The
Church of Scientology Nashville opened its doors to all religious communities
for a special service in observance of World Interfaith Harmony Week.
Hate
graffiti, death threats, and violence toward people of religion have become
recurrent mainstream news. FBI hate crime statistics show that incidents in
churches, synagogues, temples and mosques increased 34.8% between 2014 and
2018, the last year for which FBI data is available.
“In
order to truly combat religious discrimination in this day and age, we have to
come together and learn about the religious other,” says Rev. Brian Fesler,
Pastor of the Church of Scientology, who brought together people of many
different faiths and cultures to take part in a service for World Interfaith
Harmony Week, the first week of February. The theme was “Faith In Harmony,” and
featured music as a key part of the special service.
More
than a half dozen different faith groups were present for the service, and a
beautiful mix of people sang and played music together while faith leaders
shared words of wisdom on why it is so important for all people to come
together as one in harmony.
Rev.
Fesler is passionate about bringing together all peoples. “Everyone, regardless
of their race, religion, culture—everyone deserves to have a voice, to live in
peace, and to practice their religion in harmony with the rest of mankind,” he
says.
The
Church of Scientology’s creed begins with the words: “We of the Church believe
that all men of whatever race, color or creed were created with equal rights;
that all men have inalienable rights to their own religious practices and their
performance…”
“It
is part of our very fabric to support others’ rights and abilities to practice
their religion in peace, so that is what we are lifting up through this
service,” says Rev. Fesler.
For
more information about Scientology, its practices or beliefs, visit
scientology.org.
