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WHAT WE FIGHT FORReligious Freedom Religious Literacy Equality & Human Rights Inclusion & Respect Free Speech Responsible Journalism Corporate Accountability
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HATE MONITORBiased Media Propagandists Hatemongers False Experts Hate Monitor Blog
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NEWSROOMNews Media Watch Videos Blog
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TAKE ACTIONCombat Hate & Discrimination Champion Freedom of Religion Demand Accountability
Exposing Discrimination & Hate
Freedom of religion is everyone’s birthright. All individuals, regardless of race, gender or place of birth, have the right to practice the religion of their choice, free from discrimination. Any form of coercion impairing that freedom of religious choice is prohibited. In the United States, the First Amendment to the Constitution protects freedom of religion. Internationally, Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights protect freedom of religion.
Every new religion emerging through the centuries has faced biased and bigoted assaults from antireligious forces determined to destroy them. That is the history of the fight for religious freedom throughout the world. Great religions survive such attacks, and the Scientology religion is no exception.
During the more than 60 years of its growth, the Church of Scientology has overcome brutal assaults from individuals and groups bent on spreading misinformation and inciting discrimination and hatred against Scientologists, their leaders and their Church. Hate Monitor documents and exposes those who, through hate speech and false information, seek to stigmatize and engender hostility toward Scientologists and their religion. These individuals take the form of:
- Biased journalists who routinely violate fundamental ethical standards of professional journalism mandating truth, neutrality and objectivity in reporting and who seek to garner headlines by inciting and fomenting hatred and discrimination
- Hatemongers and hate bloggers who are either guilty themselves of violent antireligious acts or whose hate-filled rants have spawned such attacks
- False experts who flout scientific and credible academic opinion to spread lies and twisted sociological theories that incite and justify acts of violence and discrimination against members of certain faiths.
The individuals portrayed here have all violated fundamental human rights by denigrating a religion and spawning hostility and discrimination. In a number of instances described herein, this has led to violence—which the perpetrators’ statements show was provoked by biased media.
STAND works to put an end to such hate and
discrimination to protect freedom and equal rights for all.
Freedom of Religion & Human Rights
The following instruments, charters and codes help guarantee freedom of religion and human rights. Spread the word.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
Non Discrimination Provisions in Codes of Practice/Ethics of Journalists in 27 EU Member States
Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics
International Federation of Journalists Declaration of Principles on the Conduct of Journalists
STAND also endorses and makes available the Charter on Journalistic Ethics in Relation to Respect for Religion or Belief, a code of conduct that holds journalists accountable for the social and political consequences of their actions and emphasizes their duty to maintain the highest ethical and professional standards.
