Kingnewswire // representatives of other religious traditions and civil society organizations joined the Scientologist community to mark these birthdays.
After reviewing the challenges and achievements of the past, they also looked into the future and potential of collaboration and community projects. Among the participants were also ambassadors and staff members of the European institutions.
Belgian and foreign scientologists celebrated two birthdays on January 23, 2025: the 50th anniversary of the Church of Scientology in Belgium and the 15 years of the organization’s headquarters on Boulevard de Waterloo in Brussels.
The evening started with a light and healthy dinner. Just after, the master of ceremonies Ivan Arjona-Pelado, representative of Scientology with European and United Nations institutions, presented the violinist Ilona Raasch for a live musical performance, playing pieces of classical violin that created an intimate atmosphere And warm for the evening.
The impact of the scientology course in Belgium has been the subject of reflections on the part of the participants, including personalities from religious groups and civil society.
Five decades of religious engagement
Ms. Arjona-Pelado, a European representative since 2017, has retraced the history of Scientology in Belgium. This was born in the 1950s and 1960s, when believers discovered the teachings of Ron Hubbard abroad and began to share them in small groups in Belgium. The establishment of the first official Scientology mission at the end of 1974 laid the foundations for a religious community which has quickly strengthened and structured religious activities and public commitment, which attended Conferences, workshops and seminars, often improvised by veterans and new members.
During the 1980s and 1990s, Scientology continued to develop internationally, and Belgium was an important country in its European growth. In 1980, the Church of Scientology of Belgium was constituted, and the creation of the first European Office of Human Rights in Scientology in Brussels took place in 1990-1991, marking an important stage in the role of the Church To promote and guarantee human rights for everyone, in agreement with European and international pacts. Thus, Brussels was not only the political capital of Europe, but also the moral and ethical capital, where Scientology has strengthened its dialogue with other religions and social organizations. This period saw the growing role of the Church in social awareness programs, going beyond the provision of religious services to include advocacy and education.
Challenges and a long legal battle which ended in a victory
However, Scientology was not spared by the attacks which it has been the subject of in Belgium. In 1997, a Belgian parliamentary report ranked 189 religious groups on a black list, which led to public stigma and an increase in discrimination. In 1999, a police descent took place, during which 120 officers entered the Church of Scientology, while Scientologists organized a marathon of religious freedom through the city. These unjustified descents gave rise to a legal battle which lasted 18 years and which disrupted the lives of Scientologists and their loved ones. However, “with the firm conviction that the truth will always prevail”, as Mr. Arjona explained during his presentation, Scientologists continued their social activities, such as the fight against drugs and education for the rights of the ‘man.
It was not until 2016 that an important step was taken in Brussels, when the court acquitted the Church and the Scientologists of all suspicions and attacks in a 173 -page verdict, which highlights serious violations of rights of rights The defense and presumption of guilt based solely on “the religious prejudices of a prosecutor and some police officers who took the power of the state to lead their hunt for personal witches,” said Arjona. This verdict is not only a victory for Scientology, but also for religious freedom in Belgium. He also strengthened the position that religious minorities should not be subject to unjustified discrimination, and therefore paved the way for the victory of the Church in matters of religious freedom in Belgian society.
European headquarters in Brussels
Another significant progress in this course was the establishment of the new church called “Scientology churches for European communities” on the boulevard de Waterloo 15 years ago, which was offered by the International Association of Scientologists. The building, which extends over more than 8,000 square meters, is used for religious services, studies, seminars and interconfessional events. “Our chapel welcomed ceremonies and conferences organized by Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox, Hindus, Jews, Sikhs, Freemasons and others”, explains Ivan Arjona, “like a real religion religions ”. The building is an architectural wonder and at the same time a warm welcome for all Scientologists and visitors of all confessions or not. Mr. Arjona also recalled, during the celebration of the 50th anniversary, that the building is an open and welcoming place for all religious and community groups. It is an interreligious meeting place, which welcomes conferences and discussions in order to establish good relations “which help work together for a world in peace”, explained Mr. Arjona.
In addition to its religious functions, the seat also has a role to play in the humanitarian and educational field. Many events and actions to prevention of drug addiction, improvement of literacy and promotion of human rights are coordinated from this center, thus demonstrating the social responsibility of Scientology and its many friends. The building, “one of the most beautiful in Brussels” according to Arjona, welcomed numerous workshops, meetings and community activities which strengthen the position of Scientology as a positive contributor to Brussels.
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Social initiatives and educational campaigns
The event also made it possible to present some of the social campaigns of Scientology. His drug prevention campaign, carried out through the “foundation for a drug free world”, is aimed at young people and aims to ensure that they have clear information on substances and their effects in order to to make decisions knowingly. The organization’s human rights education program, “United for Human Rights”, is based on the Universal Human Rights Declaration of 1948, and the group strives to ensure that these rights are applied in people’s lives and are not only theoretical concepts. There is also the path of happiness, a non -religious moral code written by Ron Hubbard and which deals with universal values such as honesty and respect. These documents are provided free of charge to schools, municipalities and community groups in order to reach the general population.
In addition, Scientology programs have tangible results; Thousands of educational brochures are distributed each year and numerous workshops are organized for students and professionals. Thus, the Church combines advocacy with practical tools to guarantee that its social initiatives lead to a positive change and better ethical and social behavior of the community.
Recognize the efforts of volunteers and civil society
A special moment of the evening was the appreciation of the volunteers and the staff who make the church and its possible programs. Several people have been called and applauded for their great contribution. Their contribution has been recognized as a determining factor in the progress made by the Church in recent years. The dedication and resistance of these volunteers allowed Scientology to stay strong in Belgium and have shown that individuals can make a big difference in the improvement of the community. Ivan Arjona also paid tribute to some of the civil society activists who worked alongside the Church, whether in the field of human rights, the prevention of drug addiction, the promotion of culture and peace or help for the helpless people in the street.
The 50th anniversary of Scientology in Belgium was not only a celebration of the past, it was also a proclamation of the future. To close the event, the public visited the church information exhibition in order to discover the various awareness programs and the equipment available to the church, and was invited to drink champagne and cut the cake Birthday with a replica of the Excalibur sword.
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