Scientology makes it official: New Paris ‘Ideal Org’ is best thing ever
When our correspondents reported back from the grand opening of the Ideal Org in Paris, it became clear that the new cathedral was hewing to recent Ideal Org trends. Sure, it was a lovely big building with fancy interiors, but once again church leader David Miscavige had diverted from L. Ron Hubbard’s formula for attracting new members: a central location with lots of foot-traffic.
The new Paris org, our friends told us, was out of the way in a somewhat shabby corner of greater Paris, not central at all, and the fact that a major highway passes by doesn’t really make up for it. How many people are going to pull their cars over for a personality test?
Anyway, we assume the Paris Ideal Org will soon do what the rest do, and that is settle into dormancy within about a year of its opening.
But for now, Scientology wants to convince its members that the new Paris shack is rocking! Get a load of this piece from the new issue of Impact magazine for IAS members, who basically funded the thing with their donations.
Liberty. Equality. Fraternity.
With the opening of this beacon of freedom, the spiritual revolution begins.
The Grand Opening of the Church of Scientology and Celebrity Centre Grand Paris was a landmark day, not just for French Scientologists, but for our global movement. Recognizing that this “Ideal Org of staggering proportions” was made possible by the International Association of Scientologists, Chairman of the Board RTC, Mr. David Miscavige, described it as “an Org imbued with the life force of members from 158 nations.”
And since that momentous event, the Org has been a force in this cultural capital, buzzing with life, introducing the curious to Scientology, welcoming neighboring merchants and workers, ushering French Scientologists up the Bridge and mobilizing hundreds of volunteers for a series of outreach campaigns, which will soon expand to Olympic proportions.
The timing couldn’t be better. Paris will host the 2024 Summer Olympics. The Ideal Org is located adjacent to the national stadium, Stade de France, a venue for many Olympic events, including the Closing Ceremonies. The Org is also right by the A1, the nation’s busiest motorway, so our architectural standout of an Org will soon be seen by people the world over. As eye-catching as the mirrored exterior is, it’s what’s inside that reflects its place in the pantheon of IAS-sponsored Ideal Orgs.
The building itself is a masterpiece of design, inspired by a tree that can live thousands of years. The breathtaking atrium rises like the giant sequoia to a view of clouds framed by a series of skylights. An exquisite white staircase winds six stories high, its circular metal balustrade lined with a leaf pattern. The terrazzo floor is inlaid with metal to resemble the growth rings of the sequoia, and various shades of blue accent every space. “The whole place is stunning. It communicates the religious spirit of Scientology,” said Francois, an attorney who has invited many of his allies to the Church.
United as One
With the merging of the two Orgs — Paris and Celebrity Centre Paris — the field has united with a singular purpose: for this Ideal Org to shine as a beacon of freedom in the City of Light. Opening under the banner of the Golden Age of Administration and helmed by the largest team of Flag Executive Briefing Course Graduates in the world, the Org was off to a running start.
Hundreds were on hand for the first Sunday Service, which was held in the awe-inspiring Chapel. It opened with a soul-stirring piano performance of “La Marseillaise” that had the crowd singing along. The service was made all the more memorable with an ordination, followed by Group Processing. “This was my first Sunday Service and it really touched me,” said Betina, an SRD completion. Among those who attended the service were newcomers to Scientology who were impressed by the experience. After describing how the Group Processing filled her with happiness, one attendee added, “People here are so kind that I want to come back.”
That same day, course rooms were packed for the first roll call. “Studying in the new ideal course room was fantastic. The space is so grand and I feel the theta everywhere,” said Thomas, who completed the PTS/SP Course and was amazed at how many people were on service that first day.
Throughout the day, people expressed their joy to be in a space so ideal that it amplified their wins. “Just by being in this super perfect and aesthetic environment, my study speed increased,” said Richard, who is on the Academy Levels. “Everything in the course room was perfect: the supervision, the materials, the lighting, the colors of the room, everything! It felt like I was sitting in a Flag course room right here in Paris. Wow!”
Marie, who was on study in the Golden Age of Knowledge Course Room, called it a dream come true to be in this Org. “I have been waiting for this day for a long time.” She described experiencing an unprecedented wave of theta while listening to an LRH lecture. “It was just pushing me to go totally free. I know it is because I am right here in a Paris Ideal Org course room.”
For Helene, walking into the Purification Center, where she started the rundown, was a “wow” moment. As she said, “Oh my god! It’s such an amazing environment for so many gains to be had. Just being here is such a key-out for me. The space is unbelievably stunning. It is grandiose and very welcoming.”
At the end of the first day of service, hundreds gathered in the atrium and on the spiral stairs, cheering for James, the Org’s first Clear. “I feel totally privileged to be on service at the Paris Ideal Org. It is absolutely magnificent,” said James.
As the staff and fellow Scientologists waved the tricolor flags, the spirit of the nation’s motto — Liberty, Equality, Fraternity — filled the air. The excitement was contagious. And within a couple weeks of the Grand Opening, four others attested to Clear. Said one new Scientologist, “I am totally on fire to keep going and moving up the Bridge at Paris Ideal Org.”
Meeting and Greeting
While hundreds of Scientologists have been on course or in session, merchants and workers from Saint-Denis have been streaming in to find out more about Scientology. A group of contractors who had worked on the building came back for a tour and then signed on for introductory services.
A delivery person who dropped off packages at Reception was invited to return for TV Night Tuesday, when the Org screens Scientology Network programs. He asked for more invitations so he could invite his co-workers, saying, “Everyone around the community has definitely noticed that you’ve opened.”
The Org has already become a meeting spot. A restaurateur and a security executive who had worked together bumped into each other on their tours, and one of them said that now the Church is “part of the neighborhood family.”
Indeed, many business owners and workers had already met staff members who have been reaching out with invitations to tour and information about our Fourth Dynamic programs. The cashier at a local bakery thanked them for visiting, saying, “You are all extremely welcome in the neighborhood.”
Paris is a cultural capital that has drawn generations of artists, writers and performers. And the Org’s glorious auditorium has already been the venue of a number of artistic events, including an open mic night, which brought talent from all over Paris. As one of the performers said, “Your new building is big and beautiful, but it’s also warm. I kind of don’t want to leave.” She also noted how nice everyone was and “how happy they are to be working here on a Sunday.”
Bringing the community together, ushering Scientologists up the Bridge, expanding our Fourth Dynamic Campaigns — thanks to the support of IAS members around the globe, the Church of Scientology and Celebrity Centre Grand Paris shines as a beacon of liberty, equality and fraternity.
Chris Shelton is going Straight Up and Vertical
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I'm looking forward to hearing what happened to the old infestations of the criminal organisation known as the "church" of $cientology, those in Paris itself. The bOrg, minutes walk from tourism hotspot at the Place de Bastille, and the Celeb Center, out in a cozy boundary arrondissement (the 17th).
There will be lots of foot traffic when sports events are on, but those people will be focused on getting to the venue. When they leave the venue, you might not want them as customers. (Even in the frightfully genteel 16th arrondissement, the shops close and shutter on sports events days.)
If this is a typo that is actually in the Paris org BS publicity release in the Impact magazine it is perfect.
“Paris will hose the 2024 Summer Olympics.”
More specifically Scientology will “hose” people visiting the summer Olympics.