Why Scientologists Fight for Religious Freedom was originally posted by John Evans on the website of STAND (Scientologists Taking Action Against Discrimination) and is published here with his permission.
Why Scientologists Fight for Religious Freedom
Religion is about freedom.
No matter by what name it’s known—Salvation, Nirvana, Moksha, or Paradise. Freedom is the end toward which people of faith strive. They do so through good works, reverence, observance and study. And one must be able to do these things freely. Without constraints or conditions.
This is why Scientologists fight for religious freedom alongside other faiths
This is why Scientologists stand with other faiths in support of religious freedom. Scientologists support freedom for all. And this is why we stand in solidarity with our sister religions. We stand against all forms of religious persecution. And we stand against abuse, prejudice and bigotry.
As a new religion on the world stage, Scientology has had more than its share of attacks. Whether from those who feel threatened by the promise of hope, freedom or something new. And we are proud to have friends of many faiths. They have marched with us shoulder to shoulder. Under the banner of religious freedom, they have supported our freedom to believe and to practice when it has been under threat. We have joined hands in the streets and in the courthouses. And we have fought together for our human right to practice the religion we love. And for your right to pursue whatever faith your heart leads you to.
We will continue to fight for your right to practice your faith freely
Religious freedom, as you read this, is under attack. On a global scale unprecedented in world history.
According to this year’s report from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, 27 million refugees have fled religious persecution. Two-thirds of them were from five countries. Three of these countries are guilty of constant and egregious human rights violations. Religious freedom in particular. This is the 21st century. But human beings are being uprooted, raped, tortured and slaughtered for their religious beliefs. And this is at a rate undreamed of in the darkest days of the Inquisition.
Scientologists will not allow the lamps of freedom to go out
So this is why Scientologists fight for religious freedom. My religion, however, will not allow the lamps of freedom to go out. And so we fight. Together with our friends. The Christian, the Muslim, the Jew. The Buddhist, the Sikh, the Latter-day Saint. And so many others comprise the multicolored tapestry of faiths in the world. We will continue to fight for your right to practice your faith freely. No matter what and no matter where.
Every individual has a private door to his spirit. But he must have the freedom to open that door.
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