Church of Scientology Nashville Shares Human Rights Education for International Day of Tolerance

 Tennessee United for Human Rights spreads its message through educational tools, hard-hitting videos, and inspirational messages.

 

The Church of Scientology Nashville in partnership with Tennessee United for Human Rights held an event to observe International Day of Tolerance.  It was an educational forum on what the International Day of Tolerance means, and how to promote human rights to help bring about understanding among all peoples.

 

International Day of Tolerance began on the fiftieth anniversary of UNESCO's Member States when they adopted a Declaration of Principles on Tolerance, 16 November 1995. Among other things, the Declaration affirms that tolerance is respect and appreciation of the rich variety of our world's cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human. “Tolerance recognizes the universal human rights and fundamental freedoms of others,” according to un.org. “People are naturally diverse; only tolerance can ensure the survival of mixed communities in every region of the globe.”

 

Tennessee United for Human Rights (TUHR) promotes human rights education as a way to combat ignorance and increase awareness. “Each year we focus on a human rights issue that needs to be brought to light,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, regional coordinator of the Tennessee United for Human Rights program.

 

Tennessee United for Human Rights is the local chapter of United for Human Rights, an international, not-for-profit organization dedicated to implementing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Its membership is comprised of individuals 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. Its purpose is to provide human rights educational resources and activities that inform, assist and unite youth, educators, organizations and governmental bodies in the dissemination and adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at every level of society.

 

For more information about United for Human Rights, go to www.humanrights.com, and for more information about International Day of Tolerance, visit un.org.

 

Nashville Religion Communicators Look Back on 2021, Plan for 2022

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

 

The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) is an interfaith association of religion communicators at work in print and electronic communication, marketing and public relations. The Nashville Chapter meets monthly at rotating locations to learn about other faith traditions, learn from fellow communicators and gain professional development opportunities.

 

The December meeting will take place virtually, with RCC Board members for the Nashville Chapter reviewing the content of the year’s meetings and creating a plan for 2022. This has become a tradition for the Nashville Chapter, to both allow members the chance to have time for the holidays, and also plan the coming year by noting what was successful this year.  

 

“We have excellent programming, and more good things to come,” says Julie Brinker, Communications Coordinator for the Nashville RCC and Director of Community Affairs for the Church of Scientology Nashville.

 

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. For more information about the Religion Communicators Council, visit religioncommunicators.org/nashville-chapter. 

Church of Scientology Nashville Celebrates the Joy of the Holiday Season

 Scientologists believe in spreading the warmth and joy of the holiday season to the community and beyond.

 

More than 10,000 Scientology Churches, missions, related organizations and affiliated groups minister to millions in 165 countries, according to Scientology.org. Because of this worldwide diversity, Scientologists come from a wide variety of faiths and cultural traditions. But no matter their background, they, like most people, gather with loved ones to enjoy the warmth of friends and family and celebrate the joy of the holiday season.

 

Pastor of the Nashville Church, Rev. Brian Fesler, says, “Our church captures the spirit of the holidays. We bring people together to celebrate and plan the year ahead, and everyone is welcome here throughout the season.”

 

The Nashville church hosts an annual potluck for Thanksgiving and Christmas, something which had to be skipped in 2020 but church members are anxious to celebrate in person again this year. There are also other community events including holiday shows and festivities, the annual Human Rights Day celebration which will be virtual again this year, open houses and other community get-togethers.

 

Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard honored the great religious leaders of the past for the wisdom they brought to the world, writing that Scientology shares “the goals set for Man by Christ, which are wisdom, good health and immortality.” It is in this spirit that Scientologists celebrate the holiday season, whether they observe Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or any other religious or cultural tradition.

 

This past decade has seen explosive expansion for the religion, with over 70 new Churches of Scientology in global cities—from Orlando to Perth, Dublin to Detroit and Kansas City to Johannesburg. More Church openings are planned in the next 12 months for cities across North America, Australia, Europe and the United Kingdom. This decade further saw the inauguration of the Church’s global communications headquarters, Scientology Media Productions. The studio subsequently launched its own television channel, broadcasting in 17 languages across 24 time zones: Scientology Network—available on DIRECTV Channel 320 and streaming online at scientology.tv.

 

For more information about Scientology, visit www.scientology.org. 

Church of Scientology Nashville Will Hold Special Sunday Service for Religious Freedom

 The Church of Scientology is planning a special service for religious freedom on November 21^st.

 

 

The Church of Scientology Nashville in partnership with Tennessee United for Human Rights is holding a special Sunday Service for religious freedom commemorating the passage of the Religious Freedom Act of 1998.

 

“Without freedom of religion, or freedom of thought, freedom itself cannot exist,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, pastor of the Nashville Church of Scientology. Rev. Fesler, active in the Nashville interfaith community, are organizing the service to highlight the importance of the First Amendment.

 

International Religious Freedom Day commemorates the passage of the Religious Freedom Act of 1998, which established the office of United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom and highlighted America’s responsibility to the world in guaranteeing Human Right #18, Freedom of Thought and Belief.

 

To observe the day, the Church of Scientology Nashville is inviting the community to attend Sunday service, tour the church, and have any questions answered about Scientology or religious diversity.

 

Tennessee United for Human Rights (TnUHR) promotes human rights education as a way to combat ignorance and increase awareness. 

 

TnUHR is the local chapter of United for Human Rights, an international, not-for-profit organization dedicated to implementing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Its membership is comprised of individuals 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. Its purpose is to provide human rights educational resources and activities that inform, assist and unite youth, educators, organizations and governmental bodies in the dissemination and adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at every level of society.

 

For more information about United for Human Rights, go to www.humanrights.com, and for more information about Scientology, visit scientology.org.

 

Tennessee Human Rights Day Committee Announces 2021 Award Recipients

 The Tennessee Celebration of International Human Rights Day will take place on December 9^th at 5pm virtually.

 

Tennesseans typically gather each year around December 10^th to celebrate International Human Rights Day. The committee opted to hold the event virtually for the second year in a row.  During the event, leaders are acknowledged, and awards will go to human rights champions in these categories: Outstanding Service and Lifetime Achievement.

 

Beverly Watts, director of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, will serve as master of ceremonies for the affair. Mel Fowler-Green, director of Metro Human Relations Commission, will comment on our theme: “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Foundation for Dignity.” A Q&A incorporating the theme will be moderated by David Plazas of the Tennessean, and he will pose questions to Zulfat Suara, a 2017 recipient of the Outstanding Service Award for Human Rights and first Muslim elected to Metro Council.

 

The Rising Advocate Awards will go to Timothy Hughes, an activist who works at the intersection of public policy & social justice; and Joseph Gutierrez, the Education Program Officer at the Dan and Margaret Maddox Fund who also coordinates the work of API Middle Tennessee, an Asian & Pacific Islander-serving community-based organization.

 

The Outstanding Service Award will go to Judge Rachel Bell who has served as a judge since 2012, during which time she established a community court that has a mission to focus on preventive, diversionary, and restorative justice initiatives to move the needle for marginalized people.

 

The Lifetime Achievement Awards are going to Ms. Andrea Conte, former first lady of Tennessee and founder of You Have the Power; and Rev. Enoch Fuzz, the pastor of Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church who has long advocated for all people.

 

2019 Human Rights Award Recipients

A committee of human rights organizations, nonprofits, and advocates, including the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, Metro Human Relations Commission, Tennessee United for Human Rights, the Church of Scientology, and others, work together each year to plan the event.

 

“Each year on Human Rights Day we look at challenges–those we have overcome and those we face. We hope that a brief look at our victories will give us the hope and strength to reach into the future,” says planning committee chair Rev. Brian Fesler, pastor of the Church of Scientology in Nashville. “The day centers around the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and this year we focus on human rights as the foundation for dignity.”

 

All information regarding the event can be found on the website www.tnuhr.org.  

Church of Scientology Nashville to Share Human Rights Education for International Day of Tolerance

 

Tennessee United for Human Rights spreads their message through educational tools, hard-hitting videos and inspirational messages.

  

The Church of Scientology Nashville in partnership with Tennessee United for Human Rights is holding an event to observe International Day of Tolerance.

 

International Day of Tolerance began on the fiftieth anniversary of UNESCO's Member States when they adopted a Declaration of Principles on Tolerance, 16 November 1995. Among other things, the Declaration affirms that tolerance is respect and appreciation of the rich variety of our world's cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human. “Tolerance recognizes the universal human rights and fundamental freedoms of others,” according to un.org. “People are naturally diverse; only tolerance can ensure the survival of mixed communities in every region of the globe.”

 

Tennessee United for Human Rights (TUHR) promotes human rights education as a way to combat ignorance and increase awareness. 

 

“Each year we focus on a human rights issue that needs to be brought to light,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, regional coordinator of the Tennessee United for Human Rights program.

 

Tennessee United for Human Rights is the local chapter of United for Human Rights, an international, not-for-profit organization dedicated to implementing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Its membership is comprised of individuals 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. Its purpose is to provide human rights educational resources and activities that inform, assist and unite youth, educators, organizations and governmental bodies in the dissemination and adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at every level of society.

 

For more information about United for Human Rights, go to www.humanrights.com, and for more information about International Day of Tolerance, visit un.org.