David Miscavige - Articles and Speeches

September 25, 2004

MR. DAVID MISCAVIGE:

It is truly my pleasure to join you in the opening of this new Church of Scientology of New York. Because, and let there be no doubt, the significance of this day far transcends what stands before you.

And that really is saying something, since what stands before you is nothing short of sensational, representing the decade long dreams of New York Scientologists.

Yet, while that alone may be cause for celebration, the importance of this new church — your new church — extends far beyond this structure, or this city. In that regard, today marks a milestone step in our planetary crusade to urgently bring on our help on a global scale — with the importance of todays occasion extending across the Scientology world. And that is why it is my honor to be here today. For as you will soon hear — this last year has seen us opening new churches, like this one, in every corner of the globe. And in the near future there will be even more. But no matter how many — this one is special. As for why — the answers are many.

As a first reason — and as you have just heard — nowhere held a more “special place” in the heart of our Founder, than this city. But that doesn’t say it all. After all, there is a reason L. Ron Hubbard called New York “home.”

For when you consider New York is the hub of everything from American Publishing to fashion, the nation’s financial capital and epicenter of global trends, not to mention the international center for entertainment and media, and all in addition to the most diverse culture on Earth, which sets the trends across every generation and spectrum of life — well, what more need be said? New York is the greatest city on Earth.

 

Yet even that doesn’t say it all. Rather, this one is special for another reason. Because, what we are bringing to New York Scientologists today, with this new church, is what you inspired across the rest of the world three years ago. In fact, it can be said in a single phrase that now drives a global movement bringing hope and salvation to millions, world over.

For in the darkest of times and worst of places, you stood tall amongst it all, as a shining beacon of light, proclaiming in action that:

SOMETHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT.

The conditions we face today are but “symptoms” of the real “disease” behind cultural decline. A society is comprised of individuals. And if solutions are what we seek — then let’s revitalize the individual himself.

Which returns me to the events of three years ago, and the atrocities of September 11th. It was a “wake-up call” for all of us. The curtain came down, exposing the fragile state of the world we live in. While others would respond with war and military action, we recognized terrorism as but a symptom of what really ails man. By the same token, the urgency of our mission had never been clearer. More bluntly, the demand for our solutions had never been greater. People were asking for help and it was time for us to answer.

And so we come full circle to New York, and a movement you “inspired” — which now spans the globe. I am, of course, speaking of our Scientology Volunteer Ministers. Today, they are internationally known, and recognized, for what has been described as “spiritual first aid”. To that end they are ready and organized to respond to any disaster — man-made or by force of nature.

That story began right here, at Ground Zero, in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. With a city, indeed a nation, stunned into a state of shock, it was right here — at this location — you mobilized to bring help so desperately needed. And it was whatever was needed.

With smoke still rising from the rubble, and ashes still thick in the air, the dominant word was confusion. With exhausted emergency rescue teams running on nothing but adrenaline, and still dazed firefighters and policemen who had lost their brothers only hours before — the first priority was obvious: calmly and effectively providing logistical support, from communication and supply lines, to the establishment of a drink and meal dispensary, soon referred to by rescue workers as the “Freedom Cafe.”

But there was an even more “dire” need — providing succor to those heroes working at the very heart of human tragedy and loss. And as the word spread — and literally within hours — more Volunteer Ministers began arriving by the hundreds — from across the Continental United States, and as far away as Europe, Asia and Australia.

And it didn’t end there. For that trauma extended far and wide. But, there you were... in the schools... in the parks, in the outlying stations, and right on the street, one-on-one. For they need only ask, and you were there — and yes, for the duration.

And while those efforts are known far and wide, with acknowledgements of appreciation, it was hardly the end of the story. Indeed, it was only the beginning. For what matters to a VM is the help he brings.

Indeed, L. Ron Hubbard described a Volunteer Minister as: “One who does not shut his eyes to the pain, evil and injustice of existence.” And that is why, since 9/11, the story you began has been repeating across the world. In Hungary and the Czech Republic — when floods brought whole communities to a standstill, our Volunteer Ministers were there both working to repair the levees, and to succor those who had lost their homes and possessions. Then again in Moscow, when terrorists struck at a popular opera house, the local media alerted citizens that the Volunteer Ministers were on hand to provide comfort to the traumatized. When bushfires raged in Australia, there again were the Volunteer Ministers, bringing relief to exhausted firefighters, working double and triple-shifts, to ultimately contain those fires. And so it goes — any time, any place, no matter the circumstance: from Washington, D.C., and San Diego, to Venezuela, the Congo, and Taiwan — the list just goes on.

And with that sort of activity, it’s no wonder our Volunteer Ministers are certified as part of the Los Angeles Community Emergency Response Team, alongside the Sheriff’s and Police Department, recognized as a partner by the Philippines National Red Cross, and, appointed an official “Civil Defense Force” by the Italian Federal Government.

But — even that only speaks to one “chapter” of the story. For once again we return to that “wake-up call.” And if the atrocities ultimately served to pull people together, it also brought to light another lesson. For while we can help in the worst of circumstances — when compassion itself demands each person to help one another — what about those everyday disasters simmering beneath the social structure? The marital difficulties and familial discord that ruins lives each day? The delinquent child and the parent with nowhere to turn for help? Not to mention oppression and depression, which all too often — with no other help in sight — turns to drugs as a last hope to dull the mental pain?

And therein lies the greater story of our VMs and the “Volunteer Minister Cavalcade.” They are seen everywhere, in nations across the globe, bringing effective solutions before it is too late. Constantly visiting new communities to offer help with everything from marital difficulties, to tutoring of children, to providing counseling for the lonely.

And it truly does extend across every continent of Earth.

For as of today, our Cavalcade has traveled through 54 countries: from Copenhagen, to Stockholm, and across England, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Mexico, not to mention from coast to coast across the United States and, of course, right here in New York. While in sheer numbers, today our Volunteer Minister corps exceeds thirty thousand and they have further provided almost three million hours of counseling. And that’s how, and why, just since 9/11, our VMs have brought personal aid, one on one, to over 1.7 million people.

So, yes, when it comes to helping those most in need, we not only know we can help, we are DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

And all of that brings us to here and now — and this new Church of Scientology. For if everything I have covered so far is an impressive first response to the “Wake-Up Call,” let’s not forget they are but a first step. Moreover, let’s remember why we work with greater urgency than ever: to halt the societal decline so we yet have time to provide The Bridge that is Dianetics and Scientology, to the full accomplishment of our aims: a world without insanity, without criminals, and without war.

Today, Scientology groups, missions and Churches, number forty-five hundred across 156 nations. Yet with all of that, we also saw the need to do even more — far more. And therein lies the greater significance of our new churches, like this one, we are forming world over. Because, what stands before you is not just a “new church,” but an entirely new “type” of Church of Scientology.

While we can provide international support, for broad-scale programs, the fact is we must yet bring it on-the-ground, into every community. To accomplish that, requires the establishment of major “footholds,” in every city, that not only can provide all the help we offer, but which can themselves generate the same, everywhere else. In just the past year, that included Tampa in Florida, opened by the mayor. Today, in the aftermath of hurricanes, their Volunteer Minister force was in the forefront of recovery and recognized just yesterday in that State’s capital. Then again, in Johannesburg, South Africa, opened with national leaders, including the Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology. Today they are spearheading our education programs into the post-apartheid landscape, while further implementing our VM program in another 18 African nations. Then, on the arteries of American industry, our new church in Buffalo. The ribbon was cut by the mayor and our church now serves as a community center, even recognized as a leader in city restoration and rejuvenation. In San Francisco, our new church now occupies a restored historical landmark, and is now extending its community work with the Police Department.

It continues with our new churches opened in June. It began with Los Gatos, California. And indicative of where we are heading, that was followed at once by Mountain View, also opened by dignitaries. And that’s three new churches in the Bay Area.

Then again, just last week it was a new national Church for Spain, where they’ve already begun to spearhead Narconon, in Europe’s most drug-plagued nation. And that’s all in addition to our spiritual Mecca, in Clearwater, where expansion is being met with a new 350,000 square foot church — now under construction.

So yes — what is represented here, is part of a far greater global picture. And that picture is the fastest-growing religious movement on Earth.

Yet, let there be no doubt, you don’t just stand within that picture — you are at its forefront. For I return to where I began. Because, it is no cliche to say New York doesn’t follow trends — it sets them.

And here’s what I mean. For everything I have spoken of — and the dramatic leaps we have taken in the past three years — drug rehabilitation, education, morality, human rights and a global force of volunteers — well, my friends, it is spreading like wildfire. And you aren’t just a part of that wildfire — you are the spark that ignited it all.

That is why it is only appropriate that you, in turn, receive what you begot — and why this new church, made possible by the donations of every member of the International Association of Scientologists — from across 156 nations — will forevermore be remembered by millions as their way of saying, “Thank you, New York.”

So, now it is time to move forward. For the Scientologists of New York, here is a place where you can achieve your personal victory over the reactive mind, and the spiritual freedom which it brings. And as you will hear in the months to come, its facilities have been established not only for your progress in the “here and now” — but for even greater programs that will dramatically accelerate clearing, on a planetary basis. But even more than that, this church represents the work and help all of us must continue to bring, in achieving the full measure of our aims. For here is the Ideal Church organization, from which to bring all of our programs — all of our tech — literally everywhere.

So yes, this is just the start. And that is why I say today is when the real work begins.

This is more than just a home for you, the Scientologists of New York. It is also a home for the broader community — where all men and women of goodwill are welcome, and who we dedicate ourselves to helping — each and every one. And by demonstrating, in action, the conviction of our beliefs — the future knows no bounds.

For this is New York and to help her, is to help the world.

So if evil, pain, bewilderment and injustice are fundamental facts of today’s existence, let’s all of us demonstrate with stronger conviction that SOMETHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT. Because, we believe in man. We know there is hope. And, because we can help, working together, we will make a difference.

Thank you very much.