Scientology in Los Angeles
Pam Shannon
Community Relations Director
Church of Scientology Los Angeles
Our southern California lifestyle notwithstanding, hardly a day goes by that we’re not touched by some sort of anxiety or concern over economic hardship, rising crime and violence, or security warnings. But the greatest concern should not be over the immediate disruption to our lives posed by such threats, rather the consequences they present for the future.
The new generation is already on much more fragile ground than previous ones. Tomorrow’s parents and leaders are weakened by record rates of illiteracy, drug abuse, crime and immorality never even dreamed of decades ago.
So it follows that about the most valuable work we as a society can do today is to create a safe and stable future for our children.
Those efforts start with upholding and pursuing worthwhile values and humanitarian objectives in the world. Toward that end, we feature in our cover story the work of the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre International and its artist members to advance community, social and human rights causes – work that was celebrated at their 33rd anniversary gala in Hollywood.
Efforts to create a better future also necessarily involve the reversal of the decline evident in current society. In that vein, nothing could be more ripe for reform than drugs in our schools. Yes, the illicit kind but there is a greater danger: in Los Angeles, as in the rest of the nation, learning and behavior problems today are increasingly being met in schools with “legal” drugs.
As elucidated in the sobering stories of parents — some of which we present in this edition of Los Angeles Freedom — drugs can’t and never will solve education. That becomes even clearer when one considers that nationally, academic scores have not been rising whereas, not surprisingly, drug abuse has — at younger and younger ages, with an attendant rise in violence and crime.
Parents, teachers, other concerned citizens working together can make their voices heard and change this trend and other threats to our youth and their future. We can all get behind programs and solutions that do work.
There are many religious, social and charitable groups and citizens throughout the Southland who are genuinely working to improve conditions.
In our site, we highlight a few of the many programs and activities that Churches of Scientology sponsor or support, including education, drug prevention, and youth activities that are already building a better future for all.
As always, we welcome your comments and views.
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