The last year in Scientology News!
9 Jul 2008 — International
19 Jun 2008 — New Dianetics Book Site Launched by the Church of Scientology
In celebration of the 58th anniversary of the release of Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, the Church of Scientology has now launched a new and interactive portal at Dianetics.org for access to testimonials, videos, excerpts, home extension courses, and all information regarding Dianetics.5 Apr 2008 — South Africa
Great Brak River is the latest town in South African to form up its own chapter of Youth for Human Rights International.
4 Apr 2008 — Sierra Leone
The Youth for Human Rights African Leadership Campaign is in Sierra Leone where 30 Sierra Leonean secondary school students and their faculty advisors are attending seminars that empower them to educate others on human rights.3 Apr 2008 — Germany
The Church announced the release of the new Scientology web site that contains nearly 3 hours of videos, sub-titled in German, providing public with a comprehensive look at Scientology, what Scientologists are like and what the Church does for the community and society as a whole.3 Apr 2008 — United Kingdom
In commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the London chapter of Youth for Human Rights International participated in an event held by the Westminster Faith Exchange, an interfaith group that promotes positive solutions in the community. Attendees watched video clips produced by Youth for Human Rights International, that educate people of all ages on the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.2 Apr 2008 — France
This week, in cities around France, volunteers from Scientology churches and missions in Marseilles, Avignon, Lyon, Bordeaux and Paris brought the truth about drugs to thousands of young people, through their "Say No to Drugs" campaign, which included distribution of flyers and pamphlets.1 Apr 2008 — Russia
As many as 120 million people in Russia, CIS and Europe are learning about the danger of psychotropic drugs, with NTV airing a program on prime time about the effect of antidepressant drugs on youth and how these drugs are being pushed in Russia.31 Mar 2008 — Russia
The Public Affairs Director of the Church of Scientology of Moscow represented the Church at the International Conference on Religion at the Russian State University of Humanities. The conference, entitled "Religion and Education: Russian and International Practice," featured leading specialists in the field of religious studies, representatives from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and various religious organizations and public officials.30 Mar 2008 — Taiwan
The 220 attendees of the drug education seminar held at the Yun-Lin County Teachers Training Center learned about the effects of the most commonly abused drugs, and how they can communicate effectively about this to their own students.29 Mar 2008 — USA
The Foundation for a Drug-Free World Florida manned a booth at the Youth Crime Watch of America conference this weekend, where more than 150 young people signed the Drug-Free Marshals pledge. They committed to staying drug free and helping their friends and families live drug-free lives.29 Mar 2008 — Italy
To prevent the possibility of children contracting AIDS or hepatitis through accidental contact with infected syringes left in parks by addicts, Italian Scientologists held a syringe pick-up this weekend, an activity which has become a standard feature of the church-sponsored "Say No to Drugs" campaign.29 Mar 2008 — Liberia
Youth for Human Rights International continued its African Leadership Campaign today, with meetings with government officials in Liberia to coordinate implementation of the YHRI educational campaign broadly throughout the country.28 Mar 2008 — USA
The danger of psychiatric drugs was emphasized at the opening of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) Traveling Exhibit in Portland, Oregon today. Speakers pointed out the direct relationship between the increase in violent crimes, particularly among young people, and the number of prescriptions of psychotropic drugs being filled for youth.27 Mar 2008 — South Africa
The Church of Scientology of South Africa announces it has acquired the famous Johannesburg landmark, the Kyalami Castle, to be the home of its new advanced spiritual retreat. This marks a significant step for Scientologists who until now had to travel all the way to the U.S, Australia, Denmark or England for their higher spiritual progress.26 Mar 2008 — Czech Republic
Human Rights education has taken an upturn in Czech Republic, with public service announcements produced by Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) now airing daily on TV stations and busses throughout the Czech Republic.25 Mar 2008 — France
Ninety-five TV stations in France now air human rights public service announcements produced by Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI).24 Mar 2008 — Italy
The Citizens Commission on Human Rights opened its Traveling Exhibit in Trento, Italy last week. The exhibition, called Psychiatry: An Industry of Death, details the history of abuses in the field and exposes psychiatric fraud and lethal practices.23 Mar 2008 — Italy
The director of the largest mall in Brescia, Italy, is supporting the Church-sponsored drug prevention initiative by making free space available for monthly information booths, and promoting the program on the mall's website.20 Mar 2008 — Russia
Leading legal experts of the Moscow Helsinki Federation and the Committee for Civil Rights, the Eurasian branch of the International Association of Religious Freedom and representatives of many faiths attended a conference in Moscow on religious freedom, organized by the Church of Scientology of Moscow. All attendees agreed to sign a letter to the President of Russia, demanding the elimination of intolerance and discrimination and to work together to strengthen freedom of worship in Russia and expose abuses against religious freedom.19 Mar 2008 — Indonesia
In Yogyakarta, twenty teachers, selected by the Yogyakarta City Education Department, completed their drug education training as part of the Department's partnership with the Foundation for a Drug-Free World and the Drug Free Ambassadors of Australia. Since their training began last year, the teachers have delivered lectures to more than 2,000 students in their city.18 Mar 2008 — Ireland
The UK chapter of Citizens Commission on Human Rights brought two info-stands to the Mind, Body, Spirit Exhibition in Cork City Hall in Cork, Ireland. CCHR volunteers spoke one-on-one to hundreds of visitors, enlightening them on the abuses in the field of psychiatry. Because of the popularity of the booth, CCHR has decided to bring its full traveling exhibit, Psychiatry: Industry of Death to the city later this year.18 Mar 2008 — American Samoa
Rave testimonials marked the completion of a month-long program in which the Scientology Volunteer Ministers Goodwill Tour trained officers of the Department of Public Safety on the Volunteer Ministers Disaster Response Specialist Course.17 Mar 2008 — USA
The Church of Scientology International launched the Scientology Video Channel, which can be seen online at www.scientology.org. Featuring nearly 3 hours of video clips, the channel provides information on Scientology beliefs and practices and its many humanitarian and social betterment programs.17 Mar 2008 — Denmark
A front-page article in Metroxpress, a national Danish newspaper, covered a report by scholar Peter Anderson on the increasing number of Danes looking into Scientology and the consequent expansion of the Church in that country.17 Mar 2008 — Russia
Representatives of the Federal Service of Narcotic Drug Control, human rights attorneys, a former Moscow regional ombudsman, an MP of the City Council in Sergiev Posad, a criminologist and religious leaders attended a weekend-long round table conference held by Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) at the CCHR Traveling Exhibit in Moscow. Those attending joined forces to defeat legislation that recommends legalization of coerced treatment of drug addicts.16 Mar 2008 — Spain
The Church of Scientology of Spain in Madrid hosted a conference on the impact the Church's recent religious recognition will have on religious pluralism in the country. Speakers included a professor of Ecclesiastical Law at the University Complutense of Madrid, the former Director General of Religious Affairs of the Spanish Ministry of Justice, Deputy Director General for Coordination and Promotion of Religious Freedom from the Spanish Ministry of Justice and the Director of the Foundation for Pluralism who is also a member of the Ministry of Justice Advisory Commission on Religious Freedom.15 Mar 2008 — USA
A representative of Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) addressed a group of resident hall advisors at the Illinois Wesleyan University on the impact of human rights education, not only in building social consciousness and activism but on helping college students deal with human rights issues in their daily lives.14 Mar 2008 — Russia
The Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) Traveling Exhibit opened in Moscow at the Culture Center of the National Economics University. Speakers included the director of the center and the ombudsman on patients' rights, who focused on the urgency of educating college students on the dangers of psychiatric drugs and other abusive industry practices.14 Mar 2008 — USA
Today, thousands of Scientologists from around the world attended the 2008 anniversary of the birthday of Scientology founder, L. Ron Hubbard, in Clearwater, Florida. Emceed by Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center, the event featured a multi-media biographical presentation by the LRH Biographer, and awards to the fastest expanding Scientology Missions and Churches in the world.13 Mar 2008 — World
In cities in countries around the world, Scientologists paid tribute to L. Ron Hubbard on the anniversary of his birthday.12 Mar 2008 — Russia
In St. Petersburg, nightclub goers learned of the risk of taking drugs. Volunteers from the Church-sponsored "Say NO to Drugs" group passed out fliers and brochures and answered questions.11 Mar 2008 — Mexico
The Institute of Superior Technology in the city of Nuevo Casas Grande in Chihuahua, Mexico, invited the Foundation for a Drug-Free World to participate in the grand finale of their week-long anti-drug festival. Some 600 students, teachers and representatives of government and non-governmental organizations attended. The Institute has adopted the drug-education materials produced by the Foundation.2 Mar 2008 — USA
2 March 2008: USA—Tampa Scientologists are proud to participate in the Second Annual Human Rights Marathon, to promote education in, and full implementation of, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights internationally.
1 Mar 2008 — USA
1 March 2008: USA—Citizens Commission on Human Rights celebrates 29 years of protecting the rights of those abused by psychiatry and psychology. The Beverly Hills event featured the release of a new 11-minute documentary that reveals how psychiatric medications are responsible for skyrocketing suicide and violent homicides among young people.
29 Feb 2008 — Lithuania
Scientology-sponsored drug education program expands into Lithuania with concerned anti-drug activists in those two nations adopting the program to educate youth on the dangers of the most commonly used drugs.28 Feb 2008 — Kenya
28 February 2008: Kenya—Spurred by recent post-election violence a group of young people from Kenya have formed a partnership with Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI). The group aims at protecting youth from violent acts by educating them in their rights using booklets and DVDs produced by YHRI.28 Feb 2008 — Sweden
28 February 2008: Sweden—Swedish spokesperson of Citizens Commission on Human Rights is quoted in an article titled "Chemically-Induced Suicide: 90 Percent of Suicide Victims Took Antidepressant Drugs." The report details the results of a study by the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare that analyzed the 367 suicides recorded in the year 2006.27 Feb 2008 — Denmark
27 February 2008: Denmark—Church sponsored drug-prevention group awards the manager of the two largest Copenhagen nightclubs for his work in educating youth on the dangers of drugs.26 Feb 2008 — USA
26 February 2008: USA—The Founding Church of Scientology of Washington DC hosts the Swiss Ambassador to the United States on a tour of their facilities, including a briefing on the human rights activities of the Church.
23 Sep 2007 — Peru
Scientology Volunteer Ministers in Peru since a magnitude 8 earthquake rocked Peru, a team of Scientology Volunteer Ministers continues its work to help the survivors.24 Aug 2007 — Peru
Scientology Volunteer Ministers team is continuing their work, helping emergency relief workers provide needed supplies and services to survivors of last week's earthquake. Volunteers and those willing to donate funds to support the relief effort are asked to contact the Volunteer Ministers Consultant at vm@volunteerministers.org.
9 Aug 2007 — Philippines
The Scientology Volunteer Ministers Asian Goodwill Tour continues its activities in the Philippines. They have set up their tent at the Graduate School of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, where they are providing courses and seminars on the Scientology Handbook to students and faculty.
7 Aug 2007 — USA
The Church of Scientology International and the Foundation for a Drug-Free World today called for parents, educators, and community groups to strike back at widespread drug abuse and crime by initiating strategies for drug demand reduction. The appeal was made at National Night Out meetings across the nation, held to heighten awareness and prevention of crime, drugs and violence.
6 Aug 2007 — UK
Youth For Human Rights International is providing human rights workshops at the International Scouting Jamboree commemorating the 100th anniversary of the founding of scouting. These workshops center around 30 video clips Youth for Human Rights International has created to educate youth on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
4 Aug 2007 — USA
Its 38th anniversary celebration was the kind of spectacular gala for which the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre International has become famous, and while guests enjoyed the best in food and entertainment they also learned of the impact the Church is having on society, with presentations and displays describing the scope of the Church-sponsored social betterment programs.1 Aug 2007 — Russia
In response to a request from the Mayor of Kashira, a town in the Federal District of Moscow, Russian Scientologists held a drug education event in the center of the town where they distributed over a thousand booklets presenting the truth about drugs to people of the area.31 Jul 2007 — Belgium
The Church of Scientology International European Office of Public Affairs and Human Rights in Brussels hosted an event to open dialogue and improve relations among the many different religious and ethnic groups in Europe. Representatives of Islamic, Jewish and Buddhist religions and various ethnic groups participated in the planning session to work out how to foster better communication and understanding among their communities.
30 Jul 2007 — Philippines
The Scientology Volunteer Ministers Goodwill Tour wrapped up a series of workshops on Scientology assist technology, (which address the spiritual and emotional effects of illness, injury and trauma) and the basics of organization. The Quezon City Public Order and Safety Office commended the team, stating: "The Quezon City Government would like to express its heartfelt thanks and gratitude," and acknowledging Scientology founder
29 Jul 2007 — Taiwan The Yun-Lin County Mayor formally thanked the Church of Scientology of Taiwan for five years of dedicated work in helping the community. The Church is well known throughout Taiwan for its drug education and human rights education programs, all of which are run by volunteers. |