Follow the enchanting canals and arched bridges of city center Amsterdam and then wander east into the fast growing, trendy and studious Knowledge Mile and you will hit the fast lane of one of Europe\u2019s creative capitals. The Knowledge Mile represents the advance guard of Amsterdam\u2019s development and a symbol of learning and expansion for this city amidst an exciting renewal.<\/p>\n
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Indeed, the grand opening of Amsterdam\u2019s new Church of Scientology was an exuberant celebration of knowledge, in both a modern and spiritual sense. So it was, some 1,300 Scientologists and guests gathered on Saturday, October 28, in central Amsterdam, to celebrate the unveiling of a striking new landmark on the area\u2019s central apex\u2014the bustling Wibautstraat.<\/p>\n
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In commemorating the occasion, Mr. David Miscavige, the ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, declared: \u201cBefore that ribbon falls, let\u2019s take a moment to contemplate your place in Dutch history\u2014not to mention mythology. For you are no longer sailing seaward and windward, and you\u2019re no longer skirting headlands homeward. On the contrary, you\u2019re outward bound on a course to eternity itself.\u201d<\/p>\n
The grand opening festivities hit nearly every note on the city\u2019s cultural spectrum, from the classic beat of the \u201cOde to the Amsterdam Canals\u201d to the Suriname drums and electronic rendition highlighting the city\u2019s place in new millennium music folklore. It was also a day heralding diversity and partnership, led by prominent dignitaries representing the collective belief in a stronger Amsterdam as a more together Amsterdam.<\/p>\n
Reflecting the social betterment and interfaith traditions of the city, the first Church of Scientology has been active in community-building initiatives since opening its doors in Amsterdam in 1974. Just one example is the Chapter of Citizens Commission on Human Rights, which has been a vital force in protecting the rights of Dutch children. Their presentation to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child on the overdrugging of the country\u2019s children, resulted in a national mandate to investigate the root causes of the symptoms of ADHD.<\/p>\n
Scientologists further combatted drug abuse in the city through the distribution of over 25,000\u00a0Truth About Drugs<\/em>\u00a0materials, while L.\u00a0Ron Hubbard\u2019s universal moral precepts in\u00a0The Way to Happiness\u00a0<\/em>have been distributed to the tune of 150,000. The Church is also an active voice in interfaith activities, in which it champions dialogue to bridge differences and increase understanding.<\/p>\n The striking new 79,000-square-foot facility only serves to expands the Church\u2019s footprint in the city and provides a launching point to extend their humanitarian outreach from their prime location, just minutes from the very center of the city by metro, bicycle or car. As such, the 5-story facility is a dazzling new landmark for hope and collaboration to the more than 70,000 commuters daily passing by on Wibautstraat.<\/p>\n In support of the center\u2019s message of partnership were local dignitaries on hand to welcome the Church to its new home, including Mr. Maarten Lubbers, Chairman, Together One Amsterdam; Mr. Michael Van Gils, Senior Police Officer, Dutch Regional Police (Ret.); Ms. Sheela Vyas, Chair of the Women\u2019s Council of Amsterdam; and Ari Van Buuren, Chairman of the United Religion\u2019s Initiative Netherlands.<\/p>\n Maarten Lubbers, Chairman, Together One Amsterdam spoke of the Church as a new member to enhance the institutes of learning, companies and organizations of \u201cthe smartest street\u201d in the Netherlands: \u201cEveryone needs a sanctuary that offers solitude and serenity, with yourself and with your family and friends. In life, people experience loss, have tragedies and want and need to reflect. And your new home is like an extension of the street, the doors are open and the people are welcome. And I believe that here everyone will be met with compassion and be greeted with open arms\u2014because this is a center that is genuinely dedicated to inspiring and uplifting our Dutch society.\u201d<\/p>\n Michael Van Gils, retired regional police officer and medical expert, spoke to the CCHR movement and its legacy of defending child\u2019s rights: \u201cWith CCHR, I found myself among a crusade of millions. Here was a partner that would not only state something, they would take action. And you did so, on behalf of us all. You went to the National Parliament to tell them, \u2018our children deserve better.\u2019 You reached over 2,000 doctors, educators and political leaders with your message and the facts\u2026 Thanks to CCHR, child doctors had to warn against the prescription of ADHD medicine\u2014and that is permanent change.\u201d<\/p>\n Ms. Vyas, Chair of the Women\u2019s Council of Amsterdam, highlighted the bright future for Amsterdam heralded by the festivities and\u00a0The Way to Happiness<\/em>: \u201cThis little book is a very useful tool to empower people to take responsibility for their own lives and the lives of others around them. It inspires them to grow into responsible and loving citizens. And so, it forms a rock to build decent societies upon. In this time when moral standards are decreasing in Holland and elsewhere, people need effective tools to educate themselves\u2026 Because true education is not obtaining certificates but having a moral compass to self-empowerment.\u201d<\/p>\n Capping the sense of new beginnings the day celebrated, Mr.\u00a0Van Buuren, Chairman of the United Religion\u2019s Initiative Netherlands, spoke of the keen relationship between Scientology and spirituality. \u201cThere is an ancient Dutch proverb that says: \u2018Improve the world and begin with yourself\u2019\u2026 We are in need of a counter movement of spirituality, out of loneliness and isolation. And your transformation and educational training deeply contributes. It is all about self-knowledge and spiritual awareness. You offer an important contribution to spiritual awareness and freedom. In the Western culture, rational thinking and spirituality have become separated\u2014and Scientology reconnects them together again.\u201d<\/p>\n The new Church provides visitors with an introduction to Dianetics and Scientology, beginning with the Public Information Center. Its displays, containing more than 500 films, present the beliefs and practices of the Scientology religion and the life and legacy of Founder L.\u00a0Ron Hubbard.<\/p>\n The Information Center also details the many humanitarian programs that Scientology supports. They include a worldwide\u00a0human rights education initiative<\/a>; a far-reaching\u00a0drug education, prevention and rehabilitation program<\/a>; a\u00a0global network of literacy and learning centers, and the\u00a0Scientology Volunteer Minister program<\/a>, which has become the world\u2019s largest independent relief\u00a0force.<\/p>\n The Amsterdam Chapel provides for Scientology congregational gatherings that include Sunday Services, Weddings and Naming Ceremonies. It will also host community-wide events, open to members of all denominations. The facility further includes multiple seminar rooms and classrooms, and an entire wing dedicated to Scientology\u00a0auditing<\/em>\u00a0(spiritual counseling).<\/p>\n The opening of the new Church of Scientology Amsterdam comes during a period of rapid expansion for the religion with 60 new Churches of Scientology from Los Angeles to Tampa, London to Milan, Johannesburg to Tokyo and Tel Aviv to Kaohsiung. Over the past decade, those openings have driven worldwide expansion for the religion to a rate surpassing the previous 50 years combined.<\/p>\n In 2017, openings of new Churches of Scientology have taken place in\u00a0Auckland, New Zealand<\/a>; the\u00a0San Fernando Valley, California<\/a>;\u00a0Miami, Florida<\/a>;\u00a0Copenhagen, Denmark<\/a>; and two in just the last two weeks in\u00a0Birmingham, United Kingdom<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Dublin, Ireland<\/a>.<\/p>\n More Church openings are planned in the next 12 months for cultural epicenters in Europe, Latin America, North America and Africa.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A world-class capital and icon of culture and tolerance welcomes the Church of Scientology to its new home. Follow the enchanting canals and arched bridges of city center Amsterdam and then wander east into the fast growing, trendy and studious Knowledge Mile and you will hit the fast lane of one of Europe\u2019s creative capitals. 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