Nashville Church of Scientology Uplifts Youth for International Human Rights Day

Part of an international movement spanning 192 countries, the Church of  Scientology Celebrity Centre Nashville is raising awareness of human rights in commemoration of the 68^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The Nashville Church of Scientology held a special presentation to acknowledge youth on International Human Rights Day, December 10^th, this year. Prior to the celebration, the church worked with Tennessee United for Human Rights to produce a video of children each saying an abbreviated version of one of the human rights. This video was then shown during the Tennessee Celebration of International Human Rights Day, which occurred this year on December 6^th at the First Amendment Center. This video was a hit at the event, and so, to acknowledge all of the children who participated, the Church of Scientology felt they should be thanked with a celebration of their own.

The children who participated in the video were from a wide variety of backgrounds, religions, races and creeds, but the message they forwarded was with one voice: you have a right to know your human rights.

During the celebration, the children were able to view the final video for the first time, hear more about how to get involved to help others know their rights through Youth for Human Rights, and share food and drinks with friends.

The video can be viewed here: http://nashvillehumanrights.org/.

Human Rights day commemorates the United Nations adoption in 1948 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights--the world's premier human rights document. Despite the best intentions of those who crafted the Declaration, 68 years later, the UN points out, "disrespect for basic human rights continues to be widespread in all parts of the globe. Extremist movements subject people to horrific violence. Messages of intolerance and hatred prey on our fears. Humane values are under attack."

Human rights are an integral part of the Scientology religion. The Creed of the Church of Scientology, written in 1954 by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard, begins: "We of the Church believe: That all men of whatever race, color or creed were created with equal rights." And the Code of a Scientologist calls on all Scientologists "to support true humanitarian endeavors in the fields of human rights."

The Church of Scientology and Scientologists support United for Human Rights, the world's largest nongovernmental human rights education campaign, active in 192 countries and partnering with 1,500 groups and organizations.  The initiative is inspired by Mr. Hubbard's conviction that "It is vital that all thinking men urge upon their governments sweeping reforms in the field of human rights."