The Churches of Scientology in Tampa Bay Celebrate International Friendship Day

Online, August 2, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Tampa Bay, Florida - The Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization (http://www.scientology.og) celebrated International Friendship Day on Saturday, July 30th by throwing open the doors of its historic buildings, the Fort Harrison and Coachman in downtown Clearwater, to residents and tourists to not only tour the facilities but enjoy its restaurants, pool side entertainment and the hand of friendship. Over in Ybor City, staff members of the Church of Scientology Tampa, which restored and opened up its Ybor Square buildings in March of this year, toured dozens of people through the interactive displays in its Public Information Center to raise awareness of Scientology and view its beautiful former cigar factory facilities. Pat Harney, the Public Affairs Director for the Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization, said, "I want people of Tampa Bay to really understand what Scientology is and I want them to know that our doors are always open."

"I had no idea your facilities were so peaceful and beautiful," said one member of a neighboring health center, as she relaxed by the pool of the Fort Harrison listening to the jazz strains of the Fort Harrison band.

A visiting softball coach from Aruba who visited the church with her 14 teenage softball teammates and toured the displays in the Coachman Building, said, "I wanted my young ladies to find out what Scientology is and what the Church is doing around the world."

And in Ybor City, one visiting tourist loved the historical pieces that were saved in Ybor Square by the Church of Scientology of Tampa, keeping the history of Tampa's oldest cigar factory alive.

On April 27, 2011, the General Assembly of the United Nations declared July 30th as official International Friendship Day, the culmination of a lobbying effort by World Friendship Crusade to promote friendship and fellowship among all human beings, regardless of race, color or religion.

The United Nation's Friendship Day declaration invited all to "observe this day in an appropriate manner, in accordance with the culture and other appropriate circumstances or customs of their local, national and regional communities, including through education and public awareness-raising activities."

What is Scientology (http://www.scientology.org)
Developed by L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology is a religion that offers a precise path leading to a complete and certain understanding of one's true spiritual nature and one's relationship to self, family, groups, Mankind, all life forms, the material universe, the spiritual universe and the Supreme Being. Scientology addresses the spirit-not the body or mind-and believes that Man is far more than a product of his environment, or his genes.