Citizens Commission on Human Rights to Hold Workshop on Overcoming Trauma

The Citizens Commission on Human Rights of Nashville (CCHR Nashville) will hold a workshop at the end of January about overcoming past trauma.

The Nashville Chapter of Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR Nashville) will have a special workshop in late January to confront a serious topic: overcoming past trauma.

CCHR is known as 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.”

During this workshop, attendees will hear from experts on the best ways to deal with past trauma, and how to overcome this through natural health tips and exercises.

“CCHR is committed to helping people learn their rights, and this includes ways to handle trauma without mind altering drugs,” says CCHR Volunteer, Julie Brinker.

CCHR Nashville regularly hosts events and meetings with local leaders who give insight into patients’ rights, parents’ rights and more.

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.  

Faith Communities Gather at Church of Scientology Nashville for MLK Service

“I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood,” said Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and in realization of this dream, churches and faith communities representing a panorama of African and European heritage came together this year in Nashville for a worship service in observance of Martin Luther King Day.

This was the annual MLK Day celebration service taking place at the Church of Scientology on Sunday, Jan 20, 2019, and Rev. Julie Brinker feels this is a historic way to help make Dr. King’s dream a reality. “With so many congregations coming together to worship as one, choirs joining each other in song, people of different denominations sitting side by side, and each faith leader participating, it’s a beautiful way to honor Dr. King’s legacy.”

This is the second year the Church of Scientology has hosted the service.

Participating faith leaders included Rev. J.J. Green of Mount Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Enoch Fuzz of Corinthian Baptist Church, Carol Mansour with the Baha’is of Middle Tennessee, Bishop Minnie Mitchell with New Life Through Christ Ministries, Rev. Keith Horn of Church of Scientology Nashville, and more.

“Dr. King stood for diversity and a unity among all people. We are celebrating that in the best way possible –actually coming together in one place and celebrating our differences and similarities,” says Rev. Brinker of the Church of Scientology.

From its beginnings, the Church of Scientology has recognized that freedom of religion is a fundamental human right. In a world where conflicts are often traceable to intolerance of others’ religious beliefs and practices, the Church has, for more than fifty years, made the preservation of religious liberty an overriding concern.

Religious freedom is a right enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Church of Scientology and Scientologists support United for Human Rights, the world’s largest nongovernmental human rights education campaign, active in 192 countries and partnering with 1,500 groups and organizations. The initiative is inspired by Mr. Hubbard’s conviction that “It is vital that all thinking men urge upon their governments sweeping reforms in the field of human rights.”

Religion Communicators Council Learns What it Takes to Make An Idea Stick

The Nashville Chapter of the Religion Communicators Council (RCC) meets monthly to talk about topics of interest and hear from professionals in religious communications.  

How come some ideas stick while others fade? This is what religious communications professionals learned during their monthly meeting in January. The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) is an interfaith association of religion communicators at work in print and electronic communication, marketing and public relations.

“It’s important to know how to get an idea to remain relevant and interesting,” says Julie Brinker, Communications Coordinator of the Nashville chapter of RCC, “People of faith need to stay on top of current ways to communicate their message to people, otherwise religious influence could fade.”

The meeting took place on January 8^th at United Methodist Communications over lunch. The guest speaker was Laura Buchanan, Senior Creative Content Specialist at United Methodist Communications. Her passion for writing, strategic messaging and connecting with audiences comes from a 12-year career in nonprofit fundraising and faith-based communications. Her topic on “What makes an idea memorable?” comes from the book, “Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die.”

Buchanan’s presentation covered six basic ways to make content relevant and interesting: 1) keep it simple and easy to understand, 2) drop in something unexpected to grab attention, 3) make it concrete so they remember, 4) ensure the information is credible, 5) create an emotional connection with the content, and 6) tell a story.

The RCC has members from every faith group and walk of life including Baha’is, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Scientologists, Sikhs, Hindus and more.

The RCC, founded in 1929, is an association of communications professionals who work for and with a diverse group of faith-based organizations in the areas of communications, public relations, advertising and development. The RCC provides opportunities for communicators to learn from each other. Together, RCC members promote excellence in the communication of faith and values in the public arena and encourage understanding among religious and faith groups. For more information about the Religion Communicators Council, visit religioncommunicators.org/nashville-chapter.

2018 Year in Review - The Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee

2018 saw the expansion of The Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee, the local chapter of The Way To Happiness Foundation.

The Way to Happiness, a book written by humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard in the early 1980s, is comprised of 21 precepts, each one predicated on the fact that one’s survival depends on the survival of others—and that without the survival of others, neither joy nor happiness are attainable. In the three decades since it was authored, more than 115 million copies of the book passed hand to hand, thus inspiring the international movement which is spreading throughout Nashville, TN.

Volunteers for The Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee (TWTH-TN) began the year by visiting neighbors and resource centers in the Nashville area and telling them about the guide for better living, describing it as “spreading magic.” Following that, volunteers took part in a large event for peace and distributed hundreds of booklets.

To observe World Environment Day, the chapter held a conference on sustainable fashion. The conference began with a keynote speech on sustainable fashion by Elisabeth Donaldson of 365 Days of Thrift. She covered why thrifting is important for sustainability and the facts of how the fashion industry harms the environment. This was followed by an Eco Conscious Panel discussion with Homesteading Hero Janelle Hillman, high style thrift blogger Audrey Rhodes, and CEO of New Frontier Tiny Homes David Lattimer. Following the panel discussion was a fashion show featuring all thrifted clothing, arranged by stylist and thrift blogger Tori Beth.

Next, TWTH-TN was at a local Father’s Day celebration distributing booklets and speaking with people about why it is important to “Honor and Help Your Parents,” as one of the precepts in the booklet mandates.

For International Friendship Day, TWTH-TN worked with the Nashville Church of Scientology to organize a large event to bring people together. A diverse crowd joined together to learn about one another and forge true friendships by taking part in guided dialogue.

Volunteers took part in the National Night Out Against Crime, distributing booklets to those taking to the streets in support of a crime-free community. They were then invited to a “Back In School” event to help spread positive messages to young people.

TWTH-TN is making a true impact across Tennessee and reaching other parts of the world. To learn more about the program, or to order copies of The Way to Happiness booklet, visit twthtn.org.

2018 Year in Review - Religion Communicators Council, Nashville Chapter

The Religion Communicators Council is an interfaith communications organization working to promote peace and fellowship while spreading the good news.

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 meets every other month to promote its ideals through conversations about what is in the news and how to spread more religious messages – the good news—a tradition that began this year. “People of faith have influence,” says Board Member of the Nashville Chapter, Julie Brinker, who also does community relations with the Church of Scientology, “We all need to step out and speak up because the good news, of which there is an abundance, tends to be overshadowed.”

The chapter had a busy year, hearing from religion reporters to video producers. The first meeting was with Holly Meyer of the Tennessean, who gave the group tips on best practices for religious reporting. Next, RCC heard from Adovcate Market Research who showcased innovative ways to help know one’s audience so a message can truly get across.

The following month, the chapter heard from Sophia Agtarap of Vanderbilt Divinity School who specializes in storytelling in digital media. After that, members were treated to a discussion on video production and how this helps communicate a message in today’s world.

To round out the year, Lori Whitbey of Schneider Electric, gave a talk about strategic marketing to make it easy and an approachable subject.

Nashville’s RCC chapter is preparing for an even greater 2019 with engaging meeting topics and professional development presentations. RCC is open to members from all denominations, and the Nashville group includes Baha’is, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Scientologists, Hindus and more.  For further information about the RCC or their next meeting, visit www.religioncommunicators.org.

2018 Year in Review – Tennessee United for Human Rights

2018 saw the expansion of Tennessee United for Human Rights, carrying out the work of the international organization United for Human Rights in the Southeast United States.

Tennessee United for Human Rights (TnUHR) was formed as a non-profit public benefit corporation in 2015 to educate Tennesseans on the basic principles and foundations of human rights. In 2018, the organization has taken great strides to provide help to people of all ages so they may understand their basic human rights.

Volunteers began the year by participating at the annual convocation for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Tennessee State University Gentry Center. They distributed the What are Human Rights? Booklets, spoke to community and religious leaders about the human rights education curriculum and how to help people with this knowledge.

Next, the group held “An Open Conversation on Minority Relations” in observance of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Leading up to summer, volunteers participated at the YWCA’s Stand Against Racism and the Atlantic Institute’s event for Mother’s Day, where they distributed materials and spoke with people about human rights education.

TnUHR led a summer camp educational workshop with Peace Ambassadors USA to help dozens of young people learn their human rights in an interactive and fun way over the course of four weeks. In September, the chapter organized a large event for International Day of Peace centered on the theme of religious freedom. The theme was “Speak Your Peace,” and featured a multicultural, multi-faith community of people who spoke to peace on a universal level.

Next month the group had a special service on International Religious Freedom Day where students were educated on their human rights, with a special focus on freedom of thought. Then, to close out the year, TnUHR was a co-organizer for the annual Tennessee Celebration of International Human Rights Day, a spectacular event which showcased human rights leaders for their work and uplifted others.

TnUHR is planning to begin 2019 with several events to continue promoting human rights. “The time for true human rights education is now,” says Julie Brinker, spokesperson for Tennessee  United for Human Rights, “we’ve come far over the past few years but there is still more work to be done so that each and every person has a voice and human rights can be a reality for all.”

TnUHR 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. 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 humanrights.com. For more information on the Tennessee chapter, visit tnuhr.org.

2018 Year in Review – Citizens Commission on Human Rights, Nashville Chapter

2018 saw the expansion of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, Nashville Chapter, carrying out the work of the international organization in the Southeast United States.

The Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) Nashville Chapter began the year by participating at the annual MLK Day convocation at Tennessee State University’s Gentry Center. They distributed materials on human rights related to mental health and side effects of psychiatric drugs and treatments.

Next up in January, CCHR Nashville had a special event held in honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day where chapter members discussed the cause of racism and how it can be eradicated. A video was played to attendees which revealed how the pseudoscience Eugenics contributed to the Holocaust, and exactly who propagated these ideas.

Next, CCHR members took their message to nurses at the National Student Nurses Association convention where they were able to get their materials out to thousands.

In May, Nashville CCHR chapter members joined with others from across the country in New York where the American Psychiatric Association was having its annual convention. Human rights activists protested the use of electroshock treatment (ECT)—up to 460 volts of electricity sent through the brain—especially on children, some younger than five years old.

CCHR Nashville then took its message of human rights for those being abused in the field of mental illness to a community event in the Edgehill neighborhood and to events for parents and educators. Volunteers distributed fliers and spoke to people who have been victims of abuse in psychiatric hands.

In October, to observe World Mental Health Day, CCHR held a special “Lunch and Learn” with a health and wellness doctor. During the seminar, he revealed five tips for a stress free life, all of which are drug-free.

A Board Member of CCHR Nashville said, “CCHR volunteers are excited about all of the activity in 2018, but there is much more work to be done. People are getting hurt every day at the hands of psychiatrists. They must be brought to account for their actions.”

CCHR is a non-profit, non-political, non-religious mental health industry watchdog whose mission is to eradicate abuses committed under the guise of mental health.  It works to ensure patient and consumer protections are enacted and upheld as there is rampant abuse in the field of mental health.  In this role, CCHR has helped to enact more than 150 laws protecting individuals from abusive or coercive mental health practices since it was formed five decades ago. For more information on CCHR, visit cchrnashville.org.

2018 Year in Review: Drug-Free Tennessee

2018 saw the expansion of Drug-Free Tennessee, carrying out the work of the international organization, the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, in the Southeast United States.

To start off the year, Drug-Free Tennessee (DFT) participated in events to distribute the Truth About Drugs booklets. The group held special events for World Health Day in April and International Day Against Drug Abuse in June.  World Health Day saw many health related organizations join together in the Church of Scientology community hall to network, learn and discuss ways to improve Nashville’s health for all. Awards were given to pivotal community partners who encourage healthy living.

For International Day Against Drug Abuse, DFT called together several groups for “Drug Abuse: Preventing It Together,” where police, educators and neighbors spoke about solutions for the city.

Throughout the summer, volunteers went into local neighborhoods to distribute information as part of local health fairs and resource cafes. DFT was distributing booklets and materials at the Partners In Prevention Conference and during Recovery Congregations.

Next, DFT volunteers participated at National Night Out Against Crime, getting the booklets out to everyone who attended the Night Out celebration for the 10th year in a row.

October is a busy month for the drug prevention group with the final week “Red Ribbon Week,” being a nationally recognized time for drug prevention and education. DFT worked with groups to distribute Truth About Drugs booklets and hold Halloween-themed events to help kids make good choices.

Julie Brinker, Drug-Free Tennessee spokesperson, said, “We have had a good year, but drugs are still a problem in this state. We have big plans for 2019 and are ready to help anyone in the state who is trying to address this issue.”

Drug-Free Tennessee distributes the Truth About Drugs booklet, which 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 to order booklets, visit drugfreesouth.org.