|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
May 21, 2005Scientology would be an assetBY RANDY GILMOREAND ELISA BRABENEC With Kate Wickstrom's purchase of Sugar Loaf, there has been concern that her plans could be connected to the Church of Scientology. Regardless of her plans for Sugar Loaf, having a Scientology organization of any kind in this area would be an asset. The Church of Scientology has as its mission "A civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where man is free to rise to greater heights." To help bring this about, the Association for Better Living and Education began social betterment programs in education, drug rehabilitation, criminal reform, and moral education. These programs are not faith-based but are based in the workable technologies developed by L. Ron Hubbard to address the myriad problems confronting a society seeking survival, sanity, and happiness. Applied Scholastics has taken Mr. Hubbard's study technology into schools across the globe, turning test scores and whole school systems around while giving students renewed faith in their abilities and goals for education. Narconon, a drug rehabilitation program, has a documented success rate of over 70 percent. It incorporates drug free withdrawal with sauna, nutritional supplements, and communication and life training. Criminon, a rehab program based on The Way to Happiness, a nonreligious moral code written by Mr. Hubbard to tackle moral decay in society, has been implemented in criminal justice systems worldwide. With a success rate of over 80 percent, it has proven repeatedly that criminals can be rehabilitated and returned to society as responsible, contributing members. This same moral code has been translated and broadly disseminated in hotspots like Bosnia, Israel, Central America, Venezuela, and South Africa, repeatedly demonstrating its ability to help people defuse destructive tensions. With the Crusade for Religious Freedom and the Human Rights Campaign in Europe, the International Association of Scientologists has been at the forefront of building tolerance and legal protection for people of all faiths and races. Scientology Volunteer Ministers help disaster victims everywhere. Hours after the attack of 9/11, volunteer ministers from around the world began arriving at ground zero. They were the only aid group allowed to remain when the area was cordoned off because their organizational efficiency and their aid to the rescue workers were invaluable. Scientologists the world over volunteer in these social betterment programs. Help is given to everyone in need regardless of their religious beliefs, economic status, race, or nationality. A basic precept of Scientology is "respect the religious beliefs of others." All volunteer activities are based on the deep belief that no one can rise to greater spiritual heights unless the world is made safe from all threats. We can no longer afford the luxury of religious intolerance in our world or our community. Please take the time to inform yourself of the works of the Church of Scientology by visiting www.able.org and www.scientology.org. Any of these programs can be implemented in this area. For information call (231) 271-6317. About the authors: Randy Gilmore is a volunteer minister. Elsa Brabenec has been a correspondence course supervisor for Criminon for 9 years. Both have been active members of the Church of Scientology for approximately 30 years. They live in Suttons Bay. About the forum: The forum is a periodic column of opinion written by Record-Eagle readers in their areas of interest or expertise. Submissions of 500 words or less may be made. Please include biographical information and a photo.
|
|
