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Church of Scientology Decision Protecting Religious Freedom in European Court of Human Rights



Church of Scientology International


Los Angeles, Ca (PRWEB) October 1, 2009

Today, the European Court of Human Rights ruled unanimously in favor of two Scientology religious groups in Russia (European Court of Human Rights: Case # 7683601 and 32782/03), finding that they have the right to be registered as religious organizations under Russian law. This decision determines that members of the Church of Scientology of Surgut and the Church of Scientology of Nizhnekamsk have the right to religious freedom and freedom of association pursuant to Articles 9 and 11 of the European Human Rights Convention.

The Church’s human rights counsel, Bill Walsh, stated: “The judgment of the European Court of Human Rights today is a great victory for religious freedom in Russia and in all 47 member countries of the Council of Europe. The case is given the highest rating of importance by the Court itself as it effectively kills the repressive 15 Year Rule, denying religious organizations rights until they have existed in the country for 15 years. Moreover, the ruling will have great impact on countries throughout the European Community that have passed similar restrictions to repress religious freedom. So it is not only a victory for religious freedom in Russia, but for religious freedom everywhere in the Council of Europe.”

In 1997, the Russian government passed laws preventing religious organizations from forming legally unless they could prove they had been in existence in their respective state(s) for 15 years. Such a law obviously discriminates against religions not established in a state for 15 years and has now been ruled as unlawful by the European Court of Human Rights.

In reaching this decision, the Court “established that the applicants were unable to obtain recognition and effective enjoyment of their rights to freedom of religion and association in any organizational form. The first applicant could not obtain registration of the Scientology group as a non-religious legal entity because it was considered to be a religious community by the Russian authorities. The applications for registration as a religious organization submitted by the first and second applicants as founders of their respective groups… were denied by reference to the insufficient period of the groups’ existence. Finally, the restricted status of a religious group for which they qualified… conveyed no practical or effective benefits to them as such a group was deprived of legal personality, property rights and the legal capacity to protect the interests of its members and was also severely hampered in the fundamental aspects of its religious functions. Accordingly, the Court finds that there has been an interference with the applicants’ rights under Article 9 interpreted in the light of Article 11.”

Along with the recent decision of the Court in favor of the right of the Moscow Church of Scientology to be registered as a religious organization under the Religion law, these cases represent precedent-setting rulings that guarantee the freedom of religion and right of association for Scientologists and people of all faiths throughout the 47 nations that comprise the Council of Europe.

The Court concluded that “In the light of the foregoing considerations, the Court finds that the interference with the applicants’ rights to freedom of religion and association cannot be said to have been ‘necessary in a democratic society.’ There has therefore been a violation of Article 9 of the Convention, interpreted in the light of Article 11.”

The Scientology religion was founded by L. Ron Hubbard. The first church was established in the United States in 1954. It has grown to more than 8,000 churches, missions and groups and millions of members in 165 nations. The Russian Federation has more than 70 Scientology Churches and missions from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok.

For more information about Scientology, see www.scientology-moscow.ru, www.scientology.org.

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The 1950 National Security Council manifesto that called for a permanent military build-up to enable the Unite?

Question by Bridgette Andreson: The 1950 National Security Council manifesto that called for a permanent military build-up to enable the Unite?
The 1950 National Security Council manifesto that called for a permanent military build-up to enable the United States to pursue a global crusade against communism, describing the Cold War as an epic struggle between “the idea of freedom” and the “idea of slavery under the grim oligarchy of the Kremlin” was:

A) NSC-68.
B) NATO.
C) the OSC.
D) the Marshall Plan.

Best answer:

Answer by sneezewhiz
probably (A) because it has NSC in it which likely stands for National Security Council. This is called a “gimme.” and you should be able to guess at answers like that.

What do you think? Answer below!

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old long since – Church and State


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US Income Tax is a fraud(Tom Cryer)

Tom Cryer, an lawyer from Shreveport, Louisiana, tells his story about how he was prosecuted for refusing to file income tax. In June, 1994, Tom met a man who claimed that the Internal Revenue Code did not make him liable to pay income tax. This was a life-changing event for this lawyer, who then began to research into the law in order to prove this man wrong. What he discovered was that there is no income tax liability relative to American citizens. This presented Tom with a dilemma: does he put his head down and pretend not to know the truth, or to honor his oath to support and defend the rule of law and the Constitution? He chose the latter path, and ceased filing income tax. As Tom says, it is apparent that the US government is stealing trillions of dollars from honest, hard-working Americans. It was using this stolen money to expand its reach far beyond its intended role. It is stealing, and using the sweat and labor of Americans to destroy their country. Tom stopped filing and paying income tax UNLESS and UNTIL the government could show him it had any right to demand he do either. He was charged with two counts of tax evasion, which charges were later dropped to two counts of failure to file. He was tried on July 9, 2007 in Federal District Court in Shreveport. During that trial, he said he learned first hand how far tyranny has advanced within the US government — even into the courtrooms. The judge, in an attempt to aid the prosecutor in attempting to convict Tom
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Aaron Russo: “I set out on a journey to make a film about whether or not there was a law requiring Americans to pay an income tax…or was the tax a fraud being perpetrated by the American government. This process of discovery brought something much more dangerous and frightening to my attention…now, I will bring it to yours.” This film not only puts the legalities of the IRS and the Federal Reserve into question, but it also reveals the carefully concealed oligarchy of elitists and globalists whose main goals include financially enslaving society by creating a world order of manufactured consent devoid of individuality and freedom — much like the former Soviet Union. PS: If you really care about America, and want your taxes to go towards your country, rather than rich fat cats operating out of foreign countries draining your hard earned tax dollars, this film won’t disappoint.
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New Church of Scientology Opens in Quebec City



Church of Scientology Quebec


Quebec City (PRWEB) February 1, 2010

Fifteen hundred Scientologists and their guests from across Canada and the United States packed the street in front of 665 rue Saint- Joseph in the heart of the Nouvo Saint-Roch district of Lower Quebec City to attend the opening of the Church of Scientology of Quebec/Eglise de Scientologie de Quebec on Saturday. The opening of the 47,000-square-foot Church, which will serve parishioners from throughout the province, represents significant growth for the congregation, which was formed in Quebec 35 years ago.

Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center and ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, presided at the dedication ceremony, welcoming the assembled Scientologists and guests to the new Church. His introduction was met with prolonged and enthusiastic ovation in appreciation of his presence in Quebec and his instrumental role in making possible the opening of this new Church and all it represents for the future of Scientologists in Canada.

As Mr. Miscavige stated, “This new breed of Church is all in preparation for much more to come in the future. Well, that future is upon us now.”

The Quebec Church marks the beginning of a major Scientology expansion across Canada, with new Churches to be opened in Montreal, Quebec; Kitchener, Ontario; Winnipeg, Manitoba; and a full renovation of the Church of Scientology in Toronto. Also on the horizon, on 190 acres just outside Toronto, is the Scientology Advanced Organization for Canadian parishioners and Canada’s Continental Liaison Office to coordinate Scientology expansion and social betterment programs across the nation.

Dignitaries participating in the dedication of the new Church included the Honorable Alvin Curling, former Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and now Senior Fellow at the Center for International Governance for Innovation; the Honorable Pamela Appelt, a judge in the Court of Canadian Citizenship and a patron of the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development; and Mr. Alan Stein, noted religious freedom and human rights attorney and professor of law.

In his address, Mr. Curling said, “Let this new home for the Church of Scientology in Quebec be a beacon to all men and women of goodwill – a place where they will always be welcome to work together in helping this world. Bringing together people of goodwill is a hallmark of the Church of Scientology, which is why I celebrate this new Church with you today.”

The three-story stone and glass structure spans a city block with distinctive Art Deco façades at the two main entrances. The building has undergone extensive renovation to accommodate all Scientology religious services and also serve as a home for the community services the Church provides through the many activities and humanitarian programs of its members.

An expansive Public Information Center houses a permanent multimedia exhibit describing the Church’s beliefs and practices and the life and legacy of Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard. Displays also cover the Church- sponsored humanitarian and social betterment programs that offer practical answers to the societal ills of crime, drug abuse, illiteracy, declining moral values and natural and manmade disasters. These programs represent the work of the Church of Scientology in servicing every community in which they reside as well as other communities around the world.

There is also a Chapel for Sunday services, weddings, naming ceremonies and other congregational gatherings; spiritual counseling rooms; course rooms for religious study; an event hall and seminar rooms; a bookstore containing the written and spoken materials of L. Ron Hubbard; and Public Affairs offices and meeting rooms to coordinate social betterment programs with like-minded organizations in the community. For the convenience of parishioners and visitors, there is also a café.

In opening the dedication ceremony, Mr. Miscavige noted that the day gave new meaning to Quebec’s motto Je me souviens— I remember. In closing, he said, “Let this new Church symbolize the fact that we not only remember

Quebec, we shall also never forget our commitment to her people—and all in the spirit of this from L. Ron Hubbard:

“‘When you leave here today and walk out into the world, remember the tools of life that you have and your role to use them to help your fellows.’”

Accompanied by Scientologists from Quebec who led the drive to build the new Church, Mr. Miscavige cut the ribbon and invited all to enter.

___________________________

The Quebec Church is the second new Church of Scientology opened this month and the seventh in the past year. The Brussels branch of Churches of Scientology for Europe was dedicated on 23 January 2010. In October 2009, Mr. Miscavige dedicated two major new Churches: the Founding Church of Scientology of Washington, DC, and the Church of Scientology of Rome. In April 2009, he dedicated new Scientology Churches in Nashville, Tennessee; Dallas, Texas; and in Malmo, Sweden.

These Churches join the roster of new Churches of Scientology opened in the world’s cultural capitals, including the National Church of Scientology of Spain in Madrid’s Neighborhood of Letters; the Church of Scientology of New York, just off Times Square; the Church of Scientology of San Francisco, California, in the original historic Transamerica Building; the Church of Scientology of London, England, located in the epicenter of the city; and the Church of Scientology of Berlin, Germany, near the Brandenburg Gate.

An additional two Churches of Scientology are scheduled for ribbon cutting in February 2010, with another 12 new Churches of Scientology scheduled for completion before the end of the year.

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Religious Freedom in Iraq Called For by World Compassion Petition

(PRWEB) July 20, 2005

Dr. Terry Law, founder of World Compassion, has released a petition calling for the addition a human rights declaration on religious freedom to the new Iraqi constitution.

“It is my opinion that this war in Iraq isn’t over until there is a guarantee of religious freedom and basic human rights in the new constitution being created at this very moment,” said Dr. Law.

Article 18 of the United Nations’ ratified Universal Declaration of Human Rights document states, “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance.” According to Dr. Law, the addition of freedom of religion to the constitution is necessary in order to uphold basic human rights.

“I believe we have a moral, political, and spiritual responsibility to demand freedom of religion for Iraqis,” said Dr. Law. “Most nations of the civilized world have accepted this UN document. The new Iraqi constitutional committee must do the same.”

Dr. Terry Law will be meeting with Iraq’s new Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, as well as members of the Iraqi constitutional committee, during the first week of August 2005, to encourage religious freedom. This trip follows on the heels of Dr. Law’s meeting with the former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi and Iraq’s Deputy National Security Advisor Georges Sada in June of 2004.

“We’re not asking that a specific religion be practiced,” said Dr. Law. “We only want to ensure that the Iraqi people have the freedom to choose for themselves.”

The new constitution is scheduled for completion by August 15. World Compassion encourages the signed petitions to be returned by July 25, 2005 so they can be shipped to the Prime Minister’s office in Baghdad in early August.

Visit www.WorldCompassion.tv to download the petition for religious freedom in Iraq and learn about other ways to get involved with World Compassion’s volunteer network.

About World Compassion

World Compassion is a non-denominational, faith-based international organization founded by Dr. Terry Law in 1969 to assist churches in meeting the physical and spiritual needs of people in their communities. For over 35 years, World Compassion has worked specifically in nations that are difficult to access with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Positive results have been achieved through the distribution of Christian literature, food, clothing, medical supplies, school supplies, and through psycho-social counseling among populations devastated by years of war and/or oppressive regimes. World Compassion conducts humanitarian-related projects in education, emergencies, health, family, and religious freedom.

Press Release Writing and Optimizing by Xeal Inc.

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