Thursday, January 28, 2016

Citizens Commission on Human Rights Shows the Truth Behind Holocaust Horrors

Citizens Commission on Human Rights of Nashville (CCHR Nashville) held a special briefing on The Men Behind Hitler in honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27.

Hitler was behind the Holocaust, but who influenced him? This was the question posed and answered at yesterday’s special briefing by the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) for International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

The UN General Assembly designated January 27—the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau—as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. “On this annual day of commemoration, the UN urges every member state to honor the victims of the Nazi era and to develop educational programs to help prevent future genocides,” according to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s website.

“This was certainly a new view for those attending, but it’s time people looked at this,” says Church of Scientology pastor, Rev. Brian Fesler, who was glad to host the event. He opened the event by saying, “We remember [the Holocaust] so we can mourn the loss, we remember so we can honor the lives, but more than that we remember so we can prevent.”

Kalee Madorin, assistant director of CCHR Nashville, introduced a video which revealed how the pseudoscience Eugenics contributed to the Holocaust, and exactly who propagated these ideas. “Could [genocide] happen today?  Is it happening today? It is up to us to learn more about it, learn more about the causes…  The Citizens Commission on Human Rights has as a part of its core mission to investigate and expose abuses in the field of mental health.  What you are about to see is one of the most blatant abuses in history,” she said.

CCHR has long been an advocate for human rights, especially as relates to patients’ rights in the field of mental health. CCHR is a non-profit, non-political, non-religious mental health watchdog. Its mission is to eradicate abuses committed under the guise of mental health and enact patient and consumer protections. CCHR receives reports about abuses in the field of mental health and is especially interested in situations where persons experienced abuse or damage due to a false diagnosis or unwanted and harmful psychiatric treatments, such as psychiatric drugs, electroshock (ECT) and electronic or magnetic brain stimulation (TMS). To contact CCHR Nashville, visit cchrnashville.org. 


Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Citizens Commission on Human Rights Exposes a Hidden Motivator for the Holocaust

Citizens Commission on Human Rights of Nashville (CCHR Nashville) is holding a special briefing on The Men Behind Hitler in honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27.

The UN General Assembly designated January 27—the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau—as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. “On this annual day of commemoration, the UN urges every member state to honor the victims of the Nazi era and to develop educational programs to help prevent future genocides,” according to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s website. So it is that the Citizens Commission on Human Rights chose this day to present a special briefing on “The Men Behind Hitler,” which takes place at 5pm at the Nashville Church of Scientology.

“This will certainly be an education for those attending, but it’s time people looked at this,” says church pastor Rev. Brian Fesler, “Break time is over. Class is in session.”

The event will look at the atrocities committed in the early 1940s under the Nazi regime and show exactly whose ideas fueled Hitler and the Holocaust. As well, organizers say this event will expose how these same people continued their vicious legacy into today’s world.

CCHR has long been an advocate for human rights, especially as relates to patients’ rights in the field of mental health. Per the international CCHR website, cchr.org, “CCHR has long fought to restore basic inalienable human rights to the field of mental health, including, but not limited to, full informed consent regarding the medical legitimacy of psychiatric diagnosis, the risks of psychiatric treatments, the right to all available medical alternatives and the right to refuse any treatment considered harmful.”


CCHR is a non-profit, non-political, non-religious mental health watchdog. Its mission is to eradicate abuses committed under the guise of mental health and enact patient and consumer protections. CCHR receives reports about abuses in the field of mental health and is especially interested in situations where persons experienced abuse or damage due to a false diagnosis or unwanted and harmful psychiatric treatments, such as psychiatric drugs, electroshock (ECT) and electronic or magnetic brain stimulation (TMS). CCHR is often able to assist with filing complaints, and can work with a person’s attorney to further investigate the case. To contact CCHR Nashville for more information, visit cchrnashville.org.  

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Nashville Church of Scientology Announces Fitness Fair This April

The Nashville Church of Scientology has just announced that it will host a Community Fitness Fair on World Health Day on April 7, 2016.


According to Nashville.gov, the city faces statistics such as 36 percent of its youth being obese or overweight, and according to America’s Health Rankings, Tennessee is ranked 43 on the list for overall health. This has to change, and Rev. Brian Fesler of the Nashville Church of Scientology has an idea to help--a community fitness fair. “We’ve been to several health fairs which primarily focus on preventing or dealing with disease, but there is a need in our communities to educate everyone on how to be healthy, eat right and stay fit,” he says.

“Shape Up and Be Happy: A Community Fitness Fair” will take place in the community hall of the Nashville Church of Scientology on April 7th. The community is invited to participate and organizations requesting booth space should get in touch with Julie Brinker at 615-687-4600.

The Church supports the Foundation for a Drug-Free World which will be represented at the Fitness Fair, providing education on the truth about drugs. Other educational initiatives for a healthy lifestyle will be represented, including best practices for eating and exercising.

“We’re excited about the event,” says Fesler, “we want a healthy Nashville, and the best way to help people is to educate them.”

For more information on the Church of Scientology or its programs, visit scientology-ccnashville.org.

Tennessee United for Human Rights Plans for MLK Day

2015 saw the formation of Tennessee United for Human Rights, and in 2016 the organization is taking things to a whole new level.

In 2015, President Obama proclaimed, “As we honor [Martin Luther King, Jr.’s] legacy, Americans across the country will join one another for a day of service, picking up the baton handed to us by past generations and carrying forward their efforts.” It is with this in mind that Tennessee United for Human Rights (TUHR) is preparing for a day of service to continue Dr. King’s legacy.

TUHR, which was formed as a non-profit public benefit corporation in 2015 to educate Tennesseans on the basic principles and foundations of human rights, will be part of events in Nashville to honor the iconic human rights hero. One such event is the MLK Day march and convocation taking place at Tennessee State University on Monday at 11am. The march begins at 10am at Jefferson Street Baptist Church.

According to the mlkdaynashville.com website, the theme for 2016 is “Unity Not Uniformity.”

The TUHR director, John Pantermuehl, says the organization is excited about being part of these events and is anxious to spread education on human rights, “This is the time for everyone to learn their basic human rights and be united in the fight for freedom,” he says.

TUHR is the local chapter of United for Human Rights (UHR), an international, not-for-profit organization dedicated to implementing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Its membership is comprised of individuals, educators and groups throughout the world who are actively forwarding the knowledge and protection of human rights by and for all Mankind, according to humanrights.com.

United for Human Rights was founded on the Declaration’s 60th anniversary, in the face of continued worldwide abuses which violate the spirit, intent and Articles of this charter of all human rights, the first such document ever ratified by the community of nations. For more information about United for Human Rights, go to www.humanrights.com.

Nashville Religion Communicators Council Talks Faith and Tradition

The longest running interfaith communications organization in the United States, the Religion Communicators Council (RCC), has chapters across the country that meet regularly and promote “excellence in the communication of religious faith and values in the public arena and encourage understanding among religious and faith groups,” according to the RCC website.

In Nashville, the RCC Chapter just met, discussing deep topics around politics, faith and more. The group met in the Church of Scientology where Rev. Brian Fesler welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the year which continues the series: Building Bridges Over Bagels.

The hot news of the day had the group looking at an issue where a denomination that earlier supported the right to choice is now seeking an end to legal abortion. Members had to answer the question: how can it be that a denomination can turn 180 degrees on such a basic issue?

While myriad intriguing discussions followed, the group still came to mutual understanding and respect of one another as well as each other’s faith traditions. This style of meetings is intended to maintain the organization’s historic integrity while adjusting to 21st century ideals. They found ways that as people of faith, and especially religious communicators, they can improve conditions for others.

According to Fesler who is also President of the Nashville RCC Chapter, the chapter meetings take place on the second Tuesday of every other month during breakfast. “The concept for these meetings is to bring diverse people together to dialogue about hot topics and how we can unite to bring more inspiration and good news to the world,” he said.

The RCC has members from every faith group and walk of life including Baha’is, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Scientologists, Sikhs, Hindus and more. For more information about the RCC or their next meeting, visit www.religioncommunicators.org.

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Nashville Church of Scientology Hosts Survival Training on World Civil Defense Day

The Nashville Church of Scientology is observing World Civil Defense Day on March 1st with a special workshop on “Survival Training.”

The Nashville Church of Scientology plans to recognize the United Nations World Civil Defense Day by hosting a workshop with experts on emergency management, volunteerism and self-care in times of disaster.

World Civil Defence Day was created by decision of the International Civil Defense Organization (ICDO) General Assembly in 1990, and is celebrated every year on the 1st of March. According to ICDO, “This Day… has two main purposes: that of bringing to the attention of the world public the vital importance of Civil Protection and of raising awareness of the preparedness for, and prevention and self-protection measures in the event of accidents or disasters; and that of paying tribute to the efforts, sacrifices and accomplishments of all the national services responsible for the fight against disasters.”

Rev. Brian Fesler, pastor of the Church of Scientology, explained how the Church of Scientology becomes involved during times of disaster. “We have a program called Volunteer Ministers. Anyone of any culture or creed may train as a Volunteer Minister and use these tools to help their families and communities, and all are welcome to do so,” he said. Fesler encouraged people to look at the website volunteerministers.org which contains resources one would need to become trained in this technology.  

Equipped with effective technology to resolve virtually any difficulty, Volunteer Ministers live by the motto: “No matter the problem, something can be done about it.” Transcending all ethnic, cultural and religious boundaries, the Volunteer Ministers program is there for anyone in need of help.

In creating the Volunteer Ministers program, L. Ron Hubbard wrote, “If one does not like the crime, cruelty, injustice and violence of this society, he can do something about it. He can become a Volunteer Minister and help civilize it, bring it conscience and kindness and love and freedom from travail by instilling into it trust, decency, honesty and tolerance.”

The “Survival Training” workshop takes place on March 1st at the Church of Scientology. To find out more, call 615-687-4600 and ask for Julie Brinker.

Citizens Commission on Human Rights Presents: The Men Behind Hitler

The UN General Assembly designated January 27—the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau—as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. “On this annual day of commemoration, the UN urges every member state to honor the victims of the Nazi era and to develop educational programs to help prevent future genocides,” according to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s website. So it is that the Citizens Commission on Human Rights chose this day to present a special briefing on “The Men Behind Hitler,” which takes place at 5pm at the Nashville Church of Scientology.

The event will look at the atrocities committed in the early 1940s under the Nazi regime and show exactly whose ideas led to the Holocaust.

CCHR has long been an advocate for human rights, especially as relates to patients’ rights in the field of mental health. Per the international CCHR website, cchr.org, “CCHR has long fought to restore basic inalienable human rights to the field of mental health, including, but not limited to, full informed consent regarding the medical legitimacy of psychiatric diagnosis, the risks of psychiatric treatments, the right to all available medical alternatives and the right to refuse any treatment considered harmful.”

Special guest speakers on Jan 27 will discuss Holocaust survivors living in Tennessee and their experiences during and after the war.

CCHR is a non-profit, non-political, non-religious mental health watchdog. Its mission is to eradicate abuses committed under the guise of mental health and enact patient and consumer protections. CCHR receives reports about abuses in the field of mental health and is especially interested in situations where persons experienced abuse or damage due to a false diagnosis or unwanted and harmful psychiatric treatments, such as psychiatric drugs, electroshock (ECT) and electronic or magnetic brain stimulation (TMS). CCHR is often able to assist with filing complaints, and can work with a person’s attorney to further investigate the case. To contact CCHR Nashville for more information, visit cchrnashville.org.  

Nashville Church of Scientology Welcomes 2016

Nashville’s Church of Scientology saw a whirlwind of activity throughout 2015 and church parishioners and guests gathered on New Year’s Eve to celebrate a year of accomplishments and look forward to the coming months.

As the old year draws to its close and a new one begins, it is time to celebrate successes and resolve to look ahead to the possibilities of another year. So it was as Scientologists gathered this past weekend to express vivid appreciation for a triumphant year of accomplishment, recognizing record expansion and worldwide humanitarian achievement.

Parishioners and guests filled the chapel at the Nashville Church of Scientology to pay homage to 2015’s unsurpassed growth of Scientology across the globe and the momentum that has set the stage for 2016—and beyond. During 2015, a breathtaking number of new facilities opened their doors to the world, with more than 40 dedicated in the past 12 months alone, representing every level of Ideal Church of Scientology Organization (Orgs) and Church-supported humanitarian programs.

The Nashville Church of Scientology began the year by teaming up with community leaders and pastors to have a joint interfaith service to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

During Black History Month, the Church opened its doors to several community events. The first, a presentation for the Black Legends of Basketball where they were honored with a special display and discussion about the history and impact the Harlem Globetrotters made on the sport. Next, it hosted a presentation by dynamic teen, Lizzie Kimbrough, who performed “Ain’t I A Woman: A Tribute to African American Women.” And finally, the Church hosted a book signing for Memphis radio personality Art Gilliam who wrote “One America.”

In the spring, the church was happy to host a retirement celebration for a military chaplain, an educational seminar on the environment with focus on tree planting and community gardens, and a community gathering for International Friendship Day which had nearly 70 guests of diverse faiths, cultures, and races come together in dialogue about how to overcome stereotypes.

During summer, the church held its anniversary celebration for thirty years in Music City with a large-scale event in the church where community guests, parishioners and friends were able to recognize members’ achievements and look forward to the many years ahead. In September, the church held a forum on human trafficking for International Day of Peace where local experts talked about the problem and things people can do to help victims.

Church members spent several months tutoring young children in North Nashville, distributing copies of The Way to Happiness, a booklet written by L. Ron Hubbard, and promoting human rights messages across Middle Tennessee.

In November, the Church hosted the annual Artlightenment art and film festival, which was themed “Music City Mystique.” In its seventh year, this was the most successful to date in terms of the attendance and number of artists participating.  The festival included a film festival and fashion show along with a plethora of fine art, painting and photography displays.

In December, the Church worked with local and state government agencies and nonprofit organizations to plan the Tennessee Celebration of International Human Rights Day. During the December 10th celebration, human rights advocates were awarded for their service to the community.

Nashville Church of Scientology pastor, Rev. Brian Fesler, said, "2015 has been an exciting year, definitely our best yet. We are thankful for all our friends in the community who are working to make Nashville a better place, and we look forward to making strides in 2016." For more information about Scientology, visit www.scientology-ccnashville.org.