Religious leaders gathered at the Church of Scientology Los Angeles last week to celebrate World Interfaith Harmony Week, sharing personal perspectives on their faith to build understanding and promote unity in diversity. This annual global observance was established by the United Nations to promote peace and understanding among people of all faiths, with events held worldwide to strengthen the ideals of peace within and among all religions, nations, and peoples.
The Scientology Volunteer Ministers chapter of Los Angeles hosted the event on February 11, which opened with a prayer from Chief Joseph Tasunka Okuna Jr. of the Lakota Nation, who performed a ceremonial chant to offer protection to those in attendance. Representatives of diverse faiths then shared the stage, speaking about their personal journeys and desire to collaborate with one another, with speakers representing Christianity, Islam, Falun Gong, and Scientology.
Pastor Oliver E. Buie from the Bel-Vue United Presbyterian Church emphasized the importance of unity, stating that the message and vision of unity rings loud and clear. He noted it is essential that the spirit of oneness continue as people work together to spread peace, unity, and love for all of humanity.
The event highlighted the Church of Scientology's role in fostering interfaith cooperation. The Church of Scientology of Los Angeles serves as a home for the Los Angeles community and as a meeting ground for cooperative efforts to uplift people of all denominations. More information about the programs and initiatives headed by the Church of Scientology can be found by visiting https://www.scientology-losangeles.org or watching https://www.scientology.tv/series/inside-a-church-of-scientology on the Scientology Network.
The Scientology Volunteer Ministers program, founded by humanitarian and Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, underscores the vital importance of religion in society. In his 1976 essay Religious Influence in Society, Hubbard wrote that when a culture has fallen totally away from spiritual pursuits into materialism, one must begin by demonstrating that individuals are each a soul, not a material animal. From this realization of their own religious nature, individuals can again come to an awareness of God and become more themselves. Additional information about this initiative is available at https://www.volunteerministers.org.
For business and technology leaders, this interfaith gathering represents more than a religious event—it demonstrates how diverse organizations can collaborate toward common humanitarian goals. In an increasingly polarized world, such initiatives show how different belief systems can work together to address shared challenges, potentially serving as a model for cross-sector partnerships in business and technology. The expansion of the Scientology religion to more than 11,000 Churches, Missions and affiliated groups across 167 countries illustrates how religious organizations can scale their impact globally, similar to how technology companies expand their reach.
The emphasis on unity and collaboration across faiths has implications for corporate social responsibility programs and diversity initiatives within the technology sector. As companies increasingly recognize the importance of inclusive environments that respect diverse backgrounds and beliefs, interfaith dialogues like this one provide valuable insights into building bridges across differences. The event's focus on personal journeys and shared humanity rather than doctrinal differences offers a framework for creating more cohesive organizational cultures in multinational corporations.
