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.

Humanitarian Relief

It is a real humanitarian act when private individuals donate their time to help in the wake of disaster.

Scientology Volunteer Ministers are in Java helping the victims of the recent earthquake.

They are working in hospitals and with community groups and helping to train community groups as there are hundreds of thousands who need help.

To anyone who might have been thinking about going to Java to volunteer, but may not have skills or know how they can help, the Volunteer Ministers will provide training and work for you to do. You can contact the Indonesia Scientology Disaster Relief Team Coordinator at virginias@scientology.net for information on how you can help.

For more information on Scientology and the Scientology Volunteer Ministers visit the Scientology Press Office.

According to the Oxford Concise dictionary, humanitarian means: • adjective concerned with or seeking to promote human welfare. • noun a humanitarian person.

I think one of the greatest humanitarian documents of our time is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 30 articles, it outlines the basic rights necessary to guarantee human welfare for all.

But for 58 years since the Universal Declaration was drafted humanitarian crimes and human rights violations have continued unabated with some of the worst wars and genocides of history.

You could get pretty pesimistic about this and give up.

Or you could look at why it hasn't worked.

My church conducted surveys all over the world and found that the overwhelming majority of people hadn't even heard about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and many of those who had heard about it didn't know what was covered in the document.

Education is the missing step -- helping people learn and understand what these rights are and helping them realize it is the responsibility of each of us to ensure these rights exist for everyone.

The Church of Scientology International in partnership with Youth for Human Rights International has created Public Service Announcement (PSAs) which really convey the essence of each of these articles.

Three of these PSAs are available to view online at the Church of Scientology International Human Rights News Forum site or the Youth for Human Rights Web Site.

You should watch these videos. They really smoke. I'm sure you will agree they really get the message across.

If you like them as much as I do, you can help make sure other people know about them by linking to them and contacting TV stations to ask them to air them. On any stations who agree to aire them, notify the Human Rights Director of the Church of Scientology International who will make sure they get copies of the PSA. You can e-mail her at humanrightsdir@scientology.net

Drug Abuse - Something Can Be Done About It

There are over 200 million drug abusers today-- each a human being who desperately needs help.

Law enforcement personnel know the relationship between drug addiction and crime.

I saw in a post on http://davidmiscavige.blogsource.com/ yesterday that in the 1960's when street drugs were becoming epidemic in the US, L. Ron Hubbard did a great deal of research into the effects of drugs on the mind and spirit.

Finding that taking drugs is detrimental to spiritual progress, and that the effects of having taken drugs continues to prevent spiritual gain even years after a person has ceased to take them, L. Ron Hubbard developed technology that overcomes the effects of having taken drugs.

It seems that an inmate at the Arizona State Prison found a book by L. Ron Hubbard called Scientology: The Fundamentals of Thought. Using what he learned from that book, this inmate cured himself of long term drug addiction, and wrote to Mr. Hubbard to ask his permission to use this technology to help other inmates salvage their lives. He called this program Narconon, meaning "no narcotics".

I can see that Narconon is an extraordinary program that not only gets addicts off drugs, but does it without substituting another drug for the one they were on, and helps the person come to grips with what the actual source of the addiction was -- why they started taking drugs in the first place.

It's interesting to see what parents of Narconon graduates have to say:

"On the 28th of April 2000, we attended our son's graduation ceremony at Narconon. Our son's graduation event will forever be etched in our memory, as a rebirth of our child. It had been so many years since we had seen him drug or alcohol-free that we actually had a hard time recognizing him. He looked absolutely wonderful and his behavior was so accepting and calm. For years, we had wondered if we would ever see our "real" son again. We met so many people the evening of our son's graduation and we cannot remember all of their names, but we want to thank each person who took the time and effort to make a difference in our son's life. Your efforts are most likely the reason our son developed the will to change, as all other efforts that had been made through the years had not made a difference for him. You are truly the savers of life! We will never forget your faces or the wonderful things you are doing. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts."

Mr. David Miscavige Promotes Scientology Volunteer Ministers Good Will Tours

Last OctoberI remember hearing David Miscavige announce a brand new program to make Scientology applied religious philosophy available to people in countries where we have not had Scientology churches or missions in the past. The program is an expansion of the Scientology Volunteer Ministers (VM) program.

Scientology Volunteer Ministers are a grass roots movement, of people who help people, whether in their own community, or in disaster areas.

Now Scientology Volunteer Ministers are traveling to new countries, training new VMs and leaving behind people who can help one another with Scientology technology.

And now the plans David Miscavige announced are being done: there are goodwill tours now in Brazil, one in India, another just completed in Botswana and another in Latvia.

David Miscavige Presents IAS Freedom Medal Winners

Here's an interesting Freedom Magazine article I ran across the other day:

"Arresting the decline of drug proliferation was the first topic in Mr. David Miscavige‘s round-up of year number 19‘s accomplishments. It was, as well, the cause championed by the evening‘s first IAS Freedom Medal winners Michael Neilson and Åsa Graaf, leaders of a team of drug education specialists in Sweden who, in Mr. David Miscavige‘s words, are 'doing more to handle the drug problem than any other group on the planet.'

"Neilson and Graaf set out ten years ago to save Swedish children from a drug problem of epic proportions. In that time, they have not only salvaged an entire generation, they have created a nationwide movement for a drug-free tomorrow.

"The next Freedom Medal recipient, Bruce Wiseman of Los Angeles, is president of the Citizen‘s Commission on Human Rights International, a group founded by the Church of Scientology in 1969 to monitor and eradicate human rights abuses at the hands of the psychiatric industry. The Los Angeles businessman has, for 14 years, been exposing multi-billion dollar and multi-national psychiatric scams. He has brought to the American public and political consciousness the views of parents who, due to the proliferation of psychiatric drugging of school children, were once powerless in keeping their children drug-free. In returning the power of choice to the families, he has not only opened the eyes of a nation to psychiatry's greatest hoax — the unscientifically documented diagnoses by psychiatrists of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) — but also broke their spell over American education by spearheading resounding prohibitions of mandatory child-drugging in state and federal legislatures.

"Australian, Wendy Honnor, the third Freedom Medal recipient, is a Scientology Volunteer Minister working one-on-one with residents of all social strata in her native Tasmania.

"'Our final Freedom Medal Winner didn‘t just answer a call — she led a charge,' said David Miscavige in introducing Honnor, “In fact, her personal mission of bringing real help has given new meaning to that old phrase charity begins at home.'

"Ms. Honnor assists local leaders in communities throughout her island home state with the 19 technologies a Scientology Volunteer Minister is trained in. In so doing, she has helped to change the tune of media headlines from those that once trumpeted 'the land of gloom and doom' — marked by the nation‘s highest suicide rate and 10-year economic slump — to the upbeat of a state now enjoying a full social and economic resurgence."