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   Published by the Church of Scientology International

Providing a Helping Hand
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Freedom Magazine, published by the Church of Scientology 

Love and Help Children

by L. Ron Hubbard

 The Way to Happiness is a common-sense guide to better living. A testimony to the regard in which he held men of goodwill, no matter their faith, L. Ron Hubbard wrote this moral code for use by adults and children of all faiths.

It contains 21 precepts for successful living in a modern world. The following, Precept 4, is included here; others will be published in future editions of Freedom.


Today's children will become tomorrow's civilization. Bringing a child into the world today is a little bit like dropping one into a tiger's cage. Children can't handle their environment and they have no real resources. They need love and help to make it.

It is a delicate problem to discuss. There are almost as many theories on how to raise a child or not raise him as there are parents. Yet if one does it incorrectly much grief can result and one may even complicate his or her own later years. Some try to raise children the way they were themselves raised, others attempt the exact opposite, many hold to an idea that children should be let grow on their own. None of these guarantee success. The last method is based on a materialistic idea that the development of the child parallels the evolutionary history of the race; that in some magical way, unexplained, the "nerves" of the child will "ripen" as he or she grows older and the result will be a moral, well-behaving adult. Although the theory is disproven with ease — simply by noticing the large criminal population whose nerves somehow did not ripen — it is a lazy way to raise children and achieves some popularity. It doesn't take care of your civilization's future or your older years.

A child is a little bit like a blank slate. If you write the wrong things on it, it will say the wrong things. But, unlike a slate, a child can begin to do the writing: the child tends to write what has been written already. The problem is complicated by the fact that, while most children are capable of great decency, a few are born insane and today, some are even born as drug addicts: but such cases are an unusual few.

It does no good just to try to "buy" the child with an overwhelm of toys and possessions or to smother and protect the child: the result can be pretty awful.

One has to make up his mind what he is trying to get the child to become. This is modified by several things: a) what the child basically can become due to inherent makeup and potential; b) what the child, himself, really wants to become; c) what one wants the child to become; d) the resources available. But remember that whatever these all add up to, the child will not survive well unless he or she eventually becomes self-reliant and very moral. Otherwise the end product is likely to be a liability to everyone including the child.

Whatever is one's affection for the child, remember that the child cannot survive well in the long run if he or she does not have his or her feet put on the way to survival. It will be no accident if the child goes wrong: the contemporary society is tailor-made for a child's failure.

It will help enormously if you obtain a child's understanding of and agreement to follow the precepts contained in this book.

What does have a workability is simply to try to be the child's friend. It is certainly true that a child needs friends. Try to find out what a child's problem really is and without crushing their own solutions, try to help solve them. Observe them — and this applies even to babies. Listen to what children tell you about their lives. Let them help — if you don't, they become overwhelmed with a sense of obligation which they then must repress.

It will help the child enormously if you obtain understanding of and agreement to this way to happiness and get him or her to follow it. It could have an enormous effect on the child's survival — and yours.

A child factually does not do well without love. Most children have an abundance of it to return.

The way to happiness has on its route the loving and the helping of children from babyhood to the brink of adult life.

L. Ron Hubbard




You Are Always Welcome

The Church of Scientology has restored several of Clearwater's signature buildings, including the Fort Harrison Hotel, the Clearwater Bank Building and the Coachman Building. The buildings, constructed in the early 20th century, have been returned to their original, stately presence downtown.

Facilities of the Fort Harrison and the Clearwater Building are available and used routinely by residents and community groups for banquets, proms, conferences, exhibits and performances.

In recognition of the 76th anniversary of the Fort Harrison as a historical landmark in Clearwater, the Church of Scientology will be holding four weeks of open house, tours and special events from January 19 to February 16, 2003. The regular "Sunday at the Fort Harrison" open houses will resume after February 16.

To schedule your meetings or functions, or to use exhibition space or simply come for a tour, contact Lisa Cook at (727) 467-6860.

L. Ron Hubbard:
A PROFILE

The 130-page L. Ron Hubbard: A Profile chronicles the life and accomplishments of the founder of the Scientology religion, and the impact of his life’s work on millions of people the world over.

Profile provides the best description yet of the man and his works, including professional accomplishments in many fields — writer, barnstorming pilot, explorer, musician, Marine Corps drill sergeant, Naval intelligence officer, photographer, press reporter, special officer of the Los Angeles Police Department, horticulturist, master mariner, and more. It profiles a man who was well beyond superficial classification.

To purchase a copy of L. Ron Hubbard: A Profile, write to:

Church of Scientology
503 Cleveland St.
Clearwater, FL 33755

Complimentary copies are available to religious leaders, government officials and members of the news media at this address.

You can also visit: www.lronhubbard.org


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