Citizens Commission on Human Rights Holds Event for the International Day of Protest Against Electroshock

 The Citizens Commission on Human Rights of Nashville (CCHR Nashville) held a special event in May near the anniversary of the International Day Against Electroshock.

 

The Nashville Chapter of Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR Nashville) held a special event to brief volunteers on Nashville news near the anniversary of the International Day of Protest Against Electroshock.

 

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.”

 

The International Day of Protest Against Electroshock began in 2015 when ECT survivors and supporters around the world staged coordinated protests against the practice of psychiatric electroshock treatment, according to ectjustice.com. The protests were originated by electroshock survivor and MindFreedom Ireland co-founder, Mary Maddock, who said, “Electroshock is a barbaric assault on the individual.  As a young mother after the birth of my daughter, I was subjected to 16 sessions of it and suffered permanent memory loss as a result. I have spoken to many others who have received it both in Ireland and abroad and all have received permanent brain damage.  MindFreedom Ireland is calling for the total abolition of electroshock.”

 

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.

 

For more information on the open house or to contact CCHR Nashville, visit cchrnashville.org.  

Church of Scientology Announces Cleanup for World Environment Day 2023

 The Church of Scientology, in partnership with the Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee, will observe World Environment Day with an event and community cleanup.

 

According to NobodyTrashesTennessee.com, “There are currently more than 88 million pieces of litter on Tennessee state roadways and it costs TDOT more than $23 million to clean it up every year. How do we know? Because we counted, via a pioneering ‘Visible Litter Study.’”

 

“This is exactly what we have to combat,” says Julie Brinker with the Church of Scientology. She is working with the community and has partnered with the Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee to create a community cleanup for World Environment Day. World Environment Day was established by the United Nations to encourage worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment.

 

The cleanup is scheduled for Saturday morning, June 3^rd starting at 10am. “Our goal is to start with a cleanup for World Environment Day and have it grow to a regular gathering of the community to clean up our neighborhoods,” says Brinker.  

 

The Way to Happiness Association, which is sponsoring the event, was created to promote the book The Way to Happiness, written by humanitarian and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard. The book’s 21 precepts are based on the principle that one’s survival depends on the survival of others. “Your own survival can be threatened by the bad actions of others around you,” he wrote. “You are important to other people. You are listened to. You can influence others.”

 

One way in which one’s own actions and influence can make a significant impact is closely related to the purpose of World Environment Day. In the precept “Safeguard and Improve the Environment,” Mr. Hubbard wrote: “The idea that one has a share in the planet and that one can and should help care for it may seem very large and, to some, quite beyond reality. But today what happens on the other side of the world, even so far away, can effect what happens in your own home…. There are many things one can do to help take care of the planet. They begin with the idea that one should. They progress with suggesting to others they should. Man has gotten up to the potential of destroying the planet. He must be pushed on up to the capability and actions of saving it. It is, after all, what we’re standing on.”

 

World Environment Day was set aside by the UN 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.”

 

For more information, visit twthtn.org. 

The Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee Reaches Out to Neighbors

 

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.

 

Since the beginning of 2023, volunteers have taken to the streets and parks of Nashville to continue distributing booklets to help people learn the concepts contained within the common-sense moral code and uplift communities.

 

Most recently, volunteers distributed dozens upon dozens of the booklet to neighbors during community events in a suburb of Nashville, and are already planning the next outing.

 

Mr. Hubbard begins the book with these words: “Your survival is important to me.” He goes on to say, “You are important to other people. You are listened to. You can influence others. The happiness or unhappiness of others you could name is important to you. Without too much trouble, using this book, you can help them survive and lead happier lives.”

 

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.

 

Drug-Free Tennessee Races to Tell Kids the Truth

 Drug-Free Tennessee helps people, especially young people, learn the disastrous effects of drugs before it’s too late. 

 

Drug-Free Tennessee (DFT) has been helping people learn the truth about drugs since 2009 with events, seminars, online media and directly contacting people with informational materials. In response to the increase of drug overdoses in Tennessee every year since 2015, DFT has been active in spreading awareness of the deadly consequences of taking drugs.

 

Recently volunteers traveled to Spring Hill, Tennessee to hand out materials to youth, parents and educators at a middle school’s 5K and fun run.

 

Julie Brinker, Drug-Free Tennessee spokesperson, said, “Now more than ever is the time to help our friends and neighbors learn the truth about drugs. They are deadly, and people have a right to know what they are getting into before it’s too late.”

 

Drug-Free Tennessee shares resources in person at events and online at drugfreetn.org with audio-visual messages and videos aimed at helping people steer clear of drug abuse and addiction. The organization has also long offered virtual learning resources and free materials to all educators wanting to help people learn the truth about drugs. Resources are available free of charge through drugfreeworld.org.

 

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. DFT also has a range of award winning Public Service Announcements and an award winning feature length documentary detailing the dangers of drugs and addiction. To learn more or to order booklets or view the videos, visit drugfreetn.org and drugfreeworld.org.

The Way to Happiness Association Inspires Kids for Spring Cleaning

 The Way to Happiness Association is observing World Happiness Day (March 20) with a special presentation on how cleanliness and production can bring happiness.

 

The urge to turn our homes inside out and clean, clean, clean, dates back thousands of years, and according to Country Living, is intertwined with many cultures and religions. The simple truth is also found in human nature. As HowStuffWorks explains, “fewer hours of daylight trigger the release melatonin in our brains, aka hormone that causes sleepiness. We literally don't have the energy to deep clean during colder months. But once the days start getting longer, we're energized by more sunlight and melatonin production subsides. Not to mention all that sunlight streaming through the windows probably makes the dust we'd forgotten about highly visible.”

 

To help promote Spring Cleaning, and how cleanliness and production leads to happiness, The Way to Happiness Association is holding a special presentation for families on March 18^th, also coinciding with World Happiness Day (Mar 20).

 

The Way to Happiness Association was created to promote the book The Way to Happiness, written by humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard. The book’s 21 precepts are based on the principle that one’s survival depends on the survival of others. “Your own survival can be threatened by the bad actions of others around you,” he wrote. “You are important to other people. You are listened to. You can influence others.”

 

One way in which one’s own actions and influence can make a significant impact is the precept “Safeguard and Improve the Environment,” Mr. Hubbard wrote: “There are many things one can do to help take care of the planet. They begin with the idea that one should. They progress with suggesting to others they should. Man has gotten up to the potential of destroying the planet. He must be pushed on up to the capability and actions of saving it. It is, after all, what we’re standing on.”

 

The Way to Happiness precept for Safeguard and Improve Your Environment will be played during the special presentation to encourage spring cleaning.

 

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.” For more information on The Way to Happiness Association and its upcoming events, visit twthtn.org.

 

Nashville Religion Communicators Learn to Create Games with Faith Values

 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 to learn about other faith traditions, learn from fellow communicators and gain professional development opportunities.

 

The March meeting saw the group learn from a research professional on the value of the use of games as a communications tool. “Gaming can be a creative and innovative approach to communication. Leveraging learning from how one faith organization is using gaming to lead congregations through a reflection process to build congregational vitality,” according to a meeting announcement from the Nashville Chapter.

 

The virtual meeting saw members attending from across the country where the group discovered the intricacies to create games with faith values and how to use these in communications.

 

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 Shares How to Prepare and Respond to Disaster

 

The Church of Scientology Nashville regularly hosts events to bring attention to vitally important issues affecting the community.

 

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

 

Julie Brinker, who oversees community affairs for the Nashville Church of Scientology, explained how it becomes involved during times of disaster. “We have a program called Volunteer Ministers. 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,” she said. Brinker said volunteerministers.org contains resources one would need to become trained in this technology.  

 

Equipped with effective technology to resolve virtually any difficulty, Volunteer Ministers live by the motto: “No matter the problem, something can be done about it.” Transcending all ethnic, cultural and religious boundaries, the Volunteer Ministers program is there for anyone in need of help.

 

In creating the Volunteer Ministers program, 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.”

 

The Civil Defense Day Open House event featured speakers from the Nashville VOAD [Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster], an organization which helps coordinate between groups going into disaster zones. They shared tips for preparing for disaster as well as how to get involved once disaster strikes.

 

To learn more about the Scientology Volunteer Ministers, visit scientology-ccnashville.org.