Highlighting the International Association of Scientologists' journey and its dedication to social justice and human rights
Brussels, Brussels, Belgium, 21st Nov 2024 - On a crisp autumn night in East Grinstead’s embrace of England saw an assembly gather as the members of the International Association of Scientologists (IAS) convened to mark a significant occasion. Their organization’s 40th year milestone celebration known as the Ruby Anniversary event was more than just an ordinary festivity, but rather a poignant moment to reminisce on their past journey and reaffirm their dedication towards impacting the world positively.
The celebrations began on October 25th in 2024 at Saint Hill, once home to L. Ron Hubbard and where he established Scientology. The atmosphere was electric, with anticipation as attendees were greeted by the tunes of Great Highland Bagpipes and a spirited drum ensemble. The ecclesiastical leader of Scientology, Mr. David Miscavige, addressing the crowd brought fervor to his marks our Ruby Anniversary.
“Tonight we celebrate our Ruby Anniversary. And, in so doing, we have arrived at a place that was unimaginable 40 years ago,” said Mr. David Miscavige, the ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion. “But here we are and what a view it is—our Churches and Missions encircling this planet, our Technologies at work in almost every land on Earth, our horizons boundless, our future infinite and we, ourselves, universal.”
The International Association of Scientologists (IAS) was established in 1984 through the efforts of a group of passionate individuals who aimed to create a collective support system and safeguard the Scientology religion. Their endeavors over time have led to triumphs in advocating for religious freedom not only for Scientologists but for individuals following all faiths. During his address Mr.Miscavige recounted accounts of key events:
- In Portland, Oregon, where a prejudiced verdict from a heresy trial in 1985 was met with peaceful protests by tens of thousands of Scientologists, marking the first Scientology Religious Freedom Crusade and culminating in a historic judicial precedent. As a final statement on the win, just steps from the site of victory stands an Ideal Church of Scientology Portland;
- In England, where, after years of discrimination, the UK Supreme Court made a unanimous decision recognizing Scientology’s religiosity, redefining what constitutes a religion for the 21st century and beyond. And where also now stands an Ideal Church of Scientology on London’s Queen Victoria Street;
- In Italy, where a Supreme Court decision in 1997 upholding the religiosity of Scientology provided the defining statement on religion—a victory now symbolized by new Ideal Churches arising in Italy’s cultural center of Milan, amidst landscapes of heritage in Padova and on a hill atop the Eternal City of Rome;
- In Spain, where Scientology prevailed after years of oppression, winning total vindication and religious recognition—victories now defined by an Ideal Church at the seat of Spanish government in Madrid;
- In Germany, where attempts to quash Scientology were decisively overcome with multiple victories for religious freedom throughout the past 40 years—victories now realized with Ideal Churches of Scientology in hubs of power at Berlin, centers of commerce in Hamburg and titans of industry in Stuttgart;
- In Belgium, where a protracted battle against bigotry resulted in total triumph in 2016, which is now embodied in an Ideal Church of Scientology in the seat of global influence in Brussels;
- And in the United States, where the Church emerged victorious from a 40-year war with the IRS, gaining full recognition for 150 Churches of Scientology and related organizations.
As the festivities carried on into the nights, revelry and excitement grew in the air like a crescendo of anticipation for what was to come: Mr. Miscavige proudly revealed the grand achievement of opening the Paris Ideal Church and Celebrity Centre, a magnificent 8,827 square meters building nestled close to the iconic Stade de France stadium. This brand new place of worship has been buzzing with activity and vibrant energy since its opening and drew in throngs of guests during the Summer Olympics, showcasing in this way the IAS unwavering dedication to expansion and the spreading of social solutions such as drug prevention and human rights education.
The event also showcased the IAS’s efforts in helping others through the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) which has been dedicated to uncover misconduct on a global scale for years now. Mr. Miscavige recounted tales of CCHR’s influence like prompting a Royal Commission in New Zealand to look into psychiatric mistreatment and winning legal fights in Spain that shed light on the importance of monitoring psychiatric procedures and abuses.
The IAS has not been focusing only on mental health matters but has also introduced numerous worldwide charitable initiatives like The Way to Happiness and United for Human Rights along with Drug Free World campaigns with the aim of reaching out to millions of people globally to advocate moral principles and raise awareness about human rights while working towards preventing drug abuse issues on a global scale as highlighted. Mr. Miscavige mentioned during the events that the Drug Free World campaign alone has successfully distributed more than 160 million booklets, empowering communities to tackle substance abuse problems effectively.
The event ended with the presentation of the IAS Freedom Medal to commend individuals who have played a role, in promoting social justice and humanitarian causes.
- Giovanni Citterio, Milan, Italy: A young Giovanni found Narconon, the drug rehabilitation program based on the discoveries and writings of L. Ron Hubbard, to overcome his own addiction. Giovanni then dedicated his life to saving people from drugs. After convincing the owners of an Italian luxury hotel to let him convert it into a rehabilitation center, it became the largest Narconon in the country. He went on to combat Italy’s addiction crises, opening centers all over the country, until Italy now has more Narconon centers per capita than any other nation on Earth. Giovanni’s single-minded dedication led to more than 150 acknowledgments of gratitude from every pillar of society, whereupon he stands as a 40-year Narconon legend.
- Vincenza Palmieri, Rome, Italy: As a university student, Vincenza volunteered to help asylum patients and was horrified at what she witnessed. Using her master’s degrees as a weapon to save families from psychiatric abuse, she faced down psychiatry, taking a case all the way to Italy’s Supreme Court in the name of protecting children and families from harm. Vincenza further exposed a “Psychiatric Supply Chain” in a bestselling book, uncovering an obscene “kickback scheme” orchestrated by psychiatrists. To close the door on the profit-driven psychiatric sham, she ultimately created an entirely new profession, the Family Specialist, now recognized by the Italian government and today empowering families without medication or psychiatry.
- Antónia and Ferenc Novák, Budapest, Hungary: This couple embraced L. Ron Hubbard’s The Way to Happiness to combat rampant school bullying, launching a nationwide contest, inviting children of all ages to create art projects featuring the book’s 21 moral precepts. While to extend their reach further still, Antónia and Ferenc created an online teachers’ platform called Cool School. All combined, they have introduced The Way to Happiness to students in nearly a third of all Hungarian schools, with incidents of youth violence plummeting by 60 percent where the precepts are in play.
As the evening came to an end Mr. Miscavige encouraged those to reflect on the fundamental principles that have propelled the success of the IAS for four decades."Forty years of achievements.. Beyond that a future even more splendid than we could have envisioned,"he stated emphatically stressing that the IAS is not merely a religious institution but a cause committed to elevating mankind.
The weekend wrapped up with the IAS Global Salvage Seminar discussing plans for the year ahead and the ongoing growth of the Churchs charitable initiatives.The dedication of IAS to making a difference in the world stays firm as they anticipate the next phase, in their long history.
On its anniversary milestone event recently held by the International Association of Scientologists (IAS) the organization looked back on its history while also paving the way for a promising future marked by aspirations, for unity and social justice advocacy.
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Organization: European Office Church of Scientology for Public Affairs and Human Rights
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