward the goals of the religion everywhere for a peaceful, productive and crime-free world, where social justice prevails. As Mr. Miscavige introduced them one by one, a common ethic of work, courage, persistence and dedication were evident in their stories:
- In the UK, Freedom Medal recipient Brian Daniels, stepped out under CCHR’s banner to tackle psychiatric abuses within the country’s mental hospitals, pointing to misconduct by psychiatrists in the field and forcing reforms. He further inspired a run of national exposés on links between mind-altering drugs and an increase in child suicide, leading to unprecedented “black box warnings” on pharmaceutical drugs to permanently protect British youth.
- Peacemaker and activist for human rights, Minister Tony Mohammad, created a Way to Happiness movement in the inner cities of Los Angeles, the gang capital of the world, with 50 peace rides across 33 notorious neighborhoods resulting in a 40 percent drop in crime. Tony then persisted in bringing together rival gangs to confront the violence between them, winning a ceasefire and peace agreements between bitter gang rivals—the Crips and Bloods.
- Binod Sharma, a native of Nepal, launched his VM team in response to the 2015 monster earthquake to bring succor to 15,000 residents in the first five days of response. Binod then led his teams across 101 otherwise forgotten villages and districts hit by disaster, ultimately bringing help to 4 million Nepalese. In the aftermath, and to bring permanent help, he further established a Volunteer Minister headquarters and 169 groups across his nation.
Friday night’s celebration was expanded Saturday evening as the grand marquee transformed into the annual IAS Patrons Ball. The spectacular black-tie dinner and entertainment gala is held in recognition of those IAS members supporting the humanitarian work and initiatives feted over the course of the weekend.

The accent on the weekend of festivities was the traditional Saint Hill Charity Concert attended by 1,500 local residents. The evening of music and dance saw five local charities awarded donations to expand their activities serving the local community and all of it in keeping with the tradition started by L. Ron Hubbard during the years he called Saint Hill home.

The IAS, the official membership organization of Scientology open to all Scientologists from all nations, was formed in 1984. The purpose of the IAS is to unite, advance, support and protect the Scientology religion and Scientologists in all parts of the world so as to achieve the Aims of Scientology as originated by L. Ron Hubbard: “A civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where Man is free to rise to greater heights.”

Source: ScientologyNews.org
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October 15, 2017
Unlimited Horizons: The Freewinds Maiden Voyage Anniversary Recaps Transcendent 12 Months for Scientology
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The world’s most dedicated Scientologists cast off for a week-long cruise to celebrate successes and set the agenda for an expansive year across the seven seas
Castries, Santa Lucia, June 23, 2017 (Newswire.com)
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Saint Lucia—an Eastern Caribbean island nation famous for its pair of dramatically tapered mountains, volcanic beaches, reef-diving sites, fishing villages, and an interior rainforest that leads to cliff-edge waterfalls—was the postcard-perfect scene for the convergence of several hundred of the world’s most dedicated Scientologists. They gathered for a week-long convocation aboard the legendary 440-foot Motor Vessel, Freewinds, a religious retreat for the Church of Scientology, in celebration of the 29th Anniversary of the ship’s Maiden Voyage.

Indeed, this was no ordinary cruise, in fact, those on board form a stellar group who have collectively spearheaded the Church’s expansion through the creation of new Churches of Scientology in their respective zones.

What’s more, the week-long gathering is helmed by the religion’s ecclesiastical leader, Mr. David Miscavige, so again, this is no ordinary cruise.

The week launched with Mr. Miscavige’s recap of just some of the highlights from the year’s progress:

“Since last we met, our solar system of Churches now includes: Budapest, Hungary; Harlem, New York; San Diego, California; and, the rim of our terrestrial world in Auckland, New Zealand,” he said, before moving on to detail the most recent Church grand openings in the San Fernando Valley, California; Miami, Florida; and Copenhagen, Denmark.

But the convocation is not just about looking back, Mr. Miscavige told the assembled. This is the week that sets the agenda for Scientologists around the world to continue the record-breaking expansion that has made the religion a thriving, upward-moving worldwide phenomenon.

For the rest of the year, the Freewinds is an extraordinary vessel of benevolent distribution, as she logs and charts adventures that bring humanitarian and educational programs to the Caribbean and Latin America; as well as providing spiritual services for the most advanced Scientologists all year long.

But for this week, the guests on the annual cruise will not only celebrate their own good works on behalf of the Church, but will target, plan and put into action future expansion while participating in extraordinary evening events, each with a unique and striking focus.

HONORING A HUMANITARIAN SHIP OF STATE

When Mr. Miscavige greeted the audience the first night, he also paid homage to the Freewinds, whose crew—including five master mariners and 133 survival craftsmen—has compiled a staggering 5,000 years of cumulative experience at sea. The ship, he said, has been virtually rebuilt since her Maiden Voyage, making her “the safest ship on seven seas.”

But her safety is not her only hallmark, and not her particular calling card. It is in fact her ongoing mission for humanity as she plies the azure Caribbean waters.

From human rights campaigns reaching island inhabitants across the windward isle of Saint Vincent; to drug education proliferation over Bonaire’s TV and radio airwaves to counteract endemic drug abuse; and morals education by way of The Way to Happiness, which earned exuberant praise from Aruba’s Ministry of Justice.

In fact, the value of the Freewinds’ mission was repeatedly acknowledged in testaments from grateful island officials who have personally witnessed the benefits.

The interaction of the Freewinds and her crew with society shows “not just merely extending a hand, or granting a favor, but a social responsibility,” said the Saint Lucia Minister over Infrastructure and Ports, in a video tribute. “That passion is one of love, one of sincerity, and one of true friendship and happiness.”

A scholar from Barbados added, “The Freewinds doesn’t just come in, spend some time and leave. They look for areas where the Freewinds can help. And it’s not about helping financially. It’s about helping find solutions to issues, to concerns, to problems.”

While finally, a Ministry of Tourism representative from St. Kitts and Nevis declared: “Even though we don’t say it often enough or loud enough, just remember, the Caribbean appreciates the Freewinds.”

AN EVENING IN RECOGNITION OF FOUNDER L. RON HUBBARD

The next night, guests were treated to a biographical presentation in honor of L. Ron Hubbard (LRH). It was an evening informing and astounding those in attendance with countless previously untold tales of Mr. Hubbard’s legacy. Tales presented by the LRH Biographer, Dan Sherman, that spoke to both Mr. Hubbard’s kindness and his vision.

At the heart of the evening were on-camera interviews featuring vivid personal accounts of those who had encountered L. Ron Hubbard and were forever changed.

There was the Spanish cabin steward who went on to become a “better person with my fellow man, and that’s all thanks to Ron.” Similarly, the Portuguese entrepreneur who spoke of “the power” from LRH “that made my life what I am today.” Followed by the Caribbean synagogue president who told of Mr. Hubbard “capturing the mood and atmosphere” of the New World’s oldest synagogue in their cherished photo journal. Concluding with the island radio personality and architect who recalled one Captain L. Ron Hubbard urging his Caribbean classmates to empower themselves through education and thus whom he called “a Captain not only for a ship, for me, he’s a Captain that helps us direct our lives.”

Mr. Sherman concluded his presentation with a message, “Whatever you do, emulate L. Ron Hubbard. His competence and proficiency sufficient to produce an emotional impact—emulate it. And thereby sow his compassion and kindness through the lives you, too, encounter.”

A NIGHT IN CELEBRATION OF HUMANITARIAN ACTION

Passengers aboard for the Maiden Voyage also attended a formal event honoring the International Association of Scientologists (IAS) and its stellar commitment to not only protect and support the religion, but accelerate the betterment of mankind, through the myriad international humanitarian campaigns. They include:
- The Citizens Commission on Human Rights who exposed and curbed psychiatric abuse in Tokyo hospitals, across South Africa’s largest tribal kingdom and on the streets of South Florida.
- United for Human Rights and Youth for Human Rights, who sparked a human rights movement in Toronto—the most ethnically diverse city on Earth, in Africa’s most populous land of Nigeria and in Sri Lanka, where Hindus, Buddhists, Christians and Muslims worked together to spread the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
- Drug-Free World, who carried out their crusades with The Truth About Drugs across Athenian neighborhoods, through Baja’s notorious drug transit route and up and down the playing fields of the European Football Championships.
- And finally, through the social betterment work of IAS-supported programs where the Way to Happiness generated a moral resurgence through Cuban towns and villages, Study Technology ignited an education revolution in Mongolia and Narconon drug rehabilitation struck at the core of Nepal’s addiction culture.
As announcements of accomplishments came to a close, a monumental one was unveiled. And it rode directly upon the wake of the Freewinds in tandem with IAS support, because working with volunteers, law enforcement and Scientologists, literally millions of copies of The Way to Happiness, The Truth About Drugs and The Story of Human Rights were distributed in major cities and jungle villages throughout Colombia.

As a result, what was once the acknowledged drug capital of the world, and a country the United Nations classified as the “worst humanitarian crisis in the Western Hemisphere,” soon became the “Colombian Miracle” with military human rights violations dropping an incredible 96 percent.

Directly on the heels of that was the grand opening of Colombia’s IAS-sponsored National Church of Scientology where they continued to work tirelessly to provide the solutions for restoring humanity. Soon to follow was the astounding peace accord between Colombia’s national government and FARC troops, after which 8,500 police were personally trained by Freewinds staff in vital life skills for use in reintegrating FARC troops back into society.

But, even so, that’s not the end of the story. Because, less than a decade after the Freewinds first docked in Cartagena, Mr. Miscavige pronounced the next epic accomplishment: that on the 5th of May, 2017, the nation of Colombia awarded the Church of Scientology full religious recognition.

It was yet another example that the combination of the Freewinds, Scientologists, global changemakers and the inspiration of L. Ron Hubbard’s technology for living, continue to lead to the betterment of humanity.

So, as the passengers prepared to leave the ship, they and thousands more are bound and determined to resume their year-long work of uplifting society and improving humanitarian conditions worldwide, one nation, indeed one port at a time, for the next 51 weeks.

Setting the goal of opening another 50 Churches, there’s still plenty of sailing ahead, as the Church seeks to reach all people in all lands. With a course guided by charts from the Belt of Orion to the Milky Way, they’re ocean bound to discover what’s ahead. And thus, Mr. Miscavige bid all passengers this finale message:

“I thank you for attending…

“I thank you for all you have thus far achieved…

“And, all that I know you’ll achieve in this year to come…

“Good luck and Godspeed!”

Read the article on the Scientology Newsroom.

Source: ScientologyNews.org
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June 23, 2017
A Saga of Freedom Culminates in Ideal Church Coming to Life in Budapest

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Budapest’s Ideal Scientology Church opens July 23, 2016, to mark a milestone for spiritual freedom in Hungary.

Budapest, Hungary, July 24, 2016 (Newswire.com)
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Already there are epic tales about Scientology in Hungary—a country that for centuries has cherished its myths and histories. In the last days of the 1980s and the dawning of the 1990s, totalitarian, atheistic Communism receded from Eastern Europe, much of Asia and Russia. Long starved for spirituality, Hungarians—like all people who had suffered under the Soviet commissars—quickly sought truth and religion. In 1988, a single copy of L. Ron Hubbard’s Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health pierced the iron curtain and a movement was born.

Now, some 25 years after first planting the Scientology banner in Budapest, the religion opened an Ideal Church of Scientology Organization, in the historic city. The Budapest Ideal Org is the 52nd Ideal Org that has opened since 2003, and with an accelerating pace of inaugurations, another 50 are already in the making.

“It is said the whole world knows your city as a capital of freedom. Your fight to be free translates into every known language on Earth. It is also said that whenever people yearn for liberty, they become ‘citizens of Hungary.’”

Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center

“It is said the whole world knows your city as a capital of freedom,” said Scientology’s ecclesiastical leader, David Miscavige, in an address to some 3,500 Scientologists and friends at the July 23 opening of the Budapest Ideal Church. “Your fight to be free translates into every known language on Earth. It is also said that whenever people yearn for liberty, they become ‘citizens of Hungary.’”

As a country more or less situated in the middle of everywhere, Hungary has had its share of visitors. Nomads from the east a thousand years ago founded a kingdom and crowned King Stephen I. Then came Mongols and Ottomans, the Hapsburg Austrians, Germans and Russians. There have been wars and great upheavals, tremendous cultural surges and marvelous music, and don’t forget the cuisine. Even spicing history up in the 15th Century, a gent named Vlad (AKA Dracula) was sharpening his canines in the Transylvanian corner of Hungary.

So, as eddies and floods of civilization washed across Hungary, a great city was built on the hilly west side of the Danube, Buda. A slightly younger civic sibling, Pest, arose on plains on the east side of the great river. Budapest today is the cultural, political, and commercial hub of Hungary, and one of the great metropolises of Central and East Europe. Full of great, historic landmarks—Buda Castle, the Fisherman’s Bastion, the Chain Bridge, and so many more—a new emblem of liberty has been added to the city, the culmination of work by thousands of Scientologists.

Scientology’s Ideal Org stands amidst Budapest’s bustling heart. Located on one of the city’s main thoroughfares, Vaci Street, in the thriving District XIII, the 64,000-square-foot Church is impossible to miss. Its 85-foot Scientology sign extends across its western elevation and announces its presence to the more than 100,000 commuters each day.

“A longing for spiritual independence” is how Mr. Miscavige described Hungary and the crowd at the opening. “Here stands what you built to proclaim it can be done—your new Ideal Church of Scientology of Budapest!”

The Church’s grand opening is the culmination of the religion’s rapid rise since its founding in Hungary a quarter century ago. In fact more than 33 missions now dot the Hungarian landscape and beyond into neighboring countries of Romania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. And representatives from each were among the 3,500 Scientologists and guests present at the grand opening ceremony.

Chief among the attendees were leading lights of Hungarian society welcoming the Church to its new home: Dr. István Komáromi, Brigadier General, Police Chief of Pest County Ret.; Dr. Ildikó Hekáné Szondi, Vice-Chair for Culture, Education, Tourism and Youth, City of Szeged; Ms. Agnes Debreceni, Board Member, Gardony Education Foundation of Hungary; and nationally renowned novelist Mr. István Nemere.

“It was 15 years ago when you first reached out to me. You wanted to run a marathon across Hungary and wake up our country to drugs,” Dr. Komáromi told the crowd. “And so together we launched the first Drug-Free Hungary Marathon in March 2002. And since that time you have swept this nation with our message. Reaching more than 400 towns and cities. Distributing over two million anti-drug booklets. And inspiring the youth of an entire nation to live drug-free lives.”

Ms. Debreceni described how Applied Scholastics, utilizing L. Ron Hubbard’s Study Technology, was transforming the education landscape. “Shortly after beginning my career I encountered problems in educating my students. Many kids were labeled ‘problematic’ or diagnosed with ‘learning difficulties.’ It’s heartbreaking for an educator to see these problems and not have the tools to help. Yet, in this accumulating darkness there are still people working, people bringing hope; unwilling to give up. And I met those people at Applied Scholastics Hungary.”

Hungary’s national character is defined in part by culture and a love of the humanities. Dr. Szondi recalled that she had first met Scientologists at her “civil coffee houses,” where citizens come to learn how they can be more civically engaged. “I always want to show everything good that is going on in town,” she said. “And that most definitely includes you and specifically The Way to Happiness. After all, who doesn’t want to be happy? But even more importantly, I believed others needed to know about it. I believe the Hungarian way should be Flourish and Prosper.”

Also speaking about cultural heritage, the author Mr. Nemere, referred to Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard, also a preeminent writer of many genres. “Mr. Hubbard said he was just a man and yet he built a path to freedom and one that is not too steep to walk,” Mr. Nemere said. “Because of him, no matter how clever or lucky, how rich or poor—anyone can get into a higher place, beyond what they ever imagined. All of which is to say, L. Ron Hubbard is the greatest humanitarian of the 20th and 21st century.”

The new Budapest Ideal Org provides visitors with an introduction to Dianetics and Scientology, beginning with the Public Information Center. Its displays, containing more than 500 films, present the beliefs and practices of the Scientology religion and the life and legacy of Founder L. Ron Hubbard.

The Information Center also offers a detailed overview of the many Scientology-supported humanitarian programs. These include a worldwide human rights education initiative; a far-reaching drug education, prevention and rehabilitation program; a global network of literacy and learning centers; and the Scientology Volunteer Ministers program, now representing the world’s largest independent relief force.

Budapest’s Chapel provides for Scientology congregational gatherings, including Sunday Services, weddings and naming ceremonies, as well as a host of communitywide events open to members of all denominations. The Ideal Org further includes multiple seminar rooms and classrooms, in addition to an entire floor dedicated to Scientology auditing (spiritual counseling).

The Budapest opening continues an unrelenting growth period for the Church in the past 12 months. In fact, it caps a decade of Church expansion that out-powers the previous 50 years combined. Recent Ideal Church openings have occurred in Atlanta, Georgia; Milan, Italy; Tokyo, Japan; Bogotá, Colombia; and Basel, Switzerland. Also, the Church recently opened Scientology Media Productions, a five-acre, technologically cutting-edge studio in Hollywood, California, in which the religion’s message will be proclaimed via television and radio broadcasting, Internet and social media and every other media platform.

And more is on the way, with openings of more Ideal Orgs in the coming year planned for cultural epicenters in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and North America.

Source: Scientology.org

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July 24, 2016