News

STAND wishes to take the opportunity of Thanksgiving to say a prayer of thanks—thanks to members, friends, supporters, fellow faith groups and all people working to bring others together; to help their fellow man; to show... READ MORE

Throughout its 12-year reign of terror, the Nazi Party persecuted Jehovah’s Witnesses. Members were imprisoned for refusing to swear allegiance to Hitler, salute the swastika, join the Nazi party, or allow their children... READ MORE

Freedom of speech is a recognized cornerstone of any free society, but when abused and exploited as a tool for hate, can cause personal and community discord and suffering. READ MORE

“Murder is the ultimate violation of a person’s human rights,” said Edward Parkin. “When evidence points to murder, complete investigation is not just warranted. It is mandated.” READ MORE

Having laid waste to the reputations of two publications, Antoine Oman/Cesar Oman/Tony Ortega headed to the Village Voice where in 2007 he was made editor-in-chief. The Voice was seeking to stem the pumping arteries of lost... READ MORE

“These Scientologists and American citizens are deeply disturbed by Disney’s decision to turn its back on them and their fellow Scientologists, betraying millions of fans,” said Edward Parkin, International Director... READ MORE

“With countless others around the world, we mourn the loss of this great leader and statesman who valued freedom and promoted a spirit of tolerance amongst all,” said Edward Parkin, STAND’s International Director. READ MORE

On Monday July 30th at the Department of Justice’s Religious Liberty Summit, U.S. Attorney Jeff Sessions announced the formation of a new Religious Liberty Task Force to defend the rights of citizens to freely practice their... READ MORE

Haggis’s few defenders are led by the notorious bigot Leah Remini and her TV lapdog, Mike Rinder. Not only did they grant Haggis a forum from which to profane a religion Haggis dabbled in decades earlier, but in January... READ MORE

So clear were the facts and the law that the Court of Appeal determined that the museum has no further rights of appeal. The decision is final. READ MORE

On June 28 at the landmark Solvay Library, situated near the European Parliament, a large group of faith and government representatives met in what has been termed the first Faith and Freedom Summit. READ MORE

Freedom of Religion or Belief (#FORB) has just launched a campaign that says, “Believe it or not, it’s my right!” The effort aims at bringing together believers and non-believers to protect and defend every person’s... READ MORE

The most senior medical authority to arrive on the scene, for example, Dr. C. Leslie Mootoo, chief medical examiner of Guyana, reported that the bodies he examined had not died by “drinking the Kool-Aid,” but by murder. READ MORE

How can one describe the Disney double standard that reacts instantly to an 11-word tweet but maintains utter silence in the face of 16 hour-long programs linked to more than 500 threats of murder, arson and other violence?... READ MORE

Something is seriously wrong. The question remains—what lies behind this increase in violence? Among the factors to be considered are a decline in spiritual values and, conversely, an increase in psychiatric domination of... READ MORE

The annual convention of the Religion Communicators Council (RCC), held in Atlanta last month, was attended by communication professionals from a broad range of religious organizations, including the International Director... READ MORE

Edward Parkin, the International Director of Scientologists Taking Action Against Discrimination (STAND), will soon be headed for this year’s Religion Communicators Council (RCC) convention in Atlanta, Georgia. READ MORE

“This is a very important victory for the Church. We feel that justice has prevailed,” said Attila Miklovicz, spokesperson for the Church of Scientology of Budapest. READ MORE

STAND and its members wish to thank Reverend Graham for the good he brought to this world through his message of peace, understanding, humanity and love and for his long life of service to Mankind. READ MORE

Sam Brownback was sworn in as U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Religious Freedom by Vice President Mike Pence on February 1, filling an important position that has been vacant since Rabbi David Saperstein left the office in January... READ MORE

A recent report by the prestigious nongovernmental think tank Freedom House, for example, revealed that Hungary has become the weakest democracy among all countries in the European Union, READ MORE

At a conference in Geneva, an international law expert and several NGOs called upon French President Emmanuel Macron and his Prime Minister to cease the financing of FECRIS (European Federation of Centers of Research and Information... READ MORE

The following is a letter from STAND member and President of the Church of Scientology Utah Sandra Lucas on the occasion of the passing of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President Thomas Monson. We publish... READ MORE

As 2018 launches and 2017 fades in the rear-view mirrors of our minds, STAND looks forward to a year of great strides in the fields of tolerance, mutual respect and religious freedom. READ MORE

This past weekend, Pope Francis addressed journalists from the Italian Periodical Press Union and the Italian Federation of Catholic Weeklies, whom he urged to avoid fake news and sensationalism in a profession of great importance... READ MORE

Last week, Scientologists Taking Action Against Discrimination held its first annual year-end celebration at the Church of Scientology of the Valley in Los Angeles, honoring nine successful months of operation and setting... READ MORE

The marchers—1,500 strong, including many friends from other religions—gathered at Deak Ferenc Square in the center of Budapest where a prominent member of the Hungarian Church, Timea Vojtilla, expressed the Scientologists’... READ MORE

Sixty-nine years ago today, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights —what would become the most widely agreed upon text on the subject of human rights and the most translated document in the world—was adopted by the... READ MORE

Actor Jeff Pomerantz joined nearly 800 Scientologists on the streets of this city on November 18 in a peaceful protest against government persecution of a broad array of religions. READ MORE

While Texas and America at large suffers through shock and grief, struggling to come to grips with yesterday’s tragedy—the deadliest mass shooting in Texas history and the deadliest at a place of worship in U.S. history—International... READ MORE