Scientology International Human Rights Director - Leisa Goodman
Leisa Goodman, Human Rights Director, Church of Scientology International, was born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand, of a Scientologist family. In fact, her family now boasts four generations of Scientology members. Be that as it may, Leisa emphasizes one cannot in fact be “born” into Scientology. It is something that one has to make a conscious decision about based on one’s own observations and experience.
Following school, Leisa worked as an artist in New Zealand for three years, capturing the beauty of the New Zealand landscape on canvas and holding exhibitions. But she always wanted to use her knowledge of Scientology principles and her creative abilities to help people on a broader and more international scale.
In 1979, Leisa joined Church of Scientology staff, and held the position of Public Relations Director for the Church of Scientology of New Zealand. Her chief interest was in the area of human rights and even then she undertook initiatives to teach human rights to children. She also supervised Church of Scientology-sponsored holiday programs for children and publicly opposed abusive “treatments” given to psychiatric patients in her effort to bring about reforms.
In 1983, Leisa made the decision to become a member of the Sea Organization, a religious order within the Scientology religion whose members pledge a vow of eternal commitment to achieve the aims of Scientology —“a civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where man is free to rise to greater heights”. The Sea Organization derives its name from its beginnings in 1967, when L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion, set to sea with a handful of veteran Scientologists to continue his research into the upper levels of spiritual awareness and ability. Today, the majority of Sea Organization members are located on land, but they still maintain the maritime tradition that marked the Sea Organization’s early days.
In 1984, Leisa was invited to Los Angeles, headquarters of the Church of Scientology International (CSI). She has lived and worked there ever since. Her husband Bruce, an American, is also a member of the Sea Organization.
For many years, Leisa supervised international Church community programs to inform people about drugs and drug abuse. She was also the Media Relations Director and spokesperson for the Church of Scientology International. For some years, on a temporary basis, she held the position of Public Relations Director at the Church’s European headquarters in Copenhagen.
In 1997, Leisa was appointed director for the Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology International, the mother church of the Scientology religion, a position she has held since.
Although based in Los Angeles, Leisa travels widely. In 1998 Leisa organized the first European marathon for human rights. Since then the Church of Scientology International has held such sporting events to promote Human Rights annually, collectively covering 91 cities and 20,000 kilometers. Athletes travel through several countries, distributing information about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and meeting with government officials, community and religious leaders. The events are supported by a broad range of religious and human rights groups, including Buddhist, Christian, Muslim and Hindu representatives.
Leisa also coordinates the church’s international programs to teach youth about human rights, raise public awareness about the evils of human trafficking and bring an end to religious intolerance and discrimination.
Contact Leisa Goodman by Email:
humanrightsdir@scientology.net
What is Scientology?
Briefly, it is a religion founded by
author, philosopher and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard. It is a religion
that Leisa chose to be a part of as it provides practical solutions and
real help.
But as Leisa emphasizes, until you check it out for
yourself, you really won’t know. The easiest way to do this is online
at the official Scientology
Internet site.
Further information is available at churches of Scientology,
which exist in most major cities in the United States and in many
cities and towns in Europe, Africa, Great Britain, Asia, Australia and
New Zealand. Find out if there is a Church of Scientology
in your city. Visit the Scientology
global locator.
Additionally, copies of the book What is Scientology?
are available in libraries and through bookstores. This book contains
the most comprehensive description of Scientology available anywhere.
Human Rights Activities of the Church of
Scientology International
Church of Scientology
Human Rights Office
Citizens Commission on Human
Rights (CCHR)
Church of
Scientology International European Public Affairs and Human Rights
Office
Church of
Scientology International Human Rights Office – France
Church of
Scientology Human Rights Office – Germany: Religious Freedom
Scientology
Theology and Practice
Freedom Magazine –
Published by the Church of Scientology International
Church
of Scientology Int'l on Religious Freedom
Church
of Scientology International on Human Rights in France
Church
of Scientology on Religious Freedom
Church
of Scientology – The Foundation for Religious Freedom
Scientology Religion Founded by L. Ron Hubbard
Religious
Tolerance: Church of Scientology
Scientology Volunteer Ministers
Scientology in Italy
Church of Scientology Publications:
Scientology in the New Millennium
- David Miscavige: Presentation at New Year 2000
On the eve of the year 2000, before a Los Angeles audience of nearly 14,000 from dozens of nations, Mr. David Miscavige presented an historic address — benchmarking the end of the first half-century of Dianetics and Scientology.
- David Miscavige: Presentation of “This is Scientology”
On August 7, 2004, Mr. David Miscavige presented a global overview of the Scientology religion to over 2,000 leaders in the fields of the arts, entertainment, commerce and government.
- David Miscavige: Presentation at the Grand Opening of the Church of Scientology of New York
On September 25, 2004, New York’s 46th Street — just off Times Square in Manhattan — was closed for the first time in history, to permit an unprecedented gathering of more than 10,000 people on hand to celebrate the grand opening of the new Church of Scientology of New York.
Booklet: A Description of the
Scientology Religion (excerpts)
Booklet: The Church of Scientology: 40th Anniversary
(excerpts)
Freedom Magazine:The Internet: The Promise and
the Perils (excerpts)
Scholarly Expertises on the Scientology Religion:
Further
information about Scientology
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