My Philosophy - By L. Ron Hubbard

One of my favorite quotes is from an essay titled "My Philosophy" where L. Ron Hubbard stated:

"I like to help others and count it as my greatest pleasure in life to see a person free himself of the shadows which darken his days.

"These shadows look so thick to him and weigh him down so that when he finds they are shadows and that he can see through them, walk through them and be again in the sun, he is enormously delighted. And I am afraid I am just as delighted as he is."

Today is the UN International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. One very important way Mr. Hubbard freed people from the shadows which darken their days was through his research and discovery on the cause and rehabilitation of drug dependency.

Scientology churches around the world are very active in drug education, not only because of the fact that drug use prevents any spiritual advancement, but also because of the terrible consequences drug addiction has for the user and his or her family.

The Church of Scientology International European Office for Public Affairs and Human Rights announced today the release of 10 million new booklets in 20 languages that will help youth avoid ever getting involved in taking drugs in the first place.

More information on the Church's anti-drug campaign is available at the Scientology Press Office.

San Francisco and its Role in the Heritage of Scientology

The Church of Scientology of San Francisco and the Church of Scientology of San Francisco Foundation were recently recognized as having acheived a very high level of expansion at an international event, filmed in Florida and shown in every Scientology church in the world. (At the same event, by the way, the Church of Scientology of Tampa was acknowledged as the fastest expanding Scientology church in the world over the past year!)

Two years ago, in his speech at the grand opening of the San Francisco church, Mr. David Miscavige laid out how San Francisco played a pivotal role in L. Ron Hubbard's research and work. The text of Mr. Miscavige's speech at that event is available online.

Mentoring Our Youth Through the Drug-Free Marshals Program

I just found this press release from the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles Drug Free Marshals program. It was inspired by the humanitarian work of L. Ron Hubbard on the subject of drugs and drug addiction.

The event described was a few months ago, but is a good example of how Drug-Free Marshals work to help in their communities throughout the year.

What better way to mentor youth than by helping them learn the effects of drugs and assisting them to make the right decisions to help them survive? That's exactly what happened at LA County Parks and Recreation at Roy Campanella Park, in Compton, CA. The Drug-Free Marshals handed out their “Truth About Drugs” booklets and swore in 65 new Drug-Free Marshals. Ten new clubs were also formed to help youth obtain this lifesaving information.

As one mentor said, "It is so important to get kids educated on what drugs do. They don't teach kids about drugs... These booklets can really make a difference. I want to find out about these things so I can teach others. Drug-Free Marshals is the only program that has this kind of education and pledge. I want a Drug-Free Marshal Club so we can help our kids."

Noelle North, the Drug-Free Marshal Coordinator for Los Angeles said, "There are a lot of people who want make sure their families and friends live drug-free. This program helps by giving them the information and resolve they need. You can't be free spiritually when you are addicted to drugs. The Drug-Free Marshals is dedicated to saving our kids. As humanitarian, L. Ron Hubbard said, 'Save the child and you save the nation.'"

The "Drug-Free Marshals" youth drug-education was launched in 1993 by the Church of Scientology International to educate children on the effects of drugs. Children demonstrate their commitment as Drug-Free Marshals by pledging to remain drug-free and encouraging their peers to do the same. Since its inception, more than 3.2 million youth have been sworn in as Drug-Free Marshals in cities and towns throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Europe.

To obtain copies of the "Truth About Drugs" booklets or get more information on Drug-Free Marshals, contact Noelle North: Community Affairs at the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles at 323-953-3200.

There is also information on the Scientology anti-drug campaign at the Scientology Press Office web site.

L. Ron Hubbard in Washington D.C.

The David Miscavige blog has an excerpt from a speech Mr. Miscavige gave at the Grand Opening of the Founding Church of Scientology in Washington DC a few years ago.

The city of Washington played a major role in the development of Scientology.

Recently I've been listening to tapes Mr. Hubbard recorded in Washington. For about 10 years Ron held a Congress in Washington D.C. every year. This is where he summarized the most major accomplishments in his research and discovery line.

The original Founding Church has now been turned into a museum. It has been refurbished to look exactly as it was when L. Ron Hubbard was the executive director of this church. It is open to the public and from talking to people who have toured there it is a terrific exhibit. You learn a lot about the early days of the Scientology religion and it's well worth a visit if you are in DC.

L. Ron Hubbard and South Africa

L. Ron Hubbard loved South Africa and visited the Church in Johannesburg many times. He worked to overcome the injustice and racism in the apartheid government that was in power at the time, even proposing a new constitution that would provide equal rights to the non-White population of the country.

Mr. Hubbard once said "From Southern Africa will spring the next great civilisation."

I believe he would be very proud of the new Church of Scientology of Johannesburg, and all the work they are doing to make his dreams for this continent come true.

Related sites:

The speech by Mr. David Miscavige gave at the grand opening of the Johannesburg church is now online.

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers Africa Goodwill Tour is also working closely with the Church of Scientology of Johannesburg to make Scientology technology available to the peoples of Africa.

L. Ron Hubbard in Washington D.C.

Several years ago, at the grand opening of the Founding Church of Scientology, Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center, spoke of the significance of Washington DC in L. Ron Hubbard's life.

Mr. Miscavige stated:

"It was November of 1923, when L. Ron Hubbard first moved to Washington, at the age of twelve. A few months later, he was not only America’s youngest Eagle Scout, but was shaking hands with none other than President Calvin Coolidge on the steps of the White House. It is also here that L. Ron Hubbard took his first steps into Terra Incognita with his good friend — Commander Snake Thompson."

L. Ron Hubbard relates the story of Snake Thompson and the significance of this friendship with him in a tape called The Story of Dianetics and Scientology which is available oneline at www.scientology.org