LOS ANGELES, October 22, 2020 (Newswire.com) - With more than a million COVID-19-related deaths reported internationally and a second wave of new cases surging throughout Europe, several Scientology ministers took part in an interfaith prayer for peace and the end to the pandemic.
Organized by the Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), the Scientologists joined Hindus, Muslims, Christian denominations and Buddhists in the nearly three-hour program. Participants shared prayers and answered questions posed by those attending online from around the world.
Rev. Olivia McDuff, public affairs staff at the Church of Scientology International, delivered the Scientology Prayer for Total Freedom and described the Church's Stay Well campaign.
When he launched the Scientology TV Network, Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige said, "Scientology is not just something you believe in, it's something you do." The Church's response to the pandemic is a classic example of how it puts the principles of the religion into practice.
Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard once said "an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure." The Church took this message to heart. When the global pandemic was declared, the most effective measures were researched for ensuring the safety of Scientology staff and parishioners, and these were implemented internationally as protocols under the direction of Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige
Educational materials were created to help people understand what to do to protect themselves and their families and why. Illustrated booklets and videos explain what a virus is, how it spreads, and why disinfection, social distancing, and masks and gloves work. These are available in 21 languages on the Stay Well Prevention Resource Center on the Scientology website, where the booklets may be downloaded free of charge.
Scientology Churches and Missions distributed 5 million copies of the booklets in their communities.
Representing the Church of Scientology San Jose, Joey Percival, spoke of the Church's interfaith work to promote freedom of religion or belief. He also described the Peace Rides through South Central L.A. and other inner-city neighborhoods to broker peace among warring gangs and combat violent crime. Riders and drivers line up on their motorbikes, souped-up cars and 4-wheelers and drive through the streets in the name of peace. They hand out copies of The Way to Happiness, the common-sense moral code written by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard for use by people of all faiths or none.
Rev. Michael Scandling, also from San Jose, spoke of the Church's work to combat religious discrimination through STAND, Scientologists Taking Action Against Discrimination.
From its beginnings, the Church of Scientology has recognized that freedom of religion is a fundamental human right. In a world where conflicts are often traceable to intolerance of others' religious beliefs and practices, the Church has, for more than 50 years, made the preservation of religious liberty an overriding concern.
For more information, visit the Scientology website or Scientology Network.
Source: Church of Scientology International
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