Planning Has Begun for Tennessee Celebration of International Human Rights Day

The planning committee for the Tennessee celebration of International Human Rights Day is preparing for the 2016 event.

Each year, Tennesseans gather to celebrate the ratification of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations on Dec 10, originally signed in 1948. “Human Rights Day is a special event where leaders are thanked for their tireless work, and others are encouraged to take up the torch for the future,” says planning committee chair Rev. Brian Fesler, pastor of the Church of Scientology.

The celebration centers around the presentation of awards to human rights champions in three categories: Rising Advocate, Outstanding Service and Lifetime Achievement. Past recipients of these prestigious honors have included the Rev. Bill Barnes, Rev. James “Tex” Thomas, Kwame Lillard, Rosetta Miller Perry, Father Joseph Breen, Gatluak Thach, First Baptist Capitol Hill, and many more.

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

The committee plans to feature many different human rights organizations, especially the Tennessee governmental and non-profit agencies that have commitments to the thirty rights as laid out in the UDHR. Organizations who wish to participate in the planning may contact the organizer through www.tnuhr.org. 

Tennessee United for Human Rights Spreads Awareness On Domestic Violence

The Tennessee chapter of United for Human Rights (TNUHR) is planning a dynamic panel discussion on domestic violence in honor of International Peace Day this year.

October is known as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It all began as a "Day of Unity" in October 1981 with the intent to connect advocates across the nation, who were working to end violence against women and children. The Day of Unity soon became an entire week, and in October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed.

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 are the questions Tennessee United for Human Rights (TNUHR) intends to answer on September 21^st, to honor International Day of Peace, and to kick off events in Tennessee for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

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 exact reason, TNUHR is holding a panel discussion to educate men and women on the theme, “Know Your Rights and Survive: Overcoming Domestic Violence.” Panel members represent the YWCA’s Weaver Shelter, Metro Nashville Police Department’s Domestic Violence Division, Legal Aide Society, General Sessions Court, and the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence. The panel will take place on September 21^st at 4:00 pm in the Church of Scientology community hall at 1130 8^th Avenue South. For more information about the event or to find out more about Tennessee United for Human Rights, visit tnuhr.org. 

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

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

How 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 are the questions Tennessee United for Human Rights (TNUHR) intends to answer this September 21^st in honor of International Day of Peace.

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 exact reason, TNUHR is holding a panel discussion to educate men and women on their human rights related to domestic violence for International Day of Peace this year. Peace Day 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.

In 2015, TNUHR organized an eye-opening panel discussion for Peace Day on “Exposing the Hidden World of Human Trafficking.” It brought together organizations that work day in and day out on eradicating the problem.

This year, the theme is “Know Your Rights and Survive: Overcoming Domestic Violence.” Panel members will represent the YWCA’s Weaver Shelter, Metro Nashville Police Department’s Domestic Violence Division, Legal Aide Society, General Sessions Court, and the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence. The panel will take place on September 21^st at 4:00 pm in the Church of Scientology community hall at 1130 8^th Avenue South. For more information about Peace Day or to find out more about Tennessee United for Human Rights, visit tnuhr.org. 

Citizens Commission on Human Rights Helping Parents Understand their Rights

Mental health watchdog Citizens Commission on Human Rights recently participated in an event called Parent University, where they educated parents on their rights.

Psychotropic drugs are increasingly being exposed as chemical toxins with the power to kill, according to CCHR.org. Psychiatrists claim their drugs save lives, but according to their own studies, psychotropic drugs can double the risk of suicide. And long-term use has been proven to create a lifetime of physical and mental damage, a fact ignored by psychiatrists.

Common and well-documented side effects of psychiatric drugs include mania, psychosis, hallucinations, depersonalization, suicidal ideation, heart attack, stroke and sudden death. Not only that, but the US Food and Drug Administration admits that probably one to ten percent of all the adverse drug effects are actually reported by patients or physicians.

Because of these facts and more, the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) Nashville Chapter recently participated at Parent University to help educate people, especially parents, on their rights. CCHR brought resources on this topic to share the facts with parents and help them understand what to do if their child is diagnosed with a mental illness.

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 over 48 years ago.

For more information on CCHR, visit cchrnashville.org. 

The Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee Reaching Out to Parents

The Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee participated at the Metro event Parent University this past weekend.

“Love and Help Children,” is but one precept from the common sense guide The Way to Happiness, but it was with this in mind that volunteers from The Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee (TWTH-TN) participated in Parent University, an annual event put on by Metro Nashville Public Schools, where they distributed copies of the booklet to parents, teachers and children alike.

The Way to Happiness, which was written by humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard in the early 1980s, 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 has been spreading its message even further in recent months, and has no plans to stop anytime soon. Why? Organizers for the group say where it is distributed crime rates plummet, as proven by statistics.

"This book is based on common sense principles and acts as a moral compass,” says Judy Young, Director of The Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee, “when people read it, they are able to easily put the concepts in it into practice to live a better life.”

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.” In the three decades since it was authored, 100 million copies of the book passed hand to hand.

TWTH-TN launched its campaign in 2009. During Parent University, hundreds of copies of the booklet were distributed. For more information, visit twthtn.org.

Citizens Commission on Human Rights Working to Protect People from Abuse

Mental health watchdog Citizens Commission on Human Rights is gearing up for a series of events to educate people on their rights, and ensure protection from mental health abuse.

Psychotropic drugs are increasingly being exposed as chemical toxins with the power to kill, according to CCHR.org. Psychiatrists claim their drugs save lives, but according to their own studies, psychotropic drugs can double the risk of suicide. And long-term use has been proven to create a lifetime of physical and mental damage, a fact ignored by psychiatrists.

Common and well-documented side effects of psychiatric drugs include mania, psychosis, hallucinations, depersonalization, suicidal ideation, heart attack, stroke and sudden death. Not only that, but the US Food and Drug Administration admits that probably one to ten percent of all the adverse drug effects are actually reported by patients or physicians.

Because of these facts and more, the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) Nashville Chapter is gearing up for a series of events to help educate people, especially parents, on their rights. They are going to conferences, festivals, fairs, and right to the streets to bring their resources to people who may not otherwise learn about this topic, and they are encouraging victims of abuse to come forward and tell their stories.

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 over 48 years ago.

For more information on CCHR, visit cchrnashville.org. 

Nashville Religion Communicators Council to Meet at Remnant Fellowship

The Nashville Chapter of the Religion Communicators Council holds bi-monthly meetings to discuss hot topics and have deep discussions on what is happening in the world today.

An interfaith communications organization, the Religion Communicators Council, has chapters across the United States. In Nashville, the group meets every other month for its series “Building Bridges Over Bagels.” Organizers say this concept is all about strengthening ties between people of different faiths and breaking bread together.

In September, the group is meeting for breakfast and discussion at Remnant Fellowship Church in Brentwood, TN.  According to its website, remnantfellowship.org, it is “an international community of people who are finding renewed hope, profound love and deep purpose by putting the undiluted teachings of Jesus Christ into practice… This Church has its roots founded in the Bible-based teachings of Gwen Shamblin through Weigh Down Ministries, who has a 30-plus years long-and-counting track record of helping people change their lives in every positive and productive way.”

Past meeting locations have included the Church of Scientology, Baha’i Faith Community Center and Islamic Center of Tennessee.

“It’s important to visit other places, and see new people who you might otherwise not know. We have to be intentional about creating diversity and friendship,” says Nashville RCC Chapter President Rev. Brian Fesler.

The RCC has members from every faith group and walk of life including Baha’is, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Scientologists, Sikhs, Hindus and more. For more information about the RCC or their next meeting, visit www.religioncommunicators.org.

Drug-Free Tennessee Educating Youth and Neighbors at National Night Out Against Crime

Drug-Free Tennessee participates each year in National Night Out Against Crime by distributing the Truth About Drugs booklets to neighbors.

In the last month alone, there have been over two hundred crimes reported by the Nashville police department just in the Edgehill neighborhood. In response, the Drug-Free Tennessee joined community partners, neighbors and police for National Night Out Against Crime to put an end to rampant crime and drug violations.

Night Out Against Crime is meant to stop crime before it starts. It was designed to heighten awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back, according to natw.org.

This year marks the 33rd annual event held to combat drug use and prevent crime.  This is the 8th year that Drug-Free Tennessee has participated in the Nashville festivities. Neighborhoods frequently celebrate with a mix of food, dancing, information booths and crime forums to help promote safer living. And this year was no different.

Gathering in the community room at Gernert Studio apartments, several policemen, pastors and government men met with Edgehill residents to talk positive strategies that will bring about change for the neighborhood. Rev. Brian Fesler, regional coordinator for Drug-Free Tennessee, was among those who presented materials and solutions for community members, and chapter volunteers distributed information to attendees.

Drug-Free Tennessee is the local chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, which provides booklets with information on how drugs affect the body and mind, what a dealer might say, and common street names to young people know how to avoid them. The materials are available free of charge, and can be obtained through drugfreeworld.org.

For more information on National Night Out, visit natw.org.  For more information on Drug-Free Tennessee or to order materials, visit drugfreetn.org. 

Celebrating Differences, Forging Friendships at the Church of Scientology

International Day of Friendship was created to inspire peace and bridge building. The Church of Scientology recently brought together a diverse crowd to dialogue for the occasion. 

More than 100 pastors and community leaders were called to participate in an interactive adventure in friendship for the International Day of Friendship celebration in Nashville, Tenn., hosted by the Church of Scientology.

Members of the Sikh, Jewish, Methodist, Baptist, Catholic, Muslim and Scientologist communities joined together to learn about one another and forge true friendships by taking part in guided dialogue.

The day, which is an annual observance dignified in by the United Nations in 2011, was created with the idea that “friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities,” according to un.org. 

This is the second time the Church of Scientology has hosted a celebration for the day, with many community leaders coming together to participate. Pastor of the Church Rev. Brian Fesler says, “We brought people together for the event, but it’s not going to end today. Many of them plan to stay in touch and keep getting together over the next few months to continue a journey to friendship.”

Fesler says events like this are vital to combat racism and bigotry in today’s world. “There are so many problems in the world today caused by a basic misunderstanding of each other. If we learn something about other people we might end these problems, disputes and upsets altogether,” he says.

The Church of Scientology partnered for this effort with The Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee (TWTH-TN).  TWTH-TN provides a community betterment program based on the book The Way to Happiness by L. Ron Hubbard. The program is 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. Several concepts in the book promote dialogue and friendship, and were used during the event to assist attendees to dialogue with one another. Among them, “Respect the Religious Beliefs of Others,” “Seek to Live with the Truth,” and “Try to Treat Others As You Would Want them to Treat You.”

For more information on the Church of Scientology, its programs or upcoming events, visit scientology-ccnashville.org.