Chapter 20
Society Family as the Cornerstone of Society SOCIETY IS AN ORGANISM WITH FAMILIES as its cells. Let these building-blocks be healthy, and society will be healthy. On the other hand, when families break down, society cannot but be in turmoil. The prevalence of family breakdown in our time is a worrying trend, boding no good for a nation’s future. Nevertheless, it would be a mistake to construe “family values” as family-centered. The attitude that “my home is my castle” would only be another form of selfishness. The lessons learned in the family “school of love” (See Chapter 19: The Basic Form of Life) are meant to be applied at every level of social organization. Thus, Confucian ethics regards the norm of filial piety as the basis for the ethic of public service: serving parents at home is training to serve the nation. Likewise, the ways of love for siblings, parents, and children are to be extended to caring for one’s neighbors who are our peers, our parents’ age, and our children’s age. In this way, loving relationships in the individual family extend to encompass the universal family of humankind.
1. Healthy Families Make for a Strong Nation The Way lies at hand yet it is sought afar off; the thing lies in the easy yet it is sought in the difficult. If only everyone loved his parents and treated his elders with deference, the Empire would be at peace. Mencius IV.A.11 (Confucianism)
sense of unity. Where there is no sense of unity, the women of the family become corrupt; and with the corruption of its women, society is plunged into chaos. Social chaos is hell for the family and for those who have destroyed the family as well. Bhagavad-Gita 1.40-42 (Hinduism)
The natural family, stable and monogamous—as fashioned by God and sanctified by Christianity—in which different generations live together, helping each other to acquire greater wisdom and to harmonize personal rights with other social needs, is the basis of society. Pope Paul VI, Populorum Progressio (Christianity)
When a family declines, ancient traditions are destroyed. With them are lost the spiritual foundations for life, and the family loses its
As history testifies, the prosperity of the State and the temporal happiness of its citizens cannot remain safe and sound where the foundation on which they are established, which is the moral order, is weakened and where the very fountainhead from which the State draws its life, namely, wedlock and family, is obstructed by the vices of its citizens. Pope Pius XI, Casti Connubi (Christianity)
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Teachings of Sun Myung Moon The strongest foundation for the unity of humanity is the universal and essential love generated through the ideal of the true family. (330:252, August 18, 2000) Family education determines the future destiny of the entire nation. When there are many families living by the principle of public service, the nation will flourish; when there are many families living with a private standard, the nation will perish. (31:243, June 4, 1970) Unrest among today’s youth has created problems throughout the world.1 The cause of this unrest almost always has to do with emotional issues that result from not having sound parents and brothers and sisters, and from unhealthy man-woman relationships. Considering this fact, where do we look for the clue to correct these destructive problems? It is in the family. (23:13, May 11, 1969) All juvenile problems originate in the family. Most of these children have parents, but the parents’ heart is not deeply implanted in their children’s hearts. In other words, these children did not experience parental love down to their bones. The generation gap arose from that point. (25:60, September 28, 1969) The most serious problem besetting humankind is the destruction of family values due to immorality and moral decadence. Moral decadence is truly the original sin that pushes people into the abyss of suffering and despair. Whether the world of the future will resemble heaven or hell will be determined by whether we can establish a moral code that sustains the purity of the family and protects family values. (288:140, November 26, 1997) America is bound to decline, like Rome in ancient times. Rome was not defeated by foreign invasions. It perished from within, after moral corruption undermined the people’s values of love and family. Today America is vulnerable for the same reason. It is declining from within; it will not continue for long. Despite its developed civilization, America is beset by confusion over sex. The developing countries are too; [they take their lead from America.] Unless we can restore discipline and a strong moral fiber, America and the world will have no hope for a better future. (118:296, June 20, 1982)
❖ 2. Virtues Learned in the Family Are the Basis of Public Virtue Treat the aged of your own family in a manner befitting their venerable age and extend this treatment to the aged of other families; treat your own young in a manner befitting their tender age and extend this to the young of other families, and you can roll the empire on your palm. The Book of Songs says, He set an example for his consort And also for his brothers, And so ruled over the family and the state.
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In other words, all you have to do is take this very heart here and apply it to what is over there. Hence one who extends his bounty can bring peace to the Four Seas; one who does not cannot bring peace even to his own family. There is just one thing in which the Ancients greatly surpassed others, and that is the way they extended what they did. Mencius I.A.7 (Confucianism)
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Do not rebuke an older man but exhort him as you would a father; treat younger men like brothers, older women like mothers, younger women like sisters, all in purity. 1 Timothy 5.1-2
Regard old women the way you regard your mother. Regard those who are older than you the way you regard your elder sisters; regard those who are younger than you as your younger sisters, and regard children as your own. Bring forth thoughts to rescue them, and put an end to bad thoughts. Sutra of Forty-two Sections 29 (Buddhism)
From affection for parents came the honoring of the ancestors; from the honoring of the ancestors came the respect and attention shown to the Heads of the families. By the respect and attention shown the Heads all the members of the clan were united. Through their unity came the dignity of the ancestral temple. From that dignity arose the importance attached to the altars of the land and grain. From that importance there ensued the love all the people with their hundred
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surnames. From that love came the right administration of punishments and penalties. Through that administration the people had the feeling of repose. Through that restfulness all resources for expenditure became sufficient. Through the sufficiency of these, what all desired was realized. That realization led to all courteous usages and good customs, and from these, in fine, came all happiness and enjoyment. Book of Rites 14, The Great Treatise (Confucianism)
Filial piety is the constant method of heaven, the righteousness of earth, and the practical duty of man. Heaven and earth invariably pursue the course of filial piety, and the people take it as their pattern. The ancients imitated the brilliant luminaries of heaven, and acted in accordance with the advantages afforded by the earth, so that they were in accord with all under Heaven; and in consequence their teachings, without being severe, were successful, and their government, without being severe, secured perfect order. Classic of Filial Piety 7 (Confucianism)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon The family, comprised of father and mother, husband and wife, and children, is a microcosm of the world. You should understand that the path of humankind is to love all kinds of people, expanding from the love you have for the members of your own family. You should love elderly people as your grandparents, middle-aged people as your parents, people a few years older than you as your elder brothers and sisters, and people [a few years] younger than you as your younger brothers and sisters. (105:106, September 30, 1979) Love your neighbors’ parents as you love your own parents, love your neighbors’ grandparents as you love your own grandparents, and love your neighbors’ children as you love your own children. This is how you expand vertical and horizontal relationships and extend front and back relationships. Do you understand this principle? You must expand these relationships for the vertical standard of heart to take root and the Way of Heaven to appear. (70:152, February 9, 1974) And when you fight with someone, fight carrying the heart of a parent towards your opponent. That is, even though he may be an enemy, ultimately he is like your child. That is why our motto is, “Let us go forth with the heart of a parent and the body of a servant, shedding sweat for earth, tears for humankind, and blood for Heaven.” This is the only way to complete restoration. (17:338-39, April 30, 1967)
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Your parents represent everyone who gives you love: your teachers, your friends, and the Subject Partner [God]. Hence, you can take them as representing all people. Therefore, serving your parents is the way to serve all people and receive the love of all people. This is the meaning of the traditional [Confucian] teaching that virtuous sons and daughters serve their parents with filial piety. (105:108, September 30, 1979) True parents do not teach their children that it is enough to have filial piety while ignoring the needs of their country. They teach them, “Go the way of patriots and serve your nation, even at the sacrifice of your family. Go the way of saints and live for the sake of the world, even at the sacrifice of your nation. Seek the welfare of Heaven and earth, even if you must give up the world; and even if you have to give up heaven and earth, seek for God.” Just as an individual does his filial duty by putting his family’s welfare ahead of himself, to become a patriot he must put the welfare of the nation ahead of his family. To become a saint, he must put the salvation of the world ahead of his own nation, and to become a divine son, he must establish God’s Kingdom in heaven and on earth even at the sacrifice of everything in the world. (May 3, 1997)
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The Moral Foundations of Society A GOOD SOCIETY IS BUILT ON SPIRITUAL AND MORAL foundations. In this technological and materialistic age, Father Moon joins many contemporary spiritual leaders in warning us that the steady decline of morality and spiritual values poses a looming threat to social peace. Among these neglected foundations are: first, morality and virtue, which forms people into upright citizens; second, education—especially character education, which can give young people a sense of purpose and direction and empower them to shun the hedonistic lifestyle of sex and drugs; and third, religion. With its message of peace and conciliation, religion can tame the raging battles and self-aggrandizing attitudes of partisan politicians; and by calling on God, religion can procure divine blessings for the nation. In particular, America’s Founding Fathers were explicit about the role of morality and religion in securing the nation’s liberties and preserving its prosperity. During Father Moon’s long ministry in the United States, he frequently spoke out, calling for America to return to God and honor His will.
1. The Foundation of Morality The earth is upheld by the veracity of those who have subdued their passions, and, following righteous practices, are never contaminated by desire, covetousness, and wrath.
The world stands upon three things: upon the Law, upon worship, and upon showing kindness. Mishnah, Avot 1.2 (Judaism)
Vishnu Purana 3.12 (Hinduism)
No individual is lost and no nation is refused prosperity and success if foundations of their thoughts and actions rest upon piety and godliness, and upon truth and justice.
When people submit to force they do so not willingly but because they are not strong enough. When people submit to the transforming influence of morality they do so sincerely, with admiration in their hearts.
Nahjul Balagha, Khutba 21 (Shiite Islam)
Mencius II.A.3 (Confucianism)
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We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. John Adams
Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. George Washington, Farewell Address
When the personal life is cultivated, the family will be regulated; when the family is regulated, the state will be in order; when the state is in order, there will be peace throughout the world. From the Son of Heaven down to the common people, all must regard cultivation of the personal life as the root or foundation. There is never a case when the root is in disorder and yet the branches are in order. The Great Learning (Confucianism)
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Let there arise out of you a group of people, inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong; they are the ones to attain happiness and prosperity. Qur’an 3.104
In The Book of Songs it is said, He makes no show of his moral worth, Yet all the princes follow in his steps. Hence the moral man, by living a life of simple truth and earnestness, alone can help to bring peace and order in the world. Doctrine of the Mean 33 (Confucianism)
Where, after all, do universal rights begin? In small places, close to home—so close and so small they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual persons; the neighborhoods; the school or college; the factory, farm or office. Such are the places where every man, woman and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless their rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerned citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world. Eleanor Roosevelt2
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon The Bible teaches about the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, benevolence, goodness, loyalty, gentleness and self-control. (Gal. 5:22-23) These nine fruits of the Spirit are the standards of the nation that God proposes and intends to establish. They comprise that society’s way of life. (4:112, March 16, 1958) Good citizenship does not appear automatically, but arises out of a person’s character and family. It flows from character, heart and education through family life. These are the bases for noble deeds by which people can advance to positions of responsibility and enhance their country’s prestige. Build these foundations and become someone your country needs. If you do not build them, you may end up becoming a corrupt official. (34:19, August 29, 1970) Peace and happiness depend on people’s moral and spiritual development. This is because a nation, even the world, is only as peaceful as individuals and families that comprise it. Science and technology can be used for good—for the improvement of human life—when they are utilized by good people.
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Throughout history, saints and great teachers have devoted themselves to guiding families, societies and nations toward a peaceful and happy world. To take on the challenges of the twentyfirst century, humanity needs true parents, true teachers and true owners who can raise leaders of mature morality and spirituality. (271:74, August 22, 1995) An ideal society is characterized by universally shared values. This means that everyone practices true love, observing universal ethics and morality. All members of society pursue a life of goodness and righteousness. To establish that ideal, we aim to build a society rooted in moral principles, whereby all people live moral lives in keeping with the absolute value of God’s true love. An ideal world presupposes ideal families and mature individuals. An ideal family requires the harmony of ideal parents, ideal husband and wife, and ideal sons and daughters in true love. An individual can be called mature when his or her mind and body function in harmony through true love. When people at that level of maturity practice goodness and righteousness in their family, they create the foundation for true love. When they practice it in society, which is the extension of the family, they build the world of supreme love, the world that operates in accordance with the Way of Heaven. This indeed is the ideal world. (271:78, August 22, 1995)
❖ 2. The Foundation of Education Rabbi Assi and Rabbi Ammi, on an educational inspection tour, came to a town and asked for its guardians. The councilmen appeared, but the rabbis said, “These are not guardians, but wreckers of a town! The guardians are the teachers of the young, and instructors of the old, as is written: ‘Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman wakes but in vain’ [Psalm 127.1].” Lamentations Rabbah (Judaism)
When Confucius was going to Wei, Jan Ch’iu drove him. The Master said, “What a dense population!” Jan Ch’iu said, “When the people have multiplied, what next should be done for them?” The Master said, “Enrich them.” Jan Ch’iu said, “When one has enriched them, what next should be done for them?” The Master said, “Instruct them.”
The source and root of all the evils which affect individuals, people and nations with a kind of poison, and confuse the minds of many is this: ignorance of the truth and not only ignorance, but at times a contempt for, and a deliberate turning away from it. It is therefore necessary to confront evil and erroneous writing with what is right and sound: against broadcasts, motion pictures, and television shows which incite to error or the attractions of vice, must be projected those which uphold truth and strive to preserve wholesome morality. Pope John XXIII, Ad Petri Cathedram (Christianity)
Analects 13.9 (Confucianism)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon Democracy has produced secular humanism, which is expelling God from society. Secular humanism is driving out the morality and justice taught by the saints and holy men, and is spurring on the
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trend towards free sex. Humanity is altogether unaware that it is diving headlong into the abyss… We have the mission of preventing this tragedy. (193:306, October 8, 1989) This world stands at a crossroads leading either to the kingdom of Heaven or the kingdom of hell. Which way it goes depends chiefly on whether it protects family values—the ethical norms that preserve the purity of the family. Is there any nation on earth that has solved humanity’s common plight: corruption of youth and their continual abuse of drugs, family breakdown and skyrocketing divorce, the AIDS epidemic, sexual crimes and political oppression? Conventional education, even religious teachings, cannot meet the challenge. What meaning is it for a society to enjoy economic prosperity and political freedom when its families suffer in agony, with no solution in sight? Therefore, people have come to the point where they are seeking educational material and methods to protect and promote family values. Promoting family values is the fundamental issue in this age after the end of the Cold War. (288:140, November 26, 1997)
❖ 3. The Foundation of God and Religion Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Psalm 127.1
Every assembly which is for the sake of Heaven will in the end be established, and every assembly which is not for the sake of Heaven will in the end not be established.
This erring race of human beings dreams always of perfecting its environment by the machinery of government and society, but it is only by the perfection of the soul within that the outer environment can be perfected. “What thou art within, that outside thee thou shalt enjoy”; no machinery can rescue you from the law of your being. Sri Aurobindo (Hinduism)
Mishnah, Avot 4.14 (Judaism)
God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever. Thomas Jefferson
The fundamental basis of this nation’s laws was given to Moses on the Mount. The fundamental basis of our Bill of Rights comes from the teachings we get from Exodus and Saint Matthew, from Isaiah and Saint Paul. I don’t think we emphasize that enough these days. If we don’t have a proper fundamental moral background, we will finally end up with a totalitarian government which does not believe in rights for anybody except the State! Harry S. Truman
We must divide all the children of Adam into two classes; the first belong to the kingdom of God, the second to the kingdom of the world… The one to produce piety, the other to bring about external peace and prevent evil deeds; neither is sufficient in the world without the other.
To exclude the Church, founded by God Himself, from life, from laws, from the education of youth, from domestic society, is a grave and fatal error. A state from which religion is banished can never be well regulated.
Martin Luther, Secular Authority (Christianity)
Pope Leo XIII, Immortale Dei (Christianity)
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Teachings of Sun Myung Moon This land can revive only if people appear who will open their eyes anew and look towards Heaven. That, we believe, is the purpose of this movement. Therefore, we earnestly pray, may we become the people who can take responsibility for the world’s revival.3 (5:278, February 15, 1959) It will be difficult to preserve social prosperity and maintain a peaceful order in the world as long as political sovereignty operates apart from moral and spiritual values. (359:143, November 6, 2001) God blesses those nations that lift up religious values to lead politics, just as each citizen strives for oneness between his or her mind and body. Only by doing so will nations come to practice the principle of living for the sake of others. Yet politicians still look only to the earth, blind to Heaven’s authority. Communist leaders tried for seventy years to establish prosperity without God, and now their nations are bankrupt. Likewise, the West is plagued by recession, crime and social decay; its problems will not be solved until its leaders open their eyes and discover their true cause. (234:225, August 20, 1992) There have been many dictators in history. Many politicians have taken advantage of their position to benefit themselves and their family, and some have even attempted to control the world—all to satisfy selfish desires so huge as to exceed what their tribe or nation could give them. Nations have traditionally led their people with political power. They defined what was good for their people as political strength. They used their power to conquer the weak, add to their territory and expand the scope of their control. On the other hand, the central theme of religions down through history is philanthropy. Religions are, broadly speaking, on the side of God. Therefore they teach such virtues as love, benevolence, righteousness and goodness. Their purpose is not self-aggrandizement. Rather, religions invest all their efforts for the benefit of others and strive for the welfare of the world. They work to transform this evil world into Heaven’s world by promoting a spirit of reconciliation. (213:7, January 13, 1991) We should recognize that our present crisis stems from our neglect or denial of God. Communism failed because it denied the existence of God. America, likewise, will suffer greatly if she does not reclaim her spiritual heritage. Even Christianity, when it loses sight of God, will be powerless to stop the world’s decline. Diverse fields such as philosophy, economics, politics and the arts can attain their true potential for human betterment only when they realize their purpose in the light of God. Thus, the key to solving today’s problems is to find God. Only a comprehensive understanding of God’s Will and Providence can illuminate the solution to the crisis we are facing today. (262:234-35, July 26, 1994) Now the time has come for America to awaken once again. It is time to develop a new movement of nation-building by seeking for God-centered true parents, true families, true nations and a true world. God is about to leave America, and only sincere efforts to attend God4 will keep Him from departing. God prepared for six thousand years before He settled on America. He does not really want to leave America; where else would He go? When America properly attends God, all its problems—family breakdown, corrupt ethics, immorality among youth, and racial conflict—will be solved of their own accord. America is the land where all five races should be living together in harmony. It is supposed to be the model for the Kingdom of God on earth. (True Family and World Peace, January 22, 2000)
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Patriotism and Public Service CITIZENSHIP, PATRIOTISM, PUBLIC SERVICE: these words define the arena of ethical conduct beyond the level of family and friends. Society functions well when its citizens are active participants, volunteering for public duties and taking responsibility to solve problems in their neighborhoods and communities. Particularly in a democracy, which is government “of the people and by the people,” an attitude of public service is the defining characteristic of good citizens. In times of peril, love of country calls forth sacrifice. Patriots are proud to offer themselves—their lives if necessary—in the service of their country. The biblical Esther pleads for her people at the risk of her life to save them from destruction. The Psalmist poignantly expresses love of the land in his lament “By the waters of Babylon.” We include a medieval Korean poem that pledges absolute loyalty to the sovereign; it is familiar to Unificationists who have adapted it as a hymn of dedication to God’s will. Here we supplement scripture with memorable words by modern patriots who set the example of sacrifice and dedication to their nations’ welfare and who led their people to victory in the face of tyranny. Among the heroes in that pantheon, Father Moon pays particular tribute to Yu Gwansoon, a young Korean girl whose death at the hands of the Japanese police inaugurated the Korean independence movement. Father Moon teaches that a nation has three aspects: people, land and sovereignty. In a number of scripture passages, the requirement of submission to government authority even includes counsel to patiently endure tyrants, for the sake of the order and public safety their regimes maintain. However, Father Moon links loyalty and respect for the ruler with the prophetic duty to admonish and guide him to rule according to God’s will. Father Moon teaches that love of country is one stage on the ladder of public love that begins with love of family and ends with love of humanity, the universe and God (see below, World Citizenship). He views these loves as in alignment, not in conflict, and tells parents to inculcate patriotism in the young.
1. The Duty of Citizens to Serve Their Country There is not one of us but has his appointed position, and we are verily ranged in ranks [for service]. Qur’an 37.164-65
caused to flow, or a contribution which he gave from his property when he was alive and well, for which he will continue to receive reward after his death. Hadith of Ibn Majah (Islam)
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. Isaiah 58.12
Among the actions and good deeds for which a believer will continue to receive reward after his death are knowledge which he taught and spread, a good son whom he left behind, or a copy of the Qur’an which he left as a legacy, or a mosque which he built, or a house which he built for the traveler, or a stream which he
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Strive constantly to serve the welfare of the world; by devotion to selfless work one attains the supreme goal in life. Do your work with the welfare of others always in mind… The ignorant work for their own profit, Arjuna; the wise work for the welfare of the world, without thought to themselves. Bhagavad Gita 3.23-25 (Hinduism)
If liberty and equality, as is thought by some, are chiefly to be found in democracy, they will be
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best attained when all persons alike share in the government to the utmost.
And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
Aristotle, Politics (Hellenism)
When you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy5
Eleanor Roosevelt
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon When you belong to a nation, you must know how to love all its citizens. (1:336, December 30, 1956) What kind of person is a patriot? A patriot wants his country only to flourish. He would rather that his country not have any problems to be concerned about. But since he has a loving mind towards his country, when he sees a problem he takes full responsibility in dealing with it. (161:133, January 18, 1987) People who silently do public duties and serve their community and nation become its owners, wherever they may go. (5:16, November 9, 1958) Be ready to do the most painful, unpleasant work. When you see the filthiest place in your neighborhood, think, “I should be cleaning it up.” (284:154, August 1, 1993) Take on the most difficult task for your nation; take on the most difficult task for your church; and take on the most difficult task for the world: If you don’t go this way willingly, you remain as a servant and cannot reach the realm of an adopted son. You have to be willing to digest all these tasks with joy. (113:111, May 1, 1981) Individuals should not take advantage of their nation; on the contrary, individuals should willingly let their nation take advantage of them, offering themselves for their nation’s benefit. That is our duty as citizens. We should encourage all the people of our nation to take this direction. (24:20-21, June 22, 1969) We must eliminate the basis of evil—including greed, decadence, distrust and false love—from society at every level—family, community, nation, world and universe—through practicing sacrifice, service, honesty, and true love centering on God. (167:100, June 30, 1987)
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2. A Patriot’s Sacrifice for King, People and Country I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country. Nathan Hale6
Though this frame should die and die, though I die a hundred times, My bleached bones all turn to dust, my very soul exist or not— What can change the undivided heart that glows with faith toward my lord?7 Chong Mongju, Tan Shim Ga (Confucianism)
The name of peace is sweet, and the thing itself is beneficial, but there is a great difference between peace and servitude. Peace is freedom in tranquility; servitude is the worst of all evils, to be resisted not only by war, but even by death. Marcus Tullius Cicero8 (Hellenism)
Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! Patrick Henry9
Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, “This was their finest hour.” Sir Winston Churchill 10
By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion. On the willows there we hung up our lyres. For there our captors required of us songs, and our tormentors, mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”
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How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land? If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand wither! Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy! Psalm 137.1-6
Mordecai told him… the exact sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king’s treasuries for the destruction of the Jews… and charged Esther to go to the king to make supplication to him and entreat him for her people… Then Esther… [sent] a message to Mordecai, saying, “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law; all alike are to be put to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter that he may live. And I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.” And they told Mordecai what Esther had said. Then Mordecai told them to return answer to Esther, “Think not that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silence at such a time as this, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another quarter, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.” Esther 4.7-16
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Teachings of Sun Myung Moon A nation needs patriots. Patriotism—love of country—is the tow-line that moves a nation forward. A patriot cannot abandon his nation; even if he leaves, he vows to return one day.11 So strong is that tow-line that, for the sake of the suffering people of his land, a patriot will spurn personal success and does not mind enduring hardships. The power of love makes this possible. (175:204, April 17, 1988) Out of love for their land and their nation, patriots fought against all conditions of oppression. They hoped for the day of victory and had unshakable faith that such a day would surely come. That is how they could resist the oppressors and carry on their struggle. (5:321, March 1, 1959) Why do the Korean people revere Yu Gwansoon as a patriot? Was she merely a young girl who died miserably at the hands of the Japanese police? It is because for the sake of her nation she accounted her life worthless; she loved her nation and her people more than her life. (141:293, March 2, 1986) A patriot might live in poverty and eat nothing but salt soup and barley rice, but when a foreigner comes to visit he prepares the finest meal. He thinks that he must not expose his poverty, out of concern for his nation’s honor. We too should not behave lightly, exposing our petty squabbles while forgetting our nation’s honor. Be patriots, who strive to present their nation in a beautiful light. (26:136, October 19, 1969) Patriots should love three things: the sovereign, the land and the people. These are the three elements that comprise a nation. A patriot should love all three with true love. To do so, he must invest his family, devoting it for the welfare of the nation… By no logic in the universe can you become a patriot by putting your family first. Love always strives to connect with something greater. (207:251, November 11, 1990) True love is the starting point of all ideals; its action continues for eternity. When young people possess it, they will possess a power stronger than life itself. With true love, they will acquire a new outlook on their country. When young people acquire such a new outlook, their country will discover new possibilities for advancement. When diverse interest groups in the nation adopt an attitude based on true love, they will be able to rise above their conflicting interests and create a society of cooperation, harmony and progress. True love of country manifests as sacrificial and patriotic loyalty. This is the primary force that moves a country forward. Each of the numerous national heroes whom we respect today exemplified a life of patriotic sacrifice rooted in true love. (288:201, November 28, 1997)
❖ 3. Respect for the Governing Authorities Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. Mark 12.17
Pray for the welfare of the empire, because were it not for the fear it inspires, every man would swallow his neighbor alive.12 Mishnah, Avot 3.2 (Judaism)
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The sultan is God’s shade on earth to which each one of his servants who is wronged repairs. When he is just he will have a reward, and it is the duty of the common people to be grateful; but when he acts tyrannically the burden rests on him, and it is the duty of the common people to show endurance.
Hadith of Baihaqi (Islam)
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of him who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong,
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be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain; he is the servant of God to execute his wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be subject, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay all of them their dues, taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due. Romans 13.1-7
Hearing and obeying [those in government] are the duty of a Muslim both regarding what he likes and what he dislikes, as long as he is not commanded to perform an act of disobedience to God, in which case he must neither hear nor obey. Hadith of Bukhari and Muslim (Islam)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon Although each of us as an individual is as precious as heaven and earth put together, we should serve our family. Then, just as we place our family above ourselves, we should place the community above our family and the nation above the community. (10:328, November 27, 1960) Serve the president of your nation as you would attend your parents and teachers, serve your parents as you would attend your teachers and the president of your nation, and serve your teachers as you would attend your parents and the president of your nation. This is the teaching of the Three Subjects Thought.13 Its central focus is true love. (212:28, January 1, 1991) When I speak to American young people about patriotism, they blink their eyes in perplexity and retort, “How should I love my country?” The problem is: no one has properly educated them about love. They see that their parents’ relationship is entirely carnal, and they experience relationships with their siblings and friends that are entirely carnal. They see everyone practicing animalistic love—love below the level of animals. People say, “What do you mean, love my country? I express my patriotism by paying my taxes.” With that attitude, how can they learn love of country? Love of country starts from love taught in the family. How do parents teach patriotism? They teach their children how to love their siblings and how to love their parents. At the same time, they tell them, “We love our nation just as we love you, so you should love our nation too.” When children are taught like that, they understand right away from experience what patriotism is about. That is the best education. If people were raised with that tradition, instead of wondering, “What is American patriotism?” they would understand immediately and bow their heads in respect. No other explanation would be needed… Patriots regard the words of the President as superior to their father’s words. Therefore, parents should educate their children that love of country is higher than filial love. They should teach, “You
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and I must be loyal to our country when it is in peril, and even offer our lives for our country.” That is the tradition thoughtful people should pass on to the next generation; it will correct the course of our nation’s history. (95:51-52, October 23, 1977)
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Labor THE PRIMARY WAY THAT MOST PEOPLE CONTRIBUTE to society is through their labor. We spend our adult lives working to provide for our families and ourselves; yet before we receive any benefit, our labor adds to the overall wealth of the nation. Furthermore, labor is one way by which we take after God, the Maker of heaven and earth. God created us to find satisfaction in our labor and to enjoy its fruits. By our work we become cocreators with Him. No society can be prosperous unless its members are educated to have a work ethic and have the opportunity to better themselves through their labor. A practical function of religion is to encourage the virtues that make for economic success: industry, thrift, dependability, responsibility and integrity in the workplace, and the love of one’s job. Although certain religious traditions exalt a life of poverty and mendicancy above a productive life of work, most traditions promote honest work and self-sufficiency, even for members of the clergy. Although most religions reject a life devoted solely to worldly profit, they value work as having divine approval when its gains are spent appropriately—in serving others, charity and proper worship.
1. All Work Is Sacred and in the Service of Heaven Work is worship. Virashaiva Proverb (Hinduism)
Great is labor; it confers honor on the laborer. Talmud, Nedarim 49b (Judaism)
Abu Hurayrah said, “While we were with the Prophet a young man appeared. We said, ‘This young man should sacrifice his youth, energy and strength to worship Allah.’ The Prophet heard what we had said and replied, ‘Nothing is in the way of Allah except that a man be slain in the way of Allah, or a man feed his parents, or a man feed his family, or a man strive to support himself. These are in the way of Allah.’” Hadith of al-Soyouti14 (Islam)
How can he become wise who handles the plow… the smith sitting by the anvil… [or] the potter sitting at his work?… All these rely upon their hands,
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and each is skillful in his own work. Without them a city cannot be established, and men can neither sojourn or live there. Although they are not sought out for the council of the people, nor attain eminence in the public assembly… They keep stable the fabric of the world, and their prayer is in the practice of their trade. Ecclesiasticus 38.25-34 (Christianity)
A favorite saying of the rabbis of Yavneh was: I am God’s creature and my peasant neighbor is God’s creature. My work is in the town and his work is in the country. I rise early for my work and he rises early for his work. Just as he does not presume to do my work, so I do not presume to do his work. Will you say, I do much and he does little? We have learned, “One may do much or one may do little; it is all the same, provided he directs his heart to Heaven.” Talmud, Berakot 17a (Judaism)
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All appointments are from Heaven, even that of a janitor. Talmud, Baba Batra 91b (Judaism)
Love work and hate lordship. Mishnah, Avot 1.10 (Judaism)
The Lord said to Moses, “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: and I have filled him with the
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Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, for work in every craft… And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you: the tent of meeting, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is thereon, and all the furnishings of the tent.” Exodus 31.1-8
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon Whatever I do on earth, even working in a factory, is material to enrich my eternal life. (216:127-28, March 9, 1991) You should not be halfhearted about your work. If you are, you will never amount to more than an errand boy, and an errand boy can never establish himself. So, when you work, you should invest all of your heart in it. Think that you were born for the work, as if it were your eternal spouse.15 In order to make the relationship with your spouse absolute and eternal, it requires investing and forgetting, investing and forgetting. Likewise, only by your investment will you form an absolute relationship with your work. (330:117-18, August 14, 2000) Economic activity sets up a relationship between the worker and the materials he works with. You should love the things you make and sell; they are your object partners. By doing business with them and loving them, you impute to them a value equal to yourself. Thus, if you are worth 100, then each product of your business will also be worth 100. If you are worth 1,000, then your product—even a small, inexpensive pocketbook—will be worth 1,000. Why does a fountain pen that once belonged to a famous person sell for thousands of dollars at auction? Even though it was for his casual use, it holds that person’s love as his object partner, which imputes to it his great value. (102:126, November 27, 1978) Rather than regarding an industry as important, we should place greater value on the people who work in that industry. Rather than regarding science as important, we should place greater value on the scientists. Rather than regarding art as important, we should place greater value on the artists. But, what is the current trend? An industry is valued, but not its workers; science is valued, but not its scientists; art is valued, but not artists; diplomacy is valued, but not diplomats. The human beings in each field are devalued. What happened to the people? They have been devalued. (99:116; September 10, 1978) This morning at the opening of the Washington, D.C. church, [its director] Col. Bo Hi Pak was probably happy, but I was not. Why? It is because we purchased a church building that had been built by others. It would have been better if we ourselves had built this church from scratch. The Mormons who built this church cut slabs of marble from mountains more than 9,000 feet high and
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carried them here. You worked for about two months repairing and painting the building, but it took the Mormons three years when they first built it. I wish that you would have invested greater love and effort than the Mormons, but as it is, how can you compare your devotion to this building to theirs? You who worked refurbishing the building, do you think you are better than them? You say yes, but are you confident that God, who knows the building’s history, would agree with you? I had another thought when I walked into the building. The Mormons built this building with lots of energy and hard work, but then they sold it. They abandoned it and then went out and built a new temple. The important question is: did they put more heart, tears and sweat into building their new and bigger temple than their forbearers did for this church long ago, or did they just put up money and give the plans to a contractor to build it? Did they build it with their money, or with their heart, sweat and labor? That is an important question, though they do not know it. Put yourself in the position of God. Would He rather dwell in a big new marble temple or in a small and humble temple that was built by the members’ labor and devotion? To God, the size of the building means nothing. Whether it is beautiful or plain means nothing. From this perspective, God would rather be in this building than in the newly built Mormon Temple. If you Unification Church members are more sincere and dedicated than the present-day Mormons, if you are actively taking responsibility to save this city, then surely God will continue dwelling in this place that has a tradition of dedicated believers—the Mormons of old—who worshiped Him here with rejoicing. With this in mind, I entered this building. (95:254-55, December 4, 1977)
❖ 2. The Virtues of Industry, Hard Work and Self-Reliance Let one practice here good industry; let one make the needy prosperous. Avesta, Visparad 15.1 (Zoroastrianism)
When the prayer is finished, scatter in the land and seek God’s bounty, and remember God frequently, that you may prosper. Qur’an 62.10
Idleness is the enemy of the soul. The Benedictine Rule (Christianity)
Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her food in summer, and gathers her sustenance in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep?
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A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a vagabond, and want like an armed man. Proverbs 6.6-11
Weeping is not the answer to poverty; a lazy man who is hungry has no one to blame but himself. There is no place where one cannot achieve greatness; only the lazy prospers nowhere. There is no place that does not suit me, O Divinity! Yoruba Proverbs (African Traditional Religion)
He who says, “It is too hot, too cold, too late!” Leaving the waiting work unfinished still, Lets pass all opportunities for good. But he who reckons heat and cold as straws And like a man does all that’s to be done, He never falls away from happiness. Digha Nikaya 3.185 (Buddhism)
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Life is sweet for the self-reliant worker. Ecclesiasticus 40.18 (Christianity)
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He whose livelihood is earned through work, And part given away in charity— Such a one, Nanak, truly knows the way to God.
When you eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.
Adi Granth, Var Sarang, M.1, p. 1245 (Sikhism)
Psalm 128.2
The person who extends a loan to the needy is greater than the one who gives charity, and one who associates a poor person with him in business enabling him to earn for himself is greater than all the others.
We were not idle when we were with you, we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you. It was not because we have not that right, but to give you in our conduct an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: If any one will not work, let him not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work in quietness and to earn their own living. 2 Thessalonians 3.8-12
The little that one produces [oneself] with a broken hoe is better than the plenty that another gives you. Buji Proverb (African Traditional Religion)
One who claims to be a saint And goes about begging— Touch not his feet!
Talmud, Shabbat 63a (Judaism)
A clansman has wealth acquired by energetic striving, amassed by strength of arm, won by sweat, lawful and lawfully gotten. At the thought, “Wealth is mine acquired by energetic striving, amassed by strength of arm, won by sweat, lawful and lawfully gotten,” bliss comes to him, satisfaction comes to him. This is called “the bliss of ownership.” A clansman by means of wealth acquired by energetic striving… both enjoys his wealth and does meritorious deeds therewith. At the thought, “By means of wealth acquired… I both enjoy my wealth and do meritorious deeds,” bliss comes to him, satisfaction comes to him. This is called “the bliss of wealth.” Anguttara Nikaya 2.68 (Buddhism)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon “You wealthy families, I see you drinking and dancing, enjoying yourself like the grasshopper in the fable. In the meantime, I will work so hard that my waistline will shrink like that of the ant. Go ahead, you grasshoppers! Keep singing, dancing and joking around! I will be the ant who keeps digging until I have built my own house and produced enough dirt to cover your graves.” If this is your attitude and way of life, you will revive the souls in hell and become kings and queens of the Heavenly Kingdom. (339:146, December 10, 2000) Hard labor relieves insomnia and stress; it is especially good for people who spend their time only thinking. If you office workers were to do even a day’s labor at the construction site, it would relieve all your stress. If you cannot sleep because of stress, I recommend you go down into a tunnel and work there digging the tunnel for several days. Then you will have no problem sleeping. (230:168, May 1, 1992)
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If you are a large tree, many birds will build their nests in your branches. Therefore, when you walk around soiled with dung, you should keep your internal dignity. Be a superb person who can dance pleasantly to the rhythm of the universe. (Way of God’s Will 2.2) We should experience fun in everything that we do. Farming should be fun; plowing with sweat running down our faces should be fun; carrying heavy things should be fun, too. I did all kinds of labor. As long as we are in harmony with nature and deal with every situation and relationship we face, we can succeed at just about anything. (355:96, October 3, 2001) You need money to succeed in your mission. No one will give it to you; you have to make it with your own hands. I built the worldwide foundation for this movement with my own hands; no one did it for me. Even if I were a castaway on a deserted island I could survive. I know what mushrooms are edible, which herbs are good to eat and which are poisonous. If I have a string and a hook, I can make a fishing pole and catch as many fish as I need. I know how to be self-sufficient wherever I go. My educational philosophy is that before your reach your thirties you should be trained to be as selfsufficient as I am. (117:24-25, January 30, 1982) There is no work that I, Sun Myung Moon, cannot do. In a mine, I become a miner and endure the hardships there. It may be difficult, but I think that even in that mine I have to fulfill God’s Will. I once lived among thieves deep in the mountains. I did not participate in their thievery, but I found a way to survive there. On the ocean, I am a fisherman’s fisherman. In the field, I am a farmer’s farmer. Wherever I may be on this planet earth, I am a man who is capable of making a solid foundation within three weeks with my bare hands. (273:305, October 29, 1995) Those who want to live off the government’s welfare benefits will never prosper, no matter how many years may pass. People who are indebted to others can never be more than servants. Rather, you should spend your life on earth helping others. If you have helped others in this life, then when you cross over to the next world you will arrive at a high realm. However, those who live for their own sake, who prefer to receive rather than to give, and who are in debt to others, will end up in the dark regions of hell. (248:98, August 1, 1993)
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Freedom THE ASPIRATION FOR FREEDOM HAS BEEN A POWERFUL FORCE in human history. God signaled His love of freedom to a band of Israelite slaves in Egypt, and by liberating them set the example for freedom-loving people everywhere. People everywhere aspire for freedom because God created us to be free. God respects human freedom to the degree that He does not interfere with our wrong choices, even when they lead to sin and misery. Nevertheless, God grants human beings freedom for a purpose—that we might attain our full perfection as His ideal partners. Hence, freedom is not an end in itself, but a means to greater ends: true love, true community, the Kingdom of God. Furthermore, freedom is only meaningful and efficacious when it is conducive to God’s plan for human life. Freedom when used wrongly as an occasion to sin can lead to bondage. Therefore, God created us with a conscience as the inner compass to guide our free will in a good direction, and wants to provide every child with loving parents to educate them in the proper use of freedom.
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The issues surrounding freedom are basic to democracy; hence we include several passages by its seminal political theorists. Critiques of secular democratic notions of freedom, particularly from the Catholic Church, are echoed in some of Father Moon’s negative judgments on the excessive value given to freedom and its widespread abuse in Western democracies. Finally, we include several passages describing Father Moon’s unique teaching that God is not free, and that He is in need of liberation more than anyone.
1. The Basis for Freedom in God and God’s Creation Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.
2 Corinthians 3.17
John 8.32
I have seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters; I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey.
Our quest for self-determination, justice, freedom and peace in our Homelands and our Territories… is a renewal of what we enjoyed before the coming of our White Brothers from across the sea. We lived contentedly under the Gai Eneshah Go’ Nah, The Great Law of Peace. We were instructed to create societies based on the principles of Peace, Equity, Justice, and the Power of Good Minds. Our societies are based upon great democratic principles of the authority of the people and equal responsibilities for the men and the women. This was a great way of life across this Great Turtle Island and freedom with respect was everywhere. Our leaders were instructed to be men of vision and to make every decision on behalf of the seventh generation to come; to have compassion and love for those generations yet unborn. We were instructed to give thanks for All That Sustains Us. Thus, we created great ceremonies of Thanksgiving for the life-giving forces of the Natural World, as long as we carried out our ceremonies, life would continue. We were told that “The Seed is the Law.” Indeed, it is The Law of Life. It is The Law of Regeneration. Within the seed is the mysterious force of life and creation. Our mothers nurture and guard that seed and we respect and love them for that. Just as we love our Mother Earth, for the same spiritual work and mystery.
Exodus 3.7-8
Proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants.16 Leviticus 25.10
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.17 Isaiah 61.1-2
O ye who believe! You have charge over your own souls. Qur’an 5.105
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Chief Oren Lyons18 (Native American Religion)
The U.S. Declaration of Independence
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The denial or limitation of human rights—as for example the right to religious freedom, the right to share in the building of society, the freedom to organize and to form unions, or to take initiatives in economic matters—do
these not impoverish the human person as much as, if not more than, the deprivation of material goods? Pope John Paul II, Sollicitudo Rei Socialis (Christianity)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon Freedom is truly one of the Creator’s most precious gifts to humanity. God created human beings to exercise freedom as spiritual beings. (133:289, November 19, 1984) People of the world… without exception, all wish to be free. They want to live in a free society, a free nation, and a free world. Without peace and freedom in our minds, there is no true happiness… Today, although we strongly pursue freedom, we must admit that we still do not experience the condition of true freedom, coming from the heart. (7:14-15, July 5, 1959) In truth, human beings lost their freedom as a result of the Fall. Yet even fallen people possess intact a seed of their original nature which seeks freedom, and this makes it possible for God to carry on the providence to restore it. With the progress of history, people have been ever more zealously aspiring for freedom, even at the cost of their lives. This is evidence that we are in the process of restoring our freedom, long lost due to Satan. The purpose of our search for freedom is to facilitate the accomplishment of our God-given responsibility, which is essential for fulfilling our purpose of creation. (Exposition of the Divine Principle, Fall 5.2) Heavenly Father, who observes the universe from the highest heaven, wants human beings to lead. He doesn’t want people to merely obey as if drawn around by the neck. That is what the mind desires, right? Your mind wants to be completely free. Ask anyone: no one wants to be controlled. You will enjoy complete freedom once you attain the status of a person of true love. Then you can travel anywhere, even to the throne of God. You can meet God anytime you like. You can become God’s friend! (Earthly Life and the Spirit World 1.5.3.2) Freedom originates in true love; without true love freedom has no root. Furthermore, without first planting this root of freedom, we cannot complete our ideal world. A wife whose husband loves her is totally free. A husband whose wife loves him regardless of how he behaves is totally free. He can touch her and even jab her, knowing that she enjoys it. She can run around the house naked, knowing that he will not object. What greater freedom is there? Why does that woman disrobe and walk about naked—to assert her freedom or out of love? Out of love, she expresses her freedom. (203:10, June 10, 1990) The best freedom is to live well, protected by nature. Your freedom is guaranteed when you can live in accord with universal law, without any conflict or contradiction. Then you will enjoy the nature’s protection. There is nothing better. (117:290-91, April 11, 1982) Examine your motivation in searching for freedom. Does your heart truly seek for the freedom that can bring harmony to all creation? If you can put yourself in God’s position and share His
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heart for freedom, your heart would seek the standard of freedom that all people can enjoy together. (4:318, October 12, 1958) Democracy has been promoting the freedom and liberation of human beings. However, we should now promote the freedom and liberation of God. If this matter is resolved, the liberation of human beings, not to mention their freedom, will automatically be achieved. (344:54, June 26, 2001)
â?– 2. Freedom Starts by Becoming Master of Oneself in Accordance with the Moral Law No man is free who is not master of himself. Epictetus, Discourses 2.10 (Hellenism)
Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. John 8.34
The quest for pleasure brings nothing but torment abounding; Man thus makes of his evil desires only a shackle about the neck. Thou seeker of false delights, liberation comes only through the love of God. Adi Granth: Gauri Ashtpadi, M.1, p. 222 (Sikhism)
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5.1
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another. Galatians 5.13
What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you yield yourselves to any one as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. Romans 6.15-18
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon God created human beings to exercise freedom as spiritual beings. At the same time, God also required human beings to be responsible for how they use their freedom. This is because freedom requires self-discipline and self-control. Freedom exists within the law, not apart from the law. There are physical and spiritual laws at work in the universe; they are the ultimate limits to freedom. For example, you are free to jump off the top of the New Otani Hotel. That is your freedom, but your free act will bring your own destruction because you are going against the laws of nature. You are free to go into the ocean and breathe water instead of air, but the laws of nature work at that moment too. Your lungs cannot bear it and you will die. Spiritual laws, however, are not so obvious. Yet they are as absolute as the laws of nature. To recognize spiritual laws, we must recognize that humans are spiritual beings, created by God. God, being the Creator, alone predetermined the purpose of creation and set up its spiritual laws. All
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value begins with God. He determined the purpose of human life and how people are to achieve that purpose. That is the foundation of absolute value. From this absolute foundation emerge moral principles, which comprise spiritual law. Human beings, created as spiritual beings, are bound by this spiritual law. The fundamental purpose of human life is what the Creator purposed us to be, and we exist on this earth to achieve this purpose. Therefore, our spiritual happiness is realized when we accomplish our responsibility in accordance with God’s moral law. Should we violate this law, it will result in self-destruction, just as surely as if we were to disregard the laws of nature. (133:289-90, November 19, 1984) The freedom that God grants us is premised on responsibility. If everyone insisted on the freedom to love as they wished without taking responsibility for their actions, how great would be the resulting chaos and destruction! Human perfection, the attainment of the sublime ideal of love, is only possible when we take responsibility for love. (277:201, April 16, 1996) You begin to truly experience freedom when you are completely pervaded by love. Your body wants to act freely, but it is impossible unless it embodies true love. The American concept of freedom is so wrong. Historically, the most difficult person to deal with is your own self. This is why you must be merciless to yourself. Do you understand? Unless you become such a person, you cannot be free. (203:23-24, June 10, 1990) Americans have made a mockery of freedom with their pursuit of trashy love. Isn’t that so? Americans have no right to speak of freedom. How can they justify the freedom to party and seek pleasure everywhere while their children are weeping, their husbands and wives are suffering, and their families are breaking down? Rather than pursuing vain freedom, we should seek for true love. When we find true love, we will find true freedom as well. (203:12-13, June 10, 1990) Freedom that departs from the Principle is not true freedom. Freedom that avoids responsibility is not true freedom. Freedom that produces no results is not true freedom. Thus, any act of freedom must be within the Principle. It must carry responsibility and produce results. A person who seeks freedom without these conditions is naturally far removed from the heavenly way. (4:318-319, October 12, 1958)
❖ 3. Freedom Requires Social Solidarity within an Orderly Social System; It Is Far Removed from Individualism You can only protect your liberties in this world by protecting the other man’s freedom. You can only be free if I am free. Clarence Darrow19
The natural liberty of man is to be free from any superior power on earth, and not to be under
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the will or legislative authority of man, but to have only the law of Nature for his rule. The liberty of man in society is to be under no other legislative power but that established by consent in the commonwealth, nor under the dominion of any will, or restraint of any law, but what that legislative shall enact according to the trust put
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in it. Freedom, then, is not… liberty for every one to do what he lists, to live as he pleases, and not to be tied by any laws, but freedom of men under government is to have a standing rule to live by, common to every one of that society, and made by the legislative power erected in it. John Locke, Two Treatises on Government (Humanism)
What man loses by the social contract is his natural liberty and an unlimited right to everything he tries to get and succeeds in getting; what he gains is civil liberty and the proprietorship of all he possesses. Jean-Jacques Rousseau, The Social Contract (Humanism)
The roots of the contradiction between the solemn affirmation of human rights and their tragic denial in practice lies in a notion of freedom which exalts the isolated individual in an absolute way, and gives no place to solidarity, to openness to others and service to them. While it is true that the taking of life not yet born or in its final stages is sometimes marked by a mistaken sense of altruism and human compassion, it cannot be denied that such a culture of death, taken as a whole, betrays a completely individualistic concept of freedom, which ends up becoming “the freedom of the strong against the weak,” who have no choice but to submit. It is precisely in this sense that Cain’s answer to the Lord’s question, “Where is Abel your brother?” can be interpreted: “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen. 4:9). Yes, every man is his “brother’s keeper,” because God entrusts
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us to one another. And it is also in view of this entrusting that God gives everyone freedom, a freedom which possesses an inherently relational dimension. This is a great gift of the Creator, placed as it is at the service of the person… but when freedom is made absolute in an individualistic way, it is emptied of its original content, and its very meaning and dignity are contradicted. There is an even more profound aspect which needs to be emphasized: freedom negates and destroys itself, and becomes a factor leading to the destruction of others, when it no longer recognizes and respects its essential link with the truth. When freedom, out of a desire to emancipate itself from all forms of tradition and authority, shuts out even the most obvious evidence of an objective and universal truth, which is the foundation of personal and social life, then the person ends up by no longer ends up taking as the sole and indisputable point of reference for his own choices the truth about good and evil, but only his subjective and changeable opinion or, indeed, his selfish interest and whim. This view of freedom leads to a serious distortion of life in society. If the promotion of the self is understood in terms of absolute autonomy, people inevitably reach the point of rejecting one another. Everyone else is considered an enemy… society becomes a mass of individuals placed side by side, but without any mutual bonds… social life ventures on to the shifting sands of complete relativism. Everything is negotiable, everything is open to bargaining: even the first of the fundamental rights, the right to life. Pope John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae (Christianity)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon Liberty exists where everyone lives for others and honors others. When we live for others, we are liberated as well. Living for others is intrinsically liberating. That is why I tell you to live for the sake of others. (323:73, May 31, 2000) What people today mean by freedom is the right to assert oneself. Their freedom is merely a shield for their self-centered lifestyle. When ten people each assert their freedom, they erect ten walls
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around themselves, and within those walls their personalities and interests diverge to such an extent that they cannot get along together… Today the Western world exalts freedom. Yet you should regard the word “freedom” as a fearful word. What is true freedom? If people take freedom as the opportunity to lift up God and the world, it is well and good. This is freedom that everyone can enjoy. But if people are self-centered and put everyone down, then where can there be freedom? (107:272-74, June 1, 1980) Historically the pursuit of freedom was born out of the desire to lift up society to a higher dimension. It was not born to break down and destroy the social order. Yet today’s young people say, “We want the freedom to drink, dance and enjoy rock music.” Crying out, “freedom!” they flaunt social norms, break down the social order and ruin the foundations of society. This freedom is nothing but self-indulgence. It is one of Satan’s destructive strategies. (116:102, December 27, 1981) The greater the freedom, the greater is the need to maintain discipline and respect for law and order. The greater the precision of a piece of machinery, the more exactly its vertical and horizontal motion must accord with the principles of its design. Freedom yields abundant fruit as long as laws are obeyed. This truth cannot be denied, particularly in today’s advanced social system and scientific civilization. Can human beings enjoy freedom while ignoring the social system? No, the social system exists for the benefit of human beings. Therefore, people need to align themselves to the laws, organization and structure of their social system and prepare themselves to function within it. They should even take on leadership roles and protect it. People who fulfill this role can have no dealings with selfindulgent freedom. To travel anywhere, we need a road. We require a direction. Today’s free societies are lacking direction. How can they have direction, when everyone does as they please? Yet is there such a thing as a mind without direction? It is the mindset of ruin. (49:190-93, October 10, 1971) The freedom that most people seek for is not what they can enjoy eternally, nor does it touch the core of their original mind. Instead, the pursuit of freedom drives people to extreme individualism and leaves them more and more isolated. As long as people do not uphold Heaven’s principles, do not pursue their relationship with God, and do not lift up the concept of freedom that is perfect and unchanging, the freedom that people seek for on earth will not be aligned with the freedom Heaven is seeking. Therefore, as the prevailing trend demonstrates, the more aggressively people pursue freedom, the farther away they are from it. (4:318, October 12, 1958) The democratic world seeks to live by Christian teachings, but its way of life is permeated by individualism, bolstered by scientific technology. Hence, the freedom people pursue in today’s democratic societies is fundamentally opposed to Christian teaching. Christianity teaches freedom for the entire cosmos, liberation for the whole, and unity in the heart of God. Christian freedom is a state where we can rejoice together with God and the entire world. However, most people in the democratic world today insist on an individualistic concept of freedom. As a result, they deny their nation, their society, their community, and even their family and the relationship of husband and wife. Eventually, they come to deny the very Center of their mind [God].
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What do they have left? Loneliness. When their loneliness reaches the extreme and explodes, they no longer trust others or even themselves. Their feeling of loneliness and distrust becomes an all-encompassing fear and depression, which leads to self-destructive behavior, even suicide. This trend is ever more evident in contemporary times. Hence, if we really want freedom, we should not cry out for the irresponsible freedom that people sought in the past or are seeking today, but we should seek for the true freedom that accompanies the ideal of God’s love. (4:319-20, October 12, 1958)
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Equality SCRIPTURES OF ALL FAITHS PROCLAIM THE EQUALITY of all people: rich and poor, black and white, men and women, from the East and from the West. Yet this lofty ideal is rarely matched in practice. Operating from our limited cultural perspectives, we are prone to treat people who seem alien or different with discrimination and prejudice. Even in democratic societies that proclaim equality as a central principle, racial and cultural prejudices are still widespread. What is the basis of equality? First, the Abrahamic faiths ground equality in our common origin in God the creator and in our common parentage from Adam and Eve. Next, there are ethical and legal provisions to treat all people equally. Third is recognition that all people regardless of their race or class are equally capable of achieving enlightenment and self-realization. In Father Moon’s view, however, none of these are sufficient for the attainment of true equality. True equality must be grounded in divine love and its practice by living for the sake of others. His ultimate prescription for bridging the gulf between races and cultures: interracial and intercultural marriage, where all prejudices are burned up in the fire of love.
1. The Basis of Equality in Descent from Common Parents, Common Humanity, and Potential for Divinity Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Malachi 2.10
O Mankind, fear your Lord, who created you of a single soul, and from it created its mate, and from the pair of them scattered abroad many men and women Qur’an 4.1
But a single man [Adam] was created for the sake of peace among mankind, that none should say to his fellow, “My father was greater than your father.” Mishnah, Sanhedrin 4.5 (Judaism)
It is beyond the shadow of a doubt that every real man… however unusual to us may be the shape of his body, or the color of his skin, or the way he walks, or the sound of his voice, and whatever the strength, portion or quality of his natural endowments, is descended from the single first-created man.
Saint Augustine, City of God 15.8 (Christianity)
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3.28
I look upon all creatures equally; none are less dear to me and none more dear. Bhagavad-Gita 9.29 (Hinduism)
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The souls of all people are equal, whether they live on the high mountains or at the bottoms of the valleys.20 Ofudesaki 13.45 (Tenrikyo)
Confucius said, “In education there are no class distinctions.”
I do not call him a brahmin merely because he is born of a brahmin womb or sprung from a brahmin mother. Being with impediments, he should address others as “sir.” But he who is free from impediments, free from clinging—him I call a brahmin.21 Dhammapada 396 (Buddhism)
Analects 15.38 (Confucianism)
All those who take refuge in me, whatever their birth, race, sex, or caste, will attain the supreme goal; this realization can be attained even by those whom society scorns. Bhagavad-Gita 9.32-33 (Hinduism)
“You are a native of Kwangtung, a barbarian. How can you expect to be a Buddha?” asked the Patriarch. Hui Neng replied, “Although there are northern men and southern men, north and south make no difference to their Buddhanature. A barbarian is different from Your Holiness physically, but there is no difference in our Buddha-nature.” Sutra of Hui Neng 1 (Buddhism)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon Whether American, British or German, whether black, white or yellow, we are all from one. (132:130, May 27, 1984) Every person wants to participate equally in God’s love. The way to that equality is through establishing God’s family. (97:265, March 19, 1978) The world of heart is a world where everyone is equal. The Kingdom of Heaven, which is the expansion of one family, is the world of brotherhood. (Way of God’s Will 2.3) A mother cares for all her children with the same love, regardless of their ability and character. She gives birth to each one and raises them on the same bowl of soup. Isn’t that so? All people are equal in this respect: they grew up by entrusting their precious lives to the hands of their parents. In the parental heart, there cannot be any discrimination. (33:164, August 11, 1970) People in general have a desire to be equal and want the same things. Yet people are all different and live in different circumstances. What is the substance that can create equality among everyone despite their differences? It is love. Consider little babies: they have nothing, they cannot talk, and they don’t have anything to offer. Yet they are so cute! When we look at them we love them; we just want to put our cheek against theirs and kiss them. Even puppies come and lick them. In that love, there is no high or low. Love brings everyone to the same level. (254:208, February 13, 1994) Don’t the things that make Westerners weep also make Easterners weep? They do. Why do Koreans weep at the same scenes that also make their enemies the Japanese weep? The world is united in
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emotional responses. Is there any difference between Korean parents and Japanese parents in their love for their children? No, there is not. (41:331, February 18, 1971)
❖ 2. Racial Equality Have you not seen how that God sends down water from the sky, and therewith We bring forth with it fruits of diverse hues? And in the mountains are streaks white and red, of diverse hues, and pitch black. Men too, and beasts and cattle are of diverse colors. Even so only those of His servants who have understanding fear God. Qur’an 35.27-28
I dream of the day when all Americans will be judged, not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Christianity)
Ethiopia will quickly stretch out her hands to God. Psalm 68.31
“Are you not like the Ethiopians to me, O people of Israel?” says the Lord. “Did I not bring up Israel from the land of Egypt, and the Philistines from Caphtor and the Syrians from Kir?”22 Amos 9.7
The Prophet said to Abu Thur, “Look Abu Thur, you are not favored over a black man or a red man unless you are more righteous than they.” Algama’ Alsaghair 3.2740 (Islam)
Lord God of glory is He to whom both the Aryans and the outcastes belong.23 Rig Veda 8.51.9 (Hinduism)
They approach me in a half-hesitant sort of way, eye me curiously or compassionately, and then, instead of saying directly, “How does it feel
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to be a problem?” they say, “I know an excellent colored man in my town”; or, “I fought at Mechanicsville”; or, “Do not these Southern outrages make your blood boil?” At these I smile, or am interested, or reduce the boiling to a simmer, as the occasion may require. To the real question, How does it feel to be a problem? I answer seldom a word. And yet, being a problem is a strange experience, —peculiar even for one who has never been anything else, save perhaps in babyhood and in Europe. It is in the early days of rollicking boyhood that the revelation first bursts upon one, all in a day, as it were. I remember well when the shadow swept across me… In a wee wooden schoolhouse, something put it into the boys’ and girls’ heads to buy gorgeous visitingcards—ten cents a package—and exchange. The exchange was merry, till one girl, a tall newcomer, refused my card,—refused it peremptorily, with a glance. Then it dawned upon me with a certain suddenness that I was different from the others; or like, mayhap, in heart and life and longing, but shut out from their world by a vast veil.
W. E. B. Du Bois24
Among four-footed animals, whatever the size, you can see that they are of different kinds and species. Now look at the creatures that crawl on their bellies… at the fish and water life, the birds and the breeds that fly—you can see they are of different kinds and species. Yet there is not among men differences in kind or species in the manner that they are found among other species. Unlike in other species there is not among men differences with regard to their eyes, ears, mouths, noses, lips, eyebrows and even their hair—all are the same type. From the neck to the groin, from the shoulder to the hip, from the
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back to the chest—is it all of one kind with men. Hands, feet, fingers, nails, calves and thighs are all standard… they do not have the variety of
inherited features that other creatures have. Differences among human beings are differences only by convention. Sutta Nipata 603-611 (Buddhism)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon What is the color of true love? Does true love have a color? In love there is no color. Anyone who is color-conscious can never attain true love. Anyone who sees color is not a person of true love. (161:22, January 1, 1987) In the sight of God, there is no difference between black people, white people and yellow people. Love makes God color-blind. He does not see the color of people’s skin. The color of the heart is much more intense and vibrant than skin color. (258:122, March 17, 1994) What would be God’s ideal art project? You answer, “People,” but how could people become God’s masterpiece when blacks and whites fight? A world of only white people would be like God painting a picture all in white. You try drawing a picture all in white. Why doesn’t it work? Hence, God needs black and other colors as well. White does not show up against a white background. No artist paints on a white background; he needs to use various colors. Likewise, God needs people of diverse colors to create His masterpiece. It should be a three-dimensional masterpiece in which every part is harmonious and united. (96:220, January 22, 1978) I wish that you mothers could bear twins—one black and one yellow. Especially, if a white mother could do it, how amazing it would be! All three races would come together at one time. Do you think God would be displeased and say, “How insane”? When He sees a white mother nursing a black child and a yellow child, would He say, “How disgusting”? No. He would say, “Wow, it is marvelous! Amen!” Listen. If yellow butterflies were to fly only to yellow flowers, it would be dull. When white and black ones also come, that is beautiful. (130:102-03, January 1, 1984) When Jesus stumbled while carrying his cross to Calvary, a black person, Simon of Cyrene, took up Jesus’ burden. That act signifies that in the Last Days, God will raise up black people. (91:219, February 20, 1977) When a white person takes a black person’s hand, it is a much greater thing than simply the meeting of two individuals. In holding that hand, he is holding the hand of all black people and their history of tears. In hearing him, he is listening to the black race’s woeful stories. Their clasped hands represent the reunion of heaven and earth, which had been separated for so long. (95:140, November 6, 1977) Differences in skin color are nothing more than the result of our ancestors having had to adapt to different climates and environments in different parts of the globe. In areas with large amounts of snowfall, we find mainly white people living. In places such as Africa where the rays of the sun are particularly bright, we find mainly black people. Fundamentally, though, people are the same. The
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color of our blood is the same. Our flesh and bones look the same. We all have the capacity to love. Thus, there should be no discrimination based on race. This is why… in accordance with the natural principles, more and more people will marry interracially. When a black person and a white person marry, it is like the North Pole and the South Pole coming together. When a yellow person and a black person marry and have children, both parents contribute their good attributes and their descendants are better as a result. (315:212, February 2, 2000) The universe is built to be in natural balance… God gave white people blue or light-colored eyes, as a charming complement to their white skin. See how the blue of the iris blurs the white of the eye. This is as it should be, emphasizing the pupil and de-emphasizing the white of the eye. On the other hand, in black and Oriental people, who have very dark or black irises, the contrast with the white of the eye is an attractive feature. For people with dark complexions, the black iris makes the whites of their eyes stand out beautifully. If their pupils were blue, it would blur the whites of the eyes and make their eyes weak-looking. Also, when black people smile, their teeth are sensational. You black people, smile and see. Your tongue is very red, to show better against your white teeth. This is why you have thicker lips, too—to better show your teeth. Everything about black person’s face is fascinating! Today this civilization is mostly trying to destroy or downplay certain original qualities in people instead of trying to enhance them. But I foresee the time when white people will be crazy about blacks. White women in particular will prefer the dramatic appearance of black men. Blacks are identified mostly with ghettos such as Harlem, which seem to accumulate the trash of humanity. They are like the valley that collects all the soil and debris that wash down from the hills; there they decay and smell, like rotting manure. But this is not bad; it makes for the most fertile soil, where life can germinate most abundantly. In America, black people shed their sweat and blood, becoming the fertilizer to create a new society for white people. You must know that American civilization was built on the backs of black people. Yet life germinates powerfully in that manure. It is no accident that black people are passionate and strong, and have an explosive sense of love. Also, they tend to trust people, as they represent the valley, accepting everything that washes down. White people, on the other hand, are like the high mountain top. Nothing accumulates on its rocky surface, and it is very cold. Hence, white people and not very trusting, and they tend to be cold-hearted. In the past, when white people traveled on horses, if a horse broke a leg they would kill the animal and move on. That is not right; it is not in accord with nature. Oriental people would not do that, and neither would black people. White people have a tradition of dueling for love, in which one man dies and the woman goes with the winner. Love cannot come through destruction of life; life must be protected so that it can give love. This is how we search out the principle to understand and correct all customs and cultural values to be in accord with the original form. (107:308-09, June 8, 1980)
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3. There Are No Races or Class Distinctions in Heaven also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for every one who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality.
As men, we are all equal in the presence of death. Publius Syrus25 (Hellenism)
Romans 2.9-11
One fate comes to all, to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil, to the clean and the unclean… One fate comes to all.
Know all human beings to be repositories of Divine Light; Stop not to inquire about their caste; In the hereafter there are no castes.
Ecclesiastes 9.2-3
There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and
Adi Granth, Asa, M.1, p. 349 (Sikhism)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon In heaven there is no color. Everyone there shines so brightly that they appear to be silver—a silvery color so brilliant and radiant that it takes on a purple sheen. (293:224, May 26, 1998) It is very possible that when white people go to the spirit world and try to enter the gate to heaven, they will be met by a black security guard. Conversely, black people will be met by a white security guard. Under those circumstances, would you back away, saying, “I don’t really need to be here; I will go somewhere else”? Suppose the guard stopped you, and then started cursing and kicking you. Would you grab his legs and beg his forgiveness, saying, “I deserve whatever punishment you give me, for on earth I was an ignorant racist. Please forgive me”? Or would you run away? (116:110, December 27, 1981)
❖ 4. Living by the Standard of Equality You shall have one law for the sojourner and for the native; for I am the Lord your God.
am a prince and he is just a commoner?” Umar replied, “In Islam you are both equal.”
Leviticus 24.21-23
Muhammad Ahmad al-Maula,26 Arab Stories 126.2 (Islam)
When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. The stranger who sojourns with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
If the brahmin, kshatriya, etc. initiated into my holy order of equality still subscribe to castes and exult therein, they behave like unregenerate beings.
Leviticus 19.33-34
Sutrakritanga 1.13.10-11 (Jainism)
Once a prince attacked a shepherd, slapping him on his face. When the shepherd complained to Umar bin al-Khattab, Umar’s judgment was that he should slap the prince back in the same way. The prince said, “How he can slap me while I
For the white to lord it over the black, the Arab over the non-Arab, the rich over the poor, the strong over the weak or men over women is out of place and wrong.
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Please reflect that the man you call your slave was born of the same seed, has the same good sky above him, breathes as you do, lives as you do, dies as you do! You may see him free, he may see you a slave—the odds are level. Seneca, Moral Epistles 47 (Hellenism)
Slaves, be obedient to those who are your earthly masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as to Christ; not in the way of eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that whatever good any one does, he will receive the same again from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. Masters, do the same to them, and forbear threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.
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The Merciful demands that your servant be your equal. You should not eat white bread, and he black bread; you should not drink old wine, and he new wine; you should not sleep on a feather bed and he on straw. Hence it was said, “Whoever acquires a Hebrew slave acquires a master.” Talmud, Kiddushin 20a (Judaism)
Nearly eighty years ago we began by declaring, “All men are created equal”; but now from that beginning we have run down to the other declaration that for some men to enslave others is a “sacred right of self-government.” These principles cannot stand together. They are as opposite as God and mammon, and whoever holds to the one must despise the other.
Abraham Lincoln27
Ephesians 6.5-9
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon In the world of love there is no discrimination between above and below. (Way of God’s Will 1.8) In the world of true love… everyone has the right to equal position, equal participation, and equal inheritance. (294:65, June 11, 1998) Do not violate human rights by discriminating in hiring, promoting and firing your personnel. Whether a woman or man, black or white, everyone is equal. One must not discriminate, for to do so would violate their human rights. (342:298, January 13, 2001) When everyone lives for the sake of others centered on love, equality emerges among their relations. (107:152, April 20, 1980) Racial discrimination, religious struggle, and selfish nationalism give rise to situations resulting in the violation of human rights. The age when people could be ruled by force has passed. The twentyfirst century is an age when people live together, transcending races, nations, and religions. This means that the age of ruling through true love has begun. (369:221, February 24, 2002) The strategy for creating a realm of equality—as there has never been one—is to sacrifice ourselves for others, wish them good fortune, win the hearts of those who strike you, and give them in return blessing equal to your own. This is the way to open the perfect realm of equality. (56:335, May 18, 1972)
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The way to create equality between the upper class and the lower class is for upper class people to embrace lower class people and elevate them toward the upper class. This can only happen if there is a center of absolute value. That is God’s love. God’s love embraces people of high class and low class alike. It is never one-directional or onesided. Its energy flows in spherical motion, moving freely from the top to the bottom. All welcome it wherever it appears. God’s love holds absolute value, whenever and wherever. In God’s love we feel happy, satisfied and secure. Although you may be a poor working man, you are totally free to love those in high places. Although you are accustomed to life in the highest position, you can freely love the people at the bottom. People dwelling in God’s love are welcome wherever they go. (115:172-73, November 10, 1981) Just because you are a white person, you should not say, “I only like whites. When it comes to the elderly, I will care for white seniors, but not blacks and Asians. I will care for those who are neat and well-dressed, but not those who are unkempt and wearing rags.” No, you should love them all as you would love your own grandparents in your home. (130:274, February 5, 1984) Wherever I go, when I am assigning people to a mission, I do not discriminate against blacks or those who did not complete college. If you possess true love and practice love for the sake of others, then you will uphold human rights correctly. This is the mainstream. The creation of heaven and earth began from this point. I cannot forgive the act of diluting and squandering this main current of my teaching… You should not neglect your younger brother merely because he is handicapped. You should not disregard in-laws or relatives. The world tends to treat everyone with disrespect, doesn’t it? If you who graduated from a university disrespect those who only completed high school, you are violating their human rights. (342:298, January 13, 2001) The day before yesterday I took a group of about twenty people to a seafood restaurant… When we were about to place our order, the waiter told us that we all had to wear ties to be seated, and he offered to lend us all ties. But the thing displeased me; I said, “No thank you,” and walked out of the restaurant with my group. The restaurant staff saw me as I was driven away in a fancy car. They must have wondered, “Why does a rich person like him object to wearing a tie?” They probably realized they had missed a great opportunity, but I will not visit that place again. They should not discriminate against people for not wearing ties. Even if they offer to make an exception for me, I will not give them my business. If they treat me like that, how will they treat black people? I want to stand up for you, because I know you are going through hardships. (God’s Will and the World, May 1, 1977)28 The democratic world will never enjoy true equality until true love is engrafted to it. With true love, men and women can be equal, and all people can be free. With true love, we can establish democracy in the true sense. (230:87-88, April 26, 1992) In the future, the five races will become one. Love is one. Although people differ according to whether they come from the East, West, North or South, and according to their different social ranks, the axle on which they turn is one. The flowers that bloom from the heart of red, passionate
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love are varieties of the same flower—the flower of God’s love… Hence, these days many people believe that it is okay to marry interracially. (101:74-75, October 28, 1978)
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Women’s Rights THE MOVEMENT FOR WOMEN’S RIGHTS and equality of the sexes that began in the last century is a major force for human betterment. Yet amidst the profusion of feminist ideas and trends, can scriptures instruct us to discern what is best and most enduring? This section deals specifically with women’s rights in society. The more fundamental man-woman relationship is marriage, and there the matter of sex roles and equality of the sexes comes up with special force—see Chapter 19: Ethics of Married Life. Against the persistent mistreatment of women, scriptures affirm the essential equality and dignity of both man and woman before God. Scriptures also affirm the right of women to an education and to seek the highest goal of faith—an outstanding Buddhist passage praises the resolve of a nun who defeats the Devil’s whispering that women are not fit for enlightenment. On the other hand, the scriptures encourage the traditional womanly role of childbearing as the basis of female dignity. Further, there is scriptural warrant for the subordination of women as a consequence of the Fall and the first woman’s sin—a theme to which Father Moon adds a unique twist when he attributes women’s subordination at least in part to the degradation of men to the level of “archangels.” It is undeniable that men and women are distinctly unequal in their physical stature and abilities. A Buddhist text ridicules the notion that such external differences have any meaning, based on its perspective that Mind is the only reality. That won’t do for Father Moon, who affirms the reality of the created world. Rather, he teaches that love is the basis of the equality of men and women. He supports the traditional value of childbearing, calling it God’s special gift to women, but at the same time he applauds women who aspire to leadership positions in society and he encourages his women followers to take on traditional male roles. In this respect his thought resonates with the dreams of the pioneering American feminist Susan B. Anthony, who is quoted here.
1. The Basis of Equality between Men and Women God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
When the female relations live in grief, the family soon wholly perishes; but that family where they are not unhappy ever prospers.
Genesis 1.27
Laws of Manu 3.56-57 (Hinduism)
And their Lord answers them, “I waste not the labor of any that labors among you, be you male or female—the one of you is as the other.”
My dear sisters the women, you have had a hard life to live in this world, yet without you this world would not be what it is. Wakan Tanka intends that you should bear much sorrow—comfort others in time of sorrow.29 By your hands the family moves.
Qur’an 3.195
When women are honored, there the gods are pleased; but where they are not honored, no sacred rite yields rewards.
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The sister Soma… when she was returning from her alms-round, after her meal, entered Dark Wood for noonday rest, and plunging into its depths sat down under a certain tree. Then Mara the Evil One, desirous of arousing fear, wavering and dread in her, desirous of making her desist from concentrated thought, went up to her and addressed her in verse, That opportunity [for arahantship] the sages may attain is hard to win. But with her two-finger wit that may no woman ever hope to achieve. Then Soma thought, “Who now is this, human or non-human, that speaks verse? Surely it is Mara the Evil One who speaks verse, desirous of arousing in me fear, wavering and dread…” The sister replied in verses: What should the woman’s nature signify when consciousness is tense and firmly set, when knowledge rolls ever on, when she by insight rightly comprehends the Dhamma? To one for whom the question arises: Am I a woman [in these matters], or am I a man, or what not am I then? To such a one is Mara fit to talk. Then Mara the Evil One thought, “Sister Soma recognizes me!” and sad and sorrowful he vanished. Samyutta Nikaya 1.128, Suttas of Sisters (Buddhism)
Thou art woman, Thou art man; Thou art youth and maiden… it is Thou alone who, when born, assumes diverse forms.
Shariputra, “Goddess, what prevents you from transforming yourself out of your female state, by nature filthy and an unfit vessel?” Goddess, “Although I have sought my ‘female state’ for these twelve years, I have not yet found it. Reverend Shariputra, if a magician were to incarnate a woman by magic, would you ask her, ‘What prevents you from transforming yourself out of your female state?’” Shariputra, “No! Such a woman would not really exist, so what would there be to transform?” “Just so, Reverend Shariputra, all things do not really exist. Now, would you think, “What prevents one whose nature is that of a magical incarnation from transforming herself out of her female state?” Thereupon, the goddess employed her magical power to cause the elder Shariputra to appear in her form and to cause herself to appear in his form. Then the goddess, transformed into Shariputra, said to Shariputra, transformed into a goddess, “Reverend Shariputra, what prevents you from transforming yourself out of your female state?” And Shariputra, transformed into a goddess, replied, “I no longer appear in the form of a male! My body has changed into the body of a woman! I do not know what to transform!” The goddess continued, “If the elder could again change out of the female state, then all women could also change out of their female states. All women appear in the form of women in just the same way as the elder appears in the form of a woman. While they are not women in reality, they appear in the form of women. With this in mind, the Buddha said, ‘In all things, there is neither male nor female.’”30 Holy Teaching of Vimalakirti 7 (Buddhism)
Svetasvatara Upanishad 4.3 (Hinduism)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon Even in America, where the women’s rights movement has been promoting equality between the sexes, men today still have more privileges than women. Although American women may be somewhat better off, generally speaking women throughout the world live their lives dominated by men and carry resentment that they were born as women. The United States has laws granting equality
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between men and women. Nevertheless, in a fight, a man has the strength to defeat even two women combined! Don’t many women still think, “I wish I were born a man”? Throughout history, while men have enjoyed good fortune, a woman’s lot has been miserable. Is it mainly women who assault and violate men, or men who violate women? Men violate women. It has been this way throughout history. In case of criminal assault against the opposite sex, over ninety percent are committed against women. For this reason, women have been holding a grudge against men and pursue women’s rights. Why doesn’t God solve this problem and establish equality among the sexes? Why doesn’t He make those malicious men surrender, but instead just allow them to continue? This is the issue. (243:268, January 28, 1993) How are you going to assure equal rights? By force? External laws? Emotional persuasion? It is through love. It is through love that women can be equal to men. Through love, a mother can be equal to her son, even though he may be the president of a nation. Where there is love, everything can be equal. In this sense, we have to understand that the central core of equality lies in men and women who hope for a peaceful family centered on true love. A husband wants to return to his wife’s bosom and a wife wants to return to her husband’s bosom and become one. There, nothing is high or low. They are indeed experiencing equality. Can there be equality in any other place? Equal rights for men and women exist only in a peaceful family (129:51-52, October 1, 1983) Equality is born from the concept of “we.” It does not exist when “I” am the center. The center must be “we.” You must understand this. Equality arises from “we”-centeredness, in the love among “we.” It cannot arise from self-centeredness. Unfortunately, most feminists have an “I”-centered concept, and most men who believe in traditional male superiority think the same way. They are both wrong; the correct viewpoint is to advocate human rights for all people. To seek equality by putting women first does not make sense. The only sensible way to seek equality is to uphold the rights of everyone, centered on love. I don’t favor either the feminist movement or the tradition of male superiority. Men should live for the sake of women, and women should live for the sake of men. (131:109, April 22, 1984) Just as human beings want to see God during their lifetime, God also wants to see true individuals. Yet if God called for either the man first or the woman first, the one who was not picked would complain. Therefore, God cannot help but make love supreme. In that way, both the man and the woman can see God together, touch God together, and share God together. If the most precious thing in the world were some material thing, surely the man and woman would fight over it; but once they understand that it is love, they will become one and possess it together, by caring for each other. (True Family and World Peace, March 14, 1999)
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2. The Human Fall as the Cause of Male Domination The man said, “The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent beguiled me, and I ate.” The Lord God said… to the woman, “I will greatly multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children, yet your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.”31 Genesis 3.12-16
Let a woman show deference, not being a slave to her husband; let her show she is ready to be guided, not coerced. She is not worthy of wedlock who is worthy of chiding. Let the husband too, manage his wife like a steersman, pay honor to her as his life partner, share with her as the co-heir of grace… Those temptations are most severe which are brought about through women. Indeed, through Eve Adam was deceived, and thus did it come about that he departed from the divine commands. When he learned his mistake and was conscious of the sin within himself, he wished to hide but could not. And so God said to him, “Adam, where art thou?… You desired to leave the Lord your God for one woman, and
you are fleeing the One whom formerly you wished to behold. With one woman you have preferred to hide yourself, to abandon the Mirror of the world, the abode of paradise, the grace of Christ.”32 Should I go on to tell of how Jezebel severely persecuted Elijah, and Herodias caused John the Baptist to be put to death? Ambrose of Milan, Letters 59, 60 (Christianity)
I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a woman is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. Any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, but any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled dishonors her head… For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. (For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.) That is why a woman ought to have a veil on her head, because of the angels.33 1 Corinthians 11.3-11
I looked into Paradise and found that the majority of its dwellers were the poor people, and I looked into the (Hell) Fire and found that the majority of its dwellers were women. Hadith of Bukhari 8.76.554 (Islam)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon Until now, it was mainly women who were required to keep their chastity, wasn’t it? Who lost their chastity in the Garden of Eden? Was it the woman or the man? The woman, you say? The man also lost it. The man who was the center of Eden also lost it. Adam became involved with Eve, and by his action the original root was cut off. Nevertheless, it was the woman—Eve—who caused the man—Adam—to fall. Hence, to indemnify this, women have been mistreated by men. Isn’t that so? I am carrying out a movement for equality of the sexes and the liberation of women. This must be done for the sake of future generations. (26:334-35, October 3, 1969) To this day, have women been mistreated or honored? Have they been punished for being seductive? Yes, but that was not the chief reason. The reason women suffer is because their husbands are not their true husbands. Fallen men are in the position of archangels, and angels are not supposed to
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have a spouse. This is why higher religions have encouraged people to remain single. Men are archangel figures, like the archangel Lucifer at the Fall who seduced a woman when he was not supposed to have a wife. For this reason, women do not have proper husbands. (39:214, January 10, 1971) Because Eve drove a nail into God’s heart, archangelic men have been driving many nails into women’s hearts. (302:232, June 14, 1999) Eve was created as God’s princess, and at the same time as God’s future partner. God created her to become His beloved partner, even God’s wife. Why is this? To share love, God needs a body, a form. God has no form in the spirit world. Light like that of the sun stays in the sky twenty-four hours a day; thus does the incorporeal God manage everything from above. But it is not possible for an incorporeal being to become the love partner of human beings who have bodily form. For this reason, the incorporeal God created Adam and Eve each with a body. They were His absolute works, created for the ideal of love, as His partners. Whose form does God take? God takes the form of both Adam and Eve. God is the internal Father embodied in Adam the external father; God is the internal Mother embodied in Eve the external mother. (199:361, February 21, 1990)
❖ 3. Striving for Equality of the Sexes Learning is incumbent upon every believer, man and woman. Sunnan of Ibn Majah 224 (Islam)
Women should have equal pay for equal work and they should be considered equally eligible to the offices of principal and superintendent, professor and president. So you must insist that qualifications, not sex, shall govern appointments and salaries. Susan B. Anthony
Women naturally have important roles to play in peacemaking. Nearly all of us receive our first lessons in peaceful living from our mothers because our need for love is the very foundation for human existence. From the earliest stages of our growth, we are completely dependent on our mother’s care and it is very important that she expresses her love… If children do not receive the proper affection, in later life they will find it harder to love others. This is how a mother’s love has a bearing on peace. Tenzin Gyatso, The Fourteenth Dalai Lama (Buddhism)
Husband and wife are also equal. Their differences should be respected but not used to justify the domination of one by the other. In collaboration with society, the Church must collectively affirm and defend the rights of women.
Pope John Paul II34 (Christianity)
In the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman.35 And all things are from God.
The day will come when man will recognize woman as his peer, not only at the fireside but in the councils of the nation. Then, and not until then, will there be the perfect comradeship, the ideal union, between the sexes that shall result in the highest development of the race. Susan B. Anthony
1 Corinthians 11.11-12
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Teachings of Sun Myung Moon Man is woman’s teacher and woman is man’s teacher. Men and women learn from each other. (247:174, May 2, 1993) When a woman shares in her husband’s work, or a man shares in his wife’s work, they will better know each other. Then they can do anything.36 (116:183, January 1, 1982) I am going to make you ladies into fishing captains. You will take well-educated men, even Ivy League graduates, out to sea. They will become your crew. Do you women want to do it? Can you answer “yes” with a strong voice? “Yes!” That’s what I want to hear! You must learn to have guts. To become a great woman captain, you must be trained to take charge in the midst of a storm. When the men of your crew are scared to death, you will command them, even by using your fists. How will you feel when those men obey your orders? You will feel good! (95:97-98, November 1, 1977) How can women claim equality with men? A man eats two portions of food to a woman’s one. Men work at heavy labor while women follow timidly behind. Is that equality? What about wrestling? Have you ever seen a woman and a man wrestle each other? How, then, can a woman be equal to a man? Only in love are men and women equal; that is how it is meant to be. How does God love women, when He appointed men to do the hard work and fighting? Nowadays we can purchase rice and cook it, but in the old days men had to go into the mountains or the fields and hunt for game to put on the table while fighting off lions and tigers. On the other hand, women have one ability that gives them standing before men: the ability to bear a child. I believe that God gave women the privilege of childbearing as a condition to maintain some measure of equality with men. The Creator made women to bear children in order to balance their weaknesses in other respects. But lately women are refusing to have children… (103:273, March 11, 1979) There is an old saying, “Women are weak, but mothers are strong.” A woman by herself may be weak, but if as a mother she assumes the position of the subject of love, or as a wife or a daughter she takes up the role as the center of love, then she becomes the strongest of all. How can this be? When a woman—as a mother, wife or daughter—assumes the position of the subject of love and then gives one hundred percent to her object partners, God’s love comes in to fill up the vacuum that is left after she has given everything. That is when the power of God’s love starts working. So even though she is a woman, by resembling God and assuming the position of the subject of love, she generates tremendous force. The power of that love will give life to the family, give life to the nation, and give life to the world. (True Family and World Peace, May 11, 1992) The age of women has arrived. Now we women throughout the world should create a movement for the practice of true love. It begins by embracing our husbands and properly educating our children… and it expands as we women take up leadership roles in the political arena, in business, in culture and the arts, in society and so on, to work for world peace. Let us remember our forbearers, Rebecca, Tamar and Mary, who went through difficult trials as they fulfilled the major responsibilities of women in God’s providence of salvation. Let us inherit their strong spirit and willpower by which they overcame life-threatening dangers and obstacles and opened the way for us to make a relationship with Heaven. Let us also cultivate our
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families and make them into havens where true parents, true couples and true children dwell. In these ways, let us arise and join in the holy cause of changing this evil world into the heavenly world. (April 10, 1992)
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Justice INJUSTICE AND OPPRESSION CAUSE OFFENSE to God and humanity. People everywhere will fight for justice, but believers who know God’s all-encompassing love have a special responsibility to use their influence to promote justice. Scriptures admonish people of faith not to sit idly by and not assist the downtrodden in obtaining the justice that is their due. Long before oppressed people in frustration take up arms to revolt against their oppressive circumstances, religious people should strive as society’s conscience to prompt the authorities to give justice to those who have long been denied it. Father Moon himself often tasted injustice, but he never seeks to avenge himself upon his persecutors. Instead, he always chooses the method of love and forbearance, firm in his conviction that the way of service and sacrifice is the surest way to overcome injustice on all sides.
Thus says the Lord, “Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood.”
God said, “O My servants, I have forbidden wickedness for Myself and have made it forbidden among you, so do not do injustice to one another.” Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi 24 (Islam)
Jeremiah 22.3
O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it concerns rich or poor: for God can best protect both. Follow not the lusts of your hearts lest you swerve, and if you distort justice or decline to do justice, verily God is well acquainted with all that you do.37 Qur’an 4.135
Take away from me the noise of your songs; To the melody of your harps I will not listen. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Amos 5.23-24
The Lord said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, Let my people go.’ ” Exodus 8.1
Whoever of you sees something of which God disapproves, then let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart; and that is faith of the weakest kind. Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi 34 (Islam)
All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing. Edmund Burke38
Beware of the plea of the oppressed, for he asks God Most High only for his due, and God does not keep the one who has a right from receiving what is due.
To come to the relief of the distressed and to help the oppressed, act as amends and expiation of many sins.
Hadith of Baihaqi (Islam)
Nahjul Balagha, Saying 22 (Shiite Islam)
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If you are neutral in a situation of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has his tail on the foot of a mouse, and you say you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality. Desmond Tutu (Christianity)
Someone said, “What do you say concerning the principle that injury should be recompensed with kindness?” The Master said, “With what will you then recompense kindness? Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness.”40 Analects 14.36 (Confucianism)
Upon seeing someone else committing a sin or following a way which is not good, it is a commandment to return him to doing good and to make it known to him that he is sinning against himself, for it is written, “You shall definitely rebuke your fellow.” When rebuking someone, whether in matters between him and others or between him and God, one should do so in private, speak to him in repose and soft tones, and make sure that he understands that one is speaking to him for his own good, and [thereby] to bring him to life in the World to Come.
According to Anas ibn Malik, the Prophet said, “Help your brother whether he is oppressor or oppressed.” Anas replied to him, “O Messenger of God, a man who is oppressed I am ready to help, but how does one help an oppressor?” “By hindering him doing wrong,” he said. Hadith of Bukhari (Islam)
No man can put a chain around the ankle of his fellow man without at last finding the other end fastened about his own neck.
Maimonides, Mishneh Torah (Judaism)
Frederick Douglass41
Justice is conscience, not a personal conscience but the conscience of the whole of humanity. Those who clearly recognize the voice of their own conscience usually recognize also the voice of justice.
While women weep, as they do now, I will fight. While men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I will fight. While there is a drunkard left, where there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, where there remains one dark and without the light of God, I’ll fight. I’ll fight to the very end.42
Alexander Solzhenitsyn 39
William Booth (Christianity)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon God is calling to us to challenge worldly unrighteousness, evil, sins and crimes, and practice true love. (234:273, August 26, 1992) I believe that we people of faith should feel responsible for the lawlessness and injustice of this age, and we should be the first to assess our role in permitting it. God is calling upon leaders, especially us religious leaders, to stand against the world’s injustices and evils and to bestow His true love upon the world. (330:247, August 18, 2000) Before dreaming of eternity, religious people should first work with God in their daily life to eradicate evil. They should be fighters for goodness. (37:219, December 27, 1970) He who sees unrighteousness but leaves it alone is not a man of conscience. (Way of God’s Will 2.2)
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Who possesses the central and highest conscience in the universe? God. When a man of conscience sees injustice, does he sit still? No, he explodes in righteous indignation. Is God’s conscience any weaker? After seeing six thousand years of injustice His indignation grows hot; He prepares to do battle. God cannot stand by when sees people committing wickedness—damaging the world for their own selfish benefit or for their own family’s or tribe’s benefit. He reserves a day to strike them down. Consider the Roman Empire. For four hundred years Rome had dominated the world, but when she persecuted Christianity, God punished her. Less than four hundred years after Jesus’ death, Rome surrendered. (51:44, November 4, 1971) I have endured, thinking that justice does not win by fighting, but wins by enduring. There were times when I was so indignant that my whole body was numb. But I endured, accounting myself an inadequate and unworthy son and thinking, “God has endured far more indignation than me.” (74:252, December 31, 1974) When young people dedicate themselves to sacrifice and service with God’s true love, they will find the key to solving world poverty and hunger. They will be able to heal the feelings of animosity and hatred caused by differences between rich and poor and by different historical backgrounds and experiences. Only based on love that loves the unlovable, can we find a clear direction to overcome the intractable conflicts that plague our age. We can even find common ground to meet the ideological divide between the advocates of freedom and the advocates of equality. (288:201-02, November 28, 1997) Once true love is perfected in the human world, what possible political, economic, cultural, or environmental problems could persist? In the world of true love, every problem can be solved. It is the world of freedom, peace and happiness, replete with joy. It is the world of God’s ideal. It is the world where joy and happiness are magnified infinitely and eternally, and where everyone has the right to equal position, equal participation, and equal inheritance. (294:65, June 11, 1998)
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Economic Justice AS LONG AS A SOCIETY TOLERATES GREAT DISPARITIES in living standards between rich and poor, it cannot be regarded as a just society. Such disparities weaken the bonds of solidarity between citizens, and generate class distinctions and their accompanying prejudices. Furthermore, equality of opportunity and equal justice under the law is a fiction in a society where the wealthy have every advantage over the poor. Visionaries of every age have sought for economic democracy to accompany political democracy. Socialisms of various stripes have arisen in response to this perennial desire of the original mind. Economic justice begins with the commandment not to steal. Thieves are not only those who steal from other people, but also and more damagingly, those in a position of authority who rob from the public trough. This leads to the question of what is ‘public’ and what is ‘private.’ God created the earth, with its air, water and mineral resources, and in biblical Israel, all the land belonged to God with the people as its stewards. This scriptural viewpoint challenges the capitalist concept of private property, and suggests that a just economic system should involve some notion of shared ownership.
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Furthermore, from God’s perspective, all people are members of one family. How, then, can the wealthy sleep in good conscience while some of their brothers and sisters go hungry? The early Christians held all property in common, a tradition that has persisted in utopian socialist experiments to this day. The key to successful socialism, according to Father Moon, is God’s love, which is the fount of the impulse to charity and brotherly love. It can prompt the wealthy to share their blessings, creating a virtuous cycle of giving. (See Chapter 13: Charity) Communism, on the other hand, sought to institutionalize common ownership through a state mechanism that took from the rich to distribute to the poor. It utilized proletarian resentment to justify what was essentially stealing, enforced with great brutality. It took this despicable strategy, in Father Moon’s view, because of its atheism and hostility to religion. Instead of looking to the state to redress economic imbalances, we can look to ourselves. We can cease to strive only for our individual profit and instead regard each other as brothers and sisters, members of God’s family. Then, just as family members apportion income and expenses when making their monthly budget, people of each village or neighborhood would meet on a regular basis and voluntarily apportion income and share expenses to promote fairness and equality. By the same token, employers and factory owners should pay their workers a decent wage, not only to encourage their good industry but also out of regard for their value as human beings. Likewise, in the family of nations, wealthy nations would voluntarily offer aid and technological assistance to developing nations, with the goal that all people on the planet would have comparable standards of living. Supporting this, we should promote a culture that honors people more for their charity than for their wealth. Father Moon envisions this as a practical way to achieve economic justice.
1. Stealing and Misappropriating Public Property You shall not steal. Exodus 20.15
Whoever steals what is considered to belong to others, whether it be situated in villages or the forest, he is to be known as an outcast. Whoever having contracted debts defaults when asked to pay, retorts, “I am not indebted to you!” he is to be known as an outcast.
Woe unto the defrauders, Those who when they take the measure from mankind demand it full, But if they measure unto them or weigh for them, they cause them loss. Qur’an 83.1-3
Whoever is desirous of stealing even a trifle and mugs a person going along the road in order to take it, he is to be known as an outcast.
These acts are included in stealing: prompting another to steal, receiving stolen goods, creating confusion to overcharge or underpay, using false weights and measures, and deceiving others with artificial or imitation goods.
Sutta Nipata 119-21 (Buddhism)
Akalanka, Tattvartharajavartika 7.27 (Jainism)
Lo! those who devour the wealth of orphans wrongfully, they do but swallow fire into their bellies, and they will be exposed to burning flame.
Because what is yours is not yours, how then can you regard what is not yours as yours?44 Talmud, Derek Eretz Zuta 2.5 (Judaism)
Qur’an 4.10
As for the thief, both male and female, cut off their hands. It is the reward for their own deeds, and an exemplary punishment from God.43 Qur’an 5.38
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Nature has poured forth all things for the common use of all men. And God has ordained that all things should be produced that there might be food in common for all, and that the earth should be the common possession of all. Nature
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created common rights, but usurpation has transformed them into private rights. Ambrose of Milan, On the Duties of the Clergy 1.132 (Christianity)
Private property does not constitute for anyone an absolute and unconditional right. No one is justified in keeping for his exclusive use what he does not need, when others lack necessities.
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Metals and natural resources as petrol, sulfur, and iron are [public property] the same as water, grass and salt; therefore no governor is allowed to give some men exclusive possession of them, and if he does then his acts are false. Muhammad ibn Idris ash-Shafi‘i 346.5 (Islam)
Pope Paul VI, Populorum Progressio (Christianity)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon Religion teaches people to deny and reject everything that our body desires. Our body tells us to steal food when it is hungry, but Heaven teaches us always to say, “No” to that impulse. (131:25, March 11, 1984) What is wrong with stealing? The item you steal is the result of someone’s sacrifice and service; hence it has public value. When you take it without paying anything for it, you negate that public value. That is a sin. (105:92-92, September 30, 1979) The Fall took place when the archangel, rather than respecting Adam and serving him sacrificially, instead manipulated the situation to swindle Adam. Then he looted God’s creation. Looting, destroying and swindling followed upon hatred and deception. If you take part in any of these, you will go to hell. (310:199, June 15, 1999) When using public funds, you should have a more anxious heart than I [about using the money correctly]. You should feel that taking even one penny for your personal use is as painful as amputating one of your limbs. If you are casual about public funds, you will inevitably decline. The sin will come around and bite you. You may be swindled, robbed or even killed. (360:321, November 18, 2001) All events in history are the expansion of the deeds of individuals. What means and methods have successful people used to rise to the top? To reach their goal, they take advantage of other people or embezzle from organizations. This has been the tradition throughout history. Ever since the Human Fall, when human beings received the blood of Satan, they unconsciously became arrogant and started using others to satisfy their own needs. That has been the direction of human history, is the result of the seeds sown at the Fall. (46:141, August 8, 1971) Suppose while walking down the street, you find a golden nugget that fell from somewhere. Do not take it for yourself; if you do, it is as if you were committing a theft. Such found money is public money; therefore you should not use it for yourself. Do you understand the meaning of public money? If you make an offering to the church with an ulterior motive, I Reverend Moon will not accept it. Even if you give it to True Mother [seeking to have her influence me], I do not touch it. Misusing public money is more fearful than taking poison. You will surely be caught and made to pay when you arrive in the spirit world. (January 13, 2001)
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If you value your personal property more than public property, you are violating the way of Heaven. If you value your personal integrity more than public integrity, you are contrary to the way of Heaven. (51:291, November 28, 1971) The things that you own, your material possessions, are not truly your own; you are their temporary steward. (23:334, June 15, 1969) One of the main teachings of the Unification Church is: What is mine is yours, yours is the nation’s, the nation’s is the world’s, the world’s is God’s, and God’s is mine. (57:272, June 4, 1972)
❖ 2. Allocating a Community’s Wealth to Provide Economic Security for All When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field to its very border, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 19.9-10
At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release. And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release what he has lent to his neighbor; he shall not exact it of his neighbor, his brother, because the Lord’s release has been proclaimed… For there will be no poor among you, for the Lord will bless you in the land which the Lord your God gives you for an inheritance to possess, if only you will obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all this commandment.45 Deuteronomy 15.1-5
And you shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants; it shall be a jubilee for you, when each of you shall return to his property and each of you shall return to his family…46 If your brother becomes poor, and sells part of his property, then his next of kin shall come and redeem what his brother has sold. But if he has not sufficient means to get it back for himself, then what he sold shall remain in the
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hand of him who bought it until the year of jubilee; in the jubilee it shall be released, and he shall return to his property… And if your brother becomes poor, and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall help him; like a stranger and a sojourner, that he may live with you. Take no usury or interest from him, but fear your God; that your brother may live beside you. You shall not lend him your money at interest, nor sell him your food at a profit. And if your brother becomes poor beside you, and sells himself to you, you shall not make him serve as a slave: he shall be with you as a hired servant and as a sojourner. He shall serve with you until the year of the jubilee; then he shall go out from you, he and his children with him, and go back to his own family, and return to the possession of his fathers. For they are my servants, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold as slaves. You shall not rule over him with harshness, but shall fear your God. Leviticus 25.10-43
The Duke sent Pi Chan to ask about the “wellfield” system. “Your prince, “said Mencius, “is going to practice benevolent government… It must begin with land demarcation. When boundaries are not properly drawn, the division of land according to the well-field system and the yield of grain used for paying officials
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cannot be equitable. Despotic rulers and corrupt officials always neglect the boundaries. But once boundaries are correctly fixed, there will be no difficulty in settling the distribution of land and determining fair taxes… I suggest that in the country the tax should be one part in nine, using the method of a fixed share of the produce… A section measuring one li square is divided into nine plots. The central plot of 100 mu is public land, while the other eight plots of 100 mu each are held by eight families who share the duty of cultivating the public field. Only when the work on the public field is finished do they turn to their own work.47 Mencius III.A.3 (Confucianism)
Thus it is manifest that the best political community is formed by citizens of the middle class, and that those states are likely to be well-administered in which the middle class is large, and stronger if possible than both the other classes. Aristotle, Politics 4.11 (Hellenism)
Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet; and distribution was made to each as any had need. Acts 4.32-36
As long as there is any property, and while money is the standard of all other things, I cannot think
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that a nation can be governed either justly or happily: not justly, because the best things will fall to the share of the worst men; nor happily, because all things will be divided among a few (and even these are not in all respects happy), the rest being left to be absolutely miserable… I reflect on the wise and good constitution of the Utopians, among whom all things are so well governed and with so few laws, where virtue hath its due reward, and yet there is such an equality that every man lives in plenty… No man may live idle, but every one follows his trade diligently: yet they do not wear themselves out with perpetual toil from morning to night as if they were beasts of burden… but dividing the day and night into twenty-four hours, they appoint six of these for work—three before dinner and three after. They then sup, and at eight o’clock, counting from noon, go to bed and sleep eight hours. The rest of their time besides that taken up in work, eating and sleeping is left to every man’s discretion; yet they are not to abuse that interval to luxury and idleness… And thus, since they are all employed in some useful labor, and since they content themselves with fewer things, it falls out that there is a great abundance of all things among them: so that it frequently happens that, for want of other work, vast numbers are sent out to mend the highways. But when no public undertaking is to be performed, the hours of working are lessened. The magistrates never engage the people in unnecessary labor, since the chief end of the constitution is to regulate labor by the necessities of the public, and to allow all the people as much time as is necessary for the improvement of their minds, in which they think the happiness of life consists. Sir Thomas More, Utopia (Humanism)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon In the ideal world, all of life’s activities and labors will be expressed in the practice of joyful service for the sake of others based on a heart of love. Therefore, there will be equality in standards of living. (269:156, April 3, 1995)
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Your financial life should not be centered only on the needs and desires of your own family. You should live with the others in the community in mind—some of whom are wealthy, some middleclass, and others poor—and place yourself in the middle range. Your community should have a monthly meeting to determine the range of the top, middle and bottom third of people’s incomes, and what are each family’s living expenses. Then through discussion, they should determine the following month’s budget, which every family should observe. If we live by this principle, our way of life will be guaranteed. When you receive your monthly salary, you will compare your living expenses with the average of people better off and worse off than yourselves, and based on whether you are in the top, middle or bottom third, you will give a certain proportion of your salary to help those in need. You will make this your consistent practice. If you do not, your life can be invaded by the spirit world. The spirit world operates this way. You cannot live just accumulating money, as in the world of capitalism. I do not have money stored up. In the future, when your children are living with you, they should not live better than your neighbor’s children. If you have only three children while the average number of children per family in your neighborhood is four or five, you should willingly help other families to equalize their standard of living with yours. Families with fewer children should offer financial help to the families with more children. Since you are all brothers and sisters [in God’s family], you should think of your neighbors’ children as your nephews and nieces. The children should marry each other, strengthening the bonds between those who offer help and those who receive help. Such relationships expand the foundation of peace. (324:254-56, July 24, 2000) The direction of politics should be oriented to true love, centered on the ideal of family. Economics and all activities of culture should likewise be centered on true love. If they continue as they have been, things will go wrong again and again. The world should inevitably become one, and do so centering on economy, not on politics. Political systems are based upon a governing class and a governed class. The world of peace and unification can only be realized when such things disappear, and the world moves to a system of management based on economic relations… Once the world adopts the paradigm of global family, we will enter the era of equalization. Arriving at a single standard of living, and the peace that flows from it, is a task for the economy… We should leave behind systems of governance based on the concept of struggle or notions of superiority and inferiority. Things should develop through relationships based on love. (303:192-93, August 25, 1999) In the ideal world established by people who have perfected God’s love, the purpose of the whole and purpose of the individual will be in natural harmony. Because human beings have desire and a natural inclination towards love, God permits us to have individual ownership and pursue our individual purposes. Even so, we would not pursue unlimited wealth or go after deviant purposes that might harm the purpose of the whole. Perfected human beings would only hold on to property for their individual possession according to their status in agreement with their conscience and original nature. Especially, people who have become true owners would pursue all their economic activity in the spirit of love and gratitude. Hence, there could be no greed or corruption. Neither would they insist on the interests of the nation or region inconsistent with the purpose of the whole. The aim of economic activity is the welfare of everyone, rather than the mere pursuit of individual profit. This
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is the way of mutual prosperity, based on God’s true love. Through mutual participation, political life would realize the ideals of freedom, equality and happiness. (271:77, August 22, 1995) The system in the spirit world is organized based on life. There is no politics. It is a world where the family ideal is expanded centered on the direct love of God. Politicians bend according to which way the wind blows and hold to the concept of struggle. Hence they do not hesitate to use any means to accomplish their goals. However, such a thing does not exist in the spirit world. The spirit world’s main concern is how to improve the caliber of human life, based on an economy that promotes an equal standard of living for all. We should establish such a system on earth as well. True love transcends politics and economics. True love goes beyond power, money, knowledge or anything else. How do we live when we center on true love? We help everyone to have an equal standard of living. We should not accomplish this by political means, through enlarging the power of government. We do it by expanding the scope of our life for the betterment of others. That is the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. (303:193-94, August 25, 1999)
❖ 3. The Rich Should Spread Their Wealth among the People The state flourishes when wealth is more equally spread. Francis Bacon48 (Humanism)
Workman and employer should, as a rule, make free agreements, and in particular should freely agree to wages; nevertheless, there underlies a dictate of natural justice more imperious and ancient than any bargain between man and man, namely, that remuneration ought to be sufficient to support a frugal and well-behaved wage-earner… to maintain himself, his wife, and his children in reasonable comfort. Pope Leo XIII, Rerum Novarum (Christianity)
To share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh— Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go forth before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Isaiah 58.7-8
Alms are for the poor and the needy, and for those employed to administer them,
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and for those whose hearts have been reconciled, for those in bondage and in debt, those in the cause of God, and for the wayfarer: this is ordained by God, and God is full of knowledge and wisdom.49 Qur’an 9.60
If I have withheld anything that the poor desired, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail, or have eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless has not eaten of it… if I have seen any one perish for lack of clothing, or a poor man without covering… Then I could not have faced His majesty. Job 31.16-23
When the wicked are prosperous and the righteous are not, if the situation continues for long the righteous become frustrated. Like a small needle, that is how one first starts the act of falsehood. The day it becomes as big as a hoe, It kills. Yoruba Song (African Traditional Religion)
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The highest degree of charity—above which there is no higher—is he who strengthens the hand of his poor fellow Jew and gives him a gift or [interest-free] loan or enters into a business partnership with the poor person. By this partnership the poor man is really being strengthened as the Torah commands in order to strengthen
him till he is able to be independent and no longer dependent on the public purse. It is thus written, “Strengthen him [the poor person] so that he does not fall and become dependent on others” (Leviticus 25:35). Maimonides, Mishneh Torah (Judaism)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon The issue is the management of money: who eats better and who owns better possessions. If we are in positions of leadership, we should not seek to own the best things. If we desire to have belowaverage things, giving [our better things to others] for the sake of the whole, then equalization will be realized naturally. (324:253-54, June 24, 2000) Everything should circulate like water. What is warm must become cool. What is cool must become warm. By “Warm” I mean the rich and by “cool” I mean the poor; hence the rich should extend themselves to help the poor. This must happen naturally. If the wealthy people willingly take responsibility for the poor in their community, everyone will be able to live together in harmony. If this becomes a community tradition, all the people will help one another. They will strive not to be indebted to one another. By helping one another, they will all become prosperous together—naturally. (253:238, January 30, 1994) To bring unity between the people of the upper and lower classes, we must enable the people of the upper class to harmonize with the people of the lower class and raise the people of the lower class to the level of the upper class. To accomplish this requires a central point of absolute value. That central point is God’s love. Then what is God’s love like? God’s love can be with both the people of the upper class and the people of the lower class. God’s love is never one-directional; it moves in a spherical motion. It can move around freely from the highest point to the lowest. Wherever God’s love appears, it is welcomed by all people everywhere, and it creates harmony everywhere, at all times. God’s love always possesses absolute value whenever and wherever it may be. If we have God’s love, we are happy; we feel filled and secure. Though a person may be at the very bottom, with God’s love he can love those on top, and with God’s love the people on top can love those at the bottom. (115:172, November 10, 1981) Problems in labor relations can be solved by practicing parental love. The owner of the company is in the role of parent, and his employees are in the position of children. The owner should care for his employees as parents care for their children. Don’t parents save money to bequeath it to their children? The owner should likewise think that his purpose is to bequeath his company’s wealth to his employees. (116:121, December 27, 1981) Let me tell you a way to solve labor disputes. Just as there are labor unions, a company’s owners should form an owners or shareholders’ union.50 Then the two unions can get together and discuss the situation: “We laborers need to support our families, and you shareholders want to see production increase over last year. Instead of fighting each other and competing for a bigger slice of the pie, we should work together.” They can agree that for three years instead of the profits going to the
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owners, they will put it in one pot. If the labor union members worked harder, then a higher percentage of the proceeds should go to them, but if the owners’ union members worked harder, then a higher percentage of the profits should be given to them. Instead of fighting, let them compete. (342:288-89, January 13, 2001) The twenty-first century shall be a century of righteousness. It will be a century of spirit and soul, when wealth will not be the dominating factor. It will be a century when God and human beings live together as one. A new awareness will come to every person—that living for the sake of others has eternal value, far greater than living for oneself. In the twenty-first century, selfishness will decline. The altruistic values of interdependence, mutual prosperity and universally shared values will be triumphant. (219:120, August 28, 1991)
❖ 4. The Virtues of Market Capitalism: Incentives to Honest Labor and the “Invisible Hand” that Enriches the Whole It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest. We address ourselves, not to their humanity but to their self-love, and never talk to them of our necessities but of their advantages. Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations
Every individual necessarily labors to render the annual revenue of the society as great as he can. He generally, indeed, neither intends to promote the public interest, nor knows how much he is promoting it… He intends only his own gain, and he is in this, as in many other cases, led by
an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention. Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations
I take it that it is best to leave each man free to acquire property as fast as he can. Some will get wealthy. I don’t believe in a law to prevent a man from getting rich; it would do more harm than good… I want every man to have the chance— and I believe the black man is entitled to it—in which he can better his condition; when he may look forward and hope to be a hired laborer this year and the next, work for himself afterward, and finally to hire men to work for him! Abraham Lincoln51
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon When I am making money, it is not for myself. Nor am I doing it for my parents. I am doing it for the world… Such is the way we all should live. (113:52, April 26, 1981) How powerful it is to have money! How wonderful it is to have money! But who else likes the fact that you have money? If money had true love in it, then everyone would rejoice that you have it. If a person with true love has power, we think it a good thing. Why? Because he uses that power to protect the world and the cosmos. Likewise, we appreciate knowledge in the hands of a person with true love, because he uses it to make our world more comfortable and a better place in which to live. It is the same with money. With true love, we want to use our money for the sake of the world, not for ourselves. All the world’s problems will be solved once we center on true love. (161:300-01, March 1, 1987)
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The gap between North and South, and between whites and blacks, is largely a problem of wealth versus poverty. White people are well-off and black people are poor. There must be some extraordinary movement in which white people sell their possessions and use the money to help the poor black people of the world. If such a movement becomes strong, it will change the whole world. At the same time, there should be a movement among blacks to no longer blame whites for their poverty, but to say, “It is our fault, not the whites’ fault, that we are in poverty. We should work hard to overtake white people.” (161:19, January 1, 1987)
❖ 5. Communism and Its Errors The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles… The theory of the Communists may be summed up in the single sentence: Abolition of private property…
it is also a faith, a religion. And upon this its strength is based. Nicolas Berdyaev, The Origin of Russian Communism (Christianity)
In a higher phase of communist society… only then can the narrow horizon of bourgeois right be fully left behind and society inscribe on its banners: from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.
The Christian who wants to live his faith in political action conceived as service cannot, without contradicting himself, adhere to ideological systems that are radically, or in substantial points, opposed to his faith and the concepts of man—neither to the ideology of Marxism, its atheistic materialism, its dialectics of violence and the way it absorbs any transcendental character of man and his personal and collective history; nor to the ideology of liberalism, which tends to exalt individual freedom without any limitation.
Karl Marx, Critique of the Gotha Program
Pope Paul VI (Christianity)
Communism is completely opposed to the natural law itself, and its establishment would entail the complete destruction of all property and even human society.
Socialism… is drifting toward truth which the Christian tradition has always supported. Indeed, it cannot be denied that its progress often comes close to the just demands of Christian reformers.53
Let the ruling classes tremble at a communist revolution. The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win. Workers of the world, unite! Karl Marx, The Communist Manifesto
Pope Pius IX52 (Christianity)
Pope Pius XI, Quadragesimo Anno (Christianity)
The mission of the proletariat is an article of faith. Marxism is not only a science and politics;
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon Since the beginning of history, people have sought to diminish the gap between the upper and lower classes. Communism is the strongest example of this trend. The ideal of communism is to eliminate exploitation between the classes in human societies and to construct a classless society. However, the biggest problem with communism is its atheism, and the fact that it seeks to create an ideal world
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on a foundation which denies God. It is also a problem that communist states in practice carry out their programs according to the private will of a few dictators. (115:169-70, November 10, 1981) In one aspect the communist world is better than the democratic world: It lifts up laborers and farmers as the heroes of society. God could take this as a reason to preserve the communist world even if the democratic world were to collapse. However, communism’s problem is that it is atheistic. (130:103, January 1, 1984) Today we hear the communist battle cry: “Liberate the workers and peasants from capitalist oppression!” However, does that cry for liberation accord with the liberation sought by the religion of God? Is it in accord with the hopes of people of faith who are working to liberate all people, even God Himself? Does that cry seek to make God the complete Subject of goodness forevermore? The answer is no. Communism’s hope is based on a materialist conception of reality. Communism rejects God, calls religion “the opiate of the people,” and is devoted to stamping out religion. In theory also, it contradicts its own claim of liberation. It is undoubtedly a liberation scheme against God. Communism is in fact the flag bearer of the Devil, and is mounting a full-scale offensive against the flag bearer of God’s own church. (85:230-31, March 3, 1976) The Communist Party has the motto, “Workers of the world, unite!” Our motto is, “All people with conscience, unite!” The Communist Party denies middle and upper class people, but we the people of conscience will unite all three classes. We include all the races—black, white and yellow—everyone. (52:136, December 26, 1971) The philosophers who came up with the law of the dialectic, Hegel and Engels in particular, saw a conflicting, confronting nature within universal law. Unless we successfully resolve the question of the dialectic within the universe, we cannot find the true formula for the ideal world. We cannot discover the way to establish peace and harmony within organizations that have a hierarchical structure. We must explain the errors of such theories as “survival of the fittest,” “the strong eat the weak,” and “power causes progress.” Otherwise, people will think that mistreating others is not a sin. (132:142, May 31, 1984) The communist system is for the state, and democracy is for the individual. To bridge this gap we should find a middle way. The nation that develops that middle way will have the ideal economic system. (52:263, January 2, 1972)
❖ 6. Globalization and the Equalization of Capital The solidarity which binds all men together as members of a common family makes it impossible for wealthy nations to look with indifference upon the hunger, misery and poverty of other nations whose citizens are unable to enjoy even elementary human rights. The nations of
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the world are becoming more and more dependent on one another, and it will not be possible to preserve lasting peace so long as glaring economic and social imbalances persist. Justice and humanity demand that those countries which produce consumer goods,
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especially farm products, in excess of their own needs should come to the assistance of those other countries where large sections of the population are suffering from want and hunger. It is nothing less than an outrage to justice and humanity to destroy or to squander goods that other people need for their very lives. Of itself, however, emergency aid will not go far in relieving want and famine when these are caused—as they so often are—by the primitive state of a nation’s economy. The only permanent remedy for this is to make use of every possible means of providing these citizens with the scientific, technical, and professional training they need, and to put at their disposal the necessary capital for speeding up their economic development with the help of modern methods… The developing nations, obviously, have certain unmistakable characteristics of their own… time-honored traditions and customs. In helping these nations, therefore, the more advanced communities must recognize and respect this individuality. They must beware of making the assistance they give an excuse for forcing these people into their own national mold. There is also a further temptation which the economically developed nations must resist: that of giving technical and financial aid with a view to gaining control over the political situation in the poorer countries… a new form of colonialism—cleverly disguised, no doubt, but actually reflecting that older, outdated type from which many nations have recently emerged. Such action would, moreover, have a
harmful impact on international relations, and constitute a menace to world peace. Necessity, therefore, and justice demand that all such technical and financial aid be given without thought of domination, but rather for the purpose of helping the less developed nations to achieve their own economic and social growth. Pope John XXIII, Mater et Magistra (Christianity)
Trade relations can no longer be based solely on the principle of free, unchecked competition, for it very often creates an economic dictatorship. Free trade can be called just only when it conforms to the demands of social justice… competition should not be eliminated from trade transactions; but it must be kept within limits so that it operates justly and fairly, and thus becomes a truly human endeavor. Now in trade relations between the developing and highly developed economies there is a great disparity in their overall situation and in their freedom of action. In order that international trade be human and moral, social justice requires that it restore to the participants a certain equality of opportunity… International agreements on a broad scale… could establish general norms for regulating prices, promoting production facilities, and favoring certain infant industries. Isn’t it plain to everyone that such attempts to establish greater justice in international trade would be of great benefit to the developing nations, and that they would produce lasting results? Pope Paul VI, Populorum Progressio (Christianity)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon Advanced countries have lots of money. But whose is it? It is God’s. Whose is the power? It is God’s. Whose knowledge is it? It is God’s as well. God is the Parent of humankind. Therefore, everything that belongs to God—material, power, knowledge and such—belongs to humankind. For this purpose democracy appeared in modern days. In democracy, sovereignty belongs to the people—to all humankind. That is why it is believed that sovereignty should be under control of the people. Yet, in reality, it is in the hands of conglomerates. At the present time, America is wealthy, but she alone should not be wealthy. She should distribute her wealth among other nations; that is the heavenly way. America must aid other
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nations financially, otherwise she cannot continue being wealthy. What belongs to America does not belong to America alone, but belongs to the world. (13:27, October 16, 1963) How did America become a nation that is respected throughout the world? It is because after World War II, she financially helped all the enemy nations that she had defeated. Since she gave it on behalf of God, her position was elevated. Yet, when she reduced her giving, her position gradually declined. (26:53, October 18, 1969) When a famine occurs in one part of the world, then the parts of the world where food is abundant should rush more food into the hungry areas. We have to build this kind of world. Presently, 20 million people are dying of starvation every year, while America is wasting too much food. This is a violation of the universal law. (247:94, April 25, 1993) A nation that promotes only its own interests will perish. A nation that exploits other nations, using them as its foothold for its own prosperity, will perish in the end. The reason why America is being accused is because after she provides other nations with some financial aid, she attempts to make money off of them. (26:294, November 10, 1969) When offering aid to less fortunate nations, America should offer it with parental heart, shedding tears for them and taking the role of a servant. When giving to those unfortunates who have shed many tears, she should also shed many tears for them. America should not look down on them from the height of authority and power, as she does now. Otherwise, her giving will only foment rebellion and discontent. The first to shed tears should be the donor, not the recipient. Why? The donor is in the position of a parent. Therefore, when the donor offers aid, she should do so with tears. If she gives while belittling the recipients, she will perish… Nevertheless, there is no excuse for the Republic of Korea to say, “Well, America, you are bragging that you used to provide us with financial aid. Someday we will teach you a lesson.” (13:27-28, October 16, 1963) We can never have world peace until those nations which have been blessed with material and technological advantages willingly share them with the other nations of the world. The blessings of science and technology are meant for all humankind, and they should be shared. Every nation should have an equal chance to utilize technology for the people’s well being, just as all nations’ athletes should enjoy high quality coaching and ultimately compete on a level playing field. Otherwise, the advanced nations will be resented and hated by those who are deprived. The Unification Move ment is committed to helping them share the blessings of technology with all nations, and to helping developing nations establish their own industrial base as the key to economic independence. (November 25, 1988) In this world poverty is rampant. Hunger and poverty are deep-seated problems. Religious believers have a serious responsibility to deal with this situation. Over the past 20 years or so, I have been endeavoring to develop the resources of the ocean, personally fishing and investing substantial amount of funds. As a result, I succeeded in inventing high-potency protein powder… a nutritional supplement for health that is being effectively distributed to Africa and other parts of the world. In order to eliminate the tragedy of starvation on the earth, I am putting my resolution into practice. I understand that all religions should unite and cooperate with one another in producing
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foods through agricultural development and ocean industries to help underdeveloped countries. If religions lead the way in practicing true love through the investment of human resources and materials, I believe it will be a great hope to the world. (271:71-72, August 21, 1995) The U.S. administration insists that all trade barriers should be dismantled and excess farm products should be free to go to any country and be sold at the market price. This is known as the Uruguay Round. It calls for the poor countries with subsistence agriculture to open up their gates and be flooded with farm products from wealthy nations. However, I am suggesting that, like farm products, the population of the world should be allowed to flow back and forth anywhere it wants to go. That is, all national boundaries should be dismantled. (261:309, July 24, 1994)
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Unity and Community EACH RELIGION HAS A VISION OF UNITY—for its own believers. Today we cherish a greater vision of the unity of the whole human race—encompassing people of every race, religion and nationality. Nevertheless, the principles for forming community remain the same. Scriptures provide guidance, because every religion began as a movement of unity bringing together disparate groups to join together in a new society around a universal teaching. Father Moon teaches that this unity has to penetrate every family, for the family is the basis for all greater levels of social unity. Several passages use the metaphor of the human body, whose various organs perform their functions in a coordinated way, to depict the varieties of social roles that should mutually support each other in a harmonious community. The body depends on the proper functioning of all its parts, from the lowest to the highest. Likewise in a true community, everyone has a place of honor.54
1. Unity as God’s People and God’s Family Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! Psalm 133.1
The believers indeed are brothers; so set things right between your two brothers, and fear God; haply so you will find mercy. Qur’an 49.10
And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them. Pearl of Great Price, Moses 7.18 (Latter-day Saints)
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I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. John 17.20-22
Hold fast, all together, to God’s rope, and be not divided among yourselves. Remember with gratitude God’s favor on you, for you were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His grace you became brethren. You were on the brink of the fiery Pit, and He saved you from it. Thus does God make His signs clear to you, that you may be guided.
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Let there arise out of you one community, inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: those will be prosperous. Be not like those who are divided amongst themselves and fall into disputations after receiving clear signs: for them is a dreadful penalty.55 Qur’an 3.103-5
Meet together, speak together, let your minds be of one accord, as the gods of old, being of one mind, accepted their share of the sacrifice. May your counsel be common, your assembly common, common the mind, and the thoughts of these united. A common purpose do I lay before you, and worship with your common oblation. Let your aims be common, and your hearts of one accord, and all of you be of one mind, so you may live well together.
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There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3.28
Our Essence is not bound to any place; The vigor of our wine is not contained In any bowl; Chinese and Indian Alike the shard that constitutes our jar, Turkish and Syrian alike the clay Forming our body; neither is our heart Of India, or Syria, or Rum, Nor any fatherland do we profess Except Islam. Muhammad Iqbal, The Mysteries of Selflessness (Islam)
All humans are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Christianity)
Rig Veda 10.191.2-4 (Hinduism)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon God’s greatest desire is that all humankind, all five colors, would wish to unite and live together with God eternally. (93:15-16, May 8, 1977) More than outward agreement, the important thing is to achieve inward unity, unity of heart. (60:34, August 1, 1972) To accomplish the gigantic task of unification, we need to find a gigantic power. This is none other than the power of supreme love, love that does not become the circumstantial victim of society. Supreme love transcends every national, racial, and cultural barrier. Ordinary human love is limited; down through history it has shown itself unable to overcome these barriers. Therefore, we must center on the love and heart of God… People from the East and West rejoice to meet here today because around that axis, the heart of God is linking us together as one. (God’s Will and the World, September 11, 1977) In the future, four families will live together sharing the same house. I would like to build condominiums where a Korean family, a Japanese family, an American family and a German family would live together in the same apartment, sharing one living room and one dining room. They would become as one family. This oneness is the way to build the Kingdom of Heaven. (131:244, May 4, 1984)
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Imagine two enemy families who have cursed each other throughout their lives, people who would never dream of living together. What would happen if these families joined together by wedding their children in a Holy Marriage Blessing? A son from one family and a daughter from the other family become husband and wife, love each other and build a happy home. Would the parents in each family curse their own children? When their son loves this beautiful daughter of a hated enemy, and she as their daughter-inlaw gives birth to Heaven’s grandchildren as pure and clear as crystal, the grandparents would smile with pleasure. In time the two lineages that were once soaked with enmity will be transformed. What method other than cross-cultural marriage will empower Whites and Blacks, Jews and Muslims, Orientals and Westerners, and people of all races to live as one human family? The ideal family is the model for living together in peace. The ideal family is the nest where we live and learn to become one. There we have the foundation of love and respect between parents and children, shared trust and love between husband and wife, and mutual support among siblings. For this fundamental reason, you should receive the Holy Marriage Blessing from the True Parents and establish Heaven’s tradition of ideal families, even if it means risking your very life. (September 21, 2005)
❖ 2. Unity against a Common Enemy Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. Matthew 12.25
We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.56 Benjamin Franklin
“A house divided against itself cannot stand.” I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved – I do not expect the house to fall – but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other. Either the opponents of slavery will arrest the further spread of it and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in course of ultimate extinction; or its advocates will push it forward till it become alike lawful in all the states, old as well as new, North as well as South. Abraham Lincoln57
When the Nazis came for the communists, I remained silent; I was not a communist.
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When they locked up the social democrats, I remained silent; I was not a social democrat. When they came for the trade unionists, I did not speak out; I was not a trade unionist. When they came for me, there was no one left to speak out.58 Martin Niemöller (Christianity)
My children, war, fear, and disunity have brought you from your villages to this sacred council fire. Facing a common danger, and fearing for the lives of your families, you have yet drifted apart, each tribe thinking and acting only for itself. Remember how I took you from one small band and nursed you into many nations. You must reunite now and act as one. No tribe alone can withstand our savage enemies, who care nothing about the eternal law, who sweep upon us like the storms of winter, spreading death and destruction everywhere. My children, listen well. Remember that you are brothers, that the downfall of one means the downfall of all. You must have one fire, one pipe, one war club.59 Tekanawita (Native American Religion)
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Teachings of Sun Myung Moon Today, you and I stand together facing a common destiny… I know to my bones that people who advocate righteousness in this evil world can be eliminated easily if they lack a substantial foundation. Therefore, professors and students, together with Christians and believers of all religions, should stand together. (129:304, November 25, 1983) Why did God place Israel as a colony of the evil Roman Empire? It was so the Jews would unite internally around a movement for independence, so that they would make the foundation to stand against the Roman Empire. God often uses a providential strategy of raising a strong enemy to unite His people. If you visit the Catacombs in Rome and see the Christians’ underground dwellings, you can witness how strongly united those Christians were in the face of terrible persecution from Rome. Like the Jews who faced Roman power, God put the Christians in the same situation in order to make them unite. (105:124-25, October 4, 1979)
❖ 3. Interdependence on the Model of the Human Body Just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the organs in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single organ, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. They eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body which seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those parts of the body which we think less honorable we invest with the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater
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modesty, which are more presentable parts do not require. But God has so adjusted the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior part, that there may be no discord in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. 1 Corinthians 12.12-26
Abu Musa reported the Prophet as saying, “Believers are to one another like a building whose parts support one another.” He then interlaced his fingers. Hadith of Bukhari and Muslim (Islam)
Beware lest the desires of the flesh and of a corrupt inclination provoke divisions among you. Be ye as the fingers of one hand, the members of one body. Thus counsels you the Pen of Revelation, if ye be of them that believe. Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah 72 (Baha’i Faith)
When one finger is sore you do not cut it off.60 Njak Proverb (African Traditional Religion)
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Teachings of Sun Myung Moon To create the ideal world, we must have an overall model or blueprint. An important Unification image is that of a mature or perfected person, with mind and body united. Ideals and purposes spring from the mental and spiritual life of a God-centered person. The nervous system transmits the resulting directives of the mind to the cells, and relays information from the body back to the brain. When this exchange occurs smoothly we say that the individual is in harmony. The mental and spiritual life of humanity can be likened to the mind of an individual, and the economic and socio-political life of humanity to the body of an individual. The spiritual ideals, aspirations, and love of God are manifested through religion, around which theology, philosophy, art, and all culture revolve. Religious leaders and theological and philosophical thinkers, then, function as the central nervous system, transmitting, interpreting, and developing messages from God for the whole body, humanity. (133:272, August 13, 1984) Blood circulates throughout your whole body, from the head down to the soles of your feet. When that blood that went to the feet comes to the head, can the head say, “Don’t come near me”? In the same way, as we circulate through the entire universe, there cannot be any discrimination between black, white and yellow people. The parts of the body are variously colored. Are brown eyes prejudiced against black hair? Do white nails say to yellow skin, “You are of a different kind”? There is no way the body can be segregated by color. (91:280, February 27, 1977) In the human body, the lungs, heart and stomach maintain harmonious interaction in accord with the directions of the brain, transmitted through the spinal cord and the peripheral nervous system. By analogy, the three branches of government in the ideal world—the legislative, judicial and executive branches—will interact in harmonious and principled relationships when they follow God’s guidance as conveyed through Christ and people of God. Just as the four limbs of the body move according to the commands of the brain for the welfare of the individual as a whole, the economic institutions of the ideal world, corresponding to the limbs, will uphold the desire of God and promote the welfare of the entire world. Just as the liver stores nourishment for the entire body, in the ideal world there will always be a certain reserve to be tapped as needed for the public good. Since every part of the human body has a vertical relationship with the brain, horizontal relationships are naturally established between the different organs to form an integrated organism. Likewise, in the ideal world, because people’s horizontal relationships with each other are rooted in their vertical relationship with God, they will form one integrated and interdependent society in which they share all their joys and sorrows. In this society, to hurt someone else will be experienced as hurting one’s own self. Hence, its citizens simply will not want to commit crime. (Exposition of the Divine Principle, Preparation 3.2)
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World Citizenship THE WORLD SEEMS TO BE MOVING INEXORABLY towards unity, yet centrifugal forces threaten to blow it apart. Trends towards globalization in communications, education, transportation and trade are tying nations together into an interdependent network of mutual benefit. Nevertheless, the path to world unity cannot be forged only on the basis of trade. As long as the world agenda is dictated by the dominant economic powers, there will be peoples in the developing world who feel the juggernaut of globalization as a mortal threat. Proud peoples with a glorious history will seek alternative ways to assert their pride of place—the rise of Islamicism being one example. Therefore, economics does not hold the key to world unity. That key, that central element, is religion. Certainly, religious teachings can be divisive. Yet each religion contains teachings that lift up the ideal of world unity, rooted in God who is the Parent of all humankind. God sees all human beings as His children; therefore the world is destined to be one family. Religious teachings demarcate the path to make this unity a reality, for example Father Moon’s promotion of international, interracial and interfaith marriage.
Consider the family of humankind one. Jinasena, Adipurana (Jainism)
O mankind! We created you from a single pair of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes, that you might know each other [not that you might despise each other]. Verily the most honored among you in the sight of God is he who is the most righteous.
of considering the connections of things. What then does the character of a citizen promise? To hold no private interest, to deliberate about nothing as a separate individual but, like the hand and foot, which, if they had reason and understood the constitution of nature, would never pursue or desire anything without reference to the whole being. Epictetus, Discourses 2.10 (Hellenism)
Qur’an 49.13
All the people of the whole world are equally brothers and sisters. There is no one who is an utter stranger. There is no one who has known the truth of this origin. It is the very cause of the regret of Tsukihi (God).
When you see the Earth from space, you don’t see any divisions of nation-states there. This may be the symbol of the new mythology to come; this is the country we will celebrate, and these are the people we are one with. Joseph Campbell, The Power of Myth
Ofudesaki 13.43-44 (Tenrikyo)
Let all mankind be thy sect. Adi Granth, Japuji 28, M.1, p. 6 (Sikhism)
I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world. Socrates61 (Hellenism)
You are a citizen of the world, and a part of it; not a subservient but a principal part. You are capable of comprehending the divine order, and
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From the viewpoint of absolute truth, what we feel and experience in our ordinary daily life is all delusion. Of all the various delusions, the sense of discrimination between oneself and others is the worst form, as it creates nothing but unpleasantness for both sides. If we can realize and meditate on ultimate truth, it will cleanse our impurities of mind and thus eradicate the sense of discrimination. This will help to create true love for one another. Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama (Buddhism)
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O contending peoples and kindreds of the earth! Set your faces towards unity, and let the radiance of its light shine upon you. Gather ye together, and for the sake of God resolve to root out whatever is the source of contention among you. Then will the effulgence of the world’s great Luminary envelop the whole earth, and its inhabitants become the citizens of one city, and the occupants of one and the same throne. Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah 111 (Baha’i Faith)
If love and agreement are manifest in a single family, that family will advance, become illumined and spiritual; but if enmity and hatred exist within it, destruction and dispersion are inevitable. This is likewise true of a city. If those who dwell within it manifest a spirit of accord and fellowship, it will progress steadily and human conditions become brighter, whereas through enmity and strife it will be degraded and its inhabitants scattered. In the same way
the people of a nation develop and advance toward civilization and enlightenment through love and accord, and are disintegrated by war and strife. Finally, this is true of humanity itself in the aggregate. When love is realized and the ideal spiritual bonds unite the hearts of men, the whole human race will be uplifted, the world will continually grow more spiritual and radiant, and the happiness and tranquility of mankind be immeasurably increased. Warfare and strife will be uprooted, disagreement and dissension pass away, and Universal Peace unite the nations and peoples of the world. All mankind will dwell together as one family, blend as the waves of one sea, shine as stars of one firmament, and appear as fruits of the same tree. This is the happiness and felicity of humankind. This is the illumination of man, the glory eternal and life everlasting; this is the divine bestowal. ‘Abdu’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace (Baha’i Faith)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon Everyone longs to live in one unified world that transcends nationality. This longing springs from the inner world of the heart. It calls out from the ideal and heart of true human beings. It is also the heart and hope of God. (115:177, November 10, 1981) We have to transcend nationalism. A people should emerge whose hearts transcend ethnic loyalties, which loves other peoples more than its own people. (34:337, September 20, 1970) From this time on, the definition of “my country” will need to expand. Although everyone has their home country where they were born and live, in a larger sense, the entire world that God, our Father, created is “my country.” (219:121, August 28, 1991) In the events of history, people strive for the sake of their nation. That is the human way of thinking, but how does God think? If God were to say, “I only love America!” then He would be the God of only America. In that case, when it comes time for America to perish, God would also perish. But God never thinks that way. His thoughts are far above human thoughts. He would promote the way of thinking that we ought to live by placing the world’s welfare above the welfare of our nation or our family. (95:53, October 23, 1977) The reason God established America was for America to save the world. Yet Americans do not know that America must save the world. Only once in world history did a single nation become the center and unify the entire world religiously and culturally. Was that not America, when it occupied
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the whole world at the end of World War II? President Kennedy understood this, and he encouraged America to help all the struggling nations of the world. (215:200-01, February 17, 1991) In accordance with my cosmic teaching, we should make the world into one household. A home has a father and a mother; in this household Heaven is our father and the earth is our mother. A home also has brothers and sisters; all human beings are our brothers and sisters. (36:296, December 13, 1970) We are all part of one world family… This is the significance of the words [from the Family Pledge], “Our family… pledges to build the universal family encompassing heaven and earth and perfect the world of freedom, peace, unity and happiness.”62 It is not about my personal freedom, peace, unity and happiness, but rather the freedom, peace, happiness and freedom of everyone in the universal family. The whole world is our family. When you arrive in heaven, you will not find people separated by national borders. People of all nationalities are assembled together. Are you prepared to live that way? Do you have such a universal viewpoint that you can embrace all people from the past, present and future? (260:191-93, May 8, 1994) You can enter the Kingdom of Heaven only when you have lived with people of seven different nationalities. (Way of God’s Will 1.8) Every being is situated in space relative to what is above and below, right and left, front and back. In the family, each person stands in relation to above and below, right and left, and front and back. This same pattern applies to the nation and the world. Thus in the family, each individual should have a loving relationship with parents above and children below, husband on the right and wife on the left, and elder siblings in front and younger siblings in back. Similarly in the nation, each family, beginning with the President, should embrace families from all regions, and then embrace all people of the world, East and West, and North and South, as their brothers and sisters. We are ultimately responsible to create the model in our own family, which can be replicated on every level. (True Family and World Peace, July 18, 1997)63 Through this, we can finally build the providential house of God’s desire. That house will be our nation, our world, and our heaven and earth. People of all five races will dwell there. Americans, Germans, French, Italians, British and Japanese—all former enemies—will gather there. Yet despite their past history as enemies, they will be unable to feel any enmity towards each other no matter how hard they try. Love will unite them, as they live for the sake of others. (106:83, December 9, 1979) A religion which puts its own nation and people first will never be able to realize God’s Will on the world level. We must go beyond our ethnicity and our nation, beyond our national traditions, cultures and social conventions. We must seek a society that embraces all the world’s peoples and a world which can be in accord with God’s Will. For this to happen, all people should be united in heart and live together as one. Unless the religions of the world work decisively to unite their concepts of the good life and the [ideal] world, religion will not endure. Therefore, as a church, we should not take delight in the idea that our church should be supreme in the world; rather, we should delight in lifting up the world. When we look at the course of history
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centered on religion, this present age is at a turning point. A concept which puts me first, a concept which puts my family first, my nation first—with such concepts globalism is impossible. (27:179, December 14, 1969) Human history has been moving toward one unified world. Therefore, anything that limits your purpose to the individual, family, tribe or nation will pass away. (12:45, September 10, 1962) A new era has begun, the era of Cheon Il Guk, the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. All people—in the spirit world and in the physical world, on the right and on the left, and Muslims and Christians—will live together as one family. This is the meaning of Cheon Il Guk. World peace can be realized only when there are no barriers or borders dividing religions. Our children can build a world of peace through inter-religious and international marriages. When Jews and Muslims have their children marry each other, and when communists and people from the free world have their children marry each other, we will eventually become the members of one family… We must establish one global family under God. The simplest way to accomplish this is through cross-cultural marriages between Jews and Muslims, and between communists and democrats. For instance, if the children of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and the children of South Korean president Roh were to marry each other, the enmity between their two nations would dissipate. Then world peace would radiate outwards from the Korean peninsula. I, Reverend Moon, am the champion of interreligious, interracial, international marriage. If the United Nations were to invite me to give such marriage blessings to all humanity, it would not take even one week to restore the entire world. I am proclaiming that the solution to the world’s problems is not far away; it is right here. (March 2, 2003)
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