WS-II - Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Leadership and Government God-Fearing Leadership GOD IS SOVEREIGN OVER ALL HUMAN INSTITUTIONS. Hence, the first principle of leadership is that governments should operate in conformity with heavenly law. Leaders should fear God and govern their people in a way that is acceptable to Him. Leadership is not only a public trust; it is also a position of God’s vicegerent.

Therefore, God would wish that a country’s leaders be imbued with spiritual values. Kings and presidents should recognize that they are accountable to God, who is not slow to punish those who violate His trust.

They are also accountable to rule according to the higher Law by which God intends to order human affairs.

The God of Israel has spoken, the Rock of Israel has said to me:1 When one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of God, He dawns on them like the morning light, like the sun shining forth upon a cloudless morning, like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth.

2 Samuel 23.3-4

O David! We indeed set you as a vicegerent on earth; therefore judge aright between men.

Do not follow not the lusts of your heart, for they will mislead you from the path of God.

If [a ruler] enjoins fear of God, the Exalted and Glorious, and dispenses justice, there will be great reward for him; and if he enjoins otherwise, it redounds on him.

Hadith of Muslim (Islam)

Revere the anger of Heaven, And presume not to make sport or be idle.

Revere the changing moods of Heaven, And presume not to drive about at your pleasure.

Great Heaven is intelligent, And is with you in all your goings.

Great Heaven is clear-seeing, And is with you in your wanderings and indulgences.2 Book of Songs, Ode 254 (Confucianism)

Qur’an 38.26

Heaven hears and sees as our people hear and see; Heaven brightly approves and displays its terrors as our people brightly approve and would fear; such connection is there between the upper and lower worlds. How reverent ought the masters of the earth to be!

Book of History 2.3.3, Counsels of Kao Yao (Confucianism)

Neither cities nor States nor individuals will ever attain perfection until the small class of philosophers whom we termed useless but not corrupt are providentially compelled, whether they will or not, to take care of the State, and until a like necessity be laid on the State to obey them; or until kings, or if not kings, the sons of kings or princes, are divinely inspired with a true love of true philosophy.

Plato, The Republic 6 (Hellenism)

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Step beyond what is human, elect for the Divine Word, and establish your leadership.

Atharva Veda 7.105 (Hinduism)

and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left; so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel.

Deuteronomy 17.14-20

If your kingdom exists for the doctrine and not for fame or desire, then it will be extremely fruitful.

If not, its fruit will be misfortune.

Nagarjuna, Precious Garland 327 (Buddhism)

When you set a king over you… When he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, from that which is in charge of the Levitical priests, and it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them; that his heart may not be lifted up above his brethren,

You, leaning on the Dhamma, honoring, respecting, and revering it, doing homage to it, hallowing it, being yourself a banner of the Dhamma, a signal of the Dhamma, having the Dhamma as your master, should provide the right watch, ward, and protection for your own people, for the army, for the nobles, for vassals, for brahmins, and householders, for town and country dwellers, for the religious world, and for beasts and birds. Throughout your kingdom let no wrongdoing prevail. And whosoever in your kingdom is poor, to him let wealth be given.

Digha Nikaya 3.60-61, Chakkavatti-sihanada Suttanta (Buddhism)

Teachings of Sun Myung Moon A true leader is one who wants, on behalf of God, to establish God’s Will and heavenly law on this earth. (11:172, July 9, 1961) We should be like God’s shadow. Only when we become completely one with God as His object partner, like His shadow, can we lead others in any situation. Only then can we lift our heads and speak with authority. (237:144, November 13, 1992) It is difficult to maintain order in the world and protect public prosperity and peace as long as political leaders conduct affairs while ignoring moral and spiritual values. No political power or earthly authority should stand above God and the heavenly law. (359:323, November 8, 2001) Ideally, the president and representatives in Congress should all have Christian values. They should all pass that test. Does God approve of the separation of religion from politics? Is God only the God of religion? If the Christian nations continue to separate religion from politics, in the future they will face certain doom. Yet even now it is not too late for a movement to break down the barriers between denominations, in order that Christians may speak as one strong voice to the political leadership. Then the world will have a path to a bright future. The United Nations and the United States should be governed with the support of people with Christian values. Christians should also be at the forefront of the movement for world unity. (93:81-82, May 15, 1977) Now the time has come for religious people to demonstrate their leadership. It cannot be leadership from blind faith, narrow-mindedness, arrogance, or self-righteousness. True leadership is altruistic

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and based upon God’s Will. We religious people should reflect deeply and recognize that we are responsible for many of the absurdities and problems in this age. We have not become exemplary in practicing love. We need to repent that we have not exerted ourselves for world salvation because we have been preoccupied with saving ourselves or benefiting our tribe. Now, truly, not only should we have faith, we also need to practice love. (234:273, August 26, 1992) Who decides whether a policy is good or bad? What standard can you use to assess it? It is not for the leader of the free world or the leader of the communist world to make that judgment. It can only be made by the Owner who rules history and moves heaven and earth—by whatever name you call Him. (104:206, May 6, 1979)

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Righteous Leadership AMONG THE REQUISITE QUALITIES OF A LEADER is righteousness. Righteousness is defined as dedication to the public welfare regardless of the cost to oneself. A righteous leader does not shrink from facing difficult problems. He is committed to public justice and fights to establish it, overcoming any obstacles along the way.

Moreover, he knows that a great task requires sacrifice, not only from himself, but also from his subordinates.

He never takes their suffering for granted and has the greatest solicitude for the hardships they must endure, yet he perseveres despite these difficulties. He keeps to the task for the sake of future generations.

On the personal level, a righteous leader has integrity. He does not seek to profit from his office, and he never misuses public funds for his own benefit. Any corruption is toxic, to be avoided at all costs.

1. A Passion for Justice and a Fierce Love for the People

And if God had not repelled some men by others, the earth would have been corrupted.

whip of cords, he drove them all, with the sheep and oxen, out of the temple; and he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; you shall not make my Father’s house a house of trade.”

Qur’an 2.251

John 2.13-16

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, Let my people go, that they may serve me.’”

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.

I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.

Thomas Jefferson3

Exodus 8.1

Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the moneychangers at their business. And making a

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Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi 34 (Islam)

Those are the future saviors of the peoples Who through Good Mind strive in their deeds

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To carry out the judgment which Thou has decreed, O Wise One, as righteousness.

For they were created the foes of Fury.

I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.

Sir Winston Churchill

Avesta, Yasna 48.12 (Zoroastrianism)

My mission, today, is the same as it was at the time of the Prophet. I shall strive till I eradicate impiety and injustice, and till I establish a rule of justice and truth, a humane and heavenly regime.

By God! Have the Quraysh given up realizing who or what I am? I have fought against them and defeated them when they were infidels, and now I will fight against them to remove their tyrannous, unjust, and impious rule. Today I am as much their well-wisher as I was during the lifetime of the Holy Prophet, and my courage and determination have not diminished.4

A man should share in the distress of the community, for so we find that Moses, our teacher, shared in the distress of the community.

Talmud, Taanit 11a (Judaism)

How can he be said truly to love, who exacts no effort from the objects of his love? How can he be said to be truly loyal, who refrains from admonishing the object of his loyalty?

And I [Moses] looked, and behold, you had sinned against the Lord your God; you had made yourselves a molten calf; you had turned aside quickly from the way which the Lord had commanded you. So I took hold of the two tables, and cast them out of my two hands, and broke them before your eyes. Then I lay prostrate before the Lord as before, forty days and forty nights; I neither ate bread nor drank water, because of all the sin which you have committed, in doing what was evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger. For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure which the Lord bore against you, so that he was ready to destroy you.

Analects 14.8 (Confucianism)

Deuteronomy 9.16-19

Nahjul Balagha, Sermon 38 (Shiite Islam)

Teachings of Sun Myung Moon What kind of person is a true leader? He is able to deal with every difficult situation. Misery and hunger do not dissuade him. Though he encounters tragedy and weeps bitter tears, he never thinks of turning back. Even in the face of death, he continues to push forward. He does not mind suffering losses in the present as long as his actions will benefit future generations and advance the purpose of God. (118:41, May 2, 1982) Don’t be pulled by your circumstances. You yourself must pull your circumstances. (Way of God’s Will 1.3) The path of a person who upholds goodness is not smooth. Not many people welcome an individual who strives to cultivate a character of exceptional goodness, especially as he tries to separate the evil environment from his surroundings. There is opposition when he tries to build a family of goodness, and even stronger evil forces surround and oppose any attempt to build a tribe of goodness.

If he were to lead that tribe of goodness to expand to a nation of goodness, tremendous evil forces would no doubt raise their flag against him and try to block his way. And if he were to try and lead that nation of goodness to establish a world of goodness, then evil nations, rather than helping the nation of goodness on its way, would no doubt oppose it in every way possible. (36:52, November 15, 1970)

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In order to become a person capable of carrying a great responsibility: You must establish the foundation that you can master your circumstances and build upon them.

You must be the most outstanding in advancing the Will of God. You must be foremost in considering the whole purpose.

You must be concerned about your subordinates and pray for them before you eat or sleep.

You must think that you exist for them, not they for you.

You must want to add your effort to whatever gifts God has given you. (Way of God’s Will 1.3) Jesus visited his disciples after his resurrection because, although they betrayed him, he could not betray the pledge he made to them. A leader cannot be at ease until he carries out his pledges. (Way of God’s Will 1.3) Does anyone respect a leader who thinks only about the present and not the future? I don’t believe that any leader of a nation is like that. A great leader has a vision of the future and inspires the people to endure suffering for the sake of the future. (97:88, March 1, 1978) Leaders can never lead without tears. True leaders are those who foresee that their nation will face trials and train their people before the tribulations come by driving them into suffering and hardship. (Way of God’s Will 1.3)

❖ 2. A Leader Acts on Principle and at the Sacrifice of Himself Confucius said: Those rulers whose measures are dictated by mere expediency will arouse continual discontent.

Analects 4.12 (Confucianism)

The closest to Allah and most loved by Him in the hereafter is the just governor, and the farthest from Allah and most hated by Him is the aggressive and unjust governor.

Tuhafit al-Ahuazi 1327 (Islam)

Anyone who is to be prime minister must prepare his one heart and two eyes. When the eyes are clear then one can know the honest and the dishonest. When the heart is impartial then one can advance the honest and retire the dishonest.

Chu Hsi (Confucianism)

Duke Ching of Ch’i asked Confucius about government. Confucius replied saying, “Let the prince be a prince, the minister a minister, the father a father, and the son a son.” The Duke said, “How true! For indeed, when the prince is not a prince, the minister not a minister, the father not a father, the son not a son, one may have a dish of millet in front of one and yet not know if one will live to eat it.”5 Analects 12.11 (Confucianism)

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The gentleman weighs his abilities before entering office, rather than the other way around.

Chu Hsi (Confucianism)

Your Majesty, what is the point of mentioning the word ‘profit’? All that matters is that there should be benevolence and rightness. If Your Majesty says, “How can I profit my state?” and the counselors say, “How can I profit my family?” and the officials and commoners say, “How can I profit my person?” then those above and those below will be trying to profit at the expense of one another and the state will be imperiled. When regicide is committed in a state of ten thousand chariots, it is certain to be by a vassal with a thousand chariots, and when it is committed in a state of

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a thousand chariots, it is certain to be by a vassal with a hundred chariots. A share of a thousand in ten thousand or a hundred in a thousand is by no means insignificant, yet if profit is put before rightness, there is no satisfaction short of total usurpation. No benevolent man ever abandons his parents, and no dutiful man ever puts his prince last. Perhaps you will now endorse what I have said: “All that matters is that there should be benevolence and rightness. What is the point of mentioning the word ‘profit’?”

Mencius I.A.1 (Confucianism)

The king Wu Ting appointed Yueh prime minister. He gave Yueh his instructions: Morning and evening, send in your reprimands, and so help me to patch up my personal virtue. Imagine that I am a steel weapon; I will use you for a whetstone. Imagine I have to cross a big river; I will use you for a boat and oars. Imagine I am a year of record drought; I will use you as a copious rain…

You, yes you, teach me what should be my aims. You be the malt that works up the brew.

Imagine we are making a good soup, you be the salt and prunes.6 Book of History 4.8.1-3 (Confucianism)

Teachings of Sun Myung Moon Who is a man of character? He is a man who can stand in the central position in society. When there is a man of character in the village, he plays the central role in the material and spiritual lives of the village people. For this reason he is an object of respect. A nation likewise centers on a man of character; he is its representative. Society forms as the people make mutual relationships centering on him.

Likewise, the world also requires a man of character as the center. (29:125, February 26, 1970) The taller a tree grows, the deeper its roots go down into the soil. If its root is exposed, the tree will either wither away or be uprooted by a strong wind. A leader is like that root. (Way of God’s Will 1.3) Looking back on your life, you should be able to say, “I took responsibility for the most difficult problem in my church. I took responsibility for the most difficult problem in my nation. More than that, I took responsibility for the most difficult problem in the world.” (113:111, May 1, 1981) Those who sacrifice positively become central figures. Among the children in a family, the one who sacrifices the most is respected as the filial child. A nation chooses patriots for its leaders because they sacrifice more than ordinary citizens. Among saints also, the one who sacrifices more than others becomes the saint of saints. This is a heavenly principle. (113:326, May 10, 1981) Make up for your leader’s shortcomings and help him grow. He who judges his leader stands in the position of Cain. But he who conceals his leader’s faults and tries to take responsibility for him will stand in Abel’s position someday.7 (Way of God’s Will 1.3) The biggest obstacle [to good government] is politics. Politicians should not misuse the political process to enrich themselves. They should submit to a system of management. They need to follow the rule of law. Mismanagement of public funds wreaks injustice in society. The fundamental problem is politicians’ desire for inordinate wealth. No one in a position of power should seek to be wealthier than ordinary people. Instead, they should give the best things to others for the sake of the whole. If leaders are content to live with a below-average income, then equalization will be come automatically. Otherwise, the misuse of public money is the biggest threat to a prosperous future.

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The second problem is personnel management—to change people’s positions unfairly and arbitrarily. Democracies and other regimes as well divide into and perpetuate factions—ruling and opposition parties, and their leaders grant position and status based upon party loyalty. This causes tremendous damage. Experienced and capable people who were settled into their jobs are crushed and removed—or at least blocked from rising higher so they can offer greater service. Left out of favor, they flounder about and cannot improve their status. Such misuse of politics will have to disappear. A new management system must be instituted that provides equal opportunity to all and rewards people fairly based on their merit. Once again, this requires that public money is distributed fairly and equitably. (324:253-54, June 24, 2000)

❖ 3. The Righteous Leader Keeps Away from Corruption There is no vice more detestable than avarice, more especially in great men and such as bear sway in the government of a state.

Cicero (Hellenism)

By God, any official who takes anything from the public funds without justification will meet his Lord carrying it on himself on the Day of Judgment.

Hadith of Muslim (Islam)

He who receives office in order to profit from it is like an adulterer, who gets his pleasure from a woman’s body. God says, “I am called holy, you are called holy; if you have not all the qualities which I have, you should not accept leadership.”

Bribery is the door through which come all manner of sins. Those who live by bribery cut off their mother’s breasts.

Somadeva, Nitivakyamrita 17.184 (Jainism)

Pesikta Rabbati 111a (Judaism)

Do not ask for the position of authority, for if you are granted this position as a result of your asking for it, you will be left to discharge it yourself; but if you are given it without asking you will be helped [by God].

Hadith of Muslim (Islam)

The great Way is easy, yet people prefer bypaths: The court is corrupt, The fields are overgrown with weeds, The granaries are empty; Yet there are those dressed in fineries, With swords at their sides, Filled with food and drink, And possessed of too much wealth.

This is known as taking the lead in robbery.

Far indeed is this from the Way. Tao Te Ching 53 (Taoism)

Teachings of Sun Myung Moon Whether religious leaders or politicians, their greatest weakness is selfishness. (299:105, February 6, 1999) Among two people, the one who willingly works for the sake of others—for something greater transcending himself—stands on the side of good, while the other who does whatever is expedient for his own self-interest is evil. Government officials should live for the sake of the nation. If instead they use their office only to benefit their own families, they are evil. (170:175-76, November 15, 1987)

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Do not rob from your organization’s funds for your personal use. It is destroying the public environment and every bit as unlawful as robbing the state. Anyone who does such things, no matter how they try to live a good life, will not succeed. (347:85, July 3, 2001) If you value your personal property more than public property, you are violating heavenly law. If you value your private life more than your public responsibility, you are violating God’s will. (51:291, November 28, 1971) When you [leaders] arrive in the spirit world, what will be reckoned as the most serious sins you committed on earth? The first is misusing public funds; the second, not doing your very best for your public mission; the third, violating the Principle. These are the three major sins.8 (97:155-56, March 12, 1978) You ministers, be careful. Using the church for your selfish purpose is the same as using God. Therefore, when guests visit your church or when you are out evangelizing, you should never occupy your mind with the question, “Would this person donate a lot of money?” (33:164, August 11, 1970)

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Exemplary Leadership THE BEST LEADERS ARE THEMSELVES EXAMPLES of virtue and righteousness. A society will be blessed when its elite members—politicians, business leaders, professors, celebrities and sports heroes—recognize their duty to be examples of honesty, integrity and morality. When they become role models, the common people will naturally follow their example.

We can identify three aspects of exemplary leadership. First, it begins in the family. The manner in which a leader cares for his or her spouse and children and manages the household is the starting point for his or her work in the wider spheres of government and social responsibility.

Second, it is leadership that governs by educating hearts and minds. In China, Confucius and his followers set forth the ideal of exemplary leadership against the views of Legalists who taught that leadership flowed from law and its vigorous enforcement— “power by the barrel of the gun” as Mao Zedong would later put it.

Confucius countered that all the state’s power would not banish discontent if the leaders were corrupt; on the contrary, the people would only learn violence and oppression.

Third, we have examples of exemplary leadership in the saints and religious teachers whom God sent to this earth. Jesus of Nazareth did not just teach through the words of his sermons, but also by his practice of sacrificial love. The Christian who walks in the footsteps of Jesus asks, “What would Jesus do,” and does likewise. Jesus loved his enemies on the cross—a difficult example to follow—thus laying the basis for Christians ever since to love their enemies and pray for their persecutors. When the political leaders follow these saints’ examples, they can establish world peace without doubt.

These qualities of exemplary leadership are summarized in Father Moon’s teaching called the Three Subjects Thought. The standard of leadership is to be a “true parent, true teacher and true owner.” Such leaders partake of the nature of God, our Heavenly Father, who superintends this world as its Owner, cares for all its creatures with deep parental love, and continually educates us to the true way of life.

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1. An Exemplary and Virtuous Personal Life If a ruler himself is upright, all will go well even though he does not give orders. But if he himself is not upright, even though he gives orders, they will not be obeyed.

Guide them by virtue, keep them in line with the rites, and they will, besides having a sense of shame, reform themselves.9 Analects 2.3 (Confucianism)

Analects 13.6 (Confucianism)

When the king is deceitful, who will not be deceitful? When the king is unrighteous, who will not be unrighteous?

Somadeva, Nitivakyamrita 17.183 (Jainism)

Concerned alone with the upholding of the world, You should act.

Whatever the best man does, others do that also.

The world follows the standard he sets for himself.

Bhagavad-Gita 3.20-21 (Hinduism)

When cattle are crossing, if the old bull swerves, They all go swerving, following his lead.

So among men, if he who’s reckoned best Lives not aright, much more do other folk.

If the ruler be unrighteous, the whole land dwells in woe.

When cattle are crossing, if the bull goes straight, They all go straight because his course is straight.

So among men, if he who’s reckoned best Lives righteously, the others do so too.

The whole land dwells in happiness if the ruler lives aright.

Anguttara Nikaya 2.75 (Buddhism)

When the righteous man is in the town, he is its luster, its majesty, and its glory. When he leaves it, its luster, its majesty, and its glory depart.

Genesis Rabbah 68.6 (Judaism)

Guide them by edicts, keep them in line with punishments, and the common people will stay out of trouble but will have no sense of shame.

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Chi K’ang-tzu asked Confucius about government, saying, “Suppose I were to slay those who have not the Way in order to help those who have the Way, what would you think of it?” Confucius replied, saying, “If you desire what is good, the people will at once be good.

The essence of the gentleman is that of wind; the essence of small people is that of grass. And when a wind passes over the grass, it cannot choose but bend.”

Analects 12.19 (Confucianism)

If you have a good heart, you naturally become the object of others’ respect, but if you have a selfish motive, though you may receive respect to your face, behind your back people will ask, “What use is his being a lama, guru, etc?”

Since they are free to speak they will do so, which may not be undeserved. Similarly, when a leader is strongly motivated by selfishness, though people may show respect and shower praises on him in his presence, later on if he meets with problems they will rejoice, which is natural.

Tenzin Gyatso, The Fourteenth Dalai Lama (Buddhism)

The Book of Songs says, How profound was King Wen! He maintained his brilliant virtue without interruptions And regarded with reverence that which he abided.

As a ruler, he abided in benevolence (jen). As a minister, he abided in reverence. As a son, he abided in filial piety. As a father, he abided in deep love. And in dealing with the people of the country, he abided in faithfulness.

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The Book of Songs says, Look at that curve in the Ch’i River.

How luxuriant and green are the bamboo trees there!

Here is our elegant and accomplished prince.

His personal life is cultivated As a thing is cut and filed And as a thing is carved and polished.

How grave and dignified!

How majestic and accomplished!

Here is our elegant and accomplished prince.

We can never forget him.

“As a thing is cut and filed” refers to the pursuit of learning. “As a thing is carved and polished” refers to self-cultivation. “How grave and how dignified” indicates precaution. “How majestic and distinguished” expresses awe-inspiring appearance. “Here is our elegant and accomplished prince. We can never forget him” means that the people cannot forget his eminent character and perfect virtue.

Verily in the Messenger of God you have a good example for him who looks unto God and the Last Day, and remembers God much.

Qur’an 33.21

When [Jesus] had washed their feet, and taken his garments, and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.”

John 13.12-15

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

1 Peter 2.21

Great Learning 3.3-4 (Confucianism)

Teachings of Sun Myung Moon People who live for the sake of the whole should be exemplary in all aspects of living: work, speech, and behavior. Then they will be automatically respected as elders. (318:147, May 5, 2000) What is goodness? It is to discard what is evil and seek what is good. This means you should embody goodness and practice it. You should become that kind of leader.

What is a leader? He is the model and standard for others to follow. Although he is in the central position, he does not isolate himself from the people. Rather, he cares for the people, protects them and guides them towards goodness. That is why the people want to take him as their model and emulate him. (118:38, May 2, 1982) Be a man who can respect his own character. You should be able to hold your head high before all things, knowing that they respect you. Then you can say, “Follow my example.” (Way of God’s Will 2.2) To become a leader, first, you should be able to solve economic difficulties. Second, you should have skill at diplomacy. Third, you should be an eloquent speaker who can persuade the masses. (85:263, March 3, 1976)

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What was God’s purpose in sending saints and prophets to this earth? It was to educate all people about the meaning of God’s true love by demonstrating the character and exemplary life that God desires. (219:110, August 27, 1991)

❖ 2. A Leader Strives to Be a True Parent, a True Teacher and a True Owner Now a bishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, dignified, hospitable, an apt teacher, no drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and no lover of money. He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way; for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for God’s church?

1 Timothy 3.2-5

Heaven and Earth are the father and mother of all things. Men are the sensibility of all things.

It is telling the truth, thinking well, and seeing things clearly that make the principal ruler. The principal ruler is father and mother to the common people.

Book of History 5.1.1: The Great Declaration (Confucianism)

What is meant by saying that “in order to establish moral order in his state, one must first guide his family properly” is this: One cannot convince others of what he cannot convince the members of his own family. Therefore the wise governor does not need to go beyond his family in order to find the principles needed for governing his state. Here he finds his own son’s respectful obedience to his father, with which a governor should be served; affection for one’s relatives, with which higher officials should be treated; and paternal kindness, with which all people should be regarded.10 Great Learning 9.1 (Confucianism)

Heaven, earth and man are the basis of all creatures. Heaven gives them birth, earth nourishes them, and man brings them to completion…

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The enlightened and worthy ruler, being of good faith, is strictly attentive to the three bases.

His sacrifices are conducted with utmost reverence; he makes offerings to and serves his ancestors; he advances brotherly affection and encourages filial conduct. In this way he serves the basis of Heaven.

He personally grasps the plough handle and ploughs a furrow, plucks the mulberry himself and feeds the silkworms, breaks new ground to increase the grain supply and opens the way for a sufficiency of clothing and food. In this way he serves the basis of earth.

He sets up schools for the nobles and in the towns and villages to teach filial piety and brotherly affection, reverence and humility. He enlightens the people with education and moves them with rites and music. Thus he serves the basis of man.

Tung Chung-shu, Luxuriant Gems of the Spring and Autumn Annals (Confucianism)

Those who in ancient times invented writing drew three lines and connected them through the middle, calling the character “king” (王). The three lines are Heaven, earth and man, and that which passes through the middle joins the principles of all three. Occupying the center of Heaven, earth and man, passing through and joining all three— if he is not a king, who can do this?

Thus the king is but the executor of Heaven… He patterns his actions on its commands and causes the people to follow them… The highest humanity rests with Heaven, for Heaven is humaneness itself. It shelters and sustains all creatures, transforms them and brings them to birth, nourishes them and completes them…

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Since man receives his life from Heaven, he must also take from Heaven its humaneness and himself be humane. Therefore he reveres Heaven and knows the affections of father and son, brother and brother; he has a heart of trust and faithfulness, compassion and mercy; he is capable of acts of decorum and righteousness, modesty and humility; he can judge between right and wrong, between what accords with and what violates duty.

His sense of moral order is brilliant and deep, his understanding is great, encompassing all things.

Only the way of man can form a triad with Heaven. Heaven’s will is constantly to

love and benefit, its business to nourish and bring to age, and spring and autumn, winter and summer are the instruments of its will.

The will of the king is likewise to love and benefit the world, and his business to bring peace and joy to his time; and his love and hate, his joy and anger, are his instruments‌ Therefore the great concern of the ruler lies in diligently watching over and guarding his heart, that his loves and hates, his angers and joys may be displayed in accordance with right, as the mild and cool, the cold and hot weather come forth in proper season.

Tung Chung-shu, Luxuriant Gems of the Spring and Autumn Annals (Confucianism)

Teachings of Sun Myung Moon Our three great wishes are, first, to become a true parent; second, to become a true teacher; and third, to become a true leader. Do you want to be successful and become a governor or even the President of the United States? First, you must become the head of your own household. To become the head of your household, you must inherit the family tradition and stand in the position of the head who can represent God and your ancestors. By doing so, all families in the nation will come to respect you. (205:20, July 15, 1990) Among all parents, those who live more for the sake of their children are true parents. Teachers who do more for the sake of their students are true teachers, and the president who sacrifices more for the nation is a true president. (285:226, May 19, 1997) A leader must take responsibility for his people. More than that, he must protect them. And not only protect them, but also raise them. (210:98, December 1, 1990) Everyone here has parents and teachers, and you also have the leader of your nation. Everyone undeniably needs such people. However, when compared to the true standard of parenthood, parents are at many different levels. What level of parent do you want to attain? Likewise, the standard of a true teacher is not measured by whether someone is a professor at an Ivy League university such as Harvard, Yale or Columbia in the United States, or Oxford and Cambridge in England. Also, leaders of nations are at different levels compared to the true standard of leadership. Even if someone is the president of a superpower such as the United States, does this mean he or she is a true president?

In fact, today in the family, children do not trust parents. In school, students do not trust their teachers. Citizens do not trust the leaders of their nation. Whose responsibility is it that children do not trust their parents? Since their father and mother are not united as one, not trusting each other fully, the children cannot trust them. Neither can they trust their siblings.

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Family relationships have reached the breaking-point. From this perspective, how can we possibly attain the true standard of even one of these three subject positions—either as a parent, teacher or leader? (285:214-15, May 3, 1997) The principle of true parent-child relationships applies to the philosophy of management. The relationship between an employer and his employees should be viewed in this way, not as a conflict relationship… in the manner of Communism. 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) God expects you to become a true parent, a true teacher and a true leader. What do you think is the highest standard and absolute model for those three positions? It is God. God is the True Parent among parents, True Teacher among teachers, and True King among kings. God is the Eternal True Parent, Eternal True Teacher, Eternal True Leader and King. If we are children of God, we need to become a true parent first, just like God. We should also follow the way of a true teacher, just like God. And we need to follow the way of a true leader, just like God. The ultimate model for the three subject positions is God. (285:224, May 3, 1997)

❖

Government for the People THE WELFARE OF ITS CITIZENS SHOULD BE THE CHIEF CONCERN of government. The scriptures affirm that a ruler should put the people’s needs ahead of his own. This is signified by his titles: the prophets of Israel called their rulers “shepherds,” Jesus called rulers of the Kingdom “servants,” and Chinese tradition regarded the emperor as “the father and mother of the people.”

A leader can show consideration to his followers by personal kindness, forgiving their mistakes, and believing the best about them even when he knows they are likely to fall short. He can demonstrate solidarity with their difficulties by forgoing the pomp and ostentation of high office and living simply as one of the people. Moreover, scriptures encourage benevolent government policies, including reducing taxes in times of economic recession, investing in the people to create jobs, empowering them to have ownership over their work, and providing for the welfare of the poor and destitute. (See also Chapter 20: Economic Justice) The precepts of governance that make for a benevolent rule are universal, which is why scriptures written in ancient times, when all governments were monarchies, remain relevant today. Nevertheless, this section also includes some texts on democracy, because in modern times a government “of the people and by the people” has proven to be the surest way to have a government “for the people.” Yet democracy has also produced its share of monstrosities; the French Revolution is but one example. More than just free elections and a representative government, the animating spirit behind democracy can make all the difference between the blessings of liberty and totalitarian terror. Hence in the Western experience, democracies built upon Christian values have done better than those based on materialism. Yet even American democracy with its emphasis on individual freedom is deficient in many ways, according to Father Moon. A better underpinning for democracy, he declares, is the spirit of true love.11

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1. Servant Leadership In the happiness of his subjects lies a king’s happiness; in their welfare his welfare; whatever pleases him he shall not consider as good, but whatever pleases his subjects he shall consider as good.

The highest duty of a ruler is to protect his subjects; the ruler who enjoys the rewards of his position is bound to that duty.

Kautilya, Artha-shastra 1.19 (Hinduism)

The Caliph is a shepherd over the people and shall be questioned about his subjects.

When loss is above and gain below, the people’s joy is boundless. When those above exhibit no pride to the ones below them, their virtue is brightly illumined.

Hadith of Bukhari and Muslim (Islam)

I Ching 42 (Confucianism)

Desiring to rule over the people, One must, in one’s words, humble oneself before them; And, desiring to lead the people, One must, in one’s person, follow behind them.

Therefore the sage takes his place over the people yet is no burden; Takes his place ahead of the people yet causes no obstruction.

That is why the empire supports him joyfully and never tires of doing so.

Tao Te Ching 66 (Taoism)

Governing a large state is like boiling a small fish.

Tao Te Ching 60 (Taoism)

Laws of Manu 7.144 (Hinduism)

Jesus said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20.25-28

Public men are proud to be the servants of the State and would be ashamed to be its masters.

Sir Winston Churchill12

It was by the mercy of God that you were lenient with them (O Muhammad), for if you had been stern and hard-hearted they would have deserted you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult with them about the conduct of affairs.

Lay no burden on the public which the majority cannot bear.

Qur’an 3.159

Talmud, Baba Batra 60b (Judaism)

Moses son of Imran said, “My Lord, who is the greatest of Thy servants in Thy estimation?” and received the reply, “The one who forgives when he is in a position of power.”

To demand much from oneself and little from others is the way for a ruler to banish discontent.

Hadith of Baihaqi (Islam)

Analects 15.14 (Confucianism)

The man of perfect virtue, wishing to be established himself, seeks also to establish others; wishing to be enlarged himself, he seeks also to enlarge others.

Guardianship is not to give an order but to give one’s self.

Nyika Proverb (African Traditional Religion)

Analects 6.28 (Confucianism)

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Teachings of Sun Myung Moon If you want to rule others, first be ruled by them. (Way of God’s Will 1.3) Leaders are people who let others use them, yet they do not perish. Come, let yourself be used by all the people of the world for the sake of God. Then they will come under your influence.

(Way of God’s Will 1.3) The leader who commands his followers when they are not willing to obey will perish. (Way of God’s Will 1.3) If you want to become someone of high status, you should be able to take good care of the people under you. (34:250, September 13, 1970) A sovereign should become one with his people. He should think that all that he owns is not for himself, but for his country. If that happens, the country will prosper. (30:88, March 17, 1970) The larger-minded person can embrace and manage smaller-minded people. Can you be a person of such breadth of character that people of every nationality will admire you and want you to lead them? (102:139, December 10, 1978) We should live for the sake of others. A leader who lives a self-centered life invites discontent and leads others to disobey the heavenly way. Living for the sake of others is the way to resemble God. When you inherit God’s true love and practice it to love your family, society, nation, and world, you are living in accordance with the basic order of universe. Only through practicing true love can you become a true person of perfected character, and hence become a true parent, true teacher, and true owner. You become a peacemaker. When you live your life for the sake of others, you are headed towards the first gate of peace. (356:276, October 20, 2001) A self-centered person cannot be a leader. It doesn’t matter that he has a college degree or even that he is a professor. Rather, a leader needs to have a mind to live for the sake of the whole and be equipped in all areas. A person with such qualifications will climb to the top. At election time, people will not vote for a candidate whom they perceive is self-centered. They will choose the candidate who lives for the sake of the whole, who will benefit them. This formula for leadership has been constant throughout history.

Be a wise leader who embraces his people twice after chastising them once. Let them feel, “He scolded us for our own good”; otherwise, they will scorn you and oppose you, and in the end Satan will invade (54:207, March 24, 1972) When a person whom you work with for the first time makes a mistake, remember how little you have given him and invested in him. Then despite his mistake, you can forgive him. As the leader, greet him with a delightful heart before you expect him to do so to you. If you expect him to greet you with a bright face when you yourself do not, then you are a thief. (81:305, December 29, 1975) If one of your people does something wrong, do not take action against him right away. Even if he did something very wrong, try to find a way to have him do something good to improve the situa-

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tion. Although that small good condition is far outweighed by the evil he did earlier, on account of it you can have room to reserve judgment until you can deal properly and comprehensively with the situation. (72:313, July 14, 1974) A responsible person even when he knows the truth lets himself be deceived. (324:202, June 24, 2000) Use clear judgment in handling affairs in your daily life. Then your heart should follow. To be clear about affairs means to act in accordance with reason. You should never act on a matter when you are confused or uncertain about it. Analyze well how to handle relationships with those above you and below you, on your right and on your left, in front of you and behind you. Once that is clear, you can cultivate affectionate feelings to embrace them all. The cloth of affection can wrap up everyone: grandfathers, grandmothers, babies, everyone.

The cloth of intellect is one-sided, while the cloth of affection is all-embracing. Look at me: I love even 80-year-old grandmothers, and they flock to my place. Grandmothers and tiny infants all rejoice to be wrapped in the cloth of love. They hug each other, the infants resting in the old ladies’ arms, never wanting to leave. With the cloth of love you can create that kind of place. (81:328, December 29, 1975)

❖ 2. Consideration for the Poor The government is the guardian of those who have no guardian.

Hadith (Islam)

All those who are weary, disabled, crippled and infirm, who are orphan, childless, widowers, and widows are my brothers who totter and falter with no one to turn to. When the gentleman rules the government he must support such people.

Chu Hsi (Confucianism)

State. And it stands to reason that wage-earners, who are undoubtedly among the weak and necessitous, should be specially cared for and protected by the Government.

Pope Leo XIII, Rerum Novarum (Christianity)

Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!

Emma Lazarus13

If the chief has many breasts they are sucked by the people.

Akan Proverb (African Traditional Religion)

When there is a question of defending the rights of individuals, the poor and the helpless have a claim to especial consideration. Those of the richer class have many ways of shielding themselves, and stand less in need of help from the State; whereas those who are badly off have no resources of their own to fall back upon, and must chiefly depend upon the assistance of the

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Emperor Nintoku climbed up a high mountain and, viewing the lands of the four quarters, said, “There is no smoke rising from fireplaces in the land. The entire land is impoverished. For a period of three years the people are released from all taxes and conscription.” For this reason, the palace became dilapidated; although the rain leaked in everywhere, no repairs were made. The dripping rain was caught in vessels, and the inhabitants moved around to places where it did not leak.

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Later, when he viewed the land again, the entire land was filled with smoke. Therefore, realizing that the people were now rich, he reinstated taxes and conscription. For this reason, the common people flourished and did not suffer from his conscription. Thus his reign is praised as being the reign of a saintly ruler.

Kojiki 110 (Shinto)

Ho, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fatlings; but you do not feed the sheep. The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the crippled you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the wild beasts… Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: Thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my sheep at their hand, and put a stop to their feeding the sheep; no longer

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shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.”

Ezekiel 34.2-10

If you take away from the midst of you the yoke, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.

Isaiah 58.9-10

Give the king thy justice, O God, and thy righteousness to the royal son!

May he judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with justice…

For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper.

He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.

From oppression and violence he redeems their life; and precious is their blood in his sight.

Psalm 72

Teachings of Sun Myung Moon A leader who, when he sees miserable people living on the street, feels shocked and finds himself sobbing, unable to control his body as he grabs on to a utility pole for balance—such a leader will naturally develop. (160:197, May 12, 1969) Rather than building a lavish presidential palace, the president would do better if he lived in a flimsy mud hut that will hardly last until the end of his term before it must be torn down, and instead invested the nation’s revenues for the next generation. His country would prosper, and he would be known as a leader who lives for his people.

And yet, God lives for the sake of humankind even more than that. (382:149-50, June 21, 2002) Living for the self ends with the self, but living for others continues forever. Therefore, for goodness to continue, you should live for your counterpart—the greater whole. This is particularly the case when you are in a position of leadership. Hence, anyone who aspires to become a world-level figure should live for the sake of the world. If he practices this, he may even become a world leader. On the other hand, a world leader who tramples upon those beneath him cannot remain. A world leader should be a leader who lights up the world. (57:63, May 28, 1972)

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In the future, politics will be mainly a matter of good management. There will be no place for politicians to manipulate policies for unrighteous ends, as all people follow the Principle way and live for the sake of peace. The government will provide an exemplary model of management that serves to benefit the entire people.

The function of government will be to help people with economic difficulties and provide a way for everyone to eat and live. People will be categorized into three levels according to their standard of living—top, middle and bottom—and the average standard of living will be determined. Then the government will set up an administrative mechanism to equalize people’s living standards to the middle level…

This administrative mechanism will incorporate the ethics of a single household planning the family budget, in which everyone takes responsibility for each other. Family members who are spending too much try to lower their expenses, while those in need receive more, in order that everyone in the family is at an equal level in the middle.14 Likewise in society, those who are blessed with more will contribute to lift up others. (324:253-54, June 24, 2000) Today, the industrialized North must reach out to help liberate the South from pervasive impoverishment. The developed nations must lend a helping hand to the support the development of the developing countries and the new democracies. Each nation’s attitude must be changed from a selfish one to an unselfish one. That in itself will be a revolution. Nations can do this when their leaders think of themselves in the role of parents. From that perspective, nations will regard each other as brother and sister nations. Then a fresh new vision will emerge and new opportunities will open up before of us. (219:120, August 28, 1991)

❖ 3. Democracy We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. —That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

U.S. Declaration of Independence

I know no safe depository of the ultimate a powers of society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education.

Thomas Jefferson

The ruler who submits to democratic ideals, His rule is lasting.

Adi Granth, Maru, M.1 (Sikhism)

I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers—and it was not there, in her fertile fields and trackless forests—and it was not there, in her rich mines and vast world commerce—and it was not there, in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution—and it was not there. Not until I went to the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power.

America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.

Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America

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Few things help an individual more than to place responsibility on him, and to let him know that you trust him.

Booker T. Washington

The king’s country, Sire, is harassed and harried.

There are dacoits abroad who pillage the villages and townships and who make the roads unsafe.

Were the king, so long as that is so, to levy a fresh tax, verily his majesty would be acting wrongly.

Perchance his majesty might think, “I’ll soon put a stop to these scoundrels’ game by punishments and banishment, fines and bonds and death!” But their license cannot be satisfactorily put a stop to by such a course. The remnant left unpunished would still go on harassing the realm.

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Now there is one method to adopt to put a thorough end to this disorder. Whosoever there be in the king’s realm who devote themselves to keeping cattle and the farm, to them let his majesty give food and seed corn. Whosoever there be in the king’s realm who devote themselves to trade, to them let his majesty give capital. Whosoever there be in the king’s realm who devote themselves to government service, to them let his majesty give wages and food. Then those men, following each his own business, will no longer harass the realm; the king’s revenue will go up; the country will be quiet and at peace; and the populace, pleased with one another and happy, dancing their children in their arms, will dwell with open doors.

Digha Nikaya 1.135: Kutadanta Sutta (Buddhism)

Teachings of Sun Myung Moon In these last days of human history, heavenly law has descended upon the earth in the name of democracy, bringing an end to the long phase of history in which people sought to obtain happiness by seizing property, land and people. (Exposition of the Divine Principle, Eschatology 2.3) At the time of Jesus, people’s lives were as insignificant as flies to the persons in power. The system of laws into which Jesus was born was just like a world without laws. If the administrators or persons of power wanted to have him killed, it could be done as easily as killing a fly. Jesus’ proclamation of a fundamental human revolution could not be permitted or accepted under the system of that society. We can say that the fact that Jesus was nailed to the cross was an almost unavoidable occurrence under the system of those days. God, who knows this so well, knows that one of the most necessary things for the days of the second advent of the Messiah is a system of laws in which a person cannot be killed just because it is someone else’s will. The system which God prepared for the last two thousand years is democracy.

Democracy is the system which respects human rights. Democracy is the system in which a minority group can survive in the midst of a majority group. Democracy is the system which guarantees freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom of press, and freedom of assembly.

If we consider the Constitution of America, which can be regarded as the representative nation of democracy, the most absolute freedom among all freedoms is the freedom of religion. It is stated in the Constitution that the American Congress and Government shall not make any laws which can restrict religions. (October 19, 1978) The French Revolution established democracy with the proclamation of the Declaration of the Rights of Man. Nonetheless, the democracy born out of the French Revolution was a Cain-type democracy. Although it destroyed absolutism… the leading thinkers behind the French Revolution were Enlightenment figures such as Denis Diderot (1713-1784) and Jean Le Rond D’Alembert (1717-1783), who adhered to atheism or materialism. Furthermore, despite its ideals of individual freedom and equality, the actual course of French democracy in the years of the revolution and afterward tended toward totalitarianism….

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From their very origins, the democracies which emerged in England and the United States were different from the democracy born out of the French Revolution… The English and American democracies were founded by sincere Christians, the fruits of the Abel-type view of life, and were born out of their victorious fight with absolutism to win religious freedom. Hence, these are Abeltype democracies. (Exposition of the Divine Principle, Preparation 3.1) Democracy is the ideology of brotherhood. It promotes equality by upholding freedom. But is freedom alone enough to secure happiness? No. To secure happiness, love must be the highest value.

(201:73, March 1, 1990) If democracy were to use love as its basis, then the world would become one. That kind of democracy could become world-level democracy. Even communism, if it were centered on true love, could also make one world. Where there is love, the word “purge” cannot exist. (90:311-12, January 15, 1977) While much in America seems attractive, if you dig deeper you will find some disagreeable aspects.

There is always a taint of racism. People live as isolated individuals and have not become as one community. The law is not always in agreement with human rights. (90:304, January 15, 1977) If a black person wanted to run for the presidency, would white Americans support him? What do you think? Would they elect a capable black candidate? …As long as blacks and whites are fighting over their rights, are there truly human rights?

The democratic world is a world of individualism. It takes no account of relationships, such as husband and wife. Each individual is his or her own center. Yet in reality, people cannot exist without relationships. Everything exists in the context of relationships. A society that valued relationships above all else would encourage everyone to make relationships with their counterparts, for that is the very nucleus from which the world will become one. First, families become one; then they build relationships with their neighbors and unify their neighborhood. Based upon this principle, people would assemble themselves into a single structure, connecting everyone throughout the world. (228:8, March 1, 1992)

❖

Law and Punishments GOVERNMENTS ENACT AND ENFORCE LAWS to protect their citizens, restrain evildoers, and promote the general welfare. God is the origin of law; He created this universe to function according to the laws of science and implanted a conscience within each human heart to know right from wrong. The constitutions and statutes that constitute a nation’s laws approximate the heavenly law; that is why we they usually are in agreement with the dictates of conscience.

Laws are needed to restrain wickedness. People who do not follow the dictates of conscience, by which they ought to govern themselves to do right and avoid wickedness, are restrained by the law’s sharp distinctions between right and wrong, what is permitted and what is prohibited. In this sense, people who cultivate their character to become people of conscience do not need the law and are unlikely to run afoul of the law.

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Laws prescribe punishment as a deterrent to crime and to establish justice. The government in meting out punishments is a co-worker with God, who is the final dispenser of justice. Indeed, one can regard hell as a vast prison in the spirit world to restrain evildoers from trampling on heaven’s domains. Punishment can serve as ‘indemnity,’ an opportunity for the criminal to pay the debt of sin.

On the other hand, there should always be an element of mercy in the criminal justice system, should the criminal repent with sincerity and turn his life around. Father Moon teaches that the chief purpose of prison should be education and rehabilitation. This was, in fact, the core idea of the twentieth century movement to convert prisons where inmates languished in cells into ‘penitentiaries’ where they could be rehabilitated through work and education. The two poles of justice and mercy form the perspective from which to view ethical issues such as the death penalty.

1. The Law’s Noble Purpose When Marduk commissioned me to guide the people aright and to direct the land, I established law and justice in the language of the land in order to promote the welfare of the people.

The Code of Hammurabi15

The Creator… projected that excellent form, Law. This law is the controller of the ruler; therefore, there is nothing higher. So even a weak man hopes to defeat a stronger man through the law, as one does with the help of a king.

Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 1.4.14 (Hinduism)

As ruler and president… you must in everything reverence the statutes and proceed by them to the happy rule of the people. They were the reverence of King Wen and his caution; in proceeding by them to the happy rule of the people, say, “If I can only attain to them.”

Book of History 5.9.3.8 (Confucianism)

Laws are partly framed for the sake of good men, in order to instruct them how they might live on friendly terms with one another, and partly for the sake of those who refuse to be instructed, whose spirit cannot be subdued, or softened, or hindered from plunging into evil.

Plato, Laws 9 (Hellenism)

He who renders true judgments is a co-worker with God. Mekilta, Exodus 18.13 (Judaism)

By justice a king gives stability to the land.

Proverbs 29.4

If punishment is properly inflicted after due consideration, it makes all people happy; but inflicted without consideration, it destroys everything.

If the ruler did not, without tiring, inflict punishment on those worthy to be punished, the stronger would roast the weaker, like fish on a spit. All barriers would be broken through, and all men would rage against each other in consequence of mistakes with respect to punishment.

But where Punishment, with a black hue and red eyes, stalks about, destroying sinners, there the subjects are not disturbed, provided he who inflicts it discerns well.

Laws of Manu 7.20-25 (Hinduism)

He who distinguishes good deeds from evil, Who shows the results of karma—he is called a king.

Ordained by the host of gods, the gods delight in him.

For the sake of himself or others, to preserve the righteousness of his land, And to put down the rogues and criminals in his domains, Such a king would give up, if need be, his life and his kingdom.16 Golden Light Sutra 12 (Buddhism)

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Every one had better be ruled by divine wisdom dwelling within him; or, if this be impossible, then by an external authority, in order that we may be all, as far as possible, under the same government, friends and equals.

And this is clearly seen to be the intention of the law, which is the ally of the whole city; and is seen also in the authority which we exercise over children, and the refusal to let them be free until we have established in them a principle analogous to the constitution of a state, and by cultivation of this higher element

have set up in their hearts a guardian and ruler like our own, and when this is done they may go their ways…

What shall he profit, if his injustice be undetected and unpunished? He who is undetected only gets worse, whereas he who is detected and punished has the brutal part of his nature silenced and humanized; the gentler element in him is liberated, and his whole soul is perfected and ennobled by the acquirement of justice and temperance and wisdom.

Plato, The Republic 9 (Hellenism)

Teachings of Sun Myung Moon What are laws? Laws exist to prevent the destruction of things that are worthy of protection. There is a natural law that protects the universe from destruction. Likewise, nations have laws to protect society from destruction. Once we understand the purpose of laws, we can appreciate the importance of obeying them. (118:198, June 1, 1982) Every country has its laws, whose purpose is to maintain goodness. After all, a nation’s constitution and the laws enacted by its legislature function to protect the general welfare, not destroy it. What about people who violate the law? All countries have prisons to punish them. Yet the standards of what is allowed and what is prohibited differ from one country to another according to the system of government and the views of its leaders. (216:306, April 15, 1991) A nation enacts laws to enhance the public way of life. It places restrictions on people who live only to satisfy selfish desires and the desires of the body. The law sets limits on such self-centered activities; the more self-centered they are, the narrower are the limits the law sets. (105:15-16, July 8, 1979) Human laws today are based on Roman laws, and Roman laws are the foundation of world culture. However, human morals are based on the conscience. Conscience precedes law…

Society needs laws, because its members seek a social order that is in agreement with the untainted conscience. In the end, where do human laws have their basis? Their basis is in heavenly law. (33:44, August 2, 1970) The law should set up a bright line distinguishing right from wrong. Doesn’t American law based on its Constitution set up a standard of right and wrong? The law does not punish people for serving the public. You can do infinite amounts of public service, and it is always welcomed. But many kinds of self-centered activities are prohibited. Whenever your self-centered actions damage the public, the law gets in the way. Hence, using violence to harm people or destroy property is illegal. Vandalizing public buildings is illegal.

From this perspective, when someone speaks harsh, vituperative words that hurt others, He also violates the [heavenly] law. (111:239, February 22, 1981)

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Why should you obey the laws of your nation? You may think, “That’s a bad law. I know that some crooked congressman introduced the bill and got it passed, so I’m not going to obey that law. I will follow my own laws.” Nevertheless, laws are made to preserve the freedom of the nation as a whole, and the nation’s freedom is a higher good than the preferences of particular individuals or groups.

From this perspective, it is right to obey the law. By the same token, God’s law protects the freedom and integrity of the entire universe, above and beyond the desires of any of its creatures. (May 1, 1982)17 At the Human Fall evil started first, ahead of goodness. Hence we must make effort to suppress evil and elevate goodness. What strategy shall we use? First, we must take control over our arrogance.

The Fall occurred when human beings exalted themselves and pushed God aside. That was the beginning of Satan’s nature. Arrogance is the desire to elevate oneself without regard to law and discipline or to how it may affect the surrounding environment or the social order. An arrogant person has no regard for duty or law.

How do we describe a person who lives in accordance with the law? Do we say He is arrogant?

No, we say he or she is as an honest person. The Korean word for honesty (jeongjik) is composed of two Chinese characters, 正 meaning “right” and 直 meaning “straight.” The law establishes what is straight. With the law we separate good from evil and distinguish between right and wrong.

An arrogant person ignores the law. We must put a stop to behavior that ignores the law and violates the norms expected according to one’s position and circumstances. (37:112, December 23, 1970) What will be the constitution of the Kingdom of Heaven? It will establish the power of love and foster the life force of love. All laws in the Kingdom of Heaven will be for protecting love. (111:171, February 15, 1981)

❖ 2. The Administration of Justice Whenever you judge between people, you should do so with justice. How superbly God instructs you to do so; God is Alert, Observant!

Qur’an 4.58

The intelligent person who leads others not falsely but lawfully and impartially, who is a guardian of the law, is called one who abides by righteousness.

Dhammapada 256-57 (Buddhism)

Hear the cases between your brethren, and judge righteously between a man and his brother or the alien that is with him. You shall not be partial in judgment; you shall hear the small and the great alike; you shall not be afraid of the face of man, for the judgment is God’s.

Deuteronomy 1.16-17

He is not thereby just because he hastily arbitrates cases. The wise man should investigate both right and wrong.

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A thief shall, running, approach the king, with flying hair, confessing that theft, saying, “Thus I have done, punish me.”

Whether he is punished or pardoned [after confessing], the thief is freed from the guilt of theft; but the king, if he punishes not, takes upon himself the guilt of the thief.

Laws of Manu 8.314, 316 (Hinduism)

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What destroyed your predecessors was just that when a person of rank among them committed a theft they left him alone, but when a weak one of their number committed a theft they inflicted the prescribed punishment on him. I swear by God that even if my daughter Fatima should steal, I would have her hand cut off.

Whoever commits a delinquency or crime, then throws it upon the innocent, has burdened himself with falsehood and a flagrant crime.

Qur’an 4.112

A single witness shall not prevail against a man for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed; only on the evidence of two witnesses, or of three witnesses, shall a charge be sustained. If a malicious witness rises against any man to accuse him of wrongdoing, then both parties to the dispute shall appear before the Lord, before the priests and the judges who are in office in those days; the judges shall inquire diligently, and if the witness is a false witness and has accused his brother falsely, then you shall do to him as he had meant to do to his brother; so you shall purge the evil from the midst of you.

Hadith of Bukhari and Muslim (Islam)

If the thief steals something he takes an oath to decide his fate, but if the oath steals something what will it take?

Igala Proverb (African Traditional Religions)

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Exodus 20.16

Deuteronomy 19.15-20

Teachings of Sun Myung Moon A nation’s laws impose punishment on criminals for the purpose of setting the indemnity conditions necessary for maintaining order in society. (Exposition of the Divine Principle, Restoration 1.1) I cannot bend the law even for True Mother. The law rules her, as it rules me. (180:115, August 7, 1988) You cannot have freedom without principle or law; you cannot have freedom without order… When there is no law and order, freedom brings only destruction. When you violate the law of a nation, you have to go to prison.

Yet if America is really a free country, why does it need prisons? Shouldn’t we just close them down and let everyone do whatever they want? Shouldn’t people be free to do whatever they want, even run down the street stark naked? Today in America people do that, even practice prostitution and homosexuality, and they regard it as their right to be free. Can we dispense with prison? Well then, should John Hinckley be able to get away with shooting President Reagan and insist that he not be arrested?

Certainly we need to incarcerate those who do not abide by the nation’s laws. Even in the spirit world there are prisons for those who do not abide by the laws of the spirit world. Schools need a room for detention, and families need a punishing spot. (112:73-74, April 1, 1981) If a prosecutor or malicious person obtains the execution of an innocent man for personal motives, then according to the heavenly law he himself shall be sentenced to death. The person who was killed unfairly shall receive a reward, while the person who caused his death shall be punished.

(93:111, May 21, 1977)

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3. Just and Merciful Punishments Human punishment is execrable even when just.

Pope Sixtus (Christianity)

A sovereign should not inflict excessive punishment.

Matsya Purana 220.10 (Hinduism)

The superior man gives careful thought to his judgments and is tardy in sentencing people to death.

I Ching 61 (Confucianism)

Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be put to death. But if he did not lie in wait for him, but God let him fall into his hand, then I will appoint for you a place to which he may flee. But if a man willfully attacks another to kill him treacherously, you shall take him from my altar, that he may die.

Exodus 21.12-14

O you who believe! Equal recompense is prescribed for you in cases of murder: a freeman for a freeman, a slave for a slave, a woman for a woman.18 But if any remission is made by the brother of the slain, then grant any reasonable demand and compensate him with handsome gratitude. This is a concession and a mercy from your Lord.

Qur’an 1.178

Should I [Imam Ali] be killed, see that there is no widespread retaliation. Do not roam about with a drawn sword… and do not start a massacre of my opponents and enemies. See that only one man, that is my murderer, is killed in punishment for the crime of murder, and that nobody else is molested or harmed or harassed.

The punishment to the man who attempted the

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murder shall take place only when I die of the wound delivered by him, and this punishment shall be only one stroke of the sword to end his life. He should not be tortured before his death; his hands and feet should not be cut off, because I have heard the Holy Prophet saying, “Do not cut off the hands and feet of anybody, even a biting dog.”

Nahjul Balagha, Letter 47 (Shiite Islam)

O king, through compassion you should always Generate an attitude of help Even for those embodied beings Who have committed appalling sins.

Especially generate compassion For those murderers, whose sins are horrible; Those of fallen nature are receptacles Of compassion from those whose nature is great.

Free the weaker prisoners After a day or five days; Do not think the others Are never to be freed…

As long as the prisoners are not freed, They should be made comfortable With barbers, baths, food, drink, Medicine and clothing.

Just as unworthy sons are punished Out of a wish to make them worthy, So punishment should be enforced with compassion And not through hatred or desire for wealth.

Once you have analyzed the angry Murderers and recognized them well, You should banish them without Killing or tormenting them.

Nagarjuna, Precious Garland 331-37 (Buddhism)

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Teachings of Sun Myung Moon When the state executes someone who committed a capital crime, it is not thereby guilty of the crime of killing a human being. Why not? The government carried out the execution under public statutes enacted for the benefit of society. Being sanctioned by laws that were enacted to benefit the nation and the world, the execution may be justified. (88:298, October 3, 1976) I envision the day when all nations are united under a world government like the United Nations and agree on a world standard of law. A person who commits a crime will receive swift punishment; he or she will be sent away to a facility near the North Pole or the South Pole. There convicts are quarantined like patients with leprosy or SARS and provided with food to last only one year. In that hellish environment they are trained to survive; and through suffering hardships they are educated in the heavenly way. That education elevates their character and restores them to people who will abide by the law for the rest of their lives.19 (May 17, 2003) The American legal system has a provision for criminals to be pardoned. How about in the ideal universal legal system: can a convicted criminal receive pardon? Yes it is possible, but to be entitled to receive it, he should sacrifice and serve. In that case the law shows mercy, and the person can make a new start down the path of a reformed life. (105:92, September 30, 1979)

❖ 4. The End of the Law He who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this sentence, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Romans 13.8-10

The wise man is always free; he is always held in honor; he is always master of the laws. The law

is not made for the just, but for the unjust. The just man is a law unto himself and he does not need to summon the law from afar, for he carries it enclosed in his heart, having the law [of God] written on the tablets of his heart…

The wise man is free, since one who does as he wishes is free. Not every wish is good, but the wise man wishes only that which is good; he hates evil for he chooses what is good. Because he chooses what is good he is master of his choice, and because he chooses his work he is free.

Saint Ambrose of Milan, Letter 54 (Christianity)

Teachings of Sun Myung Moon Every country has its laws, whose purpose is to maintain goodness… At the same time, everyone is endowed with a conscience. Even without an education, the conscience knows what is right and urges us to act accordingly. Through the conscience, every person can know right from wrong and has the ability to regulate him or herself, quite apart from the law. (216:306, April 15, 1991) The law is an instrument to regulate people who would take advantage of the society and world for personal gain. The law is needed to deter self-centered people and groups from transgressing the line of what is permitted. How should we live in order not to transgress the law? Those who live for

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the sake of others do not require laws to deter them from doing wrong. We need to reach that level, where we are liberated from the law.

How shall you live if you want to be confident not to be caught in the net of the world’s laws? If you live for your own selfish purposes, you are liable to be caught wherever you go. Instead, cultivate a life of living for the greater good of society. Then you will be liberated from the law. (93:301, June 12, 1977) Would that the world was filled with true families! It would be a world governed by the heavenly way and heavenly laws, with no need for lawyers, prosecutors or even judges.

(April 10, 2006)

❖

Prophets and Messengers FOR AS LONG AS THE KINGDOMS OF THIS WORLD have fallen short of the standards of God’s kingdom, God has raised up prophets and messengers to represent Heaven’s righteousness and call worldly leaders to account. These men and women put their lives at risk to speak out for justice and proclaim a higher vision of community. They stepped forward believing that they could prick the consciences of the powerful, that they might listen and turn away from evil, that their nation might avoid disaster.

The role of prophet is not limited to those rare founders of religion who were especially chosen to bring God’s revelation into the world, though some like Muhammad are called such. People taking up the prophetic mantle include saints and righteous people of every age and in every culture, who dared to remind the rulers of their day of truths that were first revealed long ago. Often they must recast Heaven’s message into contemporary terms. In their number we include Socrates and Mencius, and if space permitted we would add modern figures such as St. Francis of Assisi, Martin Luther, Nichiren, Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., to name but a few. In that sense, Father Moon has been called a prophet, and some of his prophecies are included here.

The prophets spoke challenging words that made powerful people uncomfortable; therefore they were persecuted, ridiculed and put to death. Some, like Nathan and Mencius, sought to protect themselves by couching the truth in parables in order to catch the ruler’s conscience. But most were unable to keep in their ruler’s good graces. The prophet Jeremiah, for example, was jailed several times. He revealed his inner struggle as he proceeded on his dangerous course.

An attribute of prophecy is the ability to predict the future. Yet prophets are no mere fortunetellers. Their gift gives them confidence to speak with authority on affairs of state. The prophet’s predictions are accurate because of his or her close relationship with God, in whose hand lies the destinies of the nations.

1. The Mission of a Prophet Every nation has its messenger. Once their messenger comes, judgment will be passed upon them in all fairness and they will not be wronged. They will say, “When will this promise be, if you have been telling the truth?” Say, “I

possess no harm nor any advantage by myself, except concerning whatever God may wish.

Every nation has a term; whenever their term comes, they will not postpone it for an hour nor advance it.”

Qur’an 10.47-49

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Now the word of the Lord came to me [Jeremiah], saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you you shall go, and whatever I command you you shall speak.

Be not afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.”

Then the Lord put forth his hand and touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.

See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”

I am that gadfly which God has attached to the state, and all day long and in all places am always fastening upon you, arousing and persuading and reproaching you.

Socrates, in Plato, Apology (Hellenism)

The word of the Lord came to me, “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you will have saved your life.”20 Ezekiel 3.16-19

I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe.

Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen.

Martin Luther (Christianity)21

Jeremiah 1.4-10

Teachings of Sun Myung Moon What was God’s purpose in sending saints and prophets to this earth? It was to educate all people about the meaning of God’s true love by demonstrating the character and exemplary life that God desires. Especially God wanted them to educate the political leadership, and other leaders also, that they might practice the ways of God. Together they were to realize harmony between the world of the mind [religion] and the world of body [politics and economy] centered on God’s true love.22 However, as the body often does not follow what the conscience requires, many rulers did not recognize the prophets and holy men who came to them. They refused their teachings and ignored their warnings.

Who can take responsibility to solve the tragedies and evils in contemporary society: confusion of values, moral corruption, drug addiction, terrorism, racial discrimination, and so on? Can politicians completely solve them with their political power? Politicians carry a great responsibility and burden in the decisions and choices they make. Especially in this age, when societies are more pluralistic than ever and nations are linked in a network of interdependence, it is crucial for leaders to take responsibility for making right judgments and decisions! Therefore, when leaders are about to make

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important decisions, I urge them to listen humbly to the voice coming from Heaven and look for solutions through following the heavenly way. (219:110, August 27, 1991) This world needs prophets, not philosophers. You can’t deny it. Did democratic thought originate with philosophers or prophets? Who were its primary exponents? We need to analyze it and come up with a clear answer. How about communism? It was put forward by philosophers. People of the world today follow what philosophers advocate, but we cannot completely accept their theories.

From this viewpoint, the theories of the philosophers will pass away while the words of the prophets will endure.

Where are philosophers? They are at universities. Where are prophets? They are among religious believers. Do people give more respect to religion or to universities? They prefer the universities. All right then, where can we find hope, in universities or in religion? Clearly, in religion. We can find hope in a nameless religion, rather than at world-famous Harvard, Cambridge, or Oxford.

Among the prophets, were many of them scholars, or were they mostly uneducated people?

They were mostly uneducated people. Yet conventionally, people put more trust in scholars than in the uneducated people we call prophets. From this viewpoint, we can conclude that the world is headed in the wrong direction. (79:334, September 28, 1975) Churches must educate families, tribes and nations to go the right path. They are like the prophets in the past, who admonished their kings, especially when they were on the wrong track, and guided them to do right. Likewise, God is utilizing churches as the womb to give birth to families, tribes and peoples who will lead the future world. (106:35, November 11, 1979)

❖ 2. Speaking Truth to Power The most excellent jihad is the uttering of truth in the presence of an unjust ruler.

Hadith of Tirmidhi (Islam)

And the Lord sent Nathan to David. He came to him, and said to him, “There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor.

The rich man had very many flocks and herds; but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. And he brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children; it used to eat of his morsel, and drink from his cup, and lie in his bosom, and it was like a daughter to him. Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was unwilling to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the wayfarer who had come to him, but he took the poor man’s lamb, and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” Then David’s anger was

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greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die; and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.”

Nathan said to David, “You are the man.

Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul; and I gave you your master’s wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and Judah; and if this were too little, I would add to you as much more.

Why have you despised the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in his sight? You have smitten Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife, and have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me, and

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have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’”23 2 Samuel 12.1-10

Mencius went to P’ing Lu. “Would you or would you not,” said he to the gover­nor, “dismiss a lancer who has failed three times in one day to report for duty?”

“I would not wait for the third time.”

“But you yourself have failed to report for duty many times. In years of famine close to a thousand of your people suffered, the old and the young being abandoned in the gutter, the able-bodied scattered in all directions.”

“It was not within my power to do anything about this.”

“Supposing a man were entrusted with the care of cattle and sheep. Surely he ought to seek pasturage and fodder for the animals. If he found that this could not be done, should he return his charge to the owner or should he stand by and watch the animals die?”

“In this I am at fault.”

Mencius II.B.4 (Confucianism)

Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel; the land is not able to bear all his words. For thus Amos has said, ‘Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel must go into exile away from his land.’ ” And Amaziah said to Amos, “O seer, go flee away to the land of Judah, and eat bread there, and prophesy there; but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king’s sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom.”

Then Amos answered Amaziah, “I am no prophet, nor one of the sons of the prophets; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, and the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’

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“Now therefore hear the word of the Lord.24 You say, ‘Do not prophesy against Israel, and do not preach against the house of Isaac.’

Therefore thus says the Lord: ‘Your wife shall be a harlot in the city, and your sons and daughters shall fall by the sword, and your land shall be parceled out by line; you yourself shall die in an unclean land, and Israel shall surely go into exile away from its land.’ ” Amos 7.10-17

Has not the history of those before you reached you: the folk of Noah, and ‘Ad and Thamud, and those after them? None save God knows them. Their messengers came to them with clear proofs, but they thrust their hands into their mouths, and said, “Lo! we disbelieve in that with which you have been sent, and lo! we are in grave doubt concerning that to which you call us.” Their messengers said, “Can there be doubt concerning God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth? He calls you that He may forgive you your sins and reprieve you until an appointed term.” They said, “You are but mortals like us, who would fain turn us away from what our fathers used to worship.

Then bring us some clear warrant.” Their messengers said to them, “We are but mortals like you, but God gives grace to whom He will of His slaves. It is not ours to bring you a warrant unless by the permission of God. In God let believers put their trust! How should we not put our trust in God when He has shown us His ways? We surely will endure that hurt you do to us. In God let the trusting put their trust!” And those who disbelieved said to their messengers, “Verily we will drive you out from our land, unless you return to our religion.” Then their Lord inspired them, “Verily we shall destroy the wrongdoers, and verily We shall make you to dwell in the land after them.

This is for him who fears My Majesty and fears My threats.” And they sought help from their

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Lord, and every froward potentate was brought to naught.25 Qur’an 14.9-15

A king who does what is not righteous and not suitable is mostly praised by his subjects, for it is hard to know what he will or will not tolerate; therefore it is hard to know what is useful or not to say.

If useful but unpleasant words are hard to speak to someone else, what could I, a monk, say to a king who is a lord of the great earth?

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But because of my affection for you and through my compassion for all beings, I tell you without hesitation that which is useful but unpleasant.

O steadfast one, if true words are spoken without anger, one should take them as fit to be heard, like water fit for bathing.

Realize that I am telling you what is useful here and later.

Act on it so as to help yourself and also others.

Nagarjuna, Precious Garland 301-6 (Buddhism)

Teachings of Sun Myung Moon The time will come when religious leaders who speak for the Will of God will rise to prominence.

Religious leaders are prophets. They must stand up fearlessly, declare God’s Will, and point the way for humanity to go. (January 22, 2000) In the period of the divided kingdoms of north and south, whenever the Israelites violated their covenant with God, straying from the ideal of the Temple, God sent many prophets—such as Elijah, Isaiah and Jeremiah—to admonish them and move them to repentance and internal reform.

However, because the kings and the people did not heed the warnings of the prophets and did not repent, God chastised them externally by sending gentile nations such as Syria, Assyria and Babylon to attack them.

During the parallel period of the divided kingdoms of east and west, the papacy was corrupt.

God sent prominent monks such as St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Francis of Assisi to admonish the papacy and promote internal reform in the Church. (Exposition of the Divine Principle, Parallels 4) The truth of God never changes; it is the same in the past, the present and the future. In Old Testament times, whenever the rulers of Israel acted wickedly, God raised up prophets to admonish them. If the rulers heeded the prophets, obeyed God’s word, and ruled the nation according to His word, then the nation would prosper. The Christian era was no different. In evil times God sent prophets to awaken the rulers of their age and warn them to follow God. If a ruler heeded their words, the land would revive and become prosperous.

This method worked rather well until the end of the Middle Ages. But then came the modern period with the doctrine of separation of church and state, the belief that religious leaders should have nothing to do with politics. This was an omen of the nation’s downfall. It deprived society of the channel of communication between civil authorities and God. From that time on, Satan began to sharpen his daggers.

Today, I am speaking out against the mistakes of the American government. When the Carter administration made mistakes, I criticized them, saying “This is wrong.” I shook hands with President Nixon, cooperating with him not because I needed him, but to introduce God’s word to

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the American people. If Nixon had listened to me, America would not have declined as it did and Vietnam would not have fallen.

In 1974, I met President Thieu of Vietnam and strongly warned him that his country was on the path of ruin unless it changed direction. I told that he would have to inspire the people of his nation to sacrifice and put up a determined fight, and that his policy of relying on America would fail.

God’s way is the same throughout history. He always raises a prophet or messenger to educate the rulers and civil authorities. I did not come to America to be active in politics. I want to educate the politicians to go in the right direction. This is my way of life.

Do you think I came to America to get rich? Do you think I came here to receive abuse? I am not so foolish. I am doing this work for the sake of God’s name. God told me plainly, “Go to America and speak out. If the leaders of the nation will not listen to you, then the young people who will become its future leaders will listen to you.” That is how you come to be here listening to me now.

(93:83-84, May 15, 1977)

❖ 3. A Prophet Endures Rejection and Persecution Elijah said [to the Lord], “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the people of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thy altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”

1 Kings 19.14

“Do not preach”—thus they preach— “one should not preach of such things; disgrace will not overtake us.”

Should this be said, O house of Jacob?

Is the Spirit of the Lord impatient?

Are these his doings?

Do not my words do good to him who walks uprightly?

But you rise against my people as an enemy; you strip the robe from the peaceful, from those who pass by trustingly with no thought of war…

If a man should go about and utter wind and lies, saying, “I will preach to you of wine and strong drink,” he would be the preacher for this people!

Micah 2.6-11

Jeremiah stood in the court of the temple of the Lord, and said to all the people, “Thus says the

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Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Behold, I am bringing upon this city and upon all its towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it, because they have stiffened their neck, refusing to heed my words.” Now Pashhur the priest, the son of Immer, who was chief officer in the temple of the Lord, heard Jeremiah prophesying these things. Then Pashhur beat Jeremiah the prophet and put him in the stocks that were in the upper Benjamin Gate of the temple…

O Lord, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived; thou art stronger than I, and thou hast prevailed.

I have become a laughingstock all the day; everyone mocks me.

For whenever I speak, I cry out, I shout, “Violence and destruction!”

For the word of the Lord has become for me a reproach and derision all day long.

If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.

For I hear many whispering.

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Terror is on every side!

“Denounce him! Let us denounce him!” say all my familiar friends, watching for my fall.

“Perhaps he will be deceived, then we can overcome him, and take our revenge on him.”

But the Lord is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble, they will not overcome me.

They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed.

Their eternal dishonor will never be forgotten.

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O Lord of hosts, who triest the righteous, who seest the heart and the mind, let me see thy vengeance upon them, for to thee have I committed my cause.

Jeremiah 19.14-20.2, 7-12

[The prophets] suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, illtreated—of whom the world was not worthy— wandering over deserts and mountains and in dens and caves of the earth.

Hebrews 11.36-38

Teachings of Sun Myung Moon All prophets are unusual. It takes an unusual person to walk the path of Abel in search of the way of God’s Will. Whenever a prophet appears, he acts in ways that are bizarre and out of the ordinary. All the prophets in the Old Testament and [the saints with prophetic missions] in the New Testament Age were unusual people. That is why they were ridiculed, opposed and persecuted.

(89:129, November 1, 1976) If you are in complete accord with truth and justice, then heavenly fortune will protect you completely. Heavenly fortune will strike any power that opposes you. Hence, if I truly become an object partner to God and dwell in a place of complete harmony with Him, then even a country such as America, or even the Soviet Union, will be struck down if it opposes me. It is because I understand this principle that I can be so bold. (214:194, February 2, 1991) In the history of God’s providence, prophets had to exercise their divine office while in the position of servants to the king. Therefore, when they spoke out the rulers attacked them, and many lost their lives. The Lord at the Second Coming comes as the fruit of all their sacrifices; he represents all the prophets of history as he stands in the Abel position before the world’s rulers. Therefore, I, as the True Parent cannot be a petty person. Think about the difficult course of all the prophets of history, who shed their blood and had their heads cut off. I am to harvest that fruit. Therefore, I will speak the truth regardless. Like the prophets I also went to prison—six times in fact. Like them I always stand on the front line. (343:263, February 17, 2001) I have been experiencing Thy reality of sorrow, feeling the heart with which Thou dost face this world of enemies.

I know the sorrow of my Father who cannot come out and live in the sunshine; the situation of my Father who has worked in the shadows.

I have pressed on in this way of life anxious that I might become a child who resents his Father or contradicts his Father at some point.

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World Scripture and the Teachings of Sun Myung Moon

I know that when Thou didst find me, Thou wert anxious about it also…

I have determined not to despair or disappoint Thee; though I am pursued and driven out, imprisoned with both my hands in handcuffs, though I experience the lot of a slave or the lot of a servant.

I thank Thee for Thy grace of preserving my life and letting me remain in Thy presence from the day I determined to go forth until now.

How much hast Thou worked, Father, in order to establish someone like me?

How much hast Thou sacrificed for the sake of the path I must go…

Realizing [the extent of] Thy toil… each time I wake from sleep I cannot but beg Thee to forgive me as though I were a sinner.

While eating, I cannot help but put down my spoon and with tears ask forgiveness for my past wrongs, and each time I lay down, not being able to control my tired body, I cannot help but scold myself for not having a mind concerned about Thee…

Thou art a being to be pitied.

However much we might say that fellow named Moon of the Unification Church is to be pitied, it is nothing. (30:270, March 29, 1970)

❖ 4. A Prophet Is Given True Visions of the Future Surely the Lord God does nothing, without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.

Amos 3.7

Write the vision; make it plain upon tablets, so that he may run who reads it.

For still the vision awaits its time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie.

If it seem slow, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay.

Habakkuk 2.2-3

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O Lord, your power is greater than all powers.

Under your leadership we cannot fear anything.

It is you who has given us prophetic power, And has enabled us to foresee and interpret everything.

Dinka Prayer (African Traditional Religion)

It is an attribute of the possession of the absolute true self to be able to foreknow. When a nation or family is about to flourish, there are sure to be lucky omens. When a nation or family is about to perish, there are sure to be signs and prodigies. These things manifest

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themselves in the instruments of divination and in the agitation of the human body. When happiness or calamity is about to come, it can be known beforehand. When it is good, it can be known beforehand. When it is evil, it can be known beforehand. Therefore he who has realized his true self is like a celestial spirit.

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He who raised this creation and in manifold pleasures engaged it, Sits apart, watching it.

Holy is the Lord, holy His justice; True shall be the judgment He has pronounced.

As will its body’s vesture be torn to shreds, India shall remember my word.

In ‘78 they come; in ‘97 they depart— Another hero shall someday arise.

Nanak utters the word of truth— Truth he utters; truth the hour calls for.26

Doctrine of the Mean 24 (Confucianism)

Nanak, sitting in this city of corpses, sings the Lord’s praise And enunciates this principle:

Adi Granth, Telang, M.1, p. 722f. (Sikhism)

Teachings of Sun Myung Moon Fifty years ago I spoke visionary words, for example, that the in the future people could travel the world in a single day. People then ridiculed me as a madman, but they all fell away; some even went crazy. For the past fifty years and throughout my life, I prophesied the rise and fall of the world. I am today’s representative prophet, representative educator and representative loving parent; and I am rising to the position of representative owner. (397:154, November 17, 2002) I can predict the future of America and the future of Asia. Because we have been doing things that are needed for the distant future, it has been difficult for you to follow, to believe and to act.

But with every passing year you are gaining a new understanding of the value of what we do. For decades the Korean people attacked me and persecuted me, but the time that I had been working for has now arrived. Hence, now the Korean people have changed their attitude. (103:110, February 11, 1979) I predicted that communism could not last beyond 73 years, [and that is precisely what happened].

The disappearance of communism from the face of the earth is not the end of war, however. The more difficult struggle is the struggle between religions. I have been warning more about the danger of religious war—between Islam, Judaism and Christianity. I predicted it more than fifty years ago.

(225:19, January 1, 1992)

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