SCIENTOLOGY IN SOCIETY

I’ve heard that Scientologists are doing good things for society. What are some specific examples?

These activities would fill a book in themselves, but here are just a few examples that are typical of the things that Scientologists are doing around the world.

Scientologists regularly hold blood drives to get donations of blood for hospitals, the Red Cross and other similar organizations. As Scientologists do not use harmful drugs, these donations of drug-free blood are welcomed by those in charge of healthcare. Scientologists also regularly hold drives for donations of toys, food and clothing to make life happier for those in need.

During the annual holiday season, Scientologists are particularly active in this sphere. In downtown Hollywood, California, and Clearwater, Florida, for example, Scientologists build a “Winter Wonderland” scene each Christmas, complete with a large Christmas tree, Santa Claus and even “snow,” creating a traditional Christmas setting for children who otherwise might never see one.

In Canada, a group of Scientologists spends many weeks each year raising funds to sponsor visits to summer camps by underprivileged children. Church members utilize their artistic talents to bring new experiences and joy to children by performing puppet shows in orphanages, schools and shopping malls, and magic shows for children in foster homes.

Scientologists can also be found in many communities contributing to the care of the elderly. They visit old-age homes and provide entertainment, draw sketches or just drop by and talk with senior citizens. You will find Scientologists helping with “community cleanup” campaigns and assistance to the injured at Veterans Administration hospitals.

Scientologists have taken a leading role fighting drug abuse, actively educating community officials and groups on the dangers of drugs and solutions to the problems. There are many groups utilizing L. Ron Hubbard’s technology and freeing people from the devastating effects of drugs.

Mr. Hubbard’s technology on how to study has been used by Scientologists and like-minded non-Scientologists around the world to help students and teachers alike. One place where this technology has made major inroads in combating illiteracy is in South Africa, where it has helped more than two million native Africans improve their ability to study.

Another important area of activity for Scientologists is raising moral standards in society. With the support and cooperation of Scientologists, local community service, business and governmental organizations have distributed tens of millions of copies of the nonreligious moral code, The Way to Happiness, now available in more than twenty different languages. Its use has led to a revitalization of purpose for people of all ages who apply its simple truths to their lives and to the environment around them.

Another prevalent activity for Scientologists is to expose and eradicate the violations of human rights perpetrated by psychiatry. Many Scientologists do this as members of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), a reform group which was established by the Church in 1969.

They actively investigate psychiatric abuses and bring these to the attention of the media, legislators and groups concerned with protecting people from brutal psychiatric techniques. Such practices as psychosurgery, electroshock and the administration of dangerous psychiatric drugs have destroyed the minds and lives of millions of individuals. Through the efforts of Scientologists working with CCHR, public awareness of the disastrous results of psychiatric methods has been raised and major steps taken to outlaw such practices.

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