Scientology got Matt Sharp Back into the Game

Scientologist Matt Sharp has the self-confidence that comes from understanding how to deal with challenges in life. His profile is one of 200 “Meet a Scientologist” videos available on the Scientology website at www.Scientology.org.

Matt Sharp always worked hard and played to win. But right after college he struck out over a problem he simply couldn’t handle.

“I was an able guy,” says Sharp, 27, “but life threw me this curve and it caught me unprepared.”

A Target National All-Around Scholarship Winner, U.S. Army National Scholar Athlete, Sharp set his sites on the Major Leagues. But he wasn’t prepared for the competitiveness of professional sports. When he ran into conflicts he couldn’t resolve, he found himself on the sidelines and he opted out.

“That was a real shock for me,” says Sharp. “I had always been able to make things work, just by being myself. I was raised a Scientologist but I never felt the need to learn it before this occurred. That’s when I buckled down and started to study Scientology.”

Taking courses at the Scientology Church in Clearwater, Sharp learned how to deal with stress and discovered what lies behind irreconcilable conflicts. He learned the tools to handle these and other challenges in life.

Sharp began working in real estate and marketing, where his friendliness and outgoing nature made him a natural.

“I also studied some of the administrative technology developed by L. Ron Hubbard and use it every day on the job,” says Sharp. “I enjoy my work and consistently hit the targets I set for myself.”

A hard worker and optimist, Sharp is always open to new experiences.

“I recently landed a part in an independent film and am trying my hand at screenwriting,” he says. “From studying Scientology I know what to do if I run into barriers or stops in life. That makes it much more fun to try new things.”

View the Matt Sharp video at www.Scientology.org.

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The popular “Meet a Scientologist” profiles on the Church of Scientology International Video Channel at Scientology.org now total 200 broadcast-quality documentary videos featuring Scientologists from diverse locations and walks of life. The personal stories are told by Scientologists who are educators, teenagers, skydivers, a golf instructor, a hip-hop dancer, IT manager, stunt pilot, mothers, fathers, dentists, photographers, actors, musicians, fashion designers, engineers, students, business owners and more.

A digital pioneer and leader in the online religious community, in April 2008 the Church of Scientology became the first major religion to launch its own official YouTube Video Channel, which has now been viewed by millions of visitors.

Scientology in Clearwater on Scientology.org

GOLDEN ERA PRODUCTIONS RECEIVES TELLY AWARD FOR HOW TO USE DIANETICS FILM ON DVD


How to Use Dianetics was honored Monday, June 13, with a Bronze Telly Award for Film or Video in the category of Religion and Spirituality. The film is a four-and-a-half-hour book on film of L. Ron Hubbard’s seminal work, Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, the all-time best-selling book on the human mind.

This is the second coveted industry award received this month by the film, produced by Golden Era Productions, worldwide dissemination center for the entire Scientology religion, responsible for all film, video, television, Internet and international event production.

“How to Use Dianetics contains more than 10,000 computer-generated special effects graphics, illustrating every component of Dianetics,” says Catherine Fraser, Director of Public Affairs for Golden Era Productions. “It enables the viewer to see each of the concepts presented in the book. Great care was taken to stay true to the book and bring the bestseller to life, making it as realistic as possible, even down to filming a real black panther to illustrate one of the key concepts in the book. The step-by-step presentation makes it possible to master every Dianetics principle, one at a time. The film has already been translated into 16 languages, and we ultimately plan to expand this to more than 70 languages in all.”

The Telly Awards, established in 1978, has the mission of strengthening the visual arts community by inspiring, promoting, and supporting creativity. Today, the Telly is one of the most sought-after awards by industry leaders, from large international firms to local production companies and ad agencies. The 32nd Annual Telly Awards received over 11,000 entries from all 50 states and 5 continents.

On June 1, 2011, How to Use Dianetics was honored with an Indie Fest Award of Excellence for educational and instructional films. Golden Era Productions has earned 58 national and international awards for their films, documentaries, public service announcements and websites. For more information about Golden Era Productions and the How to Use Dianetics DVD, visit www.Scientology.org.

Scientology in Clearwater on Scientology.org

WHAT IS FLAG?

Flag Service Organization in Clearwater, Florida

Flag (the Flag Service Organization) is a religious retreat located in Clearwater, Florida. It serves as the spiritual headquarters and Mecca for Scientologists planetwide. Flag is the largest Church of Scientology in the world. Flag represents the hub of the greater Scientology worldwide community as a dynamic, multilingual organization. Flag not only ministers the most advanced levels of training available anywhere, but all advanced levels of auditing up to New OT VII.

The title “Flag” follows from the fact that from the late 1960s through the mid-1970s, the highest ecclesiastical organizations were located at sea aboard a flotilla of ships. The 330-foot motor vessel Apollo served as Mr. Hubbard’s home. Accordingly, it was then the most senior Scientology Church. It was known as the “Flagship” of the flotilla and called “Flag” for short.

At that time, special advanced auditing and training services were ministered only aboard Flag. However, as more and more Scientologists wished to participate in these services, the lack of sufficient space required a move to land. In 1975, the Flag Service Organization established itself in Clearwater, Florida, where it occupied the historic twelve-story city landmark Fort Harrison Hotel. Since then, Flag has continued to expand. Today it also occupies the Sandcastle which ministers advanced auditing, the Coachman Building which serves as a training center for thousands of Scientologists and many other supporting facilities.

Given Flag’s growing international congregation, the last several years has seen continual construction to provide still more facilities for its parishioners. On January 1, 2008, the fully renovated 172,000-square-foot Oak Cove opened, providing both accommodations for visiting Scientologists and space for ministering Flag religious services.

On March 14, 2009, the ribbon was cut on the eleven-month, million-man-hour restoration of the 267,000-square-foot Fort Harrison. Providing accommodations and restaurants for Scientologists while receiving religious services, the historic property is also open to the public for charity events, tours and open houses.

Immediately following the Fort Harrison rededication, the final construction phase began on the 377,000-square-foot Flag Mecca building. When completed, the 22 separate course rooms will seat 1,800 parishioners, while the 300 Church counseling rooms will service 1,200 more every day.

Since its founding, Flag has expanded to more than 40 buildings totaling more than 2 million square feet, servicing an average of 2,700 Scientologists a week in all major languages.

Flag is also a hub of Scientology within its own community, sponsoring a variety of outreach activities to help those in need. Visiting Scientology artists and performers regularly hold public exhibitions and concerts to which local residents are always invited.

Flag is the spiritual Mecca of the Scientology religion. Although it concentrates on ministering the most advanced spiritual levels of Scientology, its services span the entirety of the Bridge. Every Scientologist aspires to come to Flag. And sooner or later, everyone does.

Scientology in Clearwater on Scientology.org

RIBBON FALLS ON AUSTRALIA'S
FIRST IDEAL CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY

Thousands of Scientologists, dignitaries and guests from across the nation celebrated a milestone—the opening of the first Ideal Scientology Church in Australia.

Auntie Joy Murphy Wandin, senior elder of the Wurundjeri people, opened the dedication with the traditional “Welcome to Country” ceremony, welcoming Scientologists to the lands of her ancestors.

Scientologist, Melbourne native and award-winning singer and songwriter Kate Ceberano performed a moving rendition of her original composition “This Song is You,” written in honour of the occasion and the heritage of the city and all that Australia holds dear.

In tribute to the significance of the occasion Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center and ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, travelled to Melbourne from the United States to officiate at the dedication. He acknowledged the long parade of accomplishments by Australian Scientologists that culminated in the new Church.

“It is my honour to join you this evening and commemorate a moment that will live on in history for a long time to come. Not that you haven’t loomed large in history before, not that you haven’t triumphed over great adversity in years gone by, not that you didn’t stand firm for the dignity of Man, and not that you didn’t indeed uphold the God-given rights of all religions all over this world.

“But having triumphed today in the name of our religion, you just flipped this planet all the way around so that Melbourne now sits on top of the globe. And that’s what it means to build an Ideal Org beneath the Southern Cross.”

Mr. Miscavige also spoke of Melbourne’s hallowed place in Scientology history, noting that Founder L. Ron Hubbard himself came to Melbourne in November 1959 to deliver a series of lectures to its founding Scientology community. As Mr. Miscavige explained: “Those November 1959 lectures marked a turn in the path and a rise in the road, from which the whole panorama of human potential came into focus. Whence, the highest levels of Scientology and the whole vista of spiritual enlightenment and freedom.

“So you wonder where you stand in the history and legacy of LRH and our religion as a whole? None of it would exist were it not for what began right here—and that’s both the heritage and legacy, which is indelibly woven through the brickwork of your new Ideal Org of Melbourne.”

Acknowledging the Church for its many contributions to the community were Melbourne Lord Mayor the Honourable Robert Doyle, Moonee Valley City Councillor Paul Giuliano, Shadow Minister for Tourism and Major Events, the Honourable Justin Madden, Sociologist Professor Gary Bouma and former Indigenous Person of the Year Uncle Bob Randall.

Praising the Church’s active role in community life, Lord Mayor Robert Doyle told those assembled: “Today marks an historic occasion for Scientology. The building you see before you is the first of its type in Australasia, and the re-birth of an historic Melbourne building. This is a unique space. I hope benefits flow in partnerships, community connection and goodwill. I invite you to celebrate this opening in the heart of our exciting, welcoming and diverse Melbourne.”

Moonee Valley City Councillor Paul Giuliano welcomed the congregation to his metropolitan Melbourne community where the Church is located: “I know that I speak for many when I say thank you so very much for restoring this beloved landmark to its former glory. I cannot think of a better custodian than the Church of Scientology.”

The occasion was a reunion for teacher, football icon and Victoria Shadow Minister Justin Madden, who attended the Catholic University within the walls of what is now the new Scientology Church. He commended the Church for its historic preservation as well as its literacy and drug education initiatives: “Unselfishly, you work to provide ways and means to uplift our society. You have set the standard for the community with your restoration of this building and with your social programs—an example I will point to for others to follow. Your new Church is as Melbourne as Melbourne gets.”

Human rights activist Bob Randall, whose award-winning documentary, Kanyini, exposed the plight of the Aboriginal “stolen generations,” thanked the Church and its Scientology Volunteer Ministers program for its commitment to the indigenous people of Australia: “Scientology Volunteer Ministers have come to my country and given us hope that we can deal with these problems and we will make a difference in the near future. The Volunteer Ministers I’ve met have become my friends. The fellowship between us has been fun and I look forward to continuing that relationship to continue on to the present into the future. On behalf of me and my people, I thank you.”

Melbourne has long held importance for the Scientology religion. Within months of L. Ron Hubbard authoring Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health in 1950, the first Dianetics group in Australia was formed here and in 1955 the first Scientology Church in Australia opened in this city.

Australia similarly long held a place near to L. Ron Hubbard’s heart, beginning with his service “Down Under” as a United States Naval Officer through the first days of World War II. Principally stationed in Brisbane, but also operating from Melbourne, then Lieutenant Hubbard was charged with organising relief efforts for Allied troops trapped in the Philippines. He also proudly served with Australian gunnery units for the defence of Brisbane.

As Scientology Founder, L. Ron Hubbard returned to Australia in 1959 to deliver two historic lecture series: The Melbourne Congress and the 1^st Melbourne Advanced Clinical Course. Remembered today for his delineation of the highest spans of the Scientology Bridge, Mr. Hubbard’s Australian lectures will forever hold a cherished place in the religion.

Today, the Melbourne Scientology Church is the first Ideal Church of Scientology Organisation in Australia, realising Mr. Hubbard’s vision for what Scientology can provide for its congregation and community.

The Church now stands on the site of the 19th century estate of Robert McCracken, leading businessman and founder of the legendary Essendon Bombers football team. After the turn of the 20th century, this building became the home of Mercy Teachers’ College, later part of the Catholic University. The original name of the estate is “Ailsa” for Ailsa Craig, an island off the west coast of Scotland from where the McCracken family sailed more than 150 years ago.

Melbourne’s Public Information Centre offers more than 450 informational films illustrating Scientology beliefs, the life and legacy of Founder L. Ron Hubbard, and the full array of Church-sponsored social betterment and community outreach programs.

The Chapel seats hundreds, the library contains all Church Scripture. Course rooms and counselling rooms accommodate Scientologists from throughout Victoria. Seminar rooms, film rooms and Life Improvement Course rooms make effective solutions to the most pressing challenges people face today easily available to Scientologists and non-Scientologists alike. Workspaces for volunteers stand open and ready for use by parishioners and the community.

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Under the guidance of Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center and ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, 23 Ideal Churches have been dedicated and opened since 2003, including those in world cultural capitals—The National Church of South Africa in Johannesburg; the National Church of Scientology of Spain in Madrid; the Church of Scientology of New York, just off Times Square; the Church of Scientology of London, located in the epicentre of the city; the Church of Scientology of Italy in Rome; the Church of Scientology of Washington, D.C., just blocks from the White House on “Church Row”; the National Church of Scientology Mexico, in Mexico City; and the Church of Scientology of Berlin, near the Brandenburg Gate. Another 60 Ideal Churches are in design, planning or construction phases.

The Scientology religion was founded by author and philosopher L. Ron Hubbard. The first Church of Scientology was formed in the United States in 1954 and has today expanded to more than 9,000 Churches, Missions and affiliated groups, with millions of members in 165 countries.

Scientology in Clearwater on Scientology.org

clearwater scientologist: MARLENE CABENDA’S

EXTRAORDINARY LIFE

Marlene Cabenda was a trusted and admired human rights lawyer and insurance executive, yet she knew something was missing—until she found Scientology. Her profile is one of 200 “Meet a Scientologist” videos available on the Scientology website atwww.Scientology.org.

Scientology in Clearwater on Scientology.org

When Marlene Cabenda sets her mind to do something, the results are remarkable.

When Cabenda was growing up in her native Suriname, there was no university. She applied to study in the Netherlands, won acceptance and a scholarship, and at 18 moved on her own to Europe to study law.

She returned home a corporate attorney with a specialty in insurance and rose to the top of her field, eventually becoming the most senior executive in her firm—her country’s highest-placed woman in the industry.

While advancing her career, Cabenda dedicated herself to the purpose that originally led her to study law—to help those in need. She devoted her energy to humanitarian law, practicing pro bono as counsel for the Suriname Red Cross, where her work was so highly regarded she was asked to take over as president in 1985.

“I was a businesswoman. I made good money, had a nice house, traveled around the world,” says Cabenda. “But I always felt something was missing.”

Introduced to Scientology by her sister Ingrid, in 1997 Cabenda received her first auditing—spiritual counseling, from Latin audire, “to hear or listen.”

“I had been searching on a spiritual level for a very long time,” she says. “I found the answers I was looking for in my very first auditing session.”

Cabenda retired at 46, moved to Florida with her one-year-old daughter Kimberly, and began a second career—as a Scientology auditor.

“I always wanted to help,” says Cabenda, 58. “Now I really knew how.

As an auditor, no matter what the person across from you is going through, you know he or she will be smiling by the time you end the session. Their relief and happiness is also mine. That’s about as high as you can go this side of heaven.”

View the Marlene Cabenda video at www.Scientology.org.