NEW IDEAL CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY BLOOMS IN THE CITY OF ROSES

On Saturday, May 11, the Church of Scientology Portland celebrated the grand opening of their new home in the city’s historic downtown quarter. More than 2,500 Scientologists and guests joined city and state dignitaries for the dedication ceremony.

The Church’s new home occupies the renowned Sherlock Building on the corner of Third Avenue and Oak Street. Originally erected in 1893, the landmark has long been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Sherlock Building is recognized as among the most noteworthy late-19th century structures in Portland and the preeminent example of Sullivanesque-style architecture in Oregon. The Church undertook the restoration of this Portland classic to preserve its heritage well into the next century, including full seismic reinforcement of all seven stories. The building now houses all facilities of a Scientology Ideal Organization (Ideal Org), providing the complete range of religious services to a rapidly growing congregation. The Church further serves as a center for members of all other faiths to collaborate for community betterment across the Willamette Valley.

Portland itself holds a notable place in Scientology history as the site of the 1985 Scientology Religious Freedom Crusade. In a movement that inspired not only Portlanders but also religious advocates world over, tens of thousands of Scientologists united in the city. For some 60 days, they assembled for peaceful marches, concerts and candlelight vigils, which culminated with a landmark legal victory for religious freedom in America.

In recognition of Portland’s new Church, Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center and ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, led the dedication. His inaugural address spoke to the history of Scientology in Portland and specifically the events surrounding a first Scientology Freedom Crusade of 1985:

“Portland was our test,” Mr. Miscavige explained. “It was a test of our resolve, our fortitude and determination to avert a grave assault on the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. So when you look at where we stand today, remember it was all because our voices were heard 28 years ago.”
“In that respect,” he added, “your destiny has always foretold of the day when this Church would become a testament to what originally drew so many thousands to these streets. Namely, that our inherent right to spiritual salvation is intrinsically linked to tolerance, brotherhood and the right of every faith to champion the divinity of humankind. That this Church further stands for drug-free, crime-free, literate, moral and happy lives, is only the beginning; for with a hard-won right of religious freedom comes your responsibility to deliver that long sought goal of total freedom. And so I ask that you now extend your help to all who would dream of such a freedom, so they, too, may realize their destiny.”

Welcoming the new Church were Cornelius City Manager and former Mayor of Beaverton, Mr. Rob Drake; Executive Director of the Portland Marathon, Mr. Les Smith; Chair of the Inter-Religious Action Network of Washington County, Ms. Annie Heart; and Host for the national “Voice of Freedom” television and radio programs, Reverend Jim Nicholls.

In his address, Cornelius City Manager Mr. Rob Drake said: “The Church of Scientology has come to the table time and again for our community. Though downtown Portland has long been your home, your Church has always reached far beyond its boundaries in the name of help. And with your expansive new Church we dedicate here today, I know that this help will extend even further.”

Mr. Les Smith of the Portland Marathon recognized the Church’s Volunteer Ministers and their dedication to the city’s signature event: “Our American culture is based on the spirit of volunteerism. And it is with that same spirit that your volunteers have been showing up at our event for the last twenty years. By being here as long as they have, with their experience and with their understanding of our aims, they are invaluable. So as part of your celebration today, I want to acknowledge your dedicated corps: the world-famed Scientology Volunteer Ministers.”

Ms. Annie Heart, Chair of the Inter-Religious Action Network, spoke to the Church’s long-standing and indiscriminate work on behalf of residents across the state: “You have been a vital partner and leader in the inter-religious community. So thank you to everyone for being here, and for serving our county-wide cities and fostering partnerships and peace throughout our beautiful state of Oregon.”

Reverend Jim Nicholls, host of the national “Voice of Freedom” TV and radio broadcasts, honored Scientologists and addressed all present when proclaiming: “I hope you realize just how brightly the torch of Scientology blazes. I am convinced there is no religion and no organization in the world today that has done more for the fight for our religious freedom rights than the Church of Scientology.”
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The new 69,000-square-foot Ideal Org provides residents of the Willamette Valley 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 Church-sponsored humanitarian programs—including a worldwide human rights education initiative; an equally far-reaching drug education, prevention and rehabilitation program; a global network of literacy and learning centers; and the Scientology Volunteer Minister program, now comprising the world’s largest independent relief force. The Center is open morning to night for visitors to tour at their leisure and return as often as they wish.
The Church’s Chapel provides for Scientology congregational gatherings, including Sunday Services, Weddings and Naming Ceremonies—as well as a host of community-wide events open to members of all denominations. The new Church further includes multiple seminar rooms and classrooms, in addition to dozens of auditing rooms for Scientology auditing(spiritual counseling).
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The Church of Scientology Portland is the third new Ideal Org to open in 2013, following Pretoria, South Africa, on February 23 and Cambridge in Ontario, Canada, on February 9. A parade of Ideal Orgs opened through the previous year: Padova, Italy (October 27); Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Israel (August 21); Los Gatos, California (July 28); Buffalo, New York (June 30); Phoenix, Arizona (June 23); Denver, Colorado (June 16); Stevens Creek in San Jose, California (June 9); Orange County, California (June 2); Greater Cincinnati, Ohio (February 25); Sacramento, California (January 28); and Hamburg, Germany (January 21).
Through the coming year, more than a dozen new Ideal Orgs are scheduled to open in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe, England, South and North America.
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Ideal Orgs reflect the fulfillment of Founder L. Ron Hubbard’s vision for the religion. They not only provide the ideal facilities to service Scientologists on their ascent to greater states of spiritual awareness and freedom, they are also designed to serve as a home for the entire community and a meeting ground of cooperative effort to uplift citizens of all denominations.

Other new Ideal Orgs opened in recent years include Seattle, Washington; Los Angeles, Inglewood, Sacramento and San Francisco, California; Dallas, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; Tampa, Florida; as well as Quebec City, Canada; Mexico City, Mexico; London, Brussels, Moscow, Berlin, Madrid and Rome in Europe; Johannesburg, South Africa; and Melbourne, Australia. For a complete list of new Churches of Scientology, visit Scientology.org.
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The Scientology religion was founded by author and philosopher L. Ron Hubbard. The first Church of Scientology was formed in Los Angeles in 1954 and the religion has expanded to more than 11,000 Churches, Missions and affiliated groups, with millions of members in 167 countries.

SOUTH AFRICAN CAPITAL HERALDS NEW CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY

On Saturday, February 23, more than a thousand Scientologists and their guests assembled to celebrate the opening of the new Church of Scientology Pretoria. National, provincial and city dignitaries as well as South African royalty joined Church officials for the dedication ceremony.

The Church’s new home stands on Stanza Bopape Street neighboring the Union Buildings, official seat of the South African government and home to the presidential offices. The campus, less than a block from Embassy Row, is comprised of five heritage homes originally constructed at the turn of the 20th century. The Church meticulously restored the Edwardian-style buildings and altogether transformed them into a 21st century Ideal Organization (Ideal Org) to accommodate an ever-growing congregation.

In honor of the occasion, Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center and ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, stated: “Today we open an Ideal Org on sacred ground, for it was here at the veritable summit of South Africa that freedom was claimed for so many. And just as the sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement, it shall never set on our own work until that freedom is realized by every last soul in the land. So yes, with this new Church, we rededicate ourselves to carry on the work L. Ron Hubbard began in this nation and so fulfill his prediction that ‘from Southern Africa will spring the next great civilization on this planet.’”

Dignitaries on hand to welcome the new Church included ANC Chief Whip Dr. Mathole Motshekga, MP; Director of Programs for South Africa’s Constitution Hill, Mr. Thabo Madisa; CEO of Opera South Africa and Thembu royal, Prince Unathi Mtirara; Commissioner for South Africa’s Department of Corrections, Mr. Alfred Tsetsane; Coordinator at the Department of Education, Gauteng, Ms. Theodora Mohale; and National Coordinator Humanity’s Team South Africa, Anna-Mari Pieterse.

ANC Chief Whip Dr. Mathole Motshekga invoked the African idea of Ubuntu (meaning “I am because you are, you are because we are”) in welcoming the new Church to Pretoria: “May today herald the beginning of a beautiful friendship—one that forges the South African spirit of Ubuntu that governs our nation’s development and brings about a marriage of social and spiritual development that our icon Nelson Mandela envisioned for our future.”

Director of Programs for South Africa’s Constitution Hill, Mr. Thabo Madisa, spoke of L. Ron Hubbard’s legacy in South Africa: “Your founder was a great man. After all, he wrote a constitution of equality for us when our heroes were calling for one, but their calls were not heard. And thus he held out a hand to our people when all that was offered was a fist. There is no freedom without human rights. And there are no human rights without a vanguard there to protect them. This Church is a citadel. It stands here in the name of L. Ron Hubbard to carry through on what he promised. And we promise to work with you, to guarantee that this Rainbow Nation will walk tall forevermore.”

Thembu royal, Prince Unathi Mtirara, highlighted The Way to Happiness, a common sense guide to living authored by L. Ron Hubbard: “The Way to Happiness speaks Xhosa, Zulu and Afrikaans—its language is universal. My grand uncle, Former President Mandela, has said that if you give a child a book to read you’ve given them everything that they ever need. That is why I want to get a copy in the hand of every child in this land. We need this in every street of Johannesburg, in every school in Cape Town — I want it all for South Africa.”

Coordinator at the Department of Education, Gauteng, Ms. Theodora Mohale, addressed L. Ron Hubbard’s tools for learning and literacy: “I know that through the use of Study Technology, you are providing skills to create the lifelong learners our country needs. And therefore, you are in perfect harmony with our aims at the Department of Education. This new Church must be celebrated as an opportunity for us to work together and make great strides in basic education for all children in South Africa.”

Regional Commissioner for South Africa’s Department of Corrections, Mr. Alfred Tsetsane, spoke of his continuing partnership with the Church-sponsored Criminon criminal rehabilitation program: “With conditions of our facilities, rehabilitation of offenders and safety a constant challenge, there is much still needing to be done. I came to know about the Church of Scientology as I witnessed the implementation of the Criminon program. This program has produced remarkable results in the rehabilitation of offenders.”

National Coordinator, Humanity’s Team South Africa, Anna-Mari Pieterse, said of working with the new Church: “L. Ron Hubbard well recognized the inherent potential in our South Africa. And it is my wish and belief that this new Church of Scientology, with its humanitarian programs and solutions available to one and all, provides the opportunity for the people of this city and nation to realize their full potential.”

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The new Pretoria Church provides residents of Tshwane 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 Church-sponsored humanitarian programs—including a worldwide human rights education initiative; an equally far-reaching drug education, prevention and rehabilitation program; a global network of literacy and learning centers; and the Scientology Volunteer Minister program, now comprising the world’s largest independent relief force. The Center is open morning to night for visitors to tour at their leisure and return as often as they wish.

The Church’s Chapel provides for Scientology congregational gatherings, including Sunday Services, Weddings and Naming Ceremonies—as well as a host of community-wide events open to members of all faiths. The new Church further includes multiple seminar rooms and classrooms, in addition to dozens of rooms for Scientology auditing (spiritual counseling).

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The Church of Scientology Pretoria is the second new Ideal Org to open in 2013, following Cambridge, Ontario on February 9. A parade of Ideal Orgs opened over the past year: Padova, Italy (October 27); Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Israel (August 21); Los Gatos, California (July 28); Buffalo, New York (June 30); Phoenix, Arizona (June 23); Denver, Colorado (June 16); Stevens Creek in San Jose, California (June 9); Orange County, California (June 2); Greater Cincinnati, Ohio (February 25); Sacramento, California (January 28); and Hamburg, Germany (January 21).

Through the coming year, more than a dozen new Ideal Orgs are scheduled to open—in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe, England, South and North America.

___________________

Ideal Orgs reflect the fulfillment of Founder L. Ron Hubbard’s vision for the religion. They not only provide the ideal facilities to service Scientologists on their ascent to greater states of spiritual awareness and freedom, they are also designed to serve as a home for the entire community and a meeting ground of cooperative effort to uplift citizens of all denominations.

Other new Ideal Orgs opened in recent years include London, Brussels, Moscow, Berlin, Madrid and Rome in Europe; Johannesburg, South Africa; Melbourne, Australia; New York, New York; Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles, Inglewood, Sacramento and San Francisco, California; Tampa, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; Seattle, Washington; Dallas, Texas; Quebec City, Canada; and Mexico City, Mexico. For a complete list of new Ideal Orgs of Scientology, visit Scientology.org.

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The Scientology religion was founded by author and philosopher L. Ron Hubbard. The first Church of Scientology was formed in Los Angeles in 1954 and the religion has expanded to more than 11,000 Churches, Missions and affiliated groups, with millions of members in 167 countries.

Scientology YouTube Video Channel Launches Meet a Scientologist Videos

The Church of Scientology International is launching a series of testimonial videos on its official YouTube Channel called "Meet a Scientologist," which showcase the lives and careers of everyday Scientologists. YouTube users will be able to view 50 videos to start, with 100 more videos scheduled to follow in the upcoming months as part of the Church's continuing efforts to expand its presence in the world's largest online video community.

Meet A Scientologist YouTube Videos
Meet A Scientologist YouTube Videos

The "Meet a Scientologist" videos, which were shot on location, focus on individual Scientologists who explain how the religion has helped them, whether by teaching effective communication skills, learning to be confident in their abilities, or generally improving their life. Videos highlight members of Scientology from all over the world and all kinds of professions, including doctors, educators, inventors, athletes, actors, musicians, students, photographers, business owners and more.

These new videos are based on one of the core principles of the Scientology religion. L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Church of Scientology, discovered that understanding is composed of affinity, reality and communication. With the conviction that this applies to any aspect of life, the Church of Scientology seeks to increase understanding of Scientology and Scientologists by applying this principle to online video, while at the same time, providing information through personal stories.

A pioneer and leader in the online religious community, the Church of Scientology was the first religion to create its own official YouTube Video Channel in April 2008, with 82 broadcast-quality videos comprising nearly three hours of content in a unique video player. To date, it has been seen by over 2 million visitors. The Church of Scientology has also launched an online public information campaign with 30 and 60-second flash presentation conveying the essence of Scientology. These spots address the most fundamental questions people ask about life--questions for which Scientology has effective answers.

To watch the new "Meet a Scientologist" videos, visit the Scientology Video Channel on YouTube at video channel at http://www.youtube.com/ChurchofScientology.

Scientology Promotes Drug-Free Living on Quebec National Day

The Church of Scientology of Quebec urged fellow Quebecois to Say NO to Drugs.

The Church of Scientology of Quebec urged their fellow Quebecois to Say NO to Drugs on Quebec National Day. This year marks the 401st anniversary of the City of Quebec and on June 23rd, the eve of Quebec National Day, young Scientologists kicked off the holiday by letting the youth of Quebec learn the truth about drugs.

According to the United Nations 2009 Drug Report, Canada is one of the top distributors and producers of synthetic drugs. This year there were 100,000 drug-related crimes in Canada, with marijuana, ecstasy, crystal meth and cocaine responsible for most of them.

Determined to do something about this and help their fellow Quebecois avoid the tragedy of drug abuse and addiction, a team of young Scientologists gathered to distribute anti-drug booklets to youth arriving at the Parc Plaines D’Abraham to enjoy the traditional concerts there on the eve of the holiday.

The booklets, produced by the Foundation for a Drug Free World, present the facts about drugs, to help youth make informed decisions about drugs.

Scientology churches around the world carry out grass roots activities o help youth make informed choices about drugs. For more information on the anti-drug program of the Church of Scientology visit the Scientology web site.

Scientology Truth: Scientologists active in fighting drug abuse

Youth from the Church of Scientology of Pasadena join anti-drug march to educate their peers on drug abuse and addiction

Sunland/Tujunga - Members of the Church of Scientology of Pasadena were among hundreds of youths who participated in an Anti-Drug March from Bolton Hall in Tujunga to Sunland Park. With the help of the Sunland Tujunga Rotary Club, and supported by the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, students from the Verdugo Hills High School in Tujunga and the Delphi Academy in Lake View Terrace organized this walk and a festival to educate teenagers about the dangers of drugs.

“We knew we wanted to do something to tell people about drugs, and at first we thought of just doing talks in different classes at school. That would be good, but we wanted to do something bigger, to help the whole community. That’s how we decided on the walk,” said Krista Baysdorpher from Delphi Academy.

According to Eden Stein, President of the Church of Scientology of Pasadena, “L. Ron Hubbard wrote ‘Research has demonstrated that the single most destructive element present in our current culture is drugs.’ Drugs are a serious problem here in Southern California, and we are committed to helping young people stay out of this trap.”

The statistics on drug use among youth is particularly alarming. From a survey done by the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, 50 percent of public school students in the United States have tried an illicit drug by the time they are 17 years old. To do something effective about this, the Foundation published booklets that provide information about the harmful and sometimes deadly consequences of the most popular drugs. During the recent anti-drug march, hundreds of these booklets were distributed, arming youth with the information they need to say “No” to drugs.

Scientology Motor Vessel Freewinds

June 2009 - the month of the Maiden Voyage celebrations on a Scientology ship called Freewinds. Scientology leader David Miscavige will be there speaking to his folks.

From ScientologyMyths.info:

The Freewinds is the location of a special Church of Scientology. It is a huge motor vessel cruising the Caribbean since 1988. Here is the official presentation of the ship (text from Scientology Today and Freewinds.org) and some comments I added:

"The Church of Scientology Flag Ship Service Organization ministers the highest levels of religious services, as well as other select services to help one on his route to Operating Thetan (OT).

The Flag Ship Service Organization (FSSO) is a unique church of Scientology which is located aboard the Motor Vessel Freewinds, a 440-foot ship based in the Caribbean, with the home port of CuraƧao. The ship was acquired in the mid-1980s shortly before the release of the highest advanced auditing level currently available, New OT VIII.

Needing a safe, aesthetic, distraction-free environment appropriate for ministration of this profoundly spiritual level of auditing, this church of Scientology returned to the sea, far from the crossroads of the workaday world. And while the Flag Service Organization ministers the highest levels of training and auditing from the bottom of The Bridge up to New OT VII, the most advanced OT level—OT VIII—is entrusted exclusively to the FSSO.

To a Scientologist, coming to the Freewinds for New OT VIII is the pinnacle of a deeply spiritual journey. Years of training and auditing have brought him to this ultimate point. It is the most significant spiritual accomplishment of his lifetime and brings with it the full realization of his immortality.

Church of Scientology Flag Ship Service Organization The Freewinds is a very special place. It is the one place on this planet that a Scientologist can go and be certain that he will be able to devote all of his attention to his religious practice and, at the same time, share the company of people who share his religious commitment and outlook on life in general. A voyage on the Freewinds is nowhere close to a vacation. Rather, it is the perfect religious retreat dedicated to enabling one to devote his full attention to spiritual growth.

Religious services ministered aboard the Freewinds are not limited to Scientologists who have reached New OT VIII. Other religious programs conducted aboard the Freewinds include religious conventions and seminars for staff and parishioners of churches of Scientology from around the world as well as specially arranged gatherings also for Scientologists from a particular country or community for a particular program of religious services.

Each year the annual Maiden Voyage event has come to be one of the most important gatherings of dedicated Scientologists and an opportunity for senior Church officials to meet and work directly with these parishioners to advance their religion. Scientologists who attend this annual spiritual cruise become "OT Ambassadors" and initiate programs to help Scientologists all over the world advance the aims of Scientology and to reach the top of The Bridge at New OT VIII."

In May 2008 the Freewinds went into dry dock for scheduled repairs and structural changes to create more convention spaces. Those measures were completed and the ship went back in the water in time for the celebration of the 20th anniversary of its Maiden Voyage in June 2008. Several hundred dignitaries including the Premier Minister of Curacao from the Netherland Antilles participated in the christening of the new, refitted Freewinds. The event and following Maiden Voyage celebrations (over five days) have been videoed - as usual - and were shown in all Churches of Scientology in the world during July and August 2008.

Speaker comes ready to explain, defend Scientology - News

Speaker comes ready to explain, defend Scientology - News

Scientology, the religion that has grabbed mainstream attention thanks to its celebrity followers, sparked curiosity on the Cal Poly campus last night as a church leader came to clear up what he calls misconceptions surrounding the religion.

More than 100 students attended the speech, which was sponsored by Cal Poly Theisms. As seats filled up, many attendants stood while others watched a broadcast in an adjacent room.

Rev. Lee Holzinger, a leader in the Santa Barbara Church of Scientology and 30-year follower, came prepared to give the audience a crash course on the religion. He displayed 18 Scientology books written by L. Ron Hubbard on the front podium. He also cued up clips from a DVD aimed to help clarify some Scientology concepts. Holzinger seemed ready to defend Scientology against any claim.

"I have heard every strange thing and misconception there is about the Church of Scientology, so it's hard to shock me," he said.

Holzinger said he is aware of the rumors and controversy Scientology breeds and he wants to dispel some of the negativity by discussing what Scientologists actually believe and practice.

Scientology is often criticized for believing that humans are actually immortal beings known as Thetans, who have lived before birth and will live on after death. Holzinger confirmed this ideology but noted that it is not forced upon members of the church.

"I am a scientologist. I believe I have lived a long time. It isn't something we would preach to anyone. It's just something people discover on their own."

Holzinger said that Scientologists discover their true being with the help of "auditing" sessions. These sessions claim to provide a way for people to recall a previous existence. Holzinger said he made this discovery and is happy with the belief that he is an immortal spirit.

"It's really a very clarifying and stable thing to get to understand, to really know who you are," Holzinger said.