In 2019, The Way to Happiness held its inaugural event to observe World Happiness Day. This year, volunteers plan to ring in the occasion with an event to acknowledge the work of a local neighborhood that is working to end violence. The Way to Happiness Association wants this event to bring people together who care about all people, so they can connect and do bigger things. The Way to Happiness Association was formed around the book The Way to Happiness, written by humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

The Way to Happiness is filled with twenty-one precepts based on the fact that one’s survival depends on the survival of others. The book begins with a message under the heading Why I Gave You This Book: “Your survival is important to me.”

When copies of this book are widely distributed in communities, crime rates plummet. According to TheWaytoHappiness.org, “We live in a world of increasing immorality and rising criminality. Anyone who has had to rely upon the good will and honesty of others—police, insurance companies, merchants or banks, in particular—have experienced the harm resulting from the lowering levels of morality. The Way to Happiness was written to fill this moral vacuum in society.”

World Happiness Day occurs each year on March 20^th and is celebrated by the United Nations. According to un.org, “Since 2013, the United Nations has celebrated the International Day of Happiness as a way to recognize the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world…The United Nations invites each person of any age, plus every classroom, business and government to join in celebration of the International Day of Happiness.”

The World Happiness Day in Nashville is set for March 14, at noon, and will take place in the community hall of the Church of Scientology, 1130 8^th Ave South, Nashville, Tenn.

For more information on The Way to Happiness Association, its upcoming events or if you would like to participate, visit twthtn.org. 

The Way to Happiness Brings Moral Precepts to Neighborhood Association

The Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee recently worked with a local neighborhood association to bring them all of the concepts of the common sense moral code.

The Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee is always working to bring calm to neighborhoods by distributing copies of the booklet of the same name. Recently, volunteers took things a step further by speaking with community leaders, showing them each of the award winning 30 second public service announcements that illustrate the concepts in the book, and encouraging residents to take on the program themselves for their own neighborhood.

"True joy and happiness are valuable," begins the common sense guide, The Way to Happiness, written by humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard in the early 1980s. Since then, the book has sparked a movement and has been reprinted and passed hand to hand to a wide variety of cultures and peoples. In Tennessee, The Way to Happiness Association works with communities and neighborhoods to spread the booklet to as many people as possible. Organizers say that when the booklet is passed from hand to hand, it is like oil spread upon a raging sea, the calm flows outward and outward.

The Way to Happiness booklet details 21 precepts 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 three decades since it was authored, some 80 million copies of the book passed hand to hand.

Prior to showing the public service announcements, the neighborhood association was asked to share problems they face in the community. Many responses were about parenting skills, communication, and taking care of one’s own area, but still there were others who were more concerned with violence in the community. After the videos were played, the room was energized to spread these messages as they give so much hope for handling these troubles. Each resident was asked to take at least 10 booklets to share with their neighbors, and materials were soon being passed hand-to-hand, each person taking up the responsibility to share positivity.

The community plans to come together for a follow up event in March, 2020. For more information on The Way to Happiness, visit twthtn.org.

Church of Scientology to Hold 10 Days of Peace in September

The Nashville Church of Scientology will be doing a series of events for “10 Days of Peace,” ending with a large event on September 21^st for International Day of Peace.

The Nashville Church of Scientology works with Tennessee United for Human Rights to hold events that promote human rights education for everyone. The church has held an event for International Day of Peace for the past three years and will be holding an event again this year on September 21. Leading up to this, the church is having “10 Days of Peace” which launches on September 11, the anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers in New York City.

International Day of Peace was declared by the United Nations General Assembly as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. To launch the 10 Days of Peace, the church will hold a special event each day, culminating in the large event for Sept 21.

This is the fourth annual observance of Peace Day by TNUHR, and promises to be bigger than ever. In 2015, the group organized an eye-opening panel discussion on “Exposing the Hidden World of Human Trafficking,” and in 2016, TNUHR held an event under the theme “Know Your Rights and Survive: Overcoming Domestic Violence.” Last year the group held a panel discussion on “Religious Freedom and What This Means Today.”

“We are excited to hold ’10 Days of Peace’ this year and make these events larger than ever before,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, Pastor of the Nashville Church of Scientology.

’10 Days of Peace’ launches on September 11 at the Church of Scientology, and all are welcome.

TNUHR is a chapter of the international organization United for Human Rights, formed on the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to provide human rights resources and educational materials to all sectors of society. For more information about the events on Peace Day or to find out more about Tennessee United for Human Rights, visit tnuhr.org.

Tennessee United for Human Rights to Hold Panel Discussion for Fourth Annual Peace Day Event

The Tennessee chapter of United for Human Rights (TNUHR) is making plans for International Peace Day on September 21st.

Tennessee United for Human Rights has a mission to bring human rights education to everyone. And what better way to do this than through discussing these rights at public events? The group has held an event for International Day of Peace for the past three years and will be holding an event again this year on September 21.

International Day of Peace was declared by the United Nations General Assembly as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. This is more relevant than ever, and TNUHR is planning an event to focus on issues of domestic violence.

This is the fourth annual observance of Peace Day by TNUHR. In 2015, the group organized an eye-opening panel discussion on “Exposing the Hidden World of Human Trafficking,” and in 2016, TNUHR held an event under the theme “Know Your Rights and Survive: Overcoming Domestic Violence.” Last year the group held a panel discussion on “Religious Freedom and What This Means Today.”

“Each year we focus on a human rights issue that needs to be brought to light. We are returning to the issue of domestic violence this year, as this is something that seriously needs to be addressed,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, regional coordinator of the Tennessee United for Human Rights program.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, “…nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men.”

The Peace Day event will be held on September 21^st at 4pm in the Nashville Church of Scientology community hall.

TNUHR is a chapter of the international organization United for Human Rights, formed on the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to provide human rights resources and educational materials to all sectors of society. For more information about the events on Peace Day or to find out more about Tennessee United for Human Rights, visit tnuhr.org. 

Tennessee United for Human Rights Says Freedom of Religion is Key to Peace

Tennessee United for Human Rights has a mission to bring human rights education to everyone. And what better way to do this than through discussing these rights at public events? The group has held an event for International Day of Peace for the past two years and will be holding an event again this year on September 21.

International Day of Peace was declared by the United Nations General Assembly as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. This is more relevant than ever, and TNUHR is planning an event under the heading “Religious Freedom and What this Means Today.”

This is the third annual observance of Peace Day by TNUHR. In 2015, the group organized an eye-opening panel discussion on “Exposing the Hidden World of Human Trafficking,” and in 2016, TNUHR held an event under the theme “Know Your Rights and Survive: Overcoming Domestic Violence.” Expert panelists spoke about human rights abuses, how to recognize signs of violence and trafficking and how to help someone who may be a victim.

This year, the Peace Day event will be held on September 21^st at 7pm in the Nashville Church of Scientology community hall.

Rev. Brian Fesler, regional coordinator of the Tennessee United for Human Rights program says, “We want to inspire peace and educate people about their basic rights. With this knowledge, we can work together to end violence in this country.”

TNUHR is a chapter of the international organization United for Human Rights, formed on the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to provide human rights resources and educational materials to all sectors of society. For more information about the events on Peace Day or to find out more about Tennessee United for Human Rights, visit tnuhr.org. 

Tennessee United for Human Rights Announces Event for Peace Day 2017

The Tennessee chapter of United for Human Rights (TNUHR) is making plans for International Peace Day on September 21st.

International Day of Peace was declared by the United Nations General Assembly as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. This is more relevant than ever, and human rights activists are planning a large event for the occasion in Nashville on September 21st at the Church of Scientology.

Tennessee United for Human Rights (TNUHR) is sponsoring the event.  TNUHR is a chapter of the international organization United for Human Rights, formed on the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to provide human rights resources and educational materials to all sectors of society.

This is the third annual observance of Peace Day by TNUHR. In 2015, the group organized an eye-opening panel discussion on “Exposing the Hidden World of Human Trafficking,” and in 2016, TNUHR held an event under the theme “Know Your Rights and Survive: Overcoming Domestic Violence.” Expert panelists spoke about human rights abuses, how to recognize signs of violence and trafficking and how to help someone who may be a victim.

This year, the Peace Day event will be held on September 21^st from 4-6pm in the Nashville Church of Scientology community hall under the theme “Immigration at the Founding of Our Nation.”

Rev. Brian Fesler, regional coordinator of the Tennessee United for Human Rights program says, “We are inspiring peace and educating people about their basic rights. With this knowledge, we can work together to end violence in this country.” For more information about the events on Peace Day or to find out more about Tennessee United for Human Rights, visit tnuhr.org.

Tennessee United for Human Rights Holds Panel Discussion on Domestic Violence for Peace Day

The Tennessee chapter of United for Human Rights (TNUHR) held a dynamic panel discussion on International Peace Day this year.

How is domestic violence a violation of basic human rights? And what do people need to know to protect their rights and the rights of those they love? These topics were covered during the Tennessee United for Human Rights (TNUHR) Peace Day celebration for 2016.

TNUHR is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing education and awareness about human rights to everyone. In 2009, United for Human Rights released a video history of human rights which begins with a series of diverse people on the street being asked a simple question—What are human rights? The answers were astonishing. Most people couldn’t name more than one or two of their human rights, and many people didn’t even know how to define human rights.

According to the University of Minnesota Human Rights Library, “People who do not know their rights are more vulnerable to having them abused and often lack the language and conceptual framework to effectively advocate for them.”

For this reason, TNUHR brought together experts and community leaders to discuss an issue that is hidden from view all too often: domestic violence. Under the theme: “Know Your Rights and Survive—Overcoming Domestic Violence,” five panelists came together representing the various stages a victim will go through as they seek help from their batterer. Panel members represented the YWCA’s Weaver Shelter, Metro Nashville Police Department’s Domestic Violence Division, Legal Aid Society, General Sessions Court, and the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence.

The event was held in the community hall of the Nashville Church of Scientology and had a diverse crowd present to hear what they might do to help victims of domestic violence. One attendee noted, “The energy in the room was incredible—all of these people together talking about how we can help. This is needed to get people together to bring an end to the problem.”

For more information about Tennessee United for Human Rights, visit tnuhr.org.

Drug-Free Tennessee Works with Community Leaders to Spread Hope

For International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Drug-Free Tennessee held a roundtable discussion about ending the drug demand in Nashville.

Community leaders, police and clergy sat down together just before International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking to talk not just the facts, but solutions.

A member of the Metro Vice Unit was present to give statistics about the current “drugs of choice,” and information related to prescription drug abuse, one of the major fads of today. Clergy and community leaders led discussions of how to reach youth before dealers, and Drug-Free Tennessee shared its many educational materials that can be used by anyone to help young people.

Drug-Free Tennessee is a chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, which provides booklets, videos, brochures, and even an educational curriculum for students designed to give all of the basic facts of how drugs affect the body and mind, common street names and more. The Foundation holds events each year that tie into the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1987.

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime is leading the global campaign to raise awareness about the major challenge that illicit drugs represent to society as a whole, and especially to the young. The goal of the campaign is to mobilize support and inspire people to act against drug use, according to unodc.org.

Rev. Brian Fesler who coordinates Drug-Free Tennessee said, “We are committed to bringing the truth about drugs to everyone.  When youth know what they are really getting into, they have a chance to avoid a lot of pain and suffering.” Fesler says it can’t be done in a day and his organization is committed to working continuously to curb the drug epidemic. “We will go to anyone, anywhere in the region to spread the Truth About Drugs message,” he says, referring to the educational component of the program.

To learn more, order booklets or schedule a visit to your school, group or congregation, visit drugfreetn.org. 

Church of Scientology Community News: YWCA Engaging Men Project

The Nashville Church of Scientology supports the good works of others. Today’s highlight: the YWCA launching a project to engage men to help bring an end to violence against women and girls.

The YWCA is spreading its message of nonviolence against women even further with a new project to encourage men to become involved. According to ywcanashville.org, “The YWCA seeks to promote awareness about domestic violence and works in cooperation with other organizations that serve victims of domestic violence.” Hence, the YWCA’s partnership with A Call to Men, a national violence prevention organization providing training and education for men, boys and communities.

The two organizations are joining together to host an event in early August with speakers including the Nashville Mayor and Chief of Police.

The Engaging Men project is being funded by a grant from the Verizon Foundation, which closely aligns with Verizon's strategy to engage and empower men to speak up and be part of the solution to end the violence.  The Verizon Foundation has even listed steps on its website for men to follow when they become aware of violent behavior. These steps can be seen at verizonfoundation.com/yourvoicecounts.

The YWCA of Nashville and Middle Tennessee along with A Call to Men will host an event for Engaging Men on August 7, 2013 at 7:30am at the Belmont Curb Event Center. For more information or to register for the event, visit ywcanashville.com.