Why I Celebrate March 13 as L. Ron Hubbard's Birthday

In 1973, Founder of Dianetics and Scientology L. Ron Hubbard conducted a sociological study in New York City and discovered a society that had dramatically worsened from the city he remembered years before. From this study he predicted where the culture was headed: rampant immorality, violence as sport, and ultimately, politics by terrorism.

Needed was a way to help others live their lives and build their futures. In answer, Mr. Hubbard drew the plans for a grassroots movement, one that would instill these values back into society and so halt the decline: the Scientology Volunteer Ministers Program.

"Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe." L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology Religion.

L. Ron Hubbard Site:What is Greatness

L. Ron Hubbard Site: What is Greatness

One of my favorite essays by L. Ron Hubbard is "What is Greatness."

It puts the ball firmly in your own court as to what kind of life you are going to live--you happiness and that of the people around you.

^{Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe.~~L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion}

What is Greatness?

^{"Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe."} L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology Religion.

Scientology Anti-Drug Initiative

Every 12 seconds another school-age child experiments with illicit drugs for the first time—a grim reminder of just how pervasive drug abuse is among young people.

To combat this epidemic, the Church of Scientology sponsors the largest nongovernmental anti-drug information and prevention campaign on Earth. It has been conclusively proven that when young people are provided with the truth about drugs—factual information on what drugs are and what they do—usage rates drop commensurately. By statistical survey, the Drug-Free World Campaign has thus far prevented some 500,000 young people from recreational drug use…or worse.>>

^{"Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe."} L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology Religion.

What is Greatness, by L. Ron Hubbard

You may have noticed the quote I include on all my postings. It's my favorite quote of L. Ron Hubbard. It's a point of philosophy I try to live by. I share it with you here:





^{"Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe." L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology Religion.}

Scientology Volunteer Ministers humanitarian relief in Haiti

Scientology Volunteer Ministers humanitarian relief work is continuing in Haiti. This video shows how it all began.



^{"Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe." L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology Religion.}

New Scientology HQ for Haiti Disaster Relief

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers opened a center outside Port-au-Prince to act a headquarters for their activities on the island and for training new volunteers.

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers program was developed in 1976 by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard. In the wake of 9/11, David Miscavige greatly expanded the scope of the program, which now includes Goodwill Tours throughout the world.

^{"Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe." L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology Religion.}

How to Help Someone Overcome Grief

Grief counseling takes on a completely new dimension when you understand how to help someone. And it is as simple as reading and understanding the Dianetics book. The Dianetics Seminar, offered at all Scientology Churches and Missions, makes it easy to learn how to do this. If someone you love has lost someone they love, this is vital to their well being and future. You can locate a Scientology Church at the Scientology web site.

Tomorrow is the 60th Anniversary of Dianetics, but it is just as effective today as it was in 1950.


^{"Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe." L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology Religion.}

Saving Lives in Haiti

I really found this story on the Scientology News site inspirational. It's about a Scientology Volunteer Minister who is also a nurse who saved a woman's life.>>




^{"Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe." L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology Religion.}

New Los Angeles Scientology Church there for the community

At the grand opening of the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles this weekend it was really clear the Church is there for the community.

Karen Bass, Speaker Emeritus of the California State Assembly referred to the work Scientology does to ensure the human rights of everyone through exposing human rights abuses and programs to educate people on what human rights really are. She said "The Church of Scientology I know has made a difference, because your Creed is a universal creed and one that speaks to all people everywhere.”

It was great to hear what Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca had to say: “You have been consistently reliable in helping me to achieve my goal for a safer Los Angeles County. In particular, your drug education means everything to the safety of our schools and neighborhoods. That is why we trained a corps of our own deputies in the use of your unbeatable program, so I want to thank each and every one of you for everything you do in helping me do my job—because today, crime in Los Angeles is at its lowest in 40 years.”

But what I loved most was the speech by David Miscavige. It is always inspiring to hear what he has to say, and you can see his level of professionalism and his vision in every aspect of this beautiful new Scientology church.


^{"Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe." L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology Religion.}

Do you trust the government?

A survey by the Pew Research Center shows that if you trust your government representatives you are in the minority:

According to Market Watch, Pew found. Favorable ratings for the Democratic Party have fallen by 21 points over the past year (from 59% to 38%) and are at their lowest point in Pew Research surveys. Meanwhile, the Republican Party’s ratings have fallen back to 37%. They’d previously increased, from 40% last August to 46% in February.

Seems this is all over whether you can trust politicians. And that all boils down to ethics in the end. Ethics is not just a problem for politicians. Look at what is going on with Goldman Sachs. What happens when a person is weak on their personal ethics and they come under the pressure that politicians and people on positions of power in other sectors of society? Exactly what has been happening.

There is a chapter in the Scientology Handbook on Integrity and Honesty. If we don't do something to raise the ethical standards of our society, we will continue to have the kind of trouble we are experiencing today.




^{"Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe." L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology Religion.}

Scientology Volunteer Ministers Training the People of Haiti

<sup>The Scientology Volunteer Ministers in Haiti are doing a tremendous job bringing the country some stability and hope after the earthquake. Realize this earthquake, as horrific as it was, was just the last in a long series of overwhelming disasters that have been destroying the country for a long time. Now, let's work together to get it moving up and into the level of viability the people of this land deserve.

This Volunteer Ministers is using the Scientology Handbook most which is also available online>>

"Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe." L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology Religion.</sup>

Actress and Scientology Volunteer Minister decides to dedicate her service to the Las Vegas Community

Las Vegas - Cassandra Hepburn, 33, who recently returned from 12 days on the Scientology Disaster Relief Response Team in Haiti, has joined staff at the new Church of Scientology and Celebrity Centre in Las Vegas. The actress, who appeared in the Quentin Tarantino film "Hellride" and the daytime dramas "The Young and the Restless" and "As the World Turns," is eager to assume her new position at the Church to serve the Las Vegas community.

The volunteer service in Haiti on the Scientology Disaster Response Team changed her life, Hepburn says. Born in the Philippines and raised in London, Hong Kong and Switzerland, she has led no sheltered life, but she says her time in Haiti opened her eyes to what helping others is all about.

Hepburn arrived in Haiti on February 14 aboard a Scientology-sponsored charter flight and immediately joined the team of volunteers helping refugees in three IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps.

"Living conditions for the volunteers and medical professionals were pretty rugged--we slept in tents on cots or in sleeping bags on concrete slabs or hard floors, and we ate MREs (Meals Ready-to-Eat-- food rations that are also used by the United States Armed Forces), but compared to the conditions at the IDP camps this was luxurious," she said. In the IDP camps, entire families live out in the open, their only protection from the elements a sheet or a tarp suspended from a branch. "Unless we act now to provide shelter for the refugees there will be devastation during the upcoming rainy season."

Hepburn's assignment in Haiti also included working in local orphanages with a team of medical professionals who provided checkups while volunteers gave food and toys to the children. "They were so happy to see that someone cared," she said.

Back in Las Vegas, Hepburn is approaching her new position as a staff member of the Church of Scientology of Las Vegas with renewed spirit, taking her inspiration from Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard who wrote, "A being is only as valuable as he can serve others."

^{"Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe." L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology Religion.}

Scientology Volunteer Ministers help Haitians

^{WUSA9 Report, 15 January 2010:}

WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- Family members looking for information about relatives in Haiti are rubbing elbows with people who want to help survivors at the Haitian Embassy in Northwest Washington.

Iman Shabazz was there; several of her relatives are unaccounted for.

"My heart is more than broken," she said. "That's my ancestry, my roots, where I'm from."

Bob Remy was on the phone with a friend in Haiti when the quake hit.

"She was frantic," he says.

Remy quickly tried to phone other friends there before the communications system went down.

"My relatives are okay, but my friends daughter broke both legs and an arm, and he can't help her, Remy said. "The roads are cut off."

About a dozens volunteers from the Church of Scientology came to the embassy today too.

"We can see these people are in big trouble," Ken Spliethof says. "We are here to help."

Written by Audrey Barnes
9NEWS NOW & wusa9.com

^{"Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe." L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology Religion.}

Scientology Archives Released, Including Works Of L. Ron Hubbard

AP is running a really interesting press release on Scientology, specifically on the 2010 New Years Event release -- the completion of the Golden Age of Knowledge.

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) -- More than 1,000 unreleased recordings of lectures by L. Ron Hubbard and reams of corresponding writings have been unveiled in the culmination of a 25-year project to locate, restore and transcribe lost pieces of the Scientology founder's work.

Though sure to be derided by the church's many critics, its followers say the materials amount to an opportunity to deepen understanding of the religion and to release the last known unpublished Hubbard works dealing with Scientology and Dianetics.

''It would be like discovering that Buddha, unbeknownst to anybody, had sat down and wrote down the entirety of his discoveries and it could be verified that he wrote it,'' said Tommy Davis, the church's top spokesman.

The new materials were announced in a New Year's celebration at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles that was broadcast to churches around the world last week and include 1,020 lectures and hundreds of corresponding booklets from courses and other sessions with Scientology ministers from 1953 to 1961. They include discussions of how Hubbard arrived at the principles of Dianetics and his research on everything from decision-making to personal responsibility.

They were recovered through a painstaking hunt that led members to find tapes and papers in a basement in Wichita, Kan., a storage trailer in Phoenix, and a garage in Oakland, Calif., among other places. Some of the materials were believed to have been lost.

''We've been able to restore lectures we literally never thought would be heard again,'' Davis said.

The release marks the third and final batch of Hubbard works to be distributed as part of the decades-long project initiated by Hubbard himself but carried out after his 1986 death by the church's current leader, David Miscavige. Releases in 2005 and 2007 included updated versions of 18 basic Scientology books to correct transcriptional errors, as well as hundreds of other lectures given by Hubbard.

''It's so huge for our religion having these materials. It's really a renaissance,'' said Davis. ''It's as if it's a rediscovery of our own scriptures and what they hold and what they mean.''

^{"Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe." L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology Religion.}

Slovakian Youth Promote Human Rights Awareness

Bratislava, Slovakia—The Slovakia chapter of Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) celebrated the 61st Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) with the launch of a new web site and a human rights walk from Old Town in Bratislava to Grassalkovich Palace, the residence of the President of Slovakia. This was part of the “International Walk for Human Rights,” where youth from countries around the world, including Australia, Austria, Barbados, Cameroon, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Germany, Holland, India, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Somalia, South Africa, United Kingdom the United States and Zambia, walked to raise awareness of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The new YHRI Slovakia web site at www.MladezZaLudskePrava.org features 30 public service announcements, one illustrating each of the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration, available for the first time with Slovakian subtitles. The short films were produced by Youth for Human Rights International in partnership with the Church of Scientology International.

^{"Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe." L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology Religion.}

Youth for Human Rights 2009 World Fosters Peace and Hope

For eight weeks, members of Youth for Human Rights International carried out the Sixth Annual Human Rights World Tour, led by Scientologist and International Association of Scientologist Freedom Medal Winner, educator Mary Shuttleworth. The Scientology Press Office interviewed Mary on what inspired her to undertake this project and what results were accomplished.

Scientology Today: You are not only the President of Youth for Human Rights, you also founded it in 2001. Why did you decide to do this?

Mary: As a young girl growing up in apartheid South Africa I saw firsthand the devastating effects of discrimination and the lack of the most basic human rights. Traveling abroad I realized that discrimination and slave-like conditions could be found far beyond the borders of my country. Children who do not know that they have human rights are vulnerable. As an educator I knew that teaching learners about human rights would be the first step for them to defend and protect not only their rights but also those of their peers.

Scientology Today: In less than a decade you have turned this idea into an international organization — Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI). What are you most proud of having accomplished?

Mary: Taking the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), an excellent but scholarly document, and depicting those rights in simple literature and videos so that anyone can quickly learn and teach the 30 articles enshrined in that document. We have brought the UDHR, a document for the people, to the people.

Scientology Today: You have just completed the 6th annual Youth for Human Rights World tour. In less than two months, you visited twelve countries. Why did you decide to do human rights world tours?

Mary: Human rights cannot be taught at people-it has to be with people. Because those rights need to relate to the people where they live, study, work and dream.

Nothing replaces meeting people and interacting with them where they live.By traveling to different countries I can see the issues people face and the outstanding efforts individuals are making to improve conditions. One face-to-face meeting accomplishes more than months of e-mails, phone calls or faxes.

This year our World Tour started in the US and wound its way through twelve countries: From Mexico to Barbados, Colombia and Argentina in the Americas, on to the Pacific and Australia and Timor-Leste (East Timor). From there we went to Jordon in the Middle East and Russia and Switzerland, and finally to Africa with Uganda and South Africa. Within the space of a couple of months, with the help of dedicated volunteers around the world, we spoke with hundreds of leaders, met thousands of students and reached millions through the media resulting in exponential expansion of global knowledge about human rights.

Scientology Today: What stands out about this year’s tour?

Mary: It was an inspiration to see how much support there is for human rights, and how many public-spirited leaders and dedicated individuals are adopting our program. United Nations officials, heads of state, ministers of education and so many other political and community leaders took it on themselves to teach human rights to the next generation as soon as they realized how easy it is to do so.

We learned the most profound lessons from the many wonderful people working hard to improve conditions with incredibly limited resources and under the poorest and most devastating conditions.

Scientology Today: What kind of impact is your campaign having on the world today?

Mary: When we started nine years ago, few people had even heard of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Even high-level officials whom I interviewed did not know what their human rights were.

Today millions of people are learning about human rights through community groups, religious groups, schools and the media. Thousands of groups have incorporated the YHRI materials into their own programs.

We are making “Human Rights” buzz words!

Scientology Today: You are a Scientologist — what does this have to do with why you chose human rights as the project you wanted to create and support?

Mary: What I believe is beautifully expressed in The Creed of the Church of Scientology, which states that “Man is basically good; That he is seeking to survive; That his survival depends upon himself and upon his fellows and his attainment of brotherhood with the universe.”

I have witnessed extreme poverty and I have met children who are raising their brothers and sisters after their parents, families and even societies turned their backs on them. I have seen children dying of preventable diseases.

I have seen the effects of widespread illiteracy in the information age and I have listened to scholars discussing human rights with cold disconnect from the harsh realities faced by so many millions.

So I was inspired by L. Ron Hubbard who wrote, “Human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream.”Scientology Today: Is there something that stands out about this year’s tour?

Mary: I was so impressed with the grassroots level work of local YHRI teams. Watching them in action in their own communities was amazing. During one of our meetings with top officials I listened to one of the YHRI youth leaders discussing human rights. He talked about the issues and the vital role that informed youth can play to help officials handle their local problems. That country has a majority youth population -more youth than adults. I watched the profound impact he created with his insight into the situations at hand and his clear explanation of solutions that can be brought about by teaching human rights to the youth. I was so incredibly proud!

Scientology Today: Where do you plan to go from here?

Mary: We are planning our sixth annual YHRI International Summit to bring together youth from around the world to discuss human rights issues and the important role of human rights education in raising the quality of life for young and old alike. And we are already planning the YHRI World Tour 2010. The exact route is not yet set but the countries are lining up with outreach and meetings that promise, once again, to expand YHRI exponentially!

Scientology Today: Do you have a message for people reading this interview?

Mary: It’s easy to teach Human Rights. Tell your friends, your family and your neighbors. Inspire them to teach Human Rights. As a non-profit organization we need the help of likeminded people, groups and organizations to help reach people in all corners of the world so that everyone has the opportunity to learn about the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and our human rights.

^{"Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe." L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology Religion.}

Narconon Celebrates Decades of Drug Rehabilitation Service in Spain and Italy

Narconon Los Molinos has been operating without cease for 30 years, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. One of three Narconon centers in Spain, it was a pioneer in Europe -- the second to open outside the United States after a Swedish rehab opened in 1974. The Narconon network, founded by heroin addict William Benitez in Arizona State Prison in 1966, originated from a first residential center in Los Angeles after Benitez was released and spread in a grassroots movement which now comprises over 150 groups in over 50 countries.

At a warm celebration in late September, Juan Luis Dominguez, National Director of Narconon Spain, welcomed fifty Narconon graduates along with 150 parents to share the wins and successes of living drug-free. "75% of our graduates achieve stable, life-long sobriety," Dominguez said. Among many success stories shared at the event, one parent said, "Thankfully, we found a Narconon center flyer, and we contacted them. What a blessing! Our son found the right direction in a wonderful rehab center with a great staff. He has regained his life and is totally recovered, married today with two children and a good job."

Meanwhile, similar good news was being spread down at Narconon Il Gabbiano's 14th anniversary in Melendugno, near Salento, Italy. The Narconon drug rehabilitation program has been in Italy since 1981. The Gabbiano center has expanded since its founding in 1995 to be able to house 100 students, the largest European Narconon complement at this time.

Mayor Vittorio Poti presided over a crowd of 200, including local authorities and parents and graduates. Drugs, of course, have long been a serious problem in southern Italy, and the Mayor spoke expansively of "the very interesting continuing collaboration between the city of Melendugno and Narconon Il Gabbiano."

Daniela Prattella, director of the Gabbiano drug rehab, said that "Narconon has been united with our surrounding communities against drug and alcohol abuse, now more than ever." In addition to rehabilitation, Italian Narconon centers have been commended for delivering extensive drug education to children and young adults as well as creating public awareness events.

^{"Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe." L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology Religion.}

David Miscavige Dedicated Scientology Volunteer Ministers Goodwill Gours

It was only a few years ago that Mr. David Miscavige announced the launch of the Scientology Volunteer Ministers Goodwill Tour.

As a Scientologist I am so proud of the work the Volunteer Ministers do, and so happy Mr. Miscavige decided to make this help so broadly available.

I've read about some of the countries where these Goodwill Tours have gone: India--anyone who was mesmerized by last year's Slumdog Millionaire as I was would be proud to be doing something about it. The VMs in India are doing such an important service. So are the VMs in the Philippines, in the Outback, in the Amazon....



^{"Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe." L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology Religion.}

Nashville: Visit of Scientology leader David Miscavige

Having traveled 20,000 miles since the opening of the Fort Harrison in mid March, Scientology leader David Miscavige once again officiated the ribbon cutting of yet another new Church, this one in Nashville, Tennessee-Music City, USA.

The opening of the new Church of Scientology and Celebrity Centre Nashville, just one mile from "Music Row," drew Scientologists from across the region. Also on hand were scores of local dignitaries, residents and Hollywood celebrities. Among those who addressed the gathering were Grammy-winning composer and musician Mark Isham and actresses Anne Archer and Jenna Elfman.

Then again, speaking to the broader significance of a Church of Scientology in the heart of Music City, Mr. Miscavige dedicated the new Church:

"The new Ideal Org and Celebrity Centre signals great things for tomorrow. And when you couple that with our ability to recover to individuals their inherent creativity, our ability to reawaken dreams and restore the power to achieve those dreams, yes, we can now make good on what L. Ron Hubbard tells us regarding the artist as creating the beauty and glory on which cultures depend.

"And that's both what this new Church represents and why we have come to Nashville. For while Nashville is known as the heart and soul of American music, let her now fulfill her destiny and write a song that will uplift every man."

With that, the ribbon was cut and the new Church in Music City, USA, opened to all to begin writing that new song.

^{"Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe." L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology Religion.}