Church of Scientology Nashville Moderates Interfaith Panel at Tennessee Capitol

Rev. Brian Fesler, Director of Special Affairs of the Church of Scientology Nashville, moderated an interfaith panel at the annual Tennessee House of Representatives Faith Day, March 19, 2013.

In a tradition hosted annually by Tennessee State Representative Brenda Gilmore, Faith Day 2013 drew on the experience, concern and insight of leaders of the Tennessee religious community to advise the legislature on subjects of prime importance to Tennesseans of all denominations.

The day began with speeches by state officials on issues affecting the civic and human rights of Tennesseans. This was followed by an interfaith panel moderated by Rev. Brian Fesler, Director of Special Affairs of the Church of Scientology Nashville, in which religious leaders shared their views and solutions to these challenges.

Presentations were made by Dr. Michele Gourley, Director of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, Tennessee Department of Health; Kevin Huffman, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Education; Derrick D. Schofield, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Corrections; Ted Townsend, Assistant Commissioner for Strategy of the Department of Economic and Community Development and Richard Moore, Assistant Director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Representing a direct connection to thousands of parishioners and their concerns, the views of the religious leaders provided unique insight to the legislators.

The Church of Scientology of Nashville participates in the city’s interfaith community and is an active partner in social betterment activities year-round. In writing the Code of a Scientologist, Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard called on all members of the religion to dedicate themselves “to support true humanitarian endeavors in the fields of human rights.”

Scientologists on five continents engage in collaborative efforts with government agencies and nongovernmental organizations to improve society through a worldwide human rights education initiative; equally far-reaching drug education, prevention and rehabilitation programs; a global network of literacy and learning centers and the Scientology Volunteer Minister program, now comprising one of the world’s largest independent relief forces.

The Scientology religion was founded by L. Ron Hubbard in 1952 and the first Church of Scientology was formed in Los Angeles in 1954. The religion has expanded to more than 11,000 Churches, Missions and affiliated groups, with millions of members in 167 countries.