Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Nashville Church of Scientology Prepares for World Health Day Fitness Fair

The Nashville Church of Scientology is welcoming the community to a Fitness Fair in honor of World Health Day this April.


The Nashville Church of Scientology is excited to announce a Community Fitness Fair to help promote overall health and well-being. It is set for April 8th in the afternoon.

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.Rev. Brian Fesler of the Nashville Church of Scientology wants this to change, “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” is taking place in the community hall of the Nashville Church of Scientology on April 8th. 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. Fesler says, “you can’t have overall health with drugs in your system, and Drug-Free South has the educational materials people need to understand this.”

Other educational initiatives for a healthy lifestyle will be represented, including best practices for eating and exercising. A panel discussion of health and fitness experts will present information at 5:00pm.


“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. 

Monday, March 28, 2016

The Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee to Participate in Peace Event

The Way to Happiness Foundation, based in Los Angeles with chapters around the world, was formed to forward the booklet of the same name written by L. Ron Hubbard. The Way to Happiness booklet details 21 precepts that are predicated on the fact that one’s survival depends on the survival of others.

According to thewaytohappiness.org, “This code of conduct can be followed by anyone, of any race, color or creed and works to restore the bonds that unite humankind.” The Way to Happiness aims at giving people back a sense of what is right and wrong in a way that is easy to understand. In the two decades since it was authored, some 80 million copies of the book passed hand to hand.

The Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee will be a participant at an event where people are gathering to produce a huge, diverse human peace symbol.

The Tennessee Chapter launched a campaign to distribute copies of the booklet in 2009. Since that time, the group has visited local health fairs, festivals and community gatherings. Thousands of booklets have been distributed.


Rev. Brian Fesler, the regional coordinator for The Way to Happiness Association, says, “Our goal is a crime-free, healthy, and happy community. We will participate in events anywhere across the state to achieve this goal.” For more information, visit thewaytohappiness.org.

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Nashville Church of Scientology Honored Founder L. Ron Hubbard’s 105th Birthday

Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard’s 105th birthday was celebrated in Nashville by Tennessee area Scientologists on March 19, 2016.


This past weekend, Scientologists from across Middle Tennessee came together at the Nashville Church of Scientology to celebrate the founder of their religion, L. Ron Hubbard. During the event, a biographical sketch of his life and legacy was shown, which featured times of discovery, with his treks to the mysterious Orient as a young man. These quests literally mapped the boundaries of human knowledge of 10,000 years.

Born March 13, 1911, L. Ron Hubbard had a varied and exciting life. An International celebration of what would have been his hundred and fifth birthday was pre-recorded in Florida and was then shown to parishioners in Tennessee.  There were refreshments and even a cake contest to bring in the festivities locally.

Hubbard’s life was full of adventure. He was an accomplished pilot, a master mariner, a photographer, a prolific writer of stories for pulp fiction magazines (which funded his research into the mind and life) and a Captain in the US Navy during World War II. Hubbard’s journeys through the Far East and the Caribbean brought him face to face with many different kinds of people, fueling his drive to solve the riddles of life and enable all to achieve happiness, spiritual awareness and success in life.   How he took what he learned from these adventures and arranged this knowledge into what would become Dianetics and Scientology is available on-line as an interactive biography at www.lronhubbard.org.

“We celebrate and honor the wonderful gifts L. Ron Hubbard gave mankind,” said Rev. Brian Fesler, pastor of the Nashville Church of Scientology. “Mr. Hubbard developed tools that help all kinds of people.  There are so many appreciative followers, and we have a lot to celebrate.”

Learn more about L. Ron Hubbard and his work at www.lronhubbard.org and www.scientology.org.


Church of Scientology Looks Forward to 31st Anniversary in Nashville

The Church of Scientology is preparing to celebrate its 31st year in Nashville, TN. 

The Nashville Church of Scientology will celebrate its 31st anniversary with a private event in April. Rev. Brian Fesler, pastor of the Church, says, “We’ve been in Nashville for 31 years, and seven in the historic Fall School building. We are celebrating our progress as well as the spirit of Nashville.”

On a global scale, the Church of Scientology has enjoyed greater expansion during the past decade than in the previous 50 years combined. All the while the Church’s ever-growing humanitarian programs in the fields of drug education, human rights, morals education and disaster relief have positively impacted hundreds of millions of lives.

In Nashville, the Church has seen thousands of people entering its doors for the first time over the last seven years. On a humanitarian mission, the Church has participated in numerous human rights awareness events and helped create such events as Human Rights Day and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. march and convocation.  Church members, volunteering in the area of drug education, have delivered more than 230 seminars in schools in Tennessee and have distributed more than 50,000 booklets.

“Scientology is an active religion, where one seeks to know life and help people," says Fesler, "and we have the tools to accomplish that. We don’t ask our members to believe, we want them to act.” To learn more about the Church of Scientology, its programs and courses, visit www.scientology.org. 




Thursday, March 17, 2016

Pastor of Nashville Church of Scientology Recognized by Boy Scouts of Middle Tennessee

In a recent ceremony by the Middle Tennessee Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the pastor of the Church of Scientology was granted the William D. Boyce New Unit Organizer Award for creating and hosting a new Cub Scout troop for students in area schools.

The award, named after the founder of the Boy Scouts of America, was presented in a private ceremony at the end of February. Fesler said, “It’s important to my church to help the Boy Scouts. The founder of our religion was a scout himself and always spoke highly of scouting, so we welcomed this opportunity to continue the work for future generations.”

Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard joined the Boy Scouts while living in Washington State in April 1923. As a member of Tacoma Troop 31, he became a Second Class Scout on May 8th and two months later, on July 5th, he advanced to First Class Scout. In March of 1924, he became America’s youngest Eagle Scout.

“Of all of the various information which became important to me,” wrote Hubbard, “such as photography, wood lore, signaling and many other subjects, the basis of it was laid in Scouting.” Hubbard credited the skills he learned in Scouting with helping him survive his military duties in World War II.


L. Ron Hubbard’s 105th birthday was celebrated in Nashville by area Scientologists on March 13. To learn more about L. Ron Hubbard and his work visit www.lronhubbard.org. For more information about the Church of Scientology and its work in the community, visit www.scientology.org. 

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Belgium Court Hands Down Monumental Victory for Scientology

In a complete vindication of the Scientology religion and Scientologists, presiding judge rules that entire case was a “serious and irremediable breach of the right to a fair trial.”

The Church of Scientology of Belgium and Scientologists everywhere salute today’s decision by the 69th Trial Chamber of the Brussels Criminal Court, which upheld the rights of Scientologists to practice their religion and unequivocally rejected the prosecution’s false allegations and fatally flawed and biased case.

“Justice prevailed again for Scientologists today,” said Rev. Eric Roux, Church spokesman in Belgium. “This is a very good day for justice and human rights in Belgium, and a relief for Belgian Scientologists unduly prosecuted for two decades. The Court put an end to 18 years of prejudice against the Church of Scientology and its members and strongly stated that Scientology should not be treated differently than other religions. With this decision, the Belgian judge expressed that any discrimination by the prosecutor’s office based on religious grounds cannot be tolerated in a state that abides by the rule of law.”

The Court categorically and emphatically dismissed all charges against two Churches of Scientology and eleven individual defendants while upholding the fundamental human rights of the Church and its members. The watershed decision rejects the biased charges brought by the prosecutor against the Church and its officials, and brings 18 years of religious discrimination fueled by investigative actions taken in bad faith by the prosecutor in this case to a complete halt. The decision makes it clear that the evidence does not support the prosecutor’s biased view of the case against the religion, the Church and its adherents. Justice and the rule of law have prevailed in Belgium.

Presiding judge Yves Regiment noted that Belgian authorities had unfairly hounded the Church of Scientology for years stating: “The entire proceedings are declared inadmissible for a serious and irremediable breach of the right to a fair trial.”

The Trial Court reached the same unequivocal conclusion as the Highest Courts in Italy, the United Kingdom and Australia as well as judicial and administrative bodies in many countries: that Scientology should not be treated differently than other religions, and that basing prosecution on religious beliefs is a violation of human rights. This is the underlying principle that drives the decision and which was ignored by the prosecution.

The Church of Scientology, founded in 1954, has millions of members in more than 180 countries. Its first Church in Belgium was established in 1974. The Church sponsors numerous social betterment campaigns, including its drug prevention campaign, its initiative for the betterment of the moral values beneficial to the individual and his family, its action to end psychiatric abuses, its human rights education program and its literacy campaigns.


Thursday, March 10, 2016

Drug-Free South Working to Thwart Drug Usage

Drug-Free South hit the streets in Nashville this past weekend, distributing copies of the Truth About Drugs in the busy downtown district.


With Metro Social Services recently releasing its 7th annual Community Needs Evaluation, several statistics stood out. But one in particular spoke to the Tennessee Chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World (DFW): that drug overdoses are a leading cause of death in Tennessee, with over 1,100 in 2013 alone—surpassing murder, suicide and motor vehicle accidents.

So it was that the Drug-Free South took it upon themselves to hit the streets and distribute copies of the “Truth About Drugs” booklet to people Downtown near the Cumberland River this past weekend. 

Regional coordinator for DFW, Rev. Brian Fesler, said, “Everyone can benefit from learning the truth about drugs, because everyone is affected by this drug epidemic – either personally becoming a victim to drug abuse or by knowing someone who has.”

The “Truth About Drugs” booklets cover all basic side effects of drugs, common street names, and how to recognize when you are being persuaded by a dealer. To learn more or order booklets, visit drugfreesouth.org.


Nashville Religion Communicators Council Discusses Roles of Women

The Nashville Chapter of the Religion Communicators Council holds bi-monthly meetings to discuss hot topics and have deep discussions on what is happening in the world today.

What role do women play in religion? This was the topic of discussion as the Religion Communicators Council met on International Women’s Day for its bi-monthly meeting, “Building Bridges Over Bagels,” in Nashville, Tenn.

The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) is the longest running interfaith communications organization in the United States, and has chapters across the country that meet regularly to 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.  

When the Nashville RCC chapter met recently, its president, Rev. Brian Fesler, had the group look at various news items and asked the attendees to vote on which they would take up to discuss at the meeting. The topic chosen: International Women’s Day, and the role of women in religion.

Each person discussed how their faith tradition has honored women or spoke of the women of great influence on their faith, then went further into discussing women of influence in other faith traditions that were not represented, such as women founders of more modern religions.

The meeting took place at the Baha’i Faith Community Center on Bell Road. Recent past meetings have been at the Church of Scientology, Islamic Center of Nashville and United Methodist Communications. The next meeting location will be announced on the Nashville RCC website, and takes place on May 10th at 8:30am. For more information about the RCC or their next meeting, visit www.religioncommunicators.org.


Thursday, March 3, 2016

The Way to Happiness Association Thrilled About Upcoming ‘Green It Up’ Event

The Way to Happiness Association is observing World Environment Day on June 2nd with a networking event on behalf of the environment.

The Way to Happiness Association is planning an event for World Environment Day called “It’s Your City – Green it Up,” to be held on June 2nd. Organizers say that this initiative will bring people together that care about the environment so they can connect and can do bigger things together.

The Way to Happiness Association was formed around the book of the same name, written by humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard. The Way to Happiness (TWTH) is filled with twenty-one precepts based on the fact that one’s survival depends on the survival of others. One of these precepts is “Safeguard and Improve the Environment,” which takes to heart the care for the planet. In applying this precept, the local Association has organized cleanup projects of all sorts, and now the local chapter wants to branch out and include all environmental organizations in a discussion to make an even bigger impact.

World Environment Day occurs each year on June 5th and is celebrated by the United Nations. Last year, the worldwide theme for the day was “Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care.” According to unep.org, World Environment Day “…has grown to be a broad, global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated by stakeholders in over 100 countries. It also serves as the ‘people’s day’ for doing something positive for the environment, galvanizing individual actions into a collective power that generates an exponential positive impact on the planet.”


“Green it Up” will take place on June 2nd at 4:00 pm in the community hall of the Nashville Church of Scientology. For more information or to participate, contact Julie Brinker at 615-687-4600.

Drug-Free South Excited for Upcoming Community Fitness Fair

The Drug-Free South is working on a Community Fitness Fair for World Health Day in early April, 2016.

Drug-Free South works to educate people, and primarily youth, on the dangers of abuse and addiction. On April 8th, it will participate in a health and fitness fair in honor of World Health Day.

“Shape Up and Be Happy: A Community Fitness Fair” will be held in the community room of the Nashville Church of Scientology. Organizers for the event are excited to give people a better understanding of how to take care of themselves. 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.

Rev. Brian Fesler, pastor of the Nashville Church of Scientology, says this has to change. “There is a definite need in our community for proper education on how to be healthy, eat right and stay fit,” he says, “This fair will bring in a panel of speakers who can help with this.”

Organizers are bringing together experts for a panel discussion on nutrition, exercise, community gardening and more; there will be information booths with tips on eating right and healthy living; and healthy refreshments will be available to attendees. The general public is invited to participate and organizations requesting booth space should contact Julie Brinker at 615-687-4600.


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

Nashville Church of Scientology Commemorates World Civil Defense Day with Special Workshop

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

The Nashville Church of Scientology recognized World Civil Defense Day by hosting a workshop with experts on emergency management, volunteerism and self-care in times of disaster. It has been nearly six years since the historic hundred year flood in Nashville, but organizers say vigilance is key. “You never know when something disastrous will happen, but you are always better off if you’re prepared,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, pastor of the Church.

World Civil Defense Day was created by decision of the International Civil Defence 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.”

Guest speakers from Hands On Nashville and the Office of Emergency Management briefed the attendees on how to be active during a disaster to help others and how to assemble a home emergency kit so as not to be caught off guard should disaster strike.

Fesler went on to explain how the Church of Scientology becomes involved during times of disaster. “Our Volunteer Ministers work with the Church of Scientology Disaster Response teams. 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 points to the website volunteerministers.org, “The site contains online training one would need to utilize this technology.” 


In creating the Volunteer Ministers program, Scientology Founder 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.” For more information about Scientology or the Volunteer Ministers, visit scientology-ccnashville.org.