Anne Archer

Anne Archer could have been satisfied with just being an accomplished actor and a stunning woman, but she is committed to human rights and has been an ardent advocate of the rights of others for many years.

She recently created a group called Artists for Human Rights.

Last night she was the presenter in Washington D.C. of the Human Rights Leadership Awards of Freedom Magazine.

thecommunity.com

There is a really terrific web site on the Nobel Laureates.

It has great information on what the Laureates are doing today to bring about world peace.

And Peace is such a precious commodity.

Having been recognized as humanitarians, these men and women do not stop there. They carry on.

TheCommunity.com, in partnership with Alex Kitman Ho (producer of Hotel Rwanda), is producing a series of interviews for television with Paul Simon, Michael Douglas, Bono and other artists interviewing the world's peacebuilders. Scheduled for completion in 2007, the series will bring the lives and wisdom of these leaders -- seen through the eyes of some of the icons of today's global culture -- into homes across the globe.

Commemorating 9/11

While we all recall the tragic events of five years ago, there is another aspect of any commemoration of 9/11, and that is remembering the heroes -- the rescue workers who risked their lives in the desparate home of saving a few more lives -- and the many volunteers who helped the rescue workers, including the Scientology Volunteer Ministers.

Mr. David Miscavige in his keynote address at the grand opening of the Church of Scientology of New York paid tribute to the courage and dedication of these New York Scientologists.

Scientology News

There are so many constructive projects being done by Scientologists - projects of a really humanitarian nature.

Now there is a beautifully redesigned new Scientology news web site at www.scientologytoday.org.

A real must-see.

Churches of Scientology support and contribute to a variety of other established community programs such as the Red Cross, the March of Dimes, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, and local community groups in cities the world over. This support ranges from broad participation in drug-free blood drives, to city-wide collection of holiday toys for needy children, to donations of food and clothing for under-privileged families. Every year, for example, Scientology churches around the United States are drop-off points for toys donated for the United States Marine Corps popular "Toys for Tots" campaign. Similar toy drives are held wherever there are Scientology churches and missions.

I am completely incensed with the Washington Post's latest pandering to big pharma.

Here's the latest quote disorder invented by the American (ha!) Psychiatric Association to make money for the drug pushers.

First we get stuffed full of meds, our genetically engineered foods don't provide adequate nutrition, and then when we feel awful and try to find out why they cover their tracks by creating a new disorder -- "somatization disorder."

Hey. I have an idea. Instead of taking drugs and costly ineffective "therapy" how about eating a diet that's got adequate nutrition?

And if you are in pain and want help right way, pick up a copy of the Scientology Handbook (or read it online) and learn how to give an assist to someone and get one in return. In other words -- get some REAL help and not pseudoscience.

Motivation

Humanitarians are motivated by the desire to help their fellow man.

In today's materialistic society some have a hard time conceiving this. In fact they twist true humanitarian work to fit with their view of life - a perverted view where people are trying to rip one another off and profit by the pain and suffering of others.

But the Scientologists I know, who volunteer in one or more of our programs are truly motivated by the desire to help.

I thought I'd put in the actual definitions of humanitarian, seeing that this is what this blog is about.

1. Concern for human welfare, especially as manifested through philanthropy.

2. The belief that the sole moral obligation of humankind is the improvement of human welfare.

Of interest - seeing I am a woman - is an article put out by Forbes Magazine called "Most Powerful Women Humanitarians." I found it fascinating to see what power these ladies weild, while also dedicated to helping others.

Did you know that the Red Cross have a Museum on their website?

It is very interesting to see its history and progression. It would have to be one of the the most well known and respected humanitarian groups on the planet.

I personally give blood to help them in their efforts and I just think they should be acknowledged for their good work and the care they give their fellow man.

Mandela and Martin Luther King

I saw and incredible short film the other day. It was so moving and so real.

It's actually not even a "film" really because it's less than a minute long. But it is so powerful. It's a public service announcement from Youth for Human Rights International.

Check it out here -- look for human right number 20.

Delegates and human rignts leaders, young and old, are set to converge on the United Nations headquarters in New York on August 24 for a two-day summit to work out how to use human rights education to find a road to peace. It's being organized by the Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology International and Youth for Human Rights International.

It's more and more relevant as we read the news and see the horrible scenes of violence in the Middle East and the escalating Iraqi insurgency.

They plan to have art exhibitions, summits, discussions etc.

But they also intend to have something substantial come out of this conference that will make a difference. Certainly if human rights was really taught in schools and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights made known and used, which is one of the aims of Youth for Human Rights International, we would see less violence in the world and more willingness of people to settle their differences peacefully.

Human rights is very much an issue these days and there is a group of people who are disseminating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in a very unique way. They are "Youth for Human Rights." What they have produced in coordination with the Church of Scientology International is 30 public service announcements depicting each of the 30 human rights.

These were released recently at an event hosted by David Miscavige.

Grand Opening of the Church of Scientology of Johannesburg: Presentation by Mr. David Miscavige

November 2003 will be remembered as a landmark in the history of the Scientology religion, as it was then that the new Church of Scientology of Johannesburg held its grand opening and dedicated itself to the creation of a new civilization.

It was also very exciting for all the local Scientologists in Johannesburg, as Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Centre, visited their city -- the first time he came to South Africa -- and his inspirational speech launched a movement to accomplish what L. Ron Hubbard had predicted over thirty years ago: "From Southern Africa will spring the next great civilization on this planet...." — L. Ron Hubbard

The Church of Scientology International described David Miscavige's presentation at the grand opening in a press release which included the following:

A Most Special Guest

"The event was capped by the appearance of

Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of Religious Technology Center, custodian of the religious scriptures of Scientology.

"Mr. David Miscavige’s presence to dedicate and open the new church was significant, both for him, personally, as a first-time visitor to the country, as well as for the parishioners of the 45-year-old Johannesburg church. 'It is my honor to address you, to walk in a land where L. Ron Hubbard laid so many milestones, and on this, your milestone day,' he stated. "

More information on Mr. David Miscavige

Articles and Speeches

David Miscavige - International News

David Miscavige Pays Tribute to L. Ron Hubbard

David Miscavige - Religious Technology Center, Holder of the Dianetics and Scientology Trademarks -

Religious Technology Center The Guarantor of Scientology's Future - David Miscavige

David Miscavige - Human Rights Advocate

Volunteer Ministers Again

I liked this posting I saw on http://whyihelp.blogspot.com/

Since I feel the same way as B.L. I thought I'd share it:

Volunteer Ministers Featured in Freedom Magazine

Several volunteer ministers were featured in the most recent edition of Freedom Magazine. They are exceptional beings who have set aside their own personal comfort and safety to help people in times of disaster.

I am very proud to be a Scientology Volunteer Ministers and when I read about the work these people have done I am all the more honored to be part of the same ranks as they are.

Posted by: B.L. / 8:02 PM

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers South Pacific Goodwill Tour is in Auckland New Zealand.

From here they go on to Fiji and the other islands of the South Pacific.

These beautiful Maori girls have a copy of the Way to Happiness, a non-religious moral code that is also used as the basis of the criminal rehabilitation program of Criminon.

The Goodwill Tour also uses the Scientology Handbook as the textbook for providing training and one-on-one help wherever they go.

For more information on Scientology, I recommend reading excerpts from the speech by David Miscavige called This is Scientology.

Youth for Human Rights -- Public Service Announcements

I finally saw the PSAs YHRI and the Church of Scientology International produced.

Wow.

They are intense.

Three of them are on I Tunes. Search for Youth for Human Rights.

There are 30 in all and they are amazing.

Nobel Peace Laureate Nelson Mandela celebrates 88th birthday

This story appeared in the Transworld News and bears repeating:

The man credited with ending apartheid and bringing democracy to South Africa was the center of praise as media and dignitaries celebrated Mandela’s birthday on Tuesday. South African president Thabo Mbeki expressed gratitude and hope for the man he succeeded in 1999.

Opting to forgo any public appearances on his birthday, Mandela chose to spend it quietly with family in Qunu part of the Eastern Cape province. The man affectionately referred to as ‘grandfather’ is marking his eighth anniversary with wife Graca Machel as well.

Having retired from public life in 2004, Mandela now concentrates on social issues effecting Africa. Chief among these, the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Mandela spent twenty-seven years in prison for what amounted to charges of sabotage and treason. He refused an offer of conditional release for renouncing armed struggle in 1985 and remained in jail until international pressure resulted in his freedom in February 1990.

Upon his release Mandela maintained his ties to the African National Congress (ANC) and he delivered a speech to the nation declaring:

“Our resort to the armed struggle in 1960 with the formation of the military wing of the ANC was a purely defensive action against the violence of apartheid. The factors which necessitated the armed struggle still exist today. We have no option but to continue. We express the hope that a climate conducive to a negotiated settlement would be created soon, so that there may no longer be the need for the armed struggle.”

South Africa’s first true democratic election was held in 1994 and Mandela, as leader of the ANC, was inaugurated as the country’s first black State President. Mandela served as president from 1994-1999 during which the country moved away from minority rule and apartheid.

Mr. Mandela reminds me of this quotation by L. Ron Hubbard:

"Single men and determined groups have been the only makers of space in which man could walk free."

Former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev, now 75 and the chairman of an environmental lobby group, Green Cross International, was the Soviet president from 1985-91.

He was awarded the 1990 Nobel Peace Prize for his role in ending the Cold War.

The mission of Green Cross International, as stated by Mr. Gorbachev, is:

"We desperately need to recognize that we are the guests not the masters of nature and adopt a new paradigm for development, based on the costs and benefits to all people, and bound by the limits of nature herself rather than the limits of technology and consumerism."

Scientology Volunteer Minister Disaster Relief Team in Java

I have a friend from Australia who is keeping me updated on what is going on in Java after the earthquake.

The team of Scientology Volunteer Ministers who arrived within days of the quake are still there. That's over a month giving one-on-one help at the scene of the disaster, living in the same appalling conditions that the local residents find themselves in.

I have so much respect for these volunteers, and the tremendous work they are doing.