This is a photo of the grand opening of the newly refurbished Fort Harrison Hotel in Clearwater. The celebration occurred in March 2009. It was dedicated by David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center.

SCIENTOLOGY - THE FASTEST-GROWING RELIGION IN THE 21ST CENTURY

March 14, 2009: More than 6,000 Scientologists from over 50 nations filled the streets and sidewalks at the 200 block of Fort Harrison Avenue to witness Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center, Mr. David Miscavige, officiate at the ribbon cutting of the Clearwater landmark—the new Fort Harrison.

“Her bones were good, her breeding impeccable and her choice of residence couldn’t have been more fitting: Clearwater, Florida,” began Mr. Miscavige as he addressed the crowd. “When she originally opened in 1926, they called her ‘the aristocrat of southern Florida hotels’ and described her as a ‘picturesque edifice’ known all up and down the coast, as the toast of this city and an ever-bustling hub of wedding receptions, fashion shows, bridge teas and Rotary Club functions.

“She additionally saw no inconsiderable parade of luminaries. In the ’60s and ’70s the Phillies used to stay here during spring training and Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Buddy Rich all performed in our ballroom.”

The Crystal Ballroom (upper left) that in earlier decades hosted the likes of Duke Ellington and Count Basie now stands fully restored to its original gold-leaf splendor. The Flag Auditorium (lower left) is the site for international Scientology events and seminars, as well as benefits hosted by nonprofit community groups. The Fort Harrison Grand Lobby (right), long the crossroads for the Clearwater community, is now fully restored with an elegance that far exceeds her opening day in 1926.

Mr. Miscavige’s concluding remarks expressed both the spirit and significance of the occasion:

“The bottom line is the same bottom line for the last 80-plus years: this Fort Harrison is and will always remain a landmark and home for all of Clearwater.”

And with that, he cut the 2,000-foot-long red ribbon and so ushered in a new beginning for the “Grand Dame of the West Gulf Coast.”

A Monumental Restoration Project

The grand opening of the new Fort Harrison was the culmination of an 11-month, million-man-hour restoration overseen every step of the way by Mr. Miscavige. All 267,000 square feet of the 83-year-old structure were stripped down to bare beams and rebuilt from the inside out.

The 21st century infrastructure eased into her 1920s framework, with every one of the 200 guest rooms rebuilt from floor to ceiling—not to mention energy-efficient, low-emission electrical and mechanical systems throughout.

More than 350 local tradespeople worked on the project, ultimately laying 100,000 square feet of carpet, installing 300,000 feet of plumbing and stringing a full 100 miles of electrical wire.

Restoration of the building’s hallmark features began in the elegant Grand Lobby, from the original wrought-iron and brass balustrades to the signature checkerboard marble floor and gold-leafed Corinthian columns. And high atop the Fort Harrison, the legendary Crystal Ballroom also underwent complete restoration—taking it, too, well beyond its original beauty.

Community Hub

The Fort Harrison has served as a hub for this community since the 1920s and continues to serve so today. In addition to the Scientologists who avail themselves of the accommodations, restaurants and amenities while staying in Clearwater for religious services, the community at large enjoys the Fort Harrison as well. Since grand opening, hundreds from across Tampa Bay have gathered for Open House brunches and community events, such as the Sunscreen Film Festival Broadway and Beyond Concert, benefiting local artists. Couple that with the dozen or more who simply walk in every day for a tour—and it is clear the Fort Harrison is, as it has always been, a home for Clearwater. More at freedommag.org

David Miscavige Dedicated the New Oak Cove

Last year David Miscavige dedicated the Oak Cove, fully refurbished. This then made it possible to do the full renovation of the Fort Harrison Hotel which is opened in March this year.

David Miscavige Officiated at the Grand Opening of the new Buffalo Org

David Miscavige Officiated at the Grand Opening of the new Buffalo Org

In November 2003, the new Buffalo Org opening its doors. This was one of the first of the new breed of Ideal Scientology Organizations (Orgs), the inspiration, planning and driving for for which was David Miscavige, seen here at the front of the line of dignitaries who cut the ribbon at its grand opening.

David Miscavige

It is always a treat to go to a Flag event when David Miscavige is the MC. He is not only great speaker, he is also a leader, and a genius.

David Miscavige: At the Helm of Scientology's Explosive Growth

Incredible photo of the new Fort Harrison. Such an upgrade for Clearwater!

By the Numbers: Scientology members
in the Clearwater Community

(Freedom Magazine Report) Since the Church moved its spiritual headquarters to Clearwater in 1976, Scientologists have become an integral part of the community. Not only do they travel from all over the world for extended stays while participating in religious services, many Church members and families have made Clearwater their home. The presence of the Church generates thousands of jobs, boosting the economy and revitalizing the area. Independent studies on the overall economic impact of the Church found its presence had a decisively positive effect. At the end of the 1990s, the Church and its members accounted for 5.4 percent of the area’s sales, 10.7 percent of its employment and 3.4 percent of area income. While direct spending by Scientologists totaled almost $100 million, the Church’s greater impact on the Clearwater economy was estimated at almost half a billion dollars which, in turn, generated more than 5,000 jobs. The studies reported that without the Church’s stabilizing presence, the entire city would be far less viable economically. Today, 10 years later, the economic influence of Scientologists in the community is commensurately higher.

• 9,523 Scientologists live in the Tampa Bay area.
• There are 22 Church of Scientology facilities in downtown Clearwater.
• The Church is the largest property taxpayer in downtown Clearwater, paying nearly $1 million in property taxes last year.
• 1,500 Church staff provide religious services at the Scientology facilities in downtown Clearwater.
• 8.2 percent of Clearwater’s population are Scientologists.

THE RELIGION OF SCIENTOLOGY A DESCRIPTION

Scientology comprises a body of knowledge which extends from certain fundamental truths. Prime among these truths:

• Man is an immortal spiritual being.
• His experience extends well beyond a single lifetime.
• His capabilities are unlimited, even if not presently realized.

Scientology further holds man to be basically good, and that his spiritual salvation depends upon himself and his fellows and his attainment of brotherhood with the universe. In that regard, Scientology is a religious philosophy in the most profound sense of the word, for it is concerned with no less than the full rehabilitation of man’s innate spiritual self — his capabilities, his awareness and his certainty of his own immortality. Furthermore, as religion deals with the spirit in relationship to itself, the universe and other life, and is essentially the belief in spiritual beings, Scientology follows a religious tradition that is at least as old as mankind. Yet what Scientology ultimately represents is new. Its religious technology is new, its ecclesiastical organization is new, and what it means to 21st-century man is entirely new.

At the heart of Scientology lie its axioms that precisely define the fundamental laws and truths of life, including who we are, what we are capable of, and most importantly, how we might realize our native spiritual abilities. These axioms form the foundation of a vast body of wisdom that applies to the entirety of all life. From this wisdom has come a great number of fundamental principles people can use to improve their immediate lives, as well as to achieve spiritual immortality. In fact, there is no aspect of life that cannot be improved through the application of Scientology principles.

Scientology Bursting at the Seams in Clearwater

It's pretty exciting being in Clearwater these days. New OT VII completions at every Friday night graduation. Literally hundreds of people completing courses on the new editions of the Scientology and Dianetics books and a totally new level of optimism and cooperation.

David Miscavige was here in March at the celebration of L. Ron Hubbard's birthday and he promised even more to come. I can't image what could top the last year!

Now on! Freewinds Maiden Voyage Events in Clearwater!

A roughly 150- by-200-foot tent was erected by the Church of Scientology in Tampa to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the maiden voyage of the Scientology training ship Freewinds. The celebrations were presented by Scientology leader David Miscavige and took place on the newly refitted motor vessel Freewinds at the end of June 2008. The recordnings are being shown in Churches of Scientology all over the world.

Quilt Exhibit Celebrates African-American Art

In celebration of Black History Month, Clearwater City Hall is honoring the achievements of African-Americans with a display of quilts created by artist Anthony Jones.
Jones continues the American tradition of quilting that is hundreds of years old yet explores innovative techniques in his work. “My work is grounded in the traditional, yet is hopefully a thoroughly modern expression of that tradition,” he says.
Now through March 28, the quilts will be on view. The exhibit is free to the public in the building’s lobby at 100 S. Osceola Ave. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
For further information, contact Elizabeth Minor in the city of Clearwater’s Cultural Arts Division at 562-4814.

One of my favorite videos of all time is, This is Scientology, in which Mr. David Miscavige describes the Scientology religious movement and it's impact on the world.

In addition to full religious recognition in Spain, the Church of Scientology has gained full religious recognition in Portugal in the month of December 2007! This again shows the exponential expansion of Scientology in countries throughout the world.

I love the Way to Happiness public service announcements, particularly the one "Respect the Religious Beliefs of Others".

Kids at Risk from Meth

A story in today's St. Pete Times shows that kids are not only dangerously uninformed about the dangers of Meth, they are at risk from the false information they have gotten on the subject.

According the the survey released yesterday and reported on by the Associated Press, nearly a quarter of teens say it would be "very easy" or "somewhat easy" to get methamphetamine, and one in three teens also believes there is only a "slight risk" or "no risk" in trying meth once or twice.

Yet former Meth users uniformly speak of how they were addicted to the drug the first time they used it.

Case in point, in the Meth booklet that's part of the Truth about Drugs series published by the Foundation for a Drug Free World, a woman named Marie says:

“My life spun out of control after a simple 'girls night out' to alleviate boredom. After being introduced for the first time at age 40, within 3 years I was shooting meth. I left my husband and three children (10, 12 and 15) and ended up living on the street.”

The Church of Scientology of Tampa and the Flag Service Organization both sponsor Say No to Drugs groups that distribute these booklets and enlist the participation of other community groups to spread the word about drugs like Meth. For copies of the booklet or information on how to start your own group, contact the Foundation for a Drug Free World.

Clearwater Volunteers use the Scientology Handbook

There are so many Scientologists in Clearwater, and among the activities they do is the Volunteer Ministers program.

Scientology Volunteer Ministers are probably best known for their work in times of disaster, but there are just as many who simply volunteer in their communities to reach out and help their neighbors.

Volunteer Ministers have the advantage of having, studying and using the Scientology Handbook, based on the works of L. Ron Hubbard. It's actually a compendium of skills LRH developed for the various areas that trouble people most in life, such as being able to cope with their own and others' emotional reactions, being able to communicate even if the other person doesn't want to cooperate, being able to study any subject, smoothly, simply, easily.

It's a great book. The online version is not the complete text of the handbook but it has a lot of very helpful information and you can not only use it yourself, you can send your friends to it to help them if they need something to get them over a hard spot.

Auditors Day

Tonight, Auditors day was celebrated in Clearwater, the spiritual "headquarters" of the Scientology religion.

I've been reading the basic books of Scientology (released in late June in Clearwater by David Miscavige and although I've been a Scientologist for many years, I am getting a much much better understanding of what it means to be an auditor.

L. Ron Hubbard used the word "auditor" instead of counselor or therapist or whatever because the word itself explains what a person who is an auditor does and what his attitude is toward the people he/she helps. Auditor means "one who listens" and that is one of the most important skills and functions he/she learns and performs.

When I was new to Scientology a friend of mine, who introduced me to it, sat down with me and just listened to me for about three hours. I felt much better at the end of that. Just having someone listen to me and let me vent without feeling compelled to tell me what he thought I should think about myself was so helpful.

From there I read the Dianetics book and that's when I realized how much this subject had to offer.

Anyway, tonight was Auditors Day in Clearwater, as I said, and auditors who train in Clearwater from around the world (literally) were acknowledged and thanked for their help. And boy do they help!

People are making huge life-changing gains from study of the Basic Books and Lectures, the fundamentals of the Scientology religion. Knowing these materials results in 100% understanding of the technology of life. Mr. David Miscavige has done a tremendous job making these materials available to everyone.

This page has links to the biography of David Miscavige in 16 languages.

This page on religious tolerance gives a good overview on the Scientology religion.

The Man Behind Scientology is an interesting article about an interview of Mr. David Miscavige by the St. Petersburg Times. It is at www.geocities.com/athens/delphi/1200/davidmiscavige.html

When Mr. David Miscavige was interviewed by the St. Petersburg Times, the resulting article gave some interesting quotes. This is a page that covers them. www.sptimes.com/TampaBay/102598/scientologyquotes.html

Mr. David Miscavige is an outstanding individual and driving force for freedom for mankind. This page has biographical data on him that provides a good picture of his accomplishments and goals.
www.scientologytoday.org/bio

Here is a page about the St. Petersburg Times interview of Mr. David Miscavige, including quotes. www.sptimes.com/TampaBay/102598/scientologyquotes.html

This page on Mr. David Miscavige biographies and articles includes many presentations he has done. He is a great motivational speaker. www.scientologytoday.org/bio

There is a great story on this page of how the Scientology Handbook was used by a Volunteer Minister to help children in Kolkata, India recently. The photos really show it, too. These children are beaming! This technology really works. www.scientologyhandbook.org

This is a special web page, Mr. David Miscavige's keynote address at the grand opening of the magnificent Church of Scientology of London. The photos are beautiful too! miscavige.rtc.org/london/index.html

The web page called David Miscavige Biographies and Articles, includes presentations and speeches made by Mr. Miscavige at major events including grand openings of Churches of Scientology through the world. One of my favorites is the opening of the Church of Scientology of Johannesburg in South Africa. Information on this is at www.scientologytoday.org/bio.

Mr. David Miscavige is unquestionably a leader of leaders as evidenced by the incomparable results he achieves applying Scientology technology. Here is a page that gives a good overview of his presentations, speeches and accomplishments. www.scientologytoday.org/bio

This page outlines effective solutions to problems that plague this civilization. Anyone can learn and use them. www.scientologyreligion.org

Here is page that covers an interview of Mr. David Miscavige by the St. Petersburg Times. www.sptimes.com/TampaBay/102598/scientologypart1.html

Scientology technology delivers results, predictably. This page describes the effective results achieved.
www.scientologyreligion.org

The Scientology Handbook has a wealth of technology given in simple steps that can be used to help others. Here is a page about it www.scientologyhandbook.org

The outstanding work done by Mr. David Miscavige for the Scientology religious movement is beyond words. He is a great man. Here is a page that provides information on this. www.scientologytoday.org/corp/rtc2.htm

Here is a comprehensive page about the bonafides of the Church of Scientology. It is very informative. www.bonafidescientology.org

This interview of Mr. David Miscavige by the St. Petersburg Times is an interesting outline of Mr. Miscavige's introduction to the Scientology religion and his tremendous dedication to achieving its aims. www.sptimes.com/TampaBay/102598/scientologypart1.html

I just found the funniest story in Google News with this quote:

"Any politician who supports war is insane according to the spiritual technology of Scientology."

It goes on to say:

"In the spiritual technology of Scientology, 'insanity is defined as the overt or covert but always constant intention to harm or destroy.'"

This quote is absolutely true.

The article, which is a parody, then takes it to some pretty ridiculous extremes, but as a completely minitant anti-war person, I wasn't unhappy to be classified as a member of a religion that is completely opposed to war!

The Scientology Handbook is a great book that provides solutions to life situations, including the dynamics of existence. This data has the precepts for living an ethical life and in that way becoming successful.

Further information can be found at www.scientologyhandbook.org.

For comprehensive information about Mr. David Miscavige and what he stands for, go to
davidmiscavige.rtc.org.

If there is some situation in your life that needs to be improved, there are Scientology techniques that will help you do so. See the chapter Ethics and Conditions in the Scientology Handbook. More on this at www.scientologyhandbook.org.

Newly on DVD is the Introduction to Scientology, the only filmed interview ever recorded of L. Ron Hubbard. It has been beautifully restored and is now available in 50 languages. Find out more about it at www.scientologytoday.org.

The Scientology Handbook has solutions to situations that have plagued man throughout history. Find out about them at www.scientologyhandbook.org.

This is a video of John Travolta on Scientology and what it has done for him.

Here is the Scientology Volunteer Ministers video in Castillian Spanish.

Scientology Volunteer Ministers are a growing world help movement that delivers effective results to people, including victims of disasters such as tsunamis, hurricanes, wild fires and earthquakes. They can be counted on to get the job done. See more at www.volunteerministers.org.

For those who speak the Spanish language, here is a video of the Scientology Volunteer Ministers in action. This is the most effective worldwide movement that brings real help to people.

This is a video narrated in German showing the Scientology Volunteer Ministers in action. This is a global movement that brings effective help and relief to people all over the world, including victims of disasters. Their motto is: Something can be done about it.

Scientology assists bring effective relief and help to people in need of it. The Scientology Handbook has a chapter on this called Assists for Illnesses and Injuries. Information on this can be found at www.scientologyhandbook.org.

It probably isn't well known, but it is a fundamental human right to have some time to play. Reference: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Here is a video about it.

A major typhoon has caused much devastation in the Philippines. Help is needed from Scientology Volunteer Ministers.

They have the technology to deliver real help, and anyone who wants to help in the Philippines can be trained in the technology.

Find out more at scientologytoday.org.

This is a great video that brings to life what it really means to be worthy of trust.

This is an excellent video on results with Dianetics counselling.