Representatives from different spiritual traditions and civil society organizations joined the Scientology group in marking these anniversaries. With a take a look at the previous challenges and achievements, additionally they seemed to the long run and potential of collaboration and group tasks. Among the many attendees there have been additionally Ambassadors and personnel of the European establishments.
Scientologists from Belgium and from overseas celebrated two anniversaries on January 23, 2025: 50 years of the Church of Scientology in Belgium and 15 years of the group’s headquarters on the Boulevard de Waterloo in Brussels. The evening began with a light-weight and wholesome dinner. Proper after, the grasp of ceremonies Ivan Arjona-Pelado, Scientology’s consultant to the European establishments and the United Nations, launched violinist Ilona Raasch for a reside musical efficiency, performed by classical violin items that set an intimate and heat ambiance for the night.
The affect of Scientology’s journey in Belgium was mirrored on by attendees, together with outstanding figures from spiritual and civil society teams.
Tracing 5 Many years of Spiritual Dedication
Arjona-Pelado, European consultant since 2017, took the viewers by the historical past of Scientology in Belgium. It originated within the Nineteen Fifties and Sixties when believers of the religion discovered the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard overseas and commenced to share them in small dwelling teams in Belgium. The preliminary institution of the primary official Scientology mission on the finish of 1974 offered the inspiration for a quickly bolstered spiritual group and structured spiritual actions and public engagement, who attended lectures, workshops and seminars, usually improvised by the veteran but new members.
Through the Eighties and Nineteen Nineties, Scientology continued to develop internationally, and Belgium was an necessary nation in its European development. In 1980 integrated the Church of Scientology of Belgium, and the institution of the primary European Scientology human rights workplace in Brussels befell in 1990-1991 marking a major step on the function of the Church to advertise and guarantee human rights for everybody in alignment with European and Worldwide covenants. Thus, Brussels was not solely the political capital of Europe but additionally the ethical and moral capital, the place Scientology additional elevated its dialogue with different religions and social organizations. This era noticed the church’s rising function in social outreach programmes, going past the supply of non secular companies to incorporate advocacy and schooling.
Challenges and A Lengthy Authorized Battle that led to Victory
Nevertheless, all this was not with out distractions for Scientology, as there have been sure assaults in Belgium. In 1997, a Belgian parliamentary report labeled 189 spiritual teams in a black-list which led to the general public stigma and a rise of discrimination. In 1999 caused a police raid, during which 120 officers entered the Church of Scientology, whereas Scientologists have been internet hosting a spiritual freedom marathon by the town. The unjustified raids led to an 18-year-long authorized battle, disrupting the lives of Scientologists and relations. Nevertheless, “with a strong belief that the truth will always prevail” as Arjona defined throughout his presentation, the Scientologists continued with their social actions such because the warfare on medicine and human rights schooling.
It was solely in 2016 when the most important milestone was reached in Brussels, when the court docket acquitted the church and Scientologists of all suspicions and assaults in a 173-page verdict, which identified critical violations of the protection’s rights and the presumption of guilt based mostly solely on “religious prejudice of a prosecutor and some policemen who had taken the power of the state to carry out their personal witch hunt” states Arjona. This verdict was not solely a victory for Scientology but additionally for spiritual freedom in Belgium. It additionally bolstered the place that spiritual minorities shouldn’t be subjected to unjustified discrimination, and due to this fact paved the best way for the church’s vindication of non secular freedom victory within the Belgium society.
The European Headquarters in Brussels
One other important progress on this journey was the institution of the brand new church referred to as “Churches of Scientology for the European Communities” on the Boulevard de Waterloo 15 years in the past, which was gifted by the Worldwide Affiliation of Scientologists. The power, which surpasses 8,000 sq. meters, is used for spiritual companies, research, seminars and interfaith occasions. “Our Chapel has seen ceremonies and lectures held by Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox, Hindus, Jewish, Sikhs, Freemasons and others,” says Ivan Arjona, “as a true religion of religions”. The constructing is an architectural marvel and on the similar time a heat welcome for all Scientologists and certainly guests of all faiths and none. Arjona additional reminded, in the course of the celebration of the fiftieth Anniversary, that the constructing is an open and welcoming place for all spiritual and group teams to come back collectively. It’s an interreligious assembly place, and it hosts conferences and discussions with the intention of building good relations “that help to work together for a world in peace,” defined Arjona.
Moreover the spiritual features, the headquarters has additionally a task to play in humanitarian and academic work. Many occasions and actions of drug prevention, bettering literacy and selling human rights are coordinated from this central hub, thus displaying the social duty of Scientology and its many pals. The power, “one of the most beautiful buildings in Brussels” says Arjona, has been a venue for a lot of workshops, conferences, and group actions that reinforce its place as a optimistic contributor in Brussels.
Social Initiatives and Academic Campaigns
The occasion additionally featured a number of the social campaigns of Scientology. Its drug prevention marketing campaign channelled by “Foundation for a Drug Free World” is geared toward younger folks and is designed to make sure that they’ve clear details about substances and their results to make knowledgeable choices. The group’s human rights schooling program “United for Human Rights” is predicated on the 1948 Common Declaration of Human Rights, and the group works to make sure that these rights are actualized in folks’s lives and never simply theoretical ideas. Additionally, there’s The Solution to Happiness, a non-religious ethical code written by L. Ron Hubbard and which offers with common values like honesty and respect. These supplies are offered freed from cost to colleges, municipalities and group teams to succeed in the final inhabitants.
As well as, the packages of Scientology have tangible outcomes; 1000’s of academic booklets of are yearly distributed, and plenty of workshops are held for college students and professionals. Thus, the church combines advocacy with sensible instruments to ensure that its social initiatives end in optimistic change and higher moral and social behaviour of the group.
Acknowledging the Efforts of Volunteers and Civil Society
A selected a part of the night was the appreciation of the volunteers and the employees who make the church and its packages potential. A number of folks have been referred to as ahead and applauded for his or her nice contribution. Their contribution was acknowledged as an necessary determinant of the church’s progress within the latest previous. The dedication and resilience of those volunteers have enabled Scientology to stay sturdy in Belgium, and have proven that people could make an enormous distinction within the enchancment of the group. Arjona additionally acknowledged a few of these Civil Society activists which have been working alongside the Church, be it on human rights, drug prevention, selling tradition and peace and in addition to serving to the needy within the streets.
The fiftieth anniversary of Scientology in Belgium was not simply the celebration of the previous, it was a proclamation of the long run. To finalize the occasion, the general public was taken by the church’s informational exhibition to see the varied outreach packages and supplies that the church has, and have been invited to champagne and a birthday cake reduce with a duplicate of the Excalibur sword.
Media Contact
Group: European Workplace Church of Scientology for Public Affairs and Human Rights
Contact Individual: Ivan Arjona
Web site: https://www.europeanaffairs.eu
Electronic mail: Ship Electronic mail
Handle: Boulevard de Waterloo 103
Metropolis: Brussels
State: Brussels
Nation: Belgium
Launch Id: 30012523184
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