Russia, here we come
Good news for Scientology in Russia:
Remember the opening of the new Church of Scientology Russia some weeks ago? This was a leap forward to deliver all of Scientology in Russia! And something else happened today, something that Scientologists might call “negative gain” – an improvement from bad to not so bad ;) – namely that Ministry of Justice officials in Russia changed their mind about a major intrusion in Freedom of Speech. Not voluntarily though, it took several court cases to wake them up to the fact that letters don’t bite.
Says the Associated Press Moscow today: “The Church of Scientology says Russian authorities have lifted a ban on some of its publications. A statement on the website of the organization’s Russian branch says 29 books and lectures by the movement’s founder L. Ron Hubbard were banned in late April after a court in the Siberian city of Surgut found them “extremist.” It said Tuesday that Russia’s Justice Ministry has dropped the publications from its list of extremist literature. Ministry officials refused immediate comment, but an online list of extremist literature does not mention Scientology materials Tuesday evening.”
Спасибо, Россия!
European Union denounces religious discrimination
An admirable move:
On the 21st of February, the European Union Council issued a new statement which essentially reaffirmed their earlier November 2009 conclusions condemning acts of discrimination based on religious beliefs. Whilst the statement specifically targeted acts of violence against Christians and their places of worship, as well as toward Muslim Pilgrims, the statement clearly attempts to guide member states to take action to engender the respect of the religious beliefs of others.
Clearly, though, it’s now up to these member states to actually put that into action, as more than just Christians have been the subject of much discrimination on the basis of religious belief. Whilst many European countries would seem to the uninformed outsider to be fair-treating of all religions, countries like France have discriminated against Muslims for simply wearing a burqa, or have discriminated against Scientologists for simply practicing their own religion.
So now, it is indeed up to those in power in EU member states to actually take this statement to heart, and put real-life steps into motion to factually ensure religious freedom for all European citizens.
Follow the link for the full text of the resolution.
Threats to freedom of religion in a democratic society
An interesting look at the challenges of ensuring religious freedom in a society that “guarantees” it by law, and some of the insidious methods criminals use to get around the law. A highlight:
The majority of us are simply trying to get on with life, pursue happiness how we can, and with respect to religion – to find a belief system that resonates with what we innately believe and hold to be true. The majority of us also accept that there are many belief systems out there, and that not all of us believe the exact same thing – therefore the honest respect of the other fellow’s religious beliefs is the way to get along best with your fellow men & women.
Some people, however, would rather pursue the dark side, and instead devote their energy to invalidating the religious beliefs of others and to forcibly change individuals away from their religious practice due to either
(a) They disagree with all religion, or
(b) They disagree with your religion, or
(c) They have another agenda which they perceive your beliefs are standing in the way of.
Inglewood overturns denial of permit to Scientologists
It’s nice to know that religious freedom is still observed and defended. The new church in Inglewood will serve the community well.
A victory for human rights in Germany
One Ursula Caberta, leader of the “Scientology Task Force” commissioned by the State of Hamburg, Germany, has lost her task force. Caberta is well known as a human rights violator and anti-religious agitator who has done nothing but damage to religious freedom in Germany, and drawn the ire of the U.S. Department of State for her actions. Germany has finally made the right move on this and cut funding for the task force, saving the German taxpayers a great deal of wasted money.
