L. Ron Hubbard presents Writers of the Future Contest

L. Ron Hubbard presents Writers of the Future Contest

This week is the 26th annual Writers of the Future Contest. Writers of the future is my personal favorite when it comes to Sci Fi and Fantasy anthologies. The stories are just so much better than you find these days in magazines.

I also think it's great that L. Ron Hubbard created this anthology and contest to give young (and not-so-young) writers and illustrators a start in a very competitive industry, where the door is so often nailed shut to new talent.

From their press release:

Founding Chairman of Challenger Center for Space Education is Keynote Speaker at Writers of the Future Awards Ceremony

June Scobee Rodgers to Address Winners of L. Ron Hubbard Writers and Illustrators of the Future Contest at Festive Gala

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Aug. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- June Scobee Rodgers, Founding Chairman of Challenger Center for Space Science Education, will deliver the keynote address to winners of the L. Ron Hubbard Writers and Illustrators of the Future Contest, the Contest judges and several hundred attending guests this Saturday night at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. The Challenger Centers have the purpose to carry on the educational mission to utilize the excitement of space to inspire and motivate our nation's school children to take interest in mathematics, science and technology. Scobee Rodgers will address the evening's attendees on the vital role played by writers and illustrators of science fiction as the dreamers of a new tomorrow which will inspire the next generation of scientists.

It is not only as the founding Chairman of the Challenger Space Centers that she will be addressing the audience. She is also a published author. And, as the 25th anniversary approaches of the Challenger 51-L Teacher in Space mission, commanded by her late husband Astronaut Dick Scobee, she says that she is pleased to launch a new project, ''A series of novels that I developed with Writers of the Future judges Rebecca Moesta and Kevin J. Anderson, called Star Challengers.''

The highlight of the ceremony will be the announcement of the year's two Grand Prize winners who will each receive $5,000 and release of the annual anthology L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers and Illustrators of the Future, Volume 26 (Galaxy Press, 2010). Also being released is a special coffee table book edition of L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future: The First 25 Years, a photographic retrospective of the 25 years of the contest and containing over 1,000 images.

The Writers of the Future writing contest (www.writersofthefuture.com) was initiated by L. Ron Hubbard in 1983 to provide a means for aspiring writers to get a much-needed break -- its winners have gone on to sell an impressive 31 million copies of their works combined. Due to the success of the Writing Contest, the companion Illustrators of the Future Contest was created in 1988.

For more information about the award or the ceremony, go to http://www.writersofthefuture.com.

Publish Post L. Ron Hubbard - Artist

How does one know that they are a spirit?

^{It is a matter that each individual must examine for themselves. Scientologists believe Man is more than a mind and body and that it is he, himself, the spirit, who can control the mind and the body.}

^{"You may have been taught that the mind is a very difficult thing to know about. This is the first principle of Scientology: It is possible to know about the mind, the spirit and life."—L. Ron Hubbard}

Volunteer Scientologists to be Recognized at Historic Fort Harrison

Volunteer Scientologists to be Recognized at Historic Fort Harrison

August 9, 2010 (FPRC) -- Clearwater – A Volunteer Awards Ceremony will be held in the historic Fort Harrison to honor the over 800 Scientologists in Tampa Bay who have donated over 300,000 volunteer hours to raise funds for the needy, rehabilitate inmates in Florida’s prisons, tutor children, and to spread the message of the Universal Declaration for Human Rights and that a Drug Free Life is More Fun. Pat Harney, the Public Affairs Director for the Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization will be presenting the awards. She said, “In 1961, L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology wrote: ‘…a being is only as valuable as he can serve others.’ This is an ideology that Scientologists internationally practice, including those here in the Tampa Bay area and I want them to know that they are appreciated for the tremendous work they are doing to raise the standard of living of the people of Tampa Bay and throughout Florida.” Harney continued, “Participation in Scientology volunteer groups, however, is not just limited to Scientologists. People of all faiths are welcome to volunteer, and most of our programs count a wide range of community volunteers.” Here is a partial list of the volunteer groups established and led by Scientologists in the Tampa Bay area>> A culture is only as great as its dreams, and its dreams are dreamed by artists. — Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard

New Film: Problems of Work

David Miscavige released a new Scientology film in July. The Church of Scientology has been in the forefront of an entirely new genre--the book on film. The book on film Mr. Miscavige released in July is The Problems of Work by L. Ron Hubbard. Most everyone, no matter where they live, has been affected by what has been euphemistically called the "economic downturn." Lot's of people lost their jobs, their savings, pensions... . Security seems to be something our parents or grandparents had, not what's available for us. Even though this book was written in the late 1950s the information in it is as pertinent today as it was when first released. The film is so well done, and so true to the book, not just that it's a word-for-word rendition of it but also the tone, acting, music... everything adds to and complements the information. And the best thing about it is that it's real, and helpful, and a pleasure to watch. And it rocks when it comes to using it. Works like a bomb! First time I ever read it I was pretty burned out. Didn't know what I wanted to do. Hated the jobs that I was getting. I read the book and somehow there was so much truth it my whole attitude toward work changed. I actually started to enjoy it, something I'd never done before. You can get the book at any Scientology church. Scientology Video: Why we help

What are they doing to our kids?

This article on Scientology Against Drugs blog really got to me. With what psychs are doing to kids and teens in our schools and right under our eyes is frightening!

In the last four weeks: Have you had trouble sleeping, that is, trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early? Have you had less energy than you usually do? Has doing even little things made you feel really tired? Has it often been hard for you to make up your mind or to make decisions? Have you often had trouble keeping your mind on your schoolwork/work or other things? Have you often felt grouchy or irritable and often in a bad mood, when even little things would make you mad? Have you gained a lot of weight, more than just a few pounds? Have you lost weight, more than just a few pounds?

These are a few of the questions being asked to adolescents in a mental health screening program used in schools across the nation. If a child answers ‘yes’ to these or a set number of other equally inane questions, they’re considered likely to be depressed-or worse.>>

Scientology Video: Why we help

Scientology questions?

The Scientology site has a section to answer questions on the subject. It's the Scientology FAQ.

There are a lot of "opinions" about Scientology from people who, frankly, know nothing about it. (we all know people who are experts-in-their-own-mind on many subjects).

One the other hand, if you really want to find out about something, the sensible thing is to go to the primary source. In this case, to find out about Scientology, check out the Scientology FAQ.

Since the forming of the first Church of Scientology in 1954, the religion has grown to span the globe. Today, more than 8,500 Scientology Churches, missions, related organizations and affiliated groups minister to millions in 165 countries. And those numbers are constantly growing; in fact, Scientology’s presence in the world is growing faster now than at any time in its history.

As the only major worldwide religious movement to emerge in the twentieth century, Scientology generates immense public interest.>>

Scientology Video: Why we help

MEET A SCIENTOLOGIST

Scientologists come from diverse lands, cultures and backgrounds. They are doctors, educators, inventors, athletes, actors, musicians, students, photographers, business owners and more.

To understand how practicing Scientology has impacted their lives, it is best to hear directly from them. So we present the opportunity to "Meet a Scientologist" with a series of short documentaries profiling the lives and careers of Church members.>>

Scientology Video: Why we help

Help for Haitian Student

Getting his life back: Haiti quake survivor who got prosthetic leg in New Haven is following new career path

By Amanda Pinto, Register Staff apinto@newhavenregister.com NEW HAVEN — Five months ago, Ralph Gedeon was lying trapped beneath a pile of rubble when the engineering college he attended in Port-au-Prince toppled in the 7.0 earthquake that hit the island nation. His leg was crushed and several organs were failing when his father, after digging for a day and a half, rescued Gedeon from the tumbled remnants. Miraculously, on Sunday, the earthquake survivor stood on two legs — one of them a prosthetic — and packed his bags as he prepared to leave the Sister Ann Virginie Grimes Rehabilitation Center on Chapel Street. Gedeon’s progress is a miracle, and seeing him walk brings tears to the eyes of Dr. David Gibson, an orthopedic surgeon who teaches at the Yale School of Medicine and is affiliated with the Hospital of Saint Raphael. “This is what you do it for,” he said. “It is really heartening to see him walk.” But for Gedeon, who will now begin outpatient treatment in Rockland, N.Y., walking is only a part of his positive journey. When he eventually returns to his home country, he will have a permanent prosthesis that will even allow him to play soccer, and he’ll have an engineering degree that will enable him to help others injured in the earthquake, said Ayal Lindeman, the emergency medical technician, nurse and Scientology volunteer minister who was on a mission in Haiti when he met Gedeon, 22. Gedeon will also take classes at Rockland Community College, and will likely receive a scholarship from the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading to continue studies in engineering, Lindeman said. He will switch his concentration from electrical to mechanical engineering so he can focus on creating and improving orthotics and prosthetics to help Haiti’s thousands of amputees, Lindeman said. Gedeon has come quite a long way for a man who contemplated accepting death rather than enduring an amputation that could have left him shunned in Haiti, where amputees are degraded, Lindeman said. After Gedeon was rescued, his father, Raphael Gedeon, told Lindeman ‘I love my son, but I cannot condemn him to this life.’ At that moment, Lindeman thought of the motto on the back of his mission jacket, ‘Something can be done;’ he called his friend Gibson and promised Ralph Gedeon a leg and a life. Now Gedeon has had nine surgeries, his care has been provided at no cost by St. Raphael’s and a prosthetic donated by a manufacturer. He has been tutored, free of charge, in English. He used a cane to walk from the rehabilitation center Sunday, but routinely lifted it as he waved and joked with the small crowd of well-wishers who gathered to see him off. Of his ability to walk, Gedeon smiles and simply says, “We’re progressing.” “(I thought I would walk) because Ayal promised me, and second, I’ve seen people walking (on prosthetics) in the movies,” he said. He said his leg, which is still healing, is a bit uncomfortable, but he was full of smiles and hugs for the group—which included Marie and Marc Roseme, housekeepers in the facility who are originally from Haiti— who bid him an emotional goodbye. His father, who arrived in the U.S. Friday, said through a translator Sunday that he was at a loss for words for what his son has accomplished, and for the generosity bestowed upon him. “I don’t have an expression that would fit,” he said. “Just thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Scientology Video: Why we help

Scientology Book Helps People Cope

The book Self Analysis by L. Ron Hubbard is a Scientology book that helps people get a grip on their lives. In it, Ron says, "Probably the most neglected friend you have is you. And yet every man, before he can be a true friend to the world, must first become a friend to himself." The book has exercises you can do by yourself, or you can "twin-up" with a friend or anyone interested in improving his/her life and go back and forth, asking the questions in the book. The most remarkable things happen: You start to feel more energetic, more optimistic, you can think on your feet faster, you start to be able to come up with smart solutions to problems that were sticky or "impossible" before. It doesn't have to take long -- a half hour a day is enough to make a difference. Scientology Video: Why we help

Scientologists Gear Up for United Nations Day Against Drugs

Churches of Scientology around the world will host community drug education activities June 26 in recognition of the United Nations International Day Against Illicit Drugs and Trafficking. Steadfast drug education advocates for more than 20 years, Scientology Churches are inviting local police, officials, community leaders, parents and teens to toughen up their neighborhoods with youth-oriented drug education activities for both young and old.

“To bring about real demand reduction, people need facts they know are real and that’s been missing from most drug education programs,” says Rev. Bob Adams, spokesperson for the Church of Scientology International and a former National Football League player. “To resist a drug pusher, a peer or anyone else encouraging drug abuse, one’s knowledge about drugs has to be certain and firm.”

The Church’s community drug education programs have been conducted at a grass-roots level by both Scientologists and non-Scientologists since the mid-1980s. Adams says toughening up neighborhoods against drugs benefits everybody. “Today we are all affected by drug abuse in some way or another and it’s not just illegal street drugs and youth. Prescription drug abuse is also a huge problem. All of it directly relates to health, crime, and safety, and things people don’t immediately think of in relation to drugs, like success and economics. The truth is that today, if you’re not well educated about drugs, you are at risk.”

In addition to its anti-drug advocacy and community activation, the Church sponsors the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, the international provider of The Truth About Drugs education materials available in 20 languages. Based on authoritative surveys and studies, The Truth About Drugs series includes abundant first hand testimonials in a youth-friendly format: 13 pocket-sized booklets and short videos covering the most commonly abused drugs, a new documentary based on interviews with over 200 former addicts, which can be seen and ordered free, at www.drugfreeworld.org.

“The Truth About Drugs Documentary and booklets are upfront, poignant and real,” says Adams. “They empower youth, parents, educators, law enforcement, social workers and anyone else concerned because it’s not about scare tactics—it’s true life experiences with facts.”

The United Nations International Day Against Illicit Drugs and Trafficking was established in 1987 by UN resolution 42/112 to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving an international society free of drug abuse.

Scientology Video: Why we help

Scientology-sponsored Youth Group Brings Truth about Drugs to Los Angeles Thai New Year Festival

LOS ANGELES—The Los Angeles chapter of the Drug-Free Marshals, sponsored by the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles, joined the festivities of the Songkran Festival, the celebration of Thai New Year, getting kids to pledge to live drug-free lives.

Located just blocks from the heart of Thai Town, the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles joined this year’s Songkran Festival, the celebration of Thai New Year, by helping neighborhood children avoid the tragedy of drug abuse. Scientology volunteers distributed copies of The Truth About Drugs drug-education booklets and “swore in children” as Drug-Free Marshals, a program that encourages youth to pledge to live drug-free lives and help their friends and family do the same.

Thai New Year, celebrated each year in April, is a time of renewal, marked by lighthearted fun and enthusiasm. Several blocks of Hollywood Boulevard were closed to traffic and filled with hundreds of booths, offering a variety of Thai products including food and beverages, clothing and gifts. There were also booths from community programs including the Drug-Free Marshals.

“Every 12 seconds another school-age child experiments with illicit drugs for the first time,” said Noelle North, Outreach Program Coordinator for the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles. “Our aim with the Drug-Free Marshals is to reach children with the truth about drugs before they succumb to peer pressure or pro-drug false propaganda.”

The Drug-Free Marshals program was founded by the Church of Scientology International in Los Angeles 17 years ago. The non-denominational program has been adopted by individuals and organizations throughout the United States and in many other countries as well.

For more information on drug education and prevention programs of the Church of Scientology, visit www.scientology.org.

Church of Scientology–Final Judgment of European Court of Human Rights Defend Religious Freedom

On March 8, 2010, the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of religious associations of the Church of Scientology in Surgut and Nizhnekamsk became final.

March 13, 2010—On March 8, 2010, the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of religious associations of the Church of Scientology in Surgut and Nizhnekamsk became final.

On October 1, 2009, the European Court of Human Rights delivered the judgment in the cases NN 76836/01 and 32782/03 in favor of the churches of Scientology of Surgut and Nizhnekamsk.

The final judgment of the European Court found a violation of rights of the applicants by the Russian Federation, in particular, violation of the provisions of Article 9 of the Convention (freedom of thought, conscience and religion) in the light of Article 11 (freedom of assembly and association).

The court found that “the restricted status afforded to religious groups under the Religions Act did not allow members of such a group to enjoy effectively their right to freedom of religion, rendering such a right illusory and theoretical rather than practical and effective, as required by the Convention.

“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 and in which the third applicant existed 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.

“In the instant case the Russian Government did not identify any pressing social need which the impugned restriction served or any relevant and sufficient reasons which could justify the lengthy waiting period that a religious organization had to endure prior to obtaining legal personality.”

President of the Church of Scientology of Nizhnekamsk, Mr. Emir Ramazanov, stated, “the judgment of the European Court not only raises the standards of the protection of freedom of conscience and freedom of association to a new level in Russia and in Europe, but also confirms that the European standards guarantee the protection even when injustice comes from national laws.”

The Scientology religion was founded by author and philosopher L. Ron Hubbard. Scientologists believe that Man is an immortal spiritual being and basically good, and that the spiritual potential of Man can be restored (i.e., man can be salvaged) within one lifetime. The first church was opened in the United States in 1954. Now Scientology has over 8,300 Churches, Missions and affiliated groups and millions of members in 165 countries. In Russia there are over 40 churches and Mission of Scientology, from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok.

Nevada Scientology Volunteer Minister Planning to Return to Haiti

Donna Cooper’s story of wanting to join the Scientology Volunteer Ministers Haiti relief effort appeared in her hometown paper, the Pahrump Valley Times , in January. Donna has returned from Haiti but is planning to go back in April with her 17-year-old daughter. Donna, mother of 8 and soon to be great grandmother, retires in 16 days. She is a veteran of the Scientology Disaster Response in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Donna mainly worked at the Volunteer Ministers compound at the Port-au-Prince Airport, where she cooked for those who were working in the hospitals. “The doctors were great,” she said. “They slept on the ground in sleeping bags just like the rest of us. They didn’t ask for special favors. They were friendly, cheerful, and never complained about anything. We didn’t have a kitchen—just a couple of two-burner hotplates. One day I grabbed two big bags of rice, 33 cans of Healthy Choice soup, four cans of peas and cooked them all together. Everyone loved it. People were so easy to please. I did laundry too, especially for the doctors and nurses, because they simply had no time to do it themselves.”