AUTHOR
Edward Parkin, International Director STAND
As International Director for STAND, Edward Parkin oversees efforts in 58 nations aimed at combating bigotry toward Scientologists and the Scientology religion. A native of Great Britain and 38-year Scientologist, Mr. Parkin coordinates projects promoting and defending everyone’s right to practice their religion of choice.
COMBATING BIGOTRY & HATE
A teenage boy in India is taking on A&E executives Nancy Dubuc and Paul Buccieri in a grassroots campaign against bigotry, hate and inciting violence. After seeing on-air previews of Leah Remini’s reality TV show that spreads hate about the Church of Scientology, New Delhi teenager Ram Sharma said he was “sick of” Remini’s bigoted rants.
COMBATING BIGOTRY & HATE
STAND national director Bari Berger issued a statement of solidarity with the Interfaith Coalition and the mosque and encouraged all Minnesota Scientologists to help in any way possible. “This attack and any attack against any religion is deplorable and perpetrated by a godless individual. All religions standing together can overcome hate.”
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered an insightful speech when he launched the Fez Plan of Action to prevent hate speech as an incitement to acts of atrocity. The Fez Plan, drawn up in April 2015 in Fez, Morocco, addresses hate speech which causes atrocities against people of religion.
MEDIA WATCH
This is the second time now that I am writing to you in hopes that I can appeal to a sense of responsibility as a major media conglomerate with viewers everywhere. The Disney brand is one that carries with it a high standard which should not be compromised by carrying false and deceptive content.
MEDIA WATCH
My husband and I have been Scientologists for over 40 years. During this time we have raised three wonderful boys using Mr. Hubbard’s technology and we find it offensive that our children and grandchildren and children of other Scientologists should be targeted by your program.
MEDIA WATCH
Ours is a thriving, popular, 21st-century religion that has expanded and flourished during its 67 years of existence. In fact you include the word Scientology in your article for no plausible reason. So you abuse our good name to gain illicit profit. Shame on you.
MEDIA WATCH
Leah Remini’s show on A&E is not about Scientology but about her twisted version of events. Were any of her televised installments true, Scientology would not exist. Her claims are outlandish, to put it mildly.
MEDIA WATCH
Remini and her sidekick, Mike Rinder, parade themselves as bastions of goodwill, while through their despicable actions they destroy families and happiness left and right and get nominated for it. This is sickening.
MEDIA WATCH
Mr. McAfee responded to this letter by writing in part: My intent was not to offend anyone, so for that I'm sorry. I only seek to critique beliefs, and not believers, and I do believe everyone has the right to believe as they see fit (as long as they don't harm anyone else as a result of those beliefs). Thank you for your time. David G. McAfee
MEDIA WATCH
Unfortunately though, you are force-feeding the thinking public a diet of your obsession and her drivel, best described as hate-speech. No one asked for it and no one needs it, least of all those who are the subject of it—Scientologists. But you keep piling it on.
