Church of Scientology International Newsroom - Profile and News Archive - Page 2

BARLETTA, Italy, and LOS ANGELES, Calif., April 27, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — A group known as Say No to Drugs (Dico No Alla Droga) has been active in drug prevention for more than 15 years throughout Puglia, the region that forms the heel of the boot of Italy. Joined by a corps of volunteers from the Church of Scientology Mission of Barletta, they contacted businesses and briefed individuals on the Truth About Drugs campaign to help kids decide to live an active, drug-free life.

NASHVILLE, Tenn., and LOS ANGELES, Calif., April 22, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Help is a central concept of the Scientology religion. In a lecture delivered by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard in 1958, he said, “the biggest right there is, is not the right to vote, is not the right to freedom of speech or press or religion or anything else. The biggest right there is in human rights is the right to help.”

SYDNEY, Australia, and LOS ANGELES, Calif., April 18, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Psychiatry: An Industry of Death Exhibit, produced by Citizens Commission on Human Rights International, was held at Embassy Conference Centre on George Street in Sydney as one of the first phases of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights Psychiatry: An Industry of Death 2024 World Tour. Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) is an international mental health watchdog founded in 1969 by psychiatrist Thomas Szasz and the Church of Scientology.

SEATTLE, Wash., and LOS ANGELES, Calif., April 18, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Public Health Seattle King County reports 1,060 overdose deaths involving fentanyl in 2023 – up nearly 50 percent from 2022. For World Health Day 2024, Seattle’s Church of Scientology invited a representative of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to shed light on the crisis.

FLORENCE, Italy, and LOS ANGELES, Calif., April 17, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Forced treatment, threats, restraints, crippling sedation: Despite past reforms, the horrors of the past are still stark facts of life for those caught in Italy’s mental health system. This was the theme of a demonstration at the 2024 Congress of the Schizophrenia International Research Society in Florence. Both events were organized by Citizens Commission on Human Rights, a mental health watchdog founded in 1969 by psychiatrist Thomas Szasz and the Church of Scientology.

LOS ANGELES, Calif., April 16, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Some 1,500 guests from the Los Angeles Bangladeshi community gathered on L. Ron Hubbard Way for their annual Chaand Raat celebration. On the eve of Eid ul Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, Muslims in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh celebrate Chaand Raat. The term means “The Night of the Moon” in Urdu and it signals the sighting of the crescent moon that ends a month of prayer, fasting and spiritual reflection.

MUNICH, Germany, and LOS ANGELES, Calif., April 10, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — In July 2016, an armed shooter killed nine and injured 16, leaving Munich reeling. A team of volunteers from The Way to Happiness Association sponsored by the Church of Scientology of Munich literally took matters into their own hands. They began giving copies of The Way to Happiness to people one-on-one, beginning with those living or working in the district where the shootings took place.

WASHINGTON, D.C., and LOS ANGELES, Calif., April 10, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — L. Ron Hubbard joined the Boy Scouts in Tacoma, Washington, in 1923, in the early years of Scouting, a movement founded by Robert Baden-Powell in 1910. By the spring of 1924, Ron had not only earned an impressive 21 badges, he also led Washington, D.C., Troop 10 to victory in the Washington Post-sponsored Scout Advancement Competition and was one of four youths to represent Scouting at President Calvin Coolidge’s Presidential Celebration of National Boys’ Week. Five days later, two weeks after celebrating his 13th birthday, L. Ron Hubbard became the nation’s youngest Eagle Scout.

LOS ANGELES, Calif., April 9, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — L. Ron Hubbard Life Exhibition in Hollywood, California, proudly announces a new permanent display featuring the royal bestowal of Datu and a Kris sword, presented by HRH Sultan Tomas Cabili Jr. and HRH Sultana Remedios Pastor of Mindanao, Philippines, on the anniversary of Mr. Hubbard’s birthday.

MIDRAND, South Africa, and LOS ANGELES, Calif., April 3, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — In South Africa, a country where effective education is key to reversing centuries of neglect and oppression, Scientology Volunteer Ministers Educator Empowerment Seminars aim to create significant change.

SAINT HILL, U.K., April 2, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Some 3,000 children, parents, and grandparents gathered at Saint Hill, the Church of Scientology estate in East Grinstead, for an enormously “egg-citing” Easter Egg Hunt. Families traveled from throughout Sussex, Surrey, and Kent for the fun-filled afternoon. Greeting the children, the Easter Bunny was joined by popular children’s book, cartoon, and film characters.

LOS ANGELES, Calif., April 2, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Despite predictions of rain over Easter weekend, Sunday’s annual Easter Egg Hunt on March 31 proceeded undeterred. Staff and volunteers from the Church of Scientology Los Angeles were prepared no matter the weather, with tents erected in case of a storm. But the afternoon was blessed with blue skies when nearly 7,000 neighbors joined the fun on L. Ron Hubbard Way for the annual Church of Scientology Easter celebration.

VIENNA, Austria, and LOS ANGELES, Calif., March 30, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — This Easter, the Say No to Drugs volunteers of Vienna extend their wish for a bright, healthy future for local children. They’ve packed their Easter baskets with copies of The Truth About Drugs booklets to give youngsters the information they need to decide for themselves to live drug-free.

LOS ANGELES, Calif., March 30, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — In the wake of the untimely passing of beloved actor Matthew Perry, whose toxicology report revealed elevated levels of ketamine, the Church of Scientology Los Angeles and the Los Angeles chapter of Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) hosted a forum and open house to raise awareness of the dangers of so-called ketamine infusion therapy. Hosting the event was Erin Godley from the Los Angeles chapter of CCHR.

EAST GRINSTEAD, UK and LOS ANGELES, Calif., March 28, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Despite forecasters predicting rain, young Scientologists gathered at Saint Hill in East Grinstead, slipped on their signature teal Foundation for a Drug-Free World T-shirts over hoodies, unfurled their “brollies,” and took off for the nearby town of Crawley to share the truth about drugs with local families. They handed out youth-friendly Truth About Drugs booklets to help other kids make the self-determined decision to live drug-free.

MEXICO CITY, Mexico and LOS ANGELES, Calif., March 27, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Members of the Commission of Culture of the LXV House of Representatives of the National Congress of Mexico paid tribute to the enduring legacy of L. Ron Hubbard by presenting a proclamation to the Friends of L. Ron Hubbard Foundation and representatives of the Church of Scientology of Western United States.

PHOENIX, Ariz., and LOS ANGELES, Calif., March 23, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — 2024 marks the 70th Anniversary of the Church of Scientology, the world’s youngest major religion, and Phoenix played a pivotal role. Celebrating this historic occasion were Arizona Interfaith Movement (AZIFM) Executive Director Dr. Albert Celoza; President Rev. Rock Fremont, spiritual director of the Shephard of the Hills United Church of Christ; AZIFM Administrative Assistant Anne Taylor; and members of many Phoenix faiths.

LOS ANGELES, Calif., March 20, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Scientology Network is celebrating International Day of Happiness with an all-day marathon featuring “The Way to Happiness” – the common-sense moral code written by L. Ron Hubbard – and its positive impact across the globe. The marathon event includes the two-hour The Way to Happiness book-on-film and features episodes of Voices for Humanity showcasing the movement in action.

GAUTENG, South Africa, and LOS ANGELES, Calif., March 16, 2024, (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Councillor Sibongile Soxuza, deeply troubled by the pervasive issues of domestic abuse, drug addiction, poverty, corruption and crime within her communities, recognized the urgent need for action. As speaker of the council, responsible for nearly a million residents, she took a personal stand to effect change. Seeking a program that could deliver tangible results, she turned to the Scientology Volunteer Ministers life skills training program.

VIENNA, Austria, and LOS ANGELES, Calif., March 14, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Civil Defense Day is marked every year on March 1st. It is a time to share information that can help shield individuals and property from natural disasters, accidents, and other crises. Trained in technology developed by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology Volunteer Ministers have helped countless victims recover from the emotional and spiritual stress and trauma of disaster.

LOS ANGELES, Calif., March 14, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — According to a February 2024 Gallup Poll, fewer than 50 percent of Americans are “very satisfied” with how things are going in their personal lives. With the International Day of Happiness approaching, Scientology Churches everywhere are opening their doors to the community to share The Way to Happiness, a booklet that can spell the difference between happiness and despair.

LOS ANGELES, Calif., March 13, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — While Scientologists across the globe celebrate L Ron Hubbard’s birthday today, they are joined by millions more who honor him for the humanitarian activities he inspired and his impact on their lives. In his famous essay, “My Philosophy,” L. Ron Hubbard wrote “I like to help others and count it as my greatest pleasure in life to see a person free himself of the shadows which darken his days.”

MIAMI, Fla., and LOS ANGELES, Calif., March 12, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — America’s emergency response personnel are heroes. They are dedicated to saving property and lives. But there is another factor in disaster relief: the ongoing spiritual and emotional consequences of disasters to both first responders and victims. Scientology Volunteer Ministers reached out at Disasters Expo USA 2024 in Miami March 6 and 7 to share simple techniques anyone may learn to help with this “human factor” that is so crucial to the quality of life.

SYDNEY, Australia, and LOS ANGELES, Calif., March 9, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Church of Scientology Advanced Organization in Sydney, Australia, hosted the “Thanking Festival” of the Australian Multicultural Arts & Values (AMAV) that honored 48 community groups for their outstanding service to the community. In addition to the awards presentation, guests learned to apply first aid skills such as CPR and the care of injuries.

CANBERRA, Australian Capital Territory, and LOS ANGELES, Calif., March 6, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Australia’s 26th annual Canberra National Multicultural Festival brought together more than 170 diverse communities to share their customs, history, and heritage through food, art, song and dance. But while Australians today pride themselves on diversity and inclusion, this was not always the case. And ingrained bias and prejudice can die hard. This is why volunteers from the Church of Scientology brought their human rights education initiative to the festival.

AUSTIN, Texas and LOS ANGELES, Calif., March 5, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The dedication of the new Ideal Scientology Church in Austin, Texas, was the first in a series of stunning new Scientology Churches to open in 2024, and it embodies the spirit of unabated growth that has become the hallmark of Scientology today. Mr. David Miscavige, ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, welcomed Lone Star State Scientologists and the purpose and pride they embodied in accomplishing this milestone.

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Feb. 29, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Firefighters are in the business of saving lives. These are the men and women who provide fire prevention and rescue. They battle the blazes throughout the city and the notorious Los Angeles brushfires and wildfires. They are also the ambulance drivers, EMTs and paramedics who provide emergency medical response. And they do so day and night every day of the year. Hollywood Village is a partnership between the Church of Scientology, The Way to Happiness Foundation, the Los Angeles Police Department, local businesses, and numerous faith-based and neighborhood groups.

NEW ORLEANS, La., and LOS ANGELES, Calif., Feb. 28, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Protesters demonstrated outside the American College of Psychiatrists Convention at the Marriott New Orleans last week, demanding psychiatrists immediately cease using ECT (electroconvulsive treatment). Some 100,000 Americans are subjected to ECT every year, making its use a multibillion-dollar industry. Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) organized the demonstration. CCHR, a mental health watchdog founded in 1969 by the Church of Scientology and professor of psychiatry Dr. Thomas Szasz, says ECT sends 460 volts of electricity through the brain causing a grand mal seizure.

SEATTLE, Wash., and LOS ANGELES, Calif., Feb. 27, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Whether responding to disasters or caring for the needs of underserved communities, Seattle nonprofits, churches and volunteer groups provide vital services to the city. The Church of Scientology of Seattle hosted an open house in support of Washington Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (WAVOAD) and local nonprofits that respond to these needs.

MIDRAND, South Africa, and LOS ANGELES, Calif., Feb. 24, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Through a series of seminars at Castle Kyalami in Midrand, South Africa, the Scientology Volunteer Ministers are empowering employees of the Gauteng Department of Health. These healthcare workers, in their bright green uniforms, have become known as the province’s “Green Angels,” because they, along with staff of affiliated chaplaincy and faith-based organizations who also attended the training, put their lives on the line to help others.

CAMBRIDGE, Ontario, and LOS ANGELES, Calif., Feb. 23, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — “I really liked the aura and environment of today’s event,” said one woman who attended the Interfaith Harmony Week event at the Church of Scientology Cambridge. “I learned new skills of effective communication and I will use what I learned for my personal development.”

BUDAPEST, Hungary, and LOS ANGELES, Calif., Feb. 20, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — When it became clear that the children of the town of Gyulaj were going hungry, Roma community leader István Szatmári took action. While he continues working to handle the underlying cause of the problem-improving education and job training opportunities – Szatmári knew who to turn to for immediate help. He called on the Volunteer Ministers of the Church of Scientology of Budapest.

QUITO, Ecuador, and LOS ANGELES, Calif., Feb. 20, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Built on the foundations of an ancient Incan city on the equator – the “center of the world” – named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its art, cultural treasures and architectural marvels, Quito is a thriving metropolis of breathtaking beauty and year-round sunshine. And on February 17, the city added another distinction to its profile with the opening of the first Ideal Church of Scientology Mission in Ecuador.

LONDON, England and LOS ANGELES, Calif., Feb. 17, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — “Psychiatrists have been editing childhood and adolescence out of existence,” said Brian Daniels, Executive Director of Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) for the UK, in an open letter written for Children’s Mental Health Week. CCHR is a mental health watchdog founded in 1969 by the Church of Scientology and psychiatrist Thomas Szasz to protect individuals from abusive or coercive practices in the field of mental health.

CATANIA, Italy, and LOS ANGELES, Calif., Feb. 14, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — What could be more appropriate for Valentine’s Day than true love and chocolate? The Scientology Network shares the story of Armando Siracusano and Gabriella Comis – from their falling in love at a bakery to the many barriers they had to overcome on their way to creating the future of their dreams.

LAS VEGAS, Nev., and LOS ANGELES, Calif., Feb. 14, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Volunteers from Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Scientology Churches and Missions across the Southwest gathered at the Church of Scientology Las Vegas February 10 on the eve of Super Bowl LVIII to take on the drug epidemic affecting the city and the nation. According to the Southern Nevada Health District, 2023 saw a record 237 deaths in the region from fentanyl overdose.

NEW YORK, N.Y. and LOS ANGELES, Calif., Feb. 13, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — February 9-14 is Fashion Week in New York. The event takes place twice a year, in February and September. It begins in New York and moves on to London, Milan and Paris. This is a week where careers can be made or broken. The world’s top designers present their new collections in a series of runway shows. But who takes care of the last-minute crises to ensure a brand’s success? In an episode of Meet a Scientologist on the Scientology Network, master pleater George Kalajian gives us a look behind the scenes.

WASHINGTON, D.C., and LOS ANGELES, Calif., Feb. 13, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — “The challenges to religious freedom across the globe are structural, systemic, and deeply entrenched,” said U.S. Secretary of State Mr. Antony Blinken in a statement January 4. “But with thoughtful, sustained commitment from those who are unwilling to accept hatred, intolerance, and persecution as the status quo we will one day see a world where all people live with dignity and equality.” It is just such a sustained commitment that informed the annual IRF Summit January 30 and 31, 2024. The Church of Scientology supports and participates in the annual summit and programs that protect and advance this vital freedom for all.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. and LOS ANGELES, Calif., Feb. 10, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Friends of many faiths from across the city gathered downtown at the Church of Scientology Kansas City last week for a special celebration of World Interfaith Harmony Week, set aside by the UN each year to promote harmony between all people regardless of faith. The event included a screening of the new documentary Operation: Do Something About It, which features a segment on the Kansas City Church at a time when cooperation and help were vital to the people of the city.

KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan and LOS ANGELES, Calif., Feb. 8, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Church of Scientology of Kaohsiung extends wishes to all for a Happy New Year in the Year of the Dragon. The holiday is celebrated for 15 days, beginning February 10. Church staff invite everyone to join them as Destination: Scientology, Kaohsiung takes viewers through the colorful pageantry of the final day of the New Year’s holiday – the city’s Festival of Lights: a 3,000-year-old tradition.