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
Court Orders Hungarian Tabloid Ripost to Publish Correction of False Statement Against Scientologist
This is a landmark decision in securing honesty from media outlets and ensuring that they do not get away with falsely labeling individuals innocent of wrongdoing.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
STAND is mindful that Hungarian Scientologists have also faced religious discrimination and have been subject to hate speech. STAND sincerely hopes that this atmosphere of religious and racial tolerance will expand and reach into all sectors of this country thereby helping to establish a new cultural renaissance from which all can benefit.
MEDIA WATCH
The reason Scientology has survived and flourished, as it has for the last 67 years, notwithstanding the carping criticism of certain bigoted sources, is its workability and thus its popularity. You name-drop the word Scientology into your article because of its recognition and its popularity. Were that not true, it would be a dim distant memory in only a few people’s minds. It isn’t.
MEDIA WATCH
It is unconscionable in this day and age that a reporter for a respected news network should be permitted to get away with this type of invitation to violence. It would not be tolerated with any other religion and should in no way be tolerated against Scientology.
MEDIA WATCH
What’s one of America’s best-known insurance brands, where “15 minutes can save you 15% or more…” doing supporting a controversial hate and propaganda program such as the A&E’s Scientology and the Aftermath? There must be less controversial and offensive productions that Geico can cash in on.
COMBATING BIGOTRY & HATE
Scientologists Taking Action Against Discrimination (STAND) appreciates that the German federal government has taken upon itself to more forcefully curtail hate speech on digital platforms, as reported in the New York Times.
MEDIA WATCH
What is one of America’s best-known drug stores, “at the corner of Happy and Healthy,” doing supporting a controversial hate and propaganda program such as the A&E show Scientology and the Aftermath? There must be less controversial and offensive productions Walgreens can sponsor.
MEDIA WATCH
Leah Remini’s hatred has spawned over 500 death threats, bomb threats, and acts of violence. Perpetrators were prosecuted and jail terms were served. Her hate speech caused children to be bullied at schools, employees to be harassed at work, property to be destroyed, and people to be scared. That is her legacy. Is that to be yours?
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
Six of every 10 Americans say they know virtually nothing about Sikhism , the world’s fifth largest religion. Hence, the National Sikh Campaign (NSC) launched this year to educate the American population on what it means to be a Sikh and that “Sikh values are American values.
MEDIA WATCH
Adhering to your formula, one could describe a Christian group as “pagan-like” or a political organization as “cannibal-like” or, better yet, a media outlet as “criminal-like.” Those groups would certainly, and rightly, object strenuously to such analogies, as I do about your crack about Scientology.
