New York IS the Greatest City on Earth

As a New Yorker it is obvious to ME that New York is the greatest city on earth.

But it was really nice to have Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center say so at the Grand Opening of the Church of Scientology of New York.

What Mr. Miscavige said exactly was:

"...when you consider New York is the hub of everything from American Publishing, to fashion, the nation's financial capital and epicenter of global trends, not to mention the international center for entertainment and media. And all in addition to the most diverse culture on earth, which sets the trends across every generation and spectrum of life.

"Well, what more need be said? New York is the greatest city on earth.Yet even that doesn't say it all. Rather, this one is special for another reason. Because, what we are bringing to New York Scientologists today, with this new church, is what you inspired across the rest of the world three years ago. In fact, it can be said in a single phrase that now drives a global movement bringing hope and salvation to millions, world over.

"For in the darkest of times and worst of places, you stood tall amongst it all, as a shining beacon of light, proclaiming in action that: SOMETHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT."

New York is a Summer Festival

When I was a kid there was a popular phrase "New York is a Summer Festival."

I think the idea was to counter the general idea that the thing to do if you possibly could do it was to get OUT of the City for as much of the summer as you could afford.

Part of the "stay loyal to the City" campaign was to create art, music and theater performances for free or at greatly reduced cost.

This has continued and there are lots of great things to do all summer long.

Here's one example - The Washington Square Music Festival


Here's what their web site says about the festival:

"...a free outdoor classical and tango/jazz/salsa concert series, is celebrating its 48th season by presenting four evenings of great music under the stars performed by musicians who regularly play in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Metropolitan and New York City Opera orchestras and the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Performance space is in the southeast quadrant of Washington Square Park at the foot of Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. Rainspace TBA.

"The Festival was founded in 1953 by violinist and neighbor Alexander Schneider, member of the famed Budapest String Quartet, and the Washington Square Association. Over the years the concerts have become a venerable summer tradition, shaped by Peggy Friedman, executive director, our late music director Henry Schuman, and our current music director, Lutz Rath, as well as countless patrons, volunteers and neighborhood agencies that make the Festival such a popular Tuesday evening event.

"The sole activity of The Washington Square Music Festival is to present free concerts. New York has other free outdoor classical concert series, but only the Washington Square Music Festival s sponsored by a local civic organization—that organization, the Washington Square Association, Inc., which dates back to 1903."

While you're in Manhattan visit the Church of Scientology of New York.

A great way to make the most of your summer vacation is to learn more about Scientology and resume your regular working or school year with an edge, with the tools you can learn from Scientology and Dianetics books and courses.

Church of Scientology of New York

In his speech at the Grand Opening of the Church of Scientology of New York, Mr. David Miscavige said:


"...when a culture falls away from spiritual pursuits into materialism well that is when man becomes just another animal and with no belief-in let alone hope of the hereafter, of something greater than just day-to-day existence then what does anything matter anyway?

"Moreover, our sense of community occurs by reason of mutual experience with others and the first sense of community is religion. Without that, real trust and integrity can be destroyed. And society itself becomes defenseless to the onslaught of evil and degradation. And that is why it is so important that every church own up to the responsibility, and role it must perform."

The Church of Scientology of New York takes this responsibility very seriously and has a very active Scientology Volunteer Ministers program where anyone can receive personal help.

The Church is open every day and from 9 am to 10 pm there is always someone there to answer questions or provide personal help.

The Church is located at: 227 West 46th Street
New York, NY 10036
Tel: (212) 921-1210
newyork@scientology.net

NASCAR Dianetics Car

Sports Illustrated ran an AP wire this week on the Dianetics NASCAR:

The Church of Scientology, the religion for which actor Tom Cruise crusades, will attempt to spread its "Ignite Your Potential" message into auto racing through sponsorship of a race car in one of NASCAR's lowest levels.

Kenton Gray, a 35-year-old Californian, will attempt to make the field for a late model race Saturday night at Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway. His No. 27 Ford Taurus will be sponsored by Bridge Publications, which publishes Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard's bestseller "Dianetics."

The hood of the car will say "Dianetics" on it, along with a volcano to mimic the book cover.

Jazz Night at the Church of Scientology of Buffalo

I read this story on the web site of the Church of Scientology of Buffalo.

Scientologists Spearhead "Brighter Future for Buffalo" Efforts

Forging a brighter future for any American city requires many shoulders to the wheel, and putting their weight behind a better Buffalo Wednesday night were community officials, leaders and parishioners of several local churches, and more than 100 community activists and dedicated Buffalonians.

The event was the Church of Scientology's "Brighter Future for Buffalo" Jazz Night, featuring "Taylor Made Jazz," a group known for its humanitarian benefit performances. The venue was the Church's community hall on Virginia and Main. The inspiration for the effort came from Mayor Byron Brown who has, in the city's promotional literature and ads, urged citizens to work together in building a brighter future for the city. And even soul impresario Isaac Hayes added his shoulder from Harlem by contributing an effective tool for bringing greater respect and peace to the community.

Hosting the event as part of its "Creating a Brighter Future for Buffalo" campaign, the Church of Scientology of Buffalo honored Mark Fuller, executive director of the Stop the Violence Coalition with the Rev. Mary Lou Reile "Brighter Future for Buffalo" Award. "We applaud this coalition for being out there every day, on the front lines, whenever and wherever needed," said Teresa Reger, president of the Church in Buffalo. "Because of their non-stop efforts to make this city a brighter, safer place, I can't think of a more deserving group to be the first recipient of this 'Brighter Future for Buffalo' Award."

Following the award ceremony, the Rev. Jonathan Reece, executive director of the Church of Scientology of Buffalo, announced that, in collaboration with the Healing Tree Ministries, the Evangelical Deliverance Ministries and the Stop the Violence Coalition, the Scientology Volunteer Ministers are inviting people of all colors, creeds and cultures to join in distributing Isaac Hayes-sponsored copies of The Way to Happiness, a common-sense moral guidebook that serves as a centerpiece for a new campaign to reduce violence in Buffalo. Hayes has sponsored the printing of more than 9,000 copies of the book, which will be passed out in the city's most problematic areas starting at 10:00am this Saturday, May 27, at 1279 Sycamore Street.

"Being of mixed ethnicity myself, I have seen racial discrimination and intolerance on both sides of the fence," said Rev. Reece. "But that mindset is born of ignorance and it all too often ends in hurt and violence. This little book has proven time and again—no matter where in the world it is given out—to be a powerful peacemaker."

When broadly distributed and read, The Way to Happiness has chilled violence and strife in apartheid-era South African townships, and in Los Angeles, where one million copies were distributed throughout strife-torn neighborhoods following that city's riots in 1992. Immediate, observable and very positive change resulted. In its wake, gang members even joined forces to remove graffiti from 130 neighborhood buildings and to pass out more copies of the booklet. Today The Way to Happiness is doing much the same in Palestine and Israel, where more than 1 million households now have and use copies.

Recognizing the pacifying power of this publication, written by author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard, have been opinion leaders in diverse fields—from the Palestinian Authority's Deputy Secretary of Education Zeinab Habash, to Roots author, the late Alex Haley, to South Africa's National Deputy Commissioner for Corrections Alfred Tsetsane, to the National Basketball Association's preeminent championship coach, Phil Jackson, and others.

"Members of the Church of Scientology know that something can be done about the problems we face as a community—and we want to help revitalize Buffalo by bringing like-minded individuals and groups together to build a better society here," said Reger. The "Jazz Night," featuring jazz musicians noted for their support of child development and educational programs, "is the Church's way of spotlighting and thanking those who are actively improving the community," said Reger. "They deserve it, wholeheartedly."

For more information about the Church's ongoing "Creating a Brighter Future for Buffalo" campaign, or to take part in this weekend's Way to Happiness distribution event, contact the Church of Scientology of Buffalo at (716) 856-3910.

This sounds like it was great fun!

Reminds me of the excitement of their Grand Opening a little while back.

Isaac!

I found this on Welcome to My World blog
According to E-Online:

"Isaac Hayes and wife Adjowa welcomed son Nana Kwadjo Hayes into the world Apr. 10, according to spokesman Rob Moore. The baby boy tipped the scales at eight pounds, five ounces.

"As Tom Cruise's Suri before him, the unusual tot name requires some translation. Per the Associated Press, Nana is the Ghanaian word for "king," while Kwadjo means "boy born on Monday." (Bypass the calendars: Apr. 10 did indeed fall on a Monday.)

"The Shaft singer likely gained inspiration for the moniker during one of his goodwill trips to the African country. In 1992, Hayes was crowned an honorary king of Ghana's Ada district thanks to his humanitarian deeds."

These humanitarian deeds included introducing the nation to the study technology developed by Scientology founder, L. Ron Hubbard.

Isaac Hayes is a Freedom Medal Winner, awarded by the International Association of Scientologists.

Here is a brief statement from Isaac from the What is Scientology? site.

Here is a photo of the grand opening of the Church of Scientology of New York.
The renovation of the church was a gift from the International Association of Scientologists (IAS)in acknowledgement for the humanitarian work of the church in helping rescue workers after the terrorist attacks on September 11th 2001.

Mr. David Miscavige announced that this renovation would be done at the yearly international event commemorating the founding of the IAS. The event took place in England in October 2001.

Not only were Scientologists around the world inspired by the New York Scientologists, but Volunteer Ministers from around the country and, indeed, around the world, hearintg of what they were doing to help, put their own lives and health at risk by coming to new york and assisting in the clean-up operation at ground zero.

Every VM who helped is a hero.

COLUMBUS VOLUNTEER'S HEART'S IN NEW YORK

Here's an article about a Scientologist from Columbus, Ohio, who came to New York to help after 9/11.

He joined hundreds of other Scientology Volunteer Ministers who worked for weeks to help in any way they could.

COLUMBUS VOLUNTEER'S HEART'S IN NEW YORK

Thursday, November 15, 2001 NEWS 02A By Lornet Turnbull Dispatch Staff Reporter

In just a few weeks, Jack Via has come to know the tough, gritty underbelly of New York.

He has come to know its people -- their resilience, their vulnerabilities, their deep pride.

A volunteer minister with the Church of Scientology, Via roams New York greeting and listening to strangers and handing out pamphlets to those willing to accept them.

Although thousands of volunteers have cycled in and out of New York since Sept. 11, the 51-year-old Via left his dog, his roofing job and an apartment in Italian Village on Sept. 28 and hasn't looked back.

"I never thought about falling in love with New York City -- but I have,'' Via said this week. "There isn't anything too much more important than what's going on here now.''

Although time and a war abroad have shifted U.S. attention from New York, Via and a corps of volunteers from throughout the country talk of a city still very much on the mend.

That became devastatingly clear again this week with the crash of American Flight 587 in a Queens neighborhood already reeling from loss. Via said he and other Scientology volunteers walked the streets of the Rockaway Beach neighborhood "looking for anybody in need of help.''

When he arrived in New York, Via admits, he worried about the reception Scientologists might receive. The Los Angeles-based church founded in 1954 by the late science- fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard isn't universally embraced.

Scientologists say the religion's goal is to help people understand and improve their lives; critics accuse it of being cultlike.

At one point after Sept. 11, as many as 800 Scientologist volunteers had gathered in New York.

They employ what Via calls "spiritual'' first aid for those struggling with grief and dysfunction.

"We help people heal by getting the 'being' back in touch with the body or mind. It sounds simple, but it's very powerful.'' >> more

New York Dianetics

New York set the pace for introducing people to Dianetics, setting up tables all over the city - even in subways and Grand Central Station.

Dianetics is a terrific book. I recommend it without reservations.

Come in to the New York Church of Scientology for a Dianetics seminar.

John Travolta, Kelly Preston and Scientology Silent Birth

ABC.com has a little piece of John Travolta and Kelly Preston today where Kelly is credited with downplaying media hype on Scientology practices relating to childbirth.

There's a good web site which gives factual data on the subject, called Silent Birth

Kelly also has a terrific interview this week on the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre web site

Recommended link: Read about the grand opening of my church and the speech by David Miscavige memorializing the occasion.

New York Scientology President Interviewed on Silent Birth

Creative Expressions has a past today about the Beliefnet interview with Rev. John Carmichael about Scientology beliefs related to birth - what media have called "silent birth."

Here's an excerpt:

Scientology Silent Birth: 'It's A Natural Thing' The Rev. John Carmichael of the Church of Scientology explains why his religion frowns on talking during labor and delivery.

Interview by Alice Chasan

Since actor Tom Cruise, a Scientologist, announced that he and actress Katie Holmes would follow the Scientology practice of "silent birth" when their baby was born, there has been widespread speculation about what's behind this idea and what it involves. On April 18, 2006--the day Cruise and Holmes' baby, Suri, was born--the Rev. John Carmichael, president of the Church of Scientology in New York, spoke with Beliefnet senior editor Alice Chasan to explain Scientology's views on childbirth, the parent-child relationship, and child development

The whole article can be read here: Scientology Silent Birth

For more information about Scientology I recommend reading the speech by Mr. David Miscavige called "This is Scientology."

Presentation by Mr. David Miscavige at the New York Scientology church

I was really glad to see Mr. David Miscavige's speech at the grand opening of the new Church of Scientology of New York was added to the church's web site.

Here's what he had to say about New York and the Scientology church we have here:

For when you consider New York is the hub of everything from American Publishing, to fashion, the nation's financial capital and epicenter of global trends, not to mention the international center for entertainment and media. And all in addition to the most diverse culture on earth, which sets the trends across every generation and spectrum of life.

Well, what more need be said? New York is the greatest city on earth.Yet even that doesn't say it all. Rather, this one is special for another reason. Because, what we are bringing to New York Scientologists today, with this new church, is what you inspired across the rest of the world three years ago. In fact, it can be said in a single phrase that now drives a global movement bringing hope and salvation to millions, world over.

For in the darkest of times and worst of places, you stood tall amongst it all, as a shining beacon of light, proclaiming in action that: SOMETHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT.

L. Ron Hubbard as the Most Translated Author in the World

According the Scientology Newsroom, a few months ago the Guiness Book of World Records has recognized Mr. L. Ron Hubbard as the most translated author in the world:

"Scientology Founder, L. Ron Hubbard named as world’s most translated author by Guinness World Records, topping other best-selling authors' works.

"This new world record was formally confirmed as 65 languages, exceeding the earlier record of 51 languages set by American author Sidney Sheldon in 1997.

"It even topped the unofficial count of 63 by Harry Potter novelist J. K. Rowling and for the The Dairy of a Young Girl by Dutch teenager Anne Frank, which was translated into 64 languages.

"In accrediting and presenting world records, Guinness is a household name, and it is they who issued an official world record verification certificate confirming the achievement: 'The most translated author in the world is L. Ron Hubbard (USA). His works have been translated into 65 languages as of October 2005.'

"Alistair Burtenshaw, the director of the prestigious trade book convention, the London Book Fair, presented the certificate stating,'L. Ron Hubbard is a powerful force whose works encompass many fields and genres from Dianetics, his all time bestseller on the mind, to his epic science fiction triumph Battlefield Earth.'

"The certificate was presented to Author Services, Inc., located in Hollywood, Los Angeles, the literary agency that licenses all of L. Ron Hubbard’s works internationally.

"Spokesperson for Author Services, Hugh Wilhere said, 'We keep making L. Ron Hubbard’s works available to publishers everywhere so we expect to continue breaking this record.' He concluded, 'L. Ron Hubbard’s books are bestsellers in many countries and the demand for them keeps growing as word of mouth continues to spread from reader to reader.'

" The languages in which books by L. Ron Hubbard have been translated include Afrikaans, Albanian, Arabic, Armenian, Azeri, Basque, Belo Russian, Bengali, Brazilian, Bulgarian, Castilian Spanish, Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dari-Farsi, Dutch, Estonian, Farsi, Finnish, French, Georgian, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Kannada, Kazakh, Korean, Kyrgyz, Latvian, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Malayalam, Mongolian, Nepalese, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Sinhalese, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Tagalog, Taiwanese, Tamil, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, Uzbek, Vietnamese, Xhosa and Zulu.

"With over 200 million of his fiction and non-fiction works in circulation in 156 countries following his professional career that spanned half a century, L. Ron Hubbard, Founder of Dianetics and Scientology, is among the most influential and widely-read authors of our time."

Grand Opening of the Church of Scientology of New York

Last year Mr. David Miscavige spoke at the grand opening of the Church of Scientology of New York. Referring to the humanitarian work of the Scientology Volunteer Ministers of New York City, whose assistance at Ground Zero is now legiondary, he said the following:

New York is the greatest city on earth.Yet even that doesn't say it all. Rather, this one is special for another reason. Because, what we are bringing to New York Scientologists today, with this new church, is what you inspired across the rest of the world three years ago. In fact, it can be said in a single phrase that now drives a global movement bringing hope and salvation to millions, world over.

For in the darkest of times and worst of places, you stood tall amongst it all, as a shining beacon of light, proclaiming in action that: SOMETHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT.

Mr. Miscavige went on to say:

Also inherent in Scientology itself is that one take responsibility, not only for himself, but the world at large.

So yes, as we look out across the world, we can speak of international conflict, of economic instability, and yes, of terrorism. But if we do my friends, let's not speak in terms of those problems. Let's speak in terms of solutions. Solutions for that which can solve every one of them.

For the conditions we face today are but symptoms of the real disease behind cultural decline.

A society is comprised of individuals. And if solutions are what we seek then let’s revitalize the individual himself.

Dianetics Bookathon

Scientologists from around the world will be participating in an International Bookathon this weekend.

On the Scientology News page, there is an article from last year about New York Scientologists providing stress tests for the public. As there will be stress testing as part of the bookathon. New York Scientologists do stress testing thoughout the city. Here's information on what this is all about:

In New York, even in the freezing winter weather, volunteers can be found at tables cheerfully assisting interested persons in learning how Dianetics techniques can relieve stress.>>

Volunteer Ministers - Deja Vu

Scientology Volunteer Ministers
Hurricane Katrina
Relief Effort

It's too close to 9/11 for comfort (next weekend) and what do we see? Another disaster of the same order of magnitude. This time it's a "natural disaster" (yet weren't we warned that the levies in New Orleans could break if not reinforced? Weren't naturalist sand environmentalists warning for years that what we have done to alter the natural course of things on the delta would result in untold devastation? Is it not then manmade at least to that extent?)

Again the heroism of the relief workers is an inspiration to us all.

A team of over 100 Scientology Volunteer Ministers have left or are leaving from greater metropolitan New York to help with Hurricane Katrina.

It's only fit, since people from around the country and even around the world came to help us when we needed it 4 years ago (can it possibly have been that long ago?)

I remember the pride I felt at an international Scientology event in October 2002 when Mr. David Miscavige recognized the heroism of the Volunteer Ministers at Ground Zero. This year has seen that much heroism and more from Volunteer Ministers in the tsunami-hit islands and penninulas of South Asia, and now again in such familiar-sounding places as New Orleans and Biloxi.

Mr. Miscavige will have his hands full trying to settle on one or two of the Volunteer Ministers who have acted with such compassion and given true help to hundreds of thousands in the wake of this year's disasters.

Proud New Yorker

I'm a Scientologist and a proud New Yorker.

There's no city on earth like New York.

And there's no religion on earth like Scientology.

What a great combination.


New York is the primo city of all cities for culture, excitement, media, news, finance. It's just the place where things happen.

Scientology is the religion of religions. By learning and using Scientology technology anyone can do better in life and gain a broader and more personal understanding of himself/herself as a spiritual being and his/her relationship to the universe.

(Which New York is still the center of)

Citizens Commission on Human Rights and New York - What a Combination

New Yorkers have (proudly, accurately) the reputation for being tough and in-your-face kind of people.

As a New Yorking I am proud of that reputation.

I am also very proud of being a member of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights.

There aren't too many things that get me going, but psychiatry is one thing that does.

If you really look into what they are doing you will be outraged. CCHR has a traveling exhibit that they have been taking around the world. It was in Harlem recently, and has been all over the east coast over the past 6 months.

Even if you have a weak stomache you really owe it to yourself (and your family and friends) to get informed about this public menace. Sorry. I can't put it more politetly.

When Tom Cruise told Matt Lauer that he had studied the history of psychiatry, believe me it's true. And the conclusion Mr. Cruise came to is the only logical conclusion a humane and caring person can come to on this subject.

By the way it is not and never has been the contention of Tom Cruise or any Scientologist that people don't suffer, that the human condition is one of "happiness." No.

But the way psychiatry "helps" people by labeling them, and making up diseases opening the door to destroying lives with very heavy drugs that are addictive and have terrible side affects (including suicide!) is what he (and I) complain about.

Check it our youself, though.

The Citizens Commission on Human Rights has a very good web site, where you can download booklets or browse through news on psychiatry.

And if you need help to get a person out of psych hands they have a 1-800 number and they will help you. They are experts at restoring freedom to psychiatric victims - as long as they can get to them in time.

Scientology New York - Grand Opening

On Sunday, 26th September 2004 11:30 am the new Church of Scientology of New York has its grand opening and this event is going to rock!

New York is, of course, the best city on earth, and so it deserves this fantastic new Scientology church - right on 46th street in the theater district.

It's been totally renovated top to bottom and has so many new services that anyone can avail themselves to do better in life. That's what Scientology is all about, and we're the last people on earth to keep it to ourselves!

There are displays, films, lectures, seminars - all open the the public 7 days a week 365 days a year.

And the grand opening itself is going to be an event that will go down in NY history!

Can't WAIT!