Why Scientologists are so active in their communities

This excerpt from a speech by Mr. David Miscavige, delivered at the grand opening of the Church of Scientology of San Francisco, explains why Scientologists are so active, as Volunteer Ministers, in anti-drug groups and helping in other capacities in their communities.

Two years ago we launched massive new programs on several fronts. While the world spoke of terrorism and the immediate military response, we recognized those acts of devastation as but a mere symptom of the greater illnesses plaguing man.

And for all the materialistic advances—all the fancy cars, computers, worldwide communication—we yet see the very fabric of the culture being torn asunder with addiction, illiteracy, criminality, and immorality at all-time levels.

So if we had workable solutions, it was time to bring them everywhere, on a planetary scale, to both reverse those trends and show that something can be done about it.

Mr. Miscavige is the Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center.

Drug-free Denomination

The DC Examiner published a story in September about the Founding Church of Scientology in Washington DC, calling it a drug-free denomination.

The Rev. Susan Taylor, president of the Washington church, said that Scientology is "completely and totally against any drugs.

"Man is a spiritual being. Why give drugs to cure spiritual things?" said Taylor, who joined the church in 1971.