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.

Hubbard Dianetics Foundation Working to Help People with Stress, Anxiety and Depression

What is the source of our stress, anxiety, and insecurities? How do we overcome it? These questions have been answered for hundreds in Middle Tennessee, and in just the period of two days.

The Hubbard Dianetics Foundation, a department within the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre Nashville, was first launched in 2009. For anyone who has experienced self-doubt, depression, anxiety or unreasonable fears, the book Dianetics: the Modern Science of Mental Health is the resource to turn to for answers and guidance.

The book was written in 1950 for the man on the street to better himself and the lives of others around him. Now, more than six decades later, its impact is still felt across the world. Dianetics means “what the soul is doing to the body through the mind.” Taking the seminar, participants not only gain personally, but also learn to help others.

The Hubbard Dianetics Seminar runs each weekend, and participants are welcome to call or visit the Foundation to sign up in advance. “This seminar is life changing,” says the Hubbard Dianetics Seminar Director, “Everyone who has been to the seminar leaves feeling better and with the knowledge that they can continue to improve their lives.” For more information, visit www.dianetics.org or call the Hubbard Dianetics Foundation at 615-687-4600.

Nashville Church of Scientology Emphasizes Intentional Friendship

International Day of Friendship was created to inspire peace and bridge building. At the end of July, the Church of Scientology is brining together a diverse crowd to dialogue for the occasion a second time. 

More than 100 pastors and community leaders are being called to participate in an interactive adventure in friendship, according to organizers of the Nashville celebration of International Friendship Day.

The celebration, which will take place in the community hall of the Nashville Church of Scientology at the end of the month, is bringing together people from all walks of life, religious backgrounds, cultures and communities to share a meal and learn more about each other.

International Day of Friendship is an annual observance, dignified in 2011 by the United Nations General Assembly with the idea that “friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities,” according to un.org.  The resolution emphasizes that young people, as future leaders, can be brought together in activities with different cultures. This promotes international understanding and respect for diversity.

This is the second annual event for the day hosted by the Church of Scientology, with community leaders coming together to participate. The theme this year is “Intentional Friendship,” and organizers say the event won’t end that afternoon. “We will organize different people to stay in touch with one another for a Friendship Project,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, pastor of the Church of Scientology.

“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 is partnering 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. Among them, “Respect the Religious Beliefs of Others,” “Be Worthy of Trust,” 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.

Tennessee United for Human Rights Announces Event for Peace Day 2016

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 non-profit organization, 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.

In 2015, TNUHR organized an eye-opening panel discussion on “Exposing the Hidden World of Human Trafficking.” It brought together organizations that work day in and day out on eradicating the problem, including panelists Clemmie Greenlee, Founder of the Nashville Peacemakers; Melody Fowler-Green, Director of the Metro Human Relations Commission; Allasone Lita G., CEO and Founder of All Is One; Gabrielle Thompson, Executive Director of Free for Life International; and Assistant District Attorney Tammy Meade.

For 2016, TNUHR has revealed the theme to be “Know Your Rights and Survive: Overcoming Domestic Violence.” Expert panelists will speak about human rights and legal rights for victims of domestic violence, how to recognize signs of domestic violence and how to help someone who may be a victim.

John Pantermuehl is the Director of Tennessee United for Human Rights, “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. 

Nashville Religion Communicators Council Discusses Violence, Faith and Hope

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.

Recent violence in the United States began the conversation for the Nashville Chapter of the Religion Communicators Council, but as each person put their deep-seated beliefs on the table, hope became the keyword during this bi-monthly meeting in the series: “Building Bridges Over Bagels."

The longest running interfaith communications organization in the United States, the Religion Communicators Council (RCC), has chapters across the country that meet regularly and promote excellence in the communication of religious faith and values in the public arena and encourage understanding among religious and faith groups. In Nashville, the RCC Chapter has bi-monthly meetings to discuss hot topics and how they, as people of faith, may influence others.

Attendees engaged about how individual religious practices shape lives, and how we can change the world by starting right in our own homes. Participants pointed out how they believe that it starts with oneself and being good to one's own family.

The meeting took place at the Islamic Center of Tennessee. Past meeting locations have included the Church of Scientology, Baha’i Faith Community Center and United Methodist Communications. The next meeting location will be announced on the Nashville RCC website, and takes place on September 13th at 8:30am.  

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 its next meeting, visit www.religioncommunicators.org/nashville-chapter.

Nashville Religion Communicators Council to Meet at Islamic Center of Tennessee

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.

The longest running interfaith communications organization in the United States, the Religion Communicators Council (RCC), has chapters across the country that meet regularly and promote “excellence in the communication of religious faith and values in the public arena and encourage understanding among religious and faith groups,” according to the RCC website.  

In Nashville, the RCC Chapter has bi-monthly meetings to discuss hot topics and how they, as people of faith, may influence others.

In July, the group is meeting for breakfast and discussion at the Islamic Center of Tennessee in Antioch. According to its website, theictn.org, it is “the largest Islamic Center in Middle Tennessee,” and, “ ICT strives to provide unprecedented and professional Islamic and educational services to its parishioners. As the newest and most diverse community in Nashville, ICT aims to unite Muslims upon the true teachings of tolerance and peace from the Qu’ran and Sunnah.”

Past meeting locations have included the Church of Scientology, Baha’i Faith Community Center and United Methodist Communications.

“We are looking forward to visiting the center,” says Nashville RCC Chapter President Rev. Brian Fesler, “at our meetings, we always have a nice diverse group to dialogue about hot topics and how we can unite to bring more inspiration and good news to the world.”

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.