Interesting new blog

I just noticed a new blog called David Miscavige - International News.

The desciption of the blog is:

"As the driving force behind the worldwide program to expand all of the churches of Scientology to better serve their communities, Mr. David Miscavige has traveled extensively addressing hundreds of thousands of Scientologists and non-Scientologists at international Scientology celebrations and events."

It goes on to say:

"An active Scientologist for most of his life, Mr. David Miscavige has been involved with nearly every aspect of the Church's activities for many years and worked closely with Mr. Hubbard. He has worked tirelessly to protect the religion. He authored the early 1980s reorganization of Church corporate and management structures which have given the religion years of sustained growth and stable leadership. Mr. David Miscavige has served as RTC's Chairman of the Board, its most senior position, since 1987.

"As the driving force behind the worldwide program to expand all of the churches of Scientology to better serve their communities, Mr. David Miscavige has traveled extensively addressing hundreds of thousands of Scientologists and non-Scientologists at international Scientology celebrations and events."

Scientologist Giovanni Ribisi

ABC.com has a picture story today about famous Scientologists. This is what they say about Giovanni Ribisi.

"Actor Giovanni Ribisi, whose credits include 'Saving Private Ryan' and 'Lost in Translation,' has said, 'Without Scientology, I would be in an alley somewhere, looking for drugs.'

As with many Scientologists in the entertainment industry, Giovanni Ribisi is an active member of the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre.

For a very good overview on the Scientology religion I recommend watching the presentation of Mr. David Miscavige called This is Scientology or reading the excerpt of the presentation that is on the Religious Technology Center web site.

Chick Corea on Miles David and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard

With Chick Corea in Canada on a tour promoting his newest album, Canada.com ran an article on him featuring his ideas about his career and those who influenced him most.

Here are some excerpts from the article:

"It's not often you hear the names Miles Davis and L. Ron Hubbard in the same sentence.

'"Freedom to communicate, and freedom to think how you want to think -- to me that's the area where artists operate," says Corea. "I got that from Miles, and I learned it from Scientology."'

'"Scientology has enabled me to understand and develop my own strengths and to write music more quickly," he says. "It also helped me to become freer to create as I want to, not how others think I should."'

"In the 40 years since his first recording as leader, Corea, 64, has turned out almost 100 albums, picking up 45 Grammy nominations and playing with the top names in jazz along the way."

"Looking back, Corea says that when he first heard about Scientology from another musician in 1968, he was unsure where to go next with his music, or how to make the most of his talents.

"I began to use L. Ron Hubbard's ideas about artistic expression and communication to enhance my own abilities," he says. "That was when I really began to compose and do my own thing."

"'Taking your idea of Scientology from newspapers is like learning about jazz from newspapers,' he says impatiently. "If you want to learn about jazz, you buy some Duke Ellington and John Coltrane records and you go to see some music played live. You go to the source.

'If you want to learn about Scientology, you read a book by L. Ron Hubbard, you go to a Scientology bookstore and talk to the people there. You observe with your own eyes and make up your own mind.'"

Although Chick lives in Clearwater, Florida now, he used to live in Los Angeles where he regularly attended services at the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre. It is more usual now to see him at the Scientology spiritual headquarters in Clearwater or the Church of Scientology of Tampa.

For Chick's Canadian fans, I recommend a visit to the Church of Scientology of Toronto.

Chick is also a supporter of the Scientology Volunteer Ministers program.

Scientologists Active in Drug Prevention

Many Scientologists are active in drug prevention programs.

An example is the Church of Scientology of San Diego. As with many Scientolgy churches they have a program called the Drug-Free Marshals. This is a program aimed at helping children make the right choices about drugs.

The harsh reality is that kids as young as 7 and 8 are taking street drugs. It's important to get them information that will help them make sane decisions.

To learn more about Scientology anti-drug programs visit www.drugsalvage.org.

"Silent Birth": Separating Reality From Myth, Church Of Scientology International

I was surprised to find this article tonight on www.medicalnewstoday.com
Main Category: Pregnancy News
Article Date: 20 Apr 2006 - 0:00am (PDT)

Los Angeles - Church of Scientology International responds to inquiries concerning the application of Dianetics and Scientology principles to child birth.

What is a silent birth?

Having a silent birth is all about providing the best possible environment for the birthing mother and her new baby.

It is labor and delivery done in a calm and loving environment and with no spoken words by everyone attending as much as possible. Chatty doctors and nurses, shouts to “PUSH, PUSH” and loud or laughing remarks to “encourage” are the types of things that are meant to be avoided.

As L. Ron Hubbard, Founder of Dianetics and Scientology, wrote, “Everyone must learn to say nothing within the expectant mother's hearing during labor and delivery.” And, “A woman who wants her child to have the best possible chance will find a doctor who will agree to keep quiet especially during the delivery, and who will insist upon silence being maintained in the hospital delivery room as far as it is humanly possible.”

Does this mean that a mother cannot scream or moan at all?

Of course they can make noises - the point of silent birth is NO WORDS. This is a principle of Dianetics and to fully understand why, one should read the book Dianetics the Modern Science of Mental Health, by L. Ron Hubbard. It is words that are the culprit. Outside of not speaking, the objective is generally to have as peaceful and relaxing an environment as possible for the mother and child. It is doubtful that any woman could give birth without making any noise at all.

Mothers naturally want to give their baby the best possible start in life and thus keep the birth as quiet and peaceful as possible.

Is it a Church rule that members must adhere to this practice and is there a specific routine?

A woman's choice of for her delivery is completely up to her and her doctor. There is no requirement to adhere to any specific routine. Just like care is taken in all other aspects of labor and birth, a woman and her doctor or midwife and any others present work out how to communicate without words. Different women have done different things.

Does the application of these principles preclude a mother from using medicines?

The Church has no policy against the use of medicines. This, too, is up to the mother and her doctor.

These principles do not preclude a mother from receiving any medical procedure needed to safely deliver the baby, including c-section. These are medical decisions.

Does the “no word” dictate still applies after the baby is born?

It only applies if a child is in pain or traumatized. Of course parents will keep the newborn in a safe and peaceful environment. From birth forward, a child needs all of the love and affection it can possibly get.

How are doctors reacting to the method?

Doctors respect the right of a mother to choose her own birthing experience.

Quiet birth is not a medical model but is a religious and philosophical approach based on L. Ron Hubbard's research into the mind and spirit which he published in 1950 in Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health.

L. Ron Hubbard discovered the single source of stress, worry, self-doubt and psychosomatic illness, which is the reactive mind. This part of the mind records all perceptions in times of pain and unconsciousness and in particular, words spoken during these moments can have very adverse effects on people later in life.

Who else is advocating silent birth?

A decade after the publication of Dianetics, a number of popular natural childbirth methods evolved from the principles of a calm, quiet and relaxed birthing environment and little or no anesthesia.

Two of the most well-known and followed were the Bradley Method developed by Dr. Robert A. Bradley and the Leboyer Method developed by the French obstetrician Dr. Frederick Leboyer.

The Leboyer Method includes dim lights and gentle handling without sudden movement that may jar or startle the baby.

Bradley urges darkness and solitude, quiet, physical comfort and relaxation. He also teaches exercises and muscle relaxation for labor with slow, deep breathing, take-your-time approach in a quiet, unlit, pillow-laden environment. In a 1965 he made the statement that: “We warn husbands to be quiet and not disruptive, to rub the back between contractions.”

Additionally, a study done in Sweden and released in 1998 found that “minimizing pain and discomfort to the infant during birth seems to be of importance in reducing the risk of committing suicide by violent means as an adult.”

Does the Church have a dictate concerning the raising of children?

There is a lot written in Scientology about children. Scientology helps people understand their basic nature and this alone helps parents tremendously.

Scientologists consider children to be spiritual beings, like all people are, but they need to be taken care of as children. They need respect, love, help, and education. They want to help others from a very early age and it is important that adults allow them to do so, within the realms of safety. A child has to know they have a place in life, that they are important and that their contributions are meaningful in a real way.

Education is an important part of this, as a child needs understanding of the workings of his family and society to be able to contribute to them in meaningful ways and in this he can be greatly assisted by his parents and other family members.

Some of the basic principles Scientologists apply to parenting are summed up in the following quotes from L. Ron Hubbard:

"Today's children will become tomorrow's civilization. Try to be the child's friend. It is certainly true that a child needs friends. Try to find out what a child's problem really is and without crushing their own solutions, try to help solve them. A child factually does not do well without love. Most children have an abundance of it to return."

"The spoiled child is the child whose decisions have been interrupted continuously and who is robbed of his independence."

"Affection could no more spoil a child than the sun could be put out by a bucket of gasoline."

“A good, stable adult with love and tolerance in his heart is about the best therapy a child can have.”

Scientology Celebrity Centre

There's a good article on actor Tyler Hines on the new Scientology Celebrity Centre web site:

Lifelong Scientologist and actor Tyler Hynes recently shot a public service announcement along with other prominent Canadian stars such as William Shatner, Keanu Reeves and Alanis Morrisette. The PSA spoke on preserving the planet’s environment as part of the Kyoto Accord.>>

Hines is also the spokesperson for the Canadian chapter of Youth for Human Rights International.

Scientology Silent Birth

The churchofscientology.blogspot.com today wrote:

Great Story about Tom Cruise and Scientology Silent Birth

by SANDY COHEN AP Entertainment Writer

LOS ANGELES Apr 12, 2006 (AP) Tom Cruise has been practically shouting from the rooftops about his love for his pregnant fiancee, Katie Holmes. But when their much-anticipated baby is born, the superstar dad probably won't say a word.

Cruise, a longtime Scientologist who introduced Holmes to the faith, is likely to follow Scientology's practice of quiet birth. Followers believe the absence of talk and other noise in the delivery room is more healthful for mother and baby.

No one's saying publicly where baby Cruise will enter the world, but if it is at the actor's Beverly Hills home then noise control might prove a challenge. Buzzing paparazzi are already camped aside the property.

With the little one expected soon, tabloids and gossip Web sites have been rife with chatter about silent birth, spawning much speculation about what it is and isn't.

Some are sure it means the mother can't make a peep during childbirth forget the popular image of a chaotic hospital-room scene with a laboring woman spewing invectives. Others have claimed silence must be maintained for a full week after the baby is born and that Scientology opposes medical exams for newborns.

According to the tenets of Scientology, known as Dianetics, words - even loving ones - spoken during birth and other painful times are recorded by the "reactive mind," or subconscious. Those memories, adherents feel, can eventually trigger problems for mother and child.

What the doctrine doesn't say is that labouring moms can't make some noise during delivery.

"We're not going for absolute silence," said self-professed "Scientology mom" Michelle Seward. "If a sound is made, that's OK."

After years studying the faith, established in 1950 by fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, Seward went the silent route for the birth of her son, Sage, five years ago.>> more

Scientology Not a Once-on-Sunday Religion

The Battle Creek Enquirer did a nice piece on a Scientologist from the Church of Scientology of Battle Creek a couple of weeks ago.

Michael Delaware talks about his beliefs and the activities of the Church.

Name: Michael Delaware, 39.

Residence: Battle Creek resident for about five years

Family: Wife, Margarita; two children.

Profession: Full-time minister in the Church of Scientology. "And my wife is the executive director of the church. That is a full-time job, too. In my youth I was an agnostic. My parents were Catholic, and I went to church with them, but I never considered myself a Catholic."

Q: How long have you been a part of the Church of Scientology? "Since the late '80s. I read some books and took a look for myself. I pursued it further and joined within a few months."

Q: In what ways do you prefer to express your faith? "We try to live by it every day. We're not a once-on-Sunday religion. We work on communication with our spouses and friends and family. We apply principles of how to have good relationships with people that we meet. There's a great deal of study that I do every day; Scientology teaches us how to study properly. I took courses through the church, and then I finally took the ministerial training within the church. This took place over several months."

Q: Have you been inspired by any particular books, movies, music or works of art? "The first book I ever read on the subject of Scientology was a book called 'Dianetics' by L. Ron Hubbard. As for the arts, any appreciation for the arts is encouraged in the church. The principles of Scientology are applied to daily life, so you take it and learn about aesthetics so that what you really want to communicate is understood at the other end. It's therefore not surprising that artists find that very useful. There are a lot of talented artists, actors, producers, directors, painters, illustrators and musicians of all kinds who are in the church. We also have a lot of professional businessmen, doctors, people from all walks of life."

Q: What are the origins of Scientology? "We have truths which come from all religions. We bring together the three things that Christ intended for man: wisdom, good health and immortality, but really we are in a whole new classification of our own. It's a new religion of the 20th century and the 21st century."

Q: If people are interested in learning about Scientology, what should they do? "If anybody is interested, they should come by our church and talk with us. We have free films and we're friendly people. There are small missions in Holly and Grand Rapids, but Battle Creek is really a headquarters. Altogether we have about 10,000 members."

Mr. David Miscavige - Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center

I noticed a very nice new look to the David Miscavige blog on blogspot.com.

Its description is: "As the driving force behind the worldwide program to expand all of the churches of Scientology to better serve their communities, Mr. David Miscavige has traveled extensively addressing hundreds of thousands of Scientologists and non-Scientologists at international Scientology celebrations and events."

John Travolta and Kelly Preston on "Scientology birth"

I found this article on the Malaysian Star today:

Movies > Movie Buzz

Hollywood couple John Travolta and Kelly Preston have spoken out in support of fellow Scientologist Tom Cruise and his fiancée, Katie Holmes’, controversial silent birth in the coming days, IMDb.com reports.

The heavily pregnant Holmes will be adhering to a Scientology rule and give birth without screaming obscenities or making loud noises.

Travolta insists that the birthing procedure, which has been mocked in the press over the past few months, isn’t like what people think it is.

He said: “There are unwanted emotions and pain that goes along with any birth.”

Meanwhile, Preston insists the Scientology-friendly labour doesn't forbid the mum-to-be from yelling out in pain: “Screaming is fine... It's the words. If you can avoid saying certain phrases and words... Just try to keep it as quiet as possible. Of course you're going to groan and yell. It hurts. Just keep it to a minimum.”

It's so odd that there is so much manufactured controversy on this subject.

The Church of Scientology International put out a media advisory on the subject last week. which I'm reprinting below:

Los Angeles — Church of Scientology International responds to inquiries concerning the application of Dianetics and Scientology principles to child birth.

What is a quiet or silent birth?

Having a quiet, gentle birth is all about providing the best possible environment for the birthing mother and her new baby.

It is labor and delivery done in a calm and loving environment and with no-spoken words by everyone attending as much as possible. Chatty doctors and nurses, shouts to “PUSH, PUSH” and loud or laughing remarks to “encourage” are the types of things that are meant to be avoided.

As L. Ron Hubbard, Founder of Dianetics and Scientology, wrote, “Everyone must learn to say nothing within the expectant mother’s hearing during labor and delivery.” And, “A woman who wants her child to have the best possible chance will find a doctor who will agree to keep quiet especially during the delivery, and who will insist upon silence being maintained in the hospital delivery room as far as it is humanly possible.”

Does this mean that a mother cannot scream or moan at all?

Of course they can make noises — the point of silent birth is NO WORDS. This is a principle of Dianetics and to fully understand why, read the book Dianetics the Modern Science of Mental Health, by L. Ron Hubbard. It is words that are the culprit. Outside of not speaking, the objective is generally to have as peaceful and relaxing an environment as possible for the mother and child. It is doubtful that any woman could give birth without making any noise at all.

Mothers naturally want to give their baby the best possible start in life and thus keep the birth as quiet as possible.

Does the application of these principles preclude a mother from using medicines?

The Church has no policy against the use of medicines to help a person with a physical situation. This, too, is up to the mother and her doctor.

For more information:

If you have any questions, or would like to speak with a representative of the Church of Scientology International about the above, please contact Pascal Cottier. Phone: (323) 960-3500 — e-mail: mediarelationsdir@scientology.net

To really understand the concept underlying silent birth one should read Dianetics books. There are two I recommend: Dianetics the modern Science of Mental Health and Dianetics: the Evolution of a Science.

This coming week, Scientologists all around the world will be out on the streets in their home towns giving stress tests and getting Dianetics books to people who want to learn about the subject. But if you want to get one right away, chances are it's in your bookstore or library.

Chick Corea - Jazz Great

Chick Corea on hit new album, working with Miles and Scientology

HeraldToday.com has a great article today about one of my favorite musicians.

I had the opportunity to attend the most marvelous concert I've ever been to, at the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre about three years ago, where I heard Chick and his band and his singer-wife Gayle Moran, jam for several sets of the most compelling jazz I've ever heard.

Here's what the HeraldToday had to say about him:

He's one of the greatest jazz pianists alive. Chick Corea has excelled in the studio and on stage — as a performer, composer and band leader — for the past 40 years.

It goes on to say this:

The pianist attributes his good fortune to Scientology, the religion founded by science fiction/fantasy novelist L. Ron Hubbard. In fact, Corea's past two albums have been inspired by Hubbard novels of the same titles. "Browsing through my collection I was drawn to the title 'The Ultimate Adventure,'" reads the album's liner notes. "Remembering that this unique fantasy story had a backdrop of scenes and characters from the ancient tales, 'Arabian Nights,' it immediately had me conjuring emotions, sounds, rhythms and music."

Corea relocated to Clearwater about seven years ago to be closer to Scientology's headquarters and the courses he takes at their facilities. One of the pianist's "treasured" possessions is a collection of correspondence he shared with Hubbard from 1971 to 1984. The two men became mutual fans. "

(Hubbard) was an amazing man and we became friends in that way," Corea said. "He listened to a lot of my records — he really liked 'Return to Forever.’ ” .... Scientology is the greatest thing that's hit the planet in a long time."

New Blog

Just found a new blog I like. It's http://creativexpression.blogsome.com/

Today's posting about Mr. David Miscavige dedicating the new Church of Scientology of San Francisco reminded me how much I love that city.

Congratulations to the Church of Scientology of San Francisco

Two weeks ago at the annual celebration of L. Ron Hubbard's birthday in Clearwater, Florida, and even emcee’s by Mr. David Miscavige and later shown to the members of every Scientology church and mission in the world, the Churches of Scientology of San Francisco were acknowledged for accomplishing a very important level of expansion.

It is referred to as their having reached the size of old Saint Hill. Saint Hill was the church that was established when L. Ron Hubbard lived in Sussex, England in the mid-1960s. It was big and booming, with Scientologists flooding to the town of East Grinstead from the four corners of Earth to be with Ron when he personally delivered a course called the Saint Hill Special Briefing Course. He delivered lectures twice a day almost every day of the year, outlining the latest news of his research into the mind and spirit.

Two weeks ago it was announced that the Churches of Scientology of San Francisco (two churches - one that is open during the week days and one that is open in the same location during week nights and over the weekend), had achieved the same level of expansion as Saint Hill in its heyday.

Mr. David Miscavige came to San Francisco a couple of years ago to dedicate the new building these churches had just moved into - a beautiful landmark in downtime San Francisco, impeccably restored and set up to service this great city.

Here is an excerpt from the speech David Miscavige gave at this grand opening event:

Thank you very much and it is truly my great pleasure to join you in opening this new Church of Scientology of San Francisco. Because, and let there be no doubt, the significance of this day transcends what stands before you. And that really is saying something, since what stands before you is nothing short of spectacular, representing the decade-long dreams of Bay Area Scientologists.

Yet, while that alone may be cause for celebration, the importance of this new church, your new church, extends far beyond this structure, or this city.

In that regard, today marks a milestone step in our planetary Crusade to urgently bring on our help on a global scale, with the importance of today's occasion extending across the Scientology world.

For while the official ribbon cutting will mark the completion of one cycle-of-action, it actually is the start of another you can mark down as a pivotal point in history. And no, none of it is by chance, none of it isolated. Rather, and whether you were aware of it or not, there are specific reasons for: "Why San Francisco?" and "Why now?"

As for timing, it has everything to do with crucial strategic programs launched as part of our "wake-up call".

As for San Francisco — it has everything do with that word "history." I am of course referring to L. Ron Hubbard, and just why he was always so fond of this area. Because, while many other cities are known for LRH milestones in research and development: Places like Elizabeth, New Jersey and Book One (Dianetics), Wichita, Kansas and the isolation of the human spirit, Philadelphia and the Doctorate Course, Phoenix, Arizona and the roots of our religion, Washington DC and the Founding Church. Not to mention so many others, through his years at St. Hill in England, and the Flagship Apollo, none of them can claim the fame of where we stand today.

For if this church marks the beginning of a new era it is only appropriate since it is also where the entire journey began. Or, put another way, when LRH delivered his famed lecture "The Story of Dianetics and Scientology" the events in this city are that story.

Scientology 'not a once-on-Sunday religion'

The Battle Creek Enquirer had an interesting article on the Church of Scientology of Battle Creek. It's an interview with Michael Delaware, a Scientologist and a Battle Creek resident for the past five years. Delaware is a full-time Scientology minister and he describes what it's like to be a Scientologist.

Q: How long have you been a part of the Church of Scientology? "Since the late '80s. I read some books and took a look for myself. I pursued it further and joined within a few months."

Q: In what ways do you prefer to express your faith? "We try to live by it every day. We're not a once-on-Sunday religion. We work on communication with our spouses and friends and family. We apply principles of how to have good relationships with people that we meet. There's a great deal of study that I do every day; Scientology teaches us how to study properly. I took courses through the church, and then I finally took the ministerial training within the church. This took place over several months."

Q: Have you been inspired by any particular books, movies, music or works of art? "The first book I ever read on the subject of Scientology was a book called 'Dianetics' by L. Ron Hubbard. As for the arts, any appreciation for the arts is encouraged in the church. The principles of Scientology are applied to daily life, so you take it and learn about aesthetics so that what you really want to communicate is understood at the other end. It's therefore not surprising that artists find that very useful. There are a lot of talented artists, actors, producers, directors, painters, illustrators and musicians of all kinds who are in the church. We also have a lot of professional businessmen, doctors, people from all walks of life." more >>