Nashville Church of Scientology Holds Mandela Day Tribute

Part of an international movement spanning 192 countries, the Church of  Scientology Celebrity Centre Nashville is raising awareness of human rights in commemoration of Mandela Day.

The Nashville Church of Scientology held a special event to introduce young advocates to humanitarian Nelson Mandela during an inaugural event for the day. Children, along with others new to the subject, were shown a visual biography on Nelson Mandela to learn more about who he is and why he is considered a human and civil rights advocate. Attendees were invited to learn more about human rights through interactive visual displays and easy-to-assimilate materials.

This event also signified the conclusion of the Youth for Human Rights Summer Art Contest, with winners announced in four categories and prizes given to each. The winning artists included 11 year olds Norah and Jazzelyn, and 5 year olds Harper and Annalise.

The art contest inspired young people to learn more about human rights in order to create depictions for them, according to contest organizers. “It’s so important for people to learn at a young age what their human rights are,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, pastor of the Nashville Church of Scientology. “We live in a world where rights are being taken away by those seeking to oppress and this is made easier by the fact that people just don’t know what their rights are. Education is vital in this battle against ignorance and oppression.”

Nelson Mandela International Day is an annual international day in honor of Nelson Mandela, celebrated each year on 18 July, Mandela's birthday. The day was officially declared by the United Nations in November 2009, with the first UN Mandela Day held on 18 July 2010.

The Mandela Day campaign message is: “Nelson Mandela has fought for social justice for 67 years. We're asking you to start with 67 minutes.”

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."