Religious leaders gathered at the Church of Scientology Los Angeles last week to celebrate World Interfaith Harmony Week, sharing personal perspectives on their faith to build understanding and promote unity in diversity. World Interfaith Harmony Week is an annual global observance established by the United Nations to promote peace and understanding among people of all faiths, with events held worldwide to strengthen ideals of peace within and among all religions, nations, and peoples. In celebration of these principles, the Scientology Volunteer Ministers chapter of Los Angeles hosted an event on February 11.
The evening opened with a prayer from Chief Joseph Tasunka Okuna Jr. of the Lakota Nation, who performed a ceremonial chant to offer protection to those in attendance. Following this ceremony, representatives of diverse faiths shared the stage, speaking about their personal journeys and desire to collaborate with one another. Those speaking represented Christianity, Islam, Falun Gong, and Scientology. Pastor Oliver E. Buie from the Bel-Vue United Presbyterian Church highlighted, "The message and vision of unity rings loud and clear. It is essential that the spirit of oneness continue as we work together to spread peace, unity, and love for all of humanity."
In forming the Scientology Volunteer Ministers program, humanitarian and Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard highlighted the vital importance of religion in society as stated in his 1976 essay Religious Influence in Society: "When a culture has fallen totally away from spiritual pursuits into materialism, one must begin by demonstrating they are each a soul, not a material animal. From this realization of their own religious nature individuals can again come to an awareness of God and become more themselves." The Church of Scientology of Los Angeles serves as a home for the Los Angeles community and as a meeting ground of cooperative effort to uplift people of all denominations.
To find out more about the programs and initiatives headed by the Church of Scientology, visit the website of the Church of Scientology Los Angeles or watch Inside a Church of Scientology on the Scientology Network. You can visit the Scientology Volunteer Ministers website to learn more about this initiative. The Scientology religion was founded by author and philosopher L. Ron Hubbard, with the first Church of Scientology formed in Los Angeles in 1954, and the religion has expanded to more than 11,000 Churches, Missions and affiliated groups, with millions of members in 167 countries.
