Responses to Questions on
Unificationism on the Internet - Volume 61



Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2001 02:19:36 -0500 From: Damian J. Anderson Newsgroups: alt.religion.unification Subject: Conversion Hi all, I do have the texts which I send out on my mailing lists preprogrammed, but I choose the themes in advance, sometimes a month or more. Martin forwarded me an e-mail from Federico a day or so ago, and we talked a couple of times via AOL Instant Messenger yesterday afternoon and evening. My AOL IM screen name is "Damian Anderson", simply enough. "protagoras" wrote in message news:95sd7r$51c$1@nnrp1.deja.com... > I have the morning off work today so I thought that I would look if > there was anything new here. > > In response to your points, I am afraid that from my experience in the > past and from conversations with Damian, I understand that his > postings here are pre-programmed on a rota which selects one Moon > speech and one passage from world scriptures each day. think that he > tries to help the faithful carry out their Hoon Dok Hai as a sort of UC > electronic equivalent of the Imam's call to prayer. > He regards this as an unproductive group and I don't think he reads it. I have found much of the dialogue on this group to be unproductive in the past, but on occasion, I have come and joined the debate for a time. It is a matter of time and priorities. I find that respectful honest dialogue produces far better results than much of the name calling and flaming that passes for debate on Usenet. I was also explaining to Federico that you can go back into the history of this group and search for past messages. You can find it at: http://www.deja.com/group/alt.religion.unification > -What do you think would be productive in his opinion? > > I do not think that the Imam in any way selects the suitability of the > daily texts. > > -This implies that, if I was superstitious or religiously-minded, it is > a sign of a mysterious concord between the two brothers underneath the > wrangle (nearly the same words the same day), or of the necessity for > me to grant a request, or both. I believe that there will be a point of convergence between Martin and myself at some point, but it cannot be forced, and it must be authentic. The same applies to myself and the rest of my family. For now, we differ on many issues. > Regarding a rapprochement between Damian and I, this has been a goal of > mine since gaining access to the internet nearly 2 years ago. Our > conflict was to my mind simply a part of the process. Like me, Damian > has something of the instincts of a brawler in his blood and does not > really seem to respect you unless you stand up for yourself. I hope > that our conflict will have been productive in the long run. Martin may not have told you that he used to be mercilessly tormented at school for his eczema, which caused me to crack a few heads on his behalf at school. However, he assured me later that he preferred to fight his own battles. > Be beastly by all means, but do it with a sense of fun, I don't think > that plain abuse has any merit or influence. > > -Neither do I. Agreed. > When it comes to verbal conflict, I am a proponent of the ancient > British martial art of Zen-Sohu-Mor. > > No, my father is not a minister, but both parents are devout Catholics > and we went to a Catholic school. Incidentally my mother also keeps > track of this group and is very impressed by your postings here. If you > say "hello", she may "break cover" too :-) > > -What you say is very moving. I also thought you could be catholic (a > family with 12 children). I will, and I'm sure we'll all, be glad to > hear your mother, whichever side we're on. Damian, I heard, created > this forum. This place is also hers. > > My Dad (who is 80 this year) is also kept informed of developments > here. > > Which reminds me, I meant to ask you if Damian's UC "spiritual father" > is still a member. I always thought that he had been recruited by a > girl. My spiritual mother was and is Zoé-Anne Bennet (née Nicolopous). She is greek, but grew up speaking English, Greek and French. She then did a PhD in comparative Greek and Korean mythology in Korea, and speaks fluent Korean too. She now lives in Kazakhstan with her husband Grahame Bennett and their kids, where their family are missionaries. I met her in July 1977 in Paris outside a Catholic Church I was attending on a Sunday morning. > -I don't really know. But if you told me her name, I may give you some > news from her. > > Cheers > > Federico Damian Anderson
Date: Sat, 10 Feb 2001 01:55:54 -0500 From: Damian J. Anderson Newsgroups: alt.religion.unification Subject: Re: Dan's Leap "Dan Fefferman" wrote in message news:20010205233147.03753.00001128@ng-cj1.aol.com... > Martin Anderson > > >How do you cope with such a consistent pattern of failure, or do you > >not see it as such? > > I decided early on in my UC life (about 1970) that the UC was not immune to > the laws of the sociology of religion outlined by Max Weber. THe central idea > is the "institutionalization of charisma" which affects any new religion. So > some things that others see as failures (such as bureacracies replacing the > early communal lifestyle, or the evolution of required tithes and offerings) I > see as unfortunate inevitabilties. We'd have to talk about specifics though, > this is very general. > > >Why should you lower your expectations of Rev Moon or accept that he > >might not deliver on some promises? > > Again we need to talk specifically. I've always thought of him as a human > being, and I never ascribed to a doctrine of "messianic infallibility." Dont' > forget that I'm a jew, and one of the reasons I liked the UC was that it > emphasized Jesus' human side. Perhpas those who saw SMM as a demigod were more > prone to being disillusioned. I agree with this. The reason many people became disillusioned is that they started out with magical expectations of how things were to happen, rather than to recognize that God works through real people in real events, and that the real miracle is the change of people's hearts, not the violating of the laws of nature. > >If you had your life over, would you join again? > > Depends on how many go-arounds you give me. Just one? Well, I know at least I > would do some things differently. But how can I say I would have chosen to not > bring my daughters into this world, unique persons who would have been > impossible without my joining the UC...? I think DP is absolutely right when it > says that love would not allow God to wipe out his first children and start all > over again. > > But sometimes I think reincarnation might be a very good thing. That way I > could come back next time and fulfill my destiny as a rock musician. > > Dan Fefferman I would certainly become involved with the church if I had to do everything over again, but with the wisdom of hindsight, I would do some things differently. Damian Anderson
Date: Sat, 10 Feb 2001 01:38:32 -0500 From: Damian J. Anderson Newsgroups: alt.religion.unification Subject: Re: Conversion Hi Martin, "Martin Anderson" wrote in message news:lK%g6.3412$zz4.68933@news2-win.server.ntlworld.com... > Hi Damian and All, > > The story that I told here was not intended just to show you a slice > of life in our neck of the woods, neither was its main intent to > remind Damian of the battles of the past. That's okay, I understood that. We grew up in a rough environment and are tougher for it, though we don't suffer fools gladly, and can't stand a phony. > The point is at the very heart of what is being discussed here on this > forum, i.e.; when all the intellectual and religious theorising is > over, how do you practically go about creating a better and healthier > society and world. Yes, this is a very valid and serious question. > Do you run off to raise money to pay into a communal fighting fund for > a chosen leader to use to lobby government? In the early days of the church, we were organized differently from today. The days of flower selling to further the mission are largely over. That worked for a mobile group of people who were in full time campaign mode. Now the church consists primarily of families with children, and tithing members of congregations. I still think it makes sense to work together with others of like mind than to work alone. However, every pioneering effort begins with one person with an idea and a passion to make it happen. > Or do you get on with your life and tackle evil day to day at ground > level in a neighbourhood where by virtue of knowledge and respect you > can make a difference? One of the most profound teachings of Unificationism is that the battle against evil takes place first and foremost within each of us. The front line of the battle ground between good and evil takes place between my mind and body. That is the greater holy war. The external battle is the lesser holy war. Islam also says this: The Prophet declared, "We have returned from the lesser holy war (al jihad al-asghar) to the greater holy war (al jihad al-akbar)." They asked, "O Prophet of God, which is the greater war?" He replied, "Struggle against the lower self." Until you have overcome your own lower nature, you really cannot make peace in the world. Before you can conquer the world, you must conquer yourself. And in this, I realize that I have a long way to go. The first step in the journey to making an ideal world is to make myself an ideal person. These reflections go beyond sectarianism, and recognize that we have to battle human weakness and the lack of willpower to control ourselves, before we can hope to make a difference in the world. Martin Luther King Jr. talked about the "strength to love". It takes a brave man to love those who hate and persecute him, but Dr. King did that and encouraged others to do the same. Without great financial resources, he made a profound change in the lot of black people in America. Ghandi similarly changed Indian society by practising his philosophy, at great personal cost. I think we have to be willing to learn from everyone of good will, and even to learn from the bad guys. Every aspect of the human condition needs to be changed though, spiritual, economic, political, health, environment, and so on. Some of these require great material resources. > Which is the more effective approach? I was just speaking to a friend today. We were talking about prayer. He recommended praying for seven days to know clearly what the problem is that you need to address. Then pray another seven days for a solution, and then another seven days to work on implementing it. He was not talking about politely reciting formulaic prayers, but a gut wrenching wrestling with God and with oneself to come to know answers, and battling the dark forces within which hold us back. This may be simplistic, but it illustrates a point. For those who believe in God, God is the Ultimate Reality. If God is in fact omniscient, then He is able to help us see our shortcomings, and to see what we need to work on to be effective in achieving a solution to our problem. It is a useful exercise to attempt. If you are not sure of the reality of God, try earnest prayer, and see what the result is, especially within yourself. > Regarding the comments on understanding God, your sentiments are very > moving, but I asked about understanding DP, compared to which, > understanding God is a cinch. Thank you. I am glad that we could connect at some level. This yearning for God is at the heart of much religious experience, and much of what attracts people to Unificationism. We teach that if you are truly alive spiritually, then you will be able to have continual experience of God and the spiritual dimension, the spirit world. To attain that level requires personal discipline and strong desire. It is certainly not unique to the UC, but a strong part of our inner life. > Martin Good luck, Damian -- Damian J. Anderson http://www.unification.net
Date: Thu, 8 Feb 2001 22:51:32 -0500 From: Damian J. Anderson Newsgroups: alt.religion.unification Subject: Re: letter to Damian Hi Federico, "protagoras" wrote in message news:95u9vv$mm3$1@nnrp1.deja.com... > Damian, > > I had forgotten about Zoe and you've reminded me of her (by the way I > also know Graham Bennet). What you say about the way you met outside a > church also strikes a bell: I didn't meet you then but I remember Zoe > talking about you (in Villa Aublet, I believe); you were a good catch > ("une bonne personne" -je dirais même une très bonne personne), she was > beaming (memories, memories... where have all the flowers gone?). Yes, those were good times. :-) > We may have a discussion if you wish. But it cannot be based on the > assumption that Moon is what he pretends to be. I cannot accept it as a > valid a priori. If I accepted it I'd still be a member and the > discussion would be pointless; we'd fully agree from the outset; I > could only reply "amen" to every word you say (I have other convictions > but I will not put them forward as the basis of a discussion). That is fine. We have to find some acceptable common ground as a starting point of dialogue. > The problem is that you exact from me such an agreement prior to any > talk. This is what you imply when you say: > "you have to be willing to go on the same journey of the spirit that > caused UC members to have such heart and zeal..." > To resume the path I've already trodden would require the SAME belief > as yours. Well, mine was not an imperative statement that you must do this, but a conditional statement saying that "If you want to understand Rev. Sun Myung Moon, you have to be willing to walk the path he has walked ...". You are under no obligation to do that. But the fact that you walked away suggests that something was missing for you. > Another example: > "If you think you were duped or fooled into doing something, then you > are not taking responsibility for your own choices. Nobody made anyone > do anything. Take it like a grownup, and own up to your choices, and do > not cry over spilled milk". > There were no trickery, no lies (I can testify to a number of them > which were aimed at impelling us to work harder [London/Greenwich, > 1979, French national leader: "if you don't reach this figure -number > of people to convert- the Russians will invade Western Europe", we > didn't and the Russians stayed home] or join the UC ["we have nothing > to do whatsoever with the World Anticommunist League", my leader before > I joined, I needed this statement to trust them and it was generously > offered, but a lie nevertheless]). I don't think those were untrue statements. If God's work to revive Christianity and defeat communism had not occurred, then dire consequences may indeed have occurred. > We only have ourselves to blame > therefore if things went wrong. There again, Damian, you only offer the > interpretation that suits the organisation you belong prior to any > discussion, and reject all others. And you upbraid me if I think and > speak otherwise: " Take it like a grownup ...". In other words, "stop > whimpering..." You are welcome to interpret events as you see fit, but yes, whining does not help matters. > And to make things clearer you declare that you refuse all discussions > dealing with "all those bad things church leaders did". > So, what shall we talk about, Damian? All the GOOD things church > leaders did? based on the assumption that Moon IS the man you describe? > We might as well sing holy songs, and be done with it. Well, the trouble with discussing what some bad guy out there did is that I was not there, and there is nothing I can do about that past anyway. The question is, why do you want to talk about Unificationism at all? > In other words you say you're open to discussions and remove all > possibilities of a discussion. Your language is typical of what we call > in France "la langue de bois", that is sets of assertions members of > autocratic organisations (like the communist party not so long ago) use > to impose one view and reject all others, whatever examples may be > opposed to this view, whatever contradictions may be spotted in it. I am not a party line man, believe it or not. I came to be in a position of influence in the church precisely because I took initiative, not because I followed the herd. The same goes for my professional life. > Yes, Damian, inasmuch as you belong to such an organisation and you > repeat its official discourse, I'm convinced you're (I quote) "a dupe", > as I was one myself. Again, I will not parrot the party line of any organization just out of loyalty. I act out of my principles and ideals. If the organization does not serve those ideals, it is dispensible. > But does that mean you're a "simpleton"? > One of the XXth century greatest philosophers (they are with the > novelists the people I respect most), Heidegger, was a member of the > nazi party! Yes, all my mother's adult family members were Nazi party members. What is your point? > He's still one of the main references today; we can't do without him > when dealing with the notion of "being" ("sein", "dasein"). > Was he a simpleton? > Certainly NOT. And yet he was mistaken. He was greatly embarrassed all > the rest of his life when he was asked about his past involvement. He > always dodged the issue. I don't dodge the issue of my UC involvement. I am very straightforward and up front about it. For all the other accusations against me, lack of moral courage has not been one of them. > You see I don't despise you, nor any member. > And if I sound derisive, it is also self-derision. From having spoken to you one on one, already I respect you. Let us keep our dialogue respectful, and we can talk about what you want. I will reply if I have something constructive to say. I certainly don't have all the answers. > So where does that leave us? > I don't know. > I can only say that our disagreement is very deep and yet that it > doesn't prevent me from respecting you, and a number of other members > here on ARU. Likewise. This is a refreshing change for dialogue on ARU. I find the one big stumbling block for a lot of people is the lack of respect for others who hold radically different ideas. I believe in God, and I believe in truth, and I believe that we can come to resolution on a lot of the issues that bother you and Martin, and possibly even Craig and Bill Taylor and others. I don't know about Gordon Muir and Mars though. They may have to wrestle with their own demons before they can come to resolution on the issue of Rev. Moon. On a similar note, I would request that Eric Richardson and David Payer conduct themselves with respect and courtesy towards their interlocutors, or adversaries. Without that, I will not support them either. Dan Fefferman already does that very well, in all the discussions I have seen him involved in, here and elsewhere. I have known Dan for 18 years, and I don't find a mean bone in the man. I speak for myself, and as a disciple of Rev. Moon who has received his blessing to evangelize and teach. If what I have to say is valuable, take it and use it. If it is not, put it aside, but don't make it a cause for you to stumble. > Federico Damian
Date: Thu, 8 Feb 2001 21:15:14 -0500 From: Damian J. Anderson Newsgroups: alt.religion.unification Subject: Re: Conversion "Martin Anderson" wrote in message news:cQGg6.13138$ts2.284684@news2-win.server.ntlworld.com... > Incidentally, I had a slight contretemps the other day which may > interest you. > A large, ginger haired, slightly chubby, engineering student gave me a > nasty stare in the library (learning resource centre) and said "Are > you a jew? You look like a jew." > "Yes I am actually" I replied with a friendly smile. . . . > I fetched an engineering lecturer and after a running confrontation > lasting on and off over a period of 2 hours, he was persuaded to > vacate the premises. > > I asked the engineering department who he was and guess what........ > He is Paul McGarry, son of "Fuzz" McGarry, who's gang used to often > speed up my journey home from school when I was 12 by chasing me most > of the way. > You might remember that we eventually had it out with them when you > altered McGarry Snr's face for the better down by Willowbrook Road > using a large metal protractor :-) > > I look forward to meeting him again at the disciplinary meeting for > his son. I will remember you to him :-) Yes, I remember them. With people like that, the only thing they understood determined resistance, or a good kick in the gonads. But like father, like son, bullies all. > > My spiritual mother was and is Zoé-Anne Bennet (née Nicolopous). She > is > > greek, but grew up speaking English, Greek and French. She then did > a PhD in > > comparative Greek and Korean mythology in Korea, and speaks fluent > Korean > > too. She now lives in Kazakhstan with her husband Grahame Bennett > and their > > kids, where their family are missionaries. I met her in July 1977 in > Paris > > outside a Catholic Church I was attending on a Sunday morning. > > It is interesting that intellectual prowess is always such a feature > of presenting a person. Does this imply extra worth, or merely serve > to underline that many intelligent people can be shown to be members > and therefore it is less likely that the group is mistaken? No, this is just what I found interesting, different and impressive about her. > Hmmm,....... does that really hold true when it comes to a matter of > faith I wonder. This is where Hammond and I disagree. He implies that > I cannot understand DP, but when I challenge this and show him my > "intellectual tail-feathers", he backs off from the "understanding" > line and talks about "Thinking from God's point of view." > What do you think? Am I not sufficiently intelligent to comprehend DP, > or do I simply lack, that loaded term, "heart"? > Or is there some other bar to understanding along these "Aristotelian" > lines that Hammond claims? Well, I don't agree with Hammster on much of anything. His "space religion" is not Unificationism in my view, and he muddies the waters with his rambling verbal diarrhea. Still, he seems like a nice kind of guy and I find him harmless enough. But he does our cause little good. As for understanding God, it is a bit like coming to know someone else's experience when it is far removed from your life. It has less to do with intelligence than with empathy, I believe. However, I think that without coming to experience God in some way, our lives have a great void which cannot be filled by anything else fully. It is the sentiment expressed by King David in Psalm 42: As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, "Where is your God?" http://bible.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/bible?Psalm+42:1-3 It is a timeless human longing which has been recognized four thousands of years. Some connect with it, others do not. Damian
Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2001 01:58:16 -0500 From: Damian J. Anderson Newsgroups: alt.religion.unification Subject: European UC 1970s Federico, Just like with everything else, people gave up their studies because they were committed to something else more than their studies. In my case, I had just finished my first year of studies at Cambridge University in England when I met the church. Henri Blanchard, the French church national leader at the time wanted me to quit my studies, but I told him that I thought that I would be more use to God with a Cambridge degree than without one, and proposed to him that I take one year off my studies, and then go back to Cambridge and complete my degree. He agreed to this. Having made that commitment, I went back to England just prior to Christmas 1977, spent a week with my family, and then returned to France. During the time in England, a whole group of my former college associates came to my parents' home, uninvited by me, in an attempt to get me to renege on my faith, but I did not. Returning to France, I began my first 7 day fast on Christmas Day 1977 until God's Day, and then right after the beginning of the new year, 1978, I volunteered to go to Reims as a pioneer missionary. Though I was very young, 20, and green, I was full of zeal and enthusiasm at the time, and learned a lot from the experience. So, from January 2 until May 1978, I was in Reims alone, teaching the DP to college students, old ladies, anyone who would listen, in the historic town where the Kings of France were crowned. I made money for my upkeep by selling the magazine "Le Nouvel Espoir" on the streets. With one or two days a month working, I was able to rent an apartment and eat. It was a joyful time for me, a time of self-discovery, reflection and prayer. I was autonomous, self-directed, motivated. In May I returned to Paris, and then shortly afterwards I returned to England as Father had come to England with the seminary students and graduates for the 1978 summer campaign in England. I returned to England, staying in the church at Lancaster Gate in London and then went to Cambridge early in the summer, to get back into my studies. It was during that summer stay in Cambridge that I met Rev. Moon and his party of disciples on the street, which I described on my web site at: http://www.unification.net/stories/damian19990920.html Spending time with True Parents You can also see photos of that meeting at that URL. So, you see, you and I and others did as we chose. If you did what the church asked and did not say anything, and now resent it, you cannot blame anyone but yourself. You were always free to choose not to do something, though of course there was peer pressure to conform. On the whole, I think the UC peer pressure was a lot healthier than the societal peer pressure to do the things everyone else was doing. But we need to recognize that we made choices, which were our responsibility to make, and we need to own up to the fact that we chose and nobody made us do anything. If you followed the herd, then you chose to conform, which is still a choice. Damian Anderson "protagoras" wrote in message news:964g6n$pll$1@nnrp1.deja.com... > In the 70s all of those who joined had to stop studying and were sent > either fundraising or witnessing (at least in Europe, and I suppose it > wasn't much different in the US). Some, very few, were allowed to go on > with their studies (like, for instance, Damian's spiritual mother -the > ONLY one I knew at the time who was allowed to in France). > > Federico
Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2001 03:21:22 -0500 From: Damian J. Anderson Newsgroups: alt.religion.unification Subject: Finding a mate in the UC Hi Ed, long time no speak. I have a few comments. "Ed Poor" wrote in message news:QUdh6.2799$X61.208067@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net... > Church members aren't allowed to choose their own spouse. Anyone who knows > the contents of the Fall of Man lecture is expected to dump any girlfriend > (if single and attached -- rather common), postpone the marriage (if > engaged -- exceedingly rare), or start a Separation Condition (if married -- > up until the 90s, pretty rare). The usual separation condition for > previously married couples involves making oneself willing to divorce and > remarry. You were commenting on Craig not being up to date. Now it is you who is behind the times. Rev. Moon is no longer doing matching at all. We are in February 2001. This is official. Even for second generation kids, he is not doing it. It seems that this was a process he required in the past of the earlier disciples, and to promote inter-racial and intercultural marriages, but now, people are finding their own spouses, friends are matching up friends, parents and church leaders are arranging matches for their kids, for new church members, for widowed or abandoned spouses, people are coming already married to receive the Blessing. > Church members who get married without church approval are not considered to > "previously married" when it comes to applying for the Blessing. I knew one > lady in New York who told me in 1992 that she married her husband *after* > joining the church, but then she argued that she could attend the 1992 > Blessing because her wedding took place *before* 1992. Nothing I said could > convince her that "previously married" means "before hearing the Principle." > She insisted on submitting a Blessing application and had to be told by the > district leader that she was disqualified. In another case (in the > Southeast), a couple of members decided to marry each other and then sneaked > into a Blessing. Father heard about afterwards and was very angry. He said > he couldn't take it back, though. In both of these cases, the people should > have known better. They made at least two separate mistakes: first, getting > married without permission; second, refusing to acknowledge that they did > anything wrong and face the consequences squarely. > > Ed Poor The Divine Principle speaks of the concept of the "merit of the age" which means that people stand on the foundation of the sacrifice and accomplishments of those who came before them: "First, in the history of the providence of resurrection, many of those who were entrusted with a mission exerted themselves with utmost sincerity and faith to realize the Will of Heaven. Even though they may not have fully carried out their responsibilities, based on their devotion, they broadened the foundation upon which subsequent generations can form a relationship of heart with God. We call this foundation the merit of the age in the providence of restoration. The merit of the age has increased in proportion to the foundation of heart laid by the prophets, sages and righteous people who came before us. Therefore, resurrection is carried out based on the merit of the age. " Exposition of the Divine Principle - Resurrection http://www.unification.net/dp96/dp96-1-5.html In the case of the Blessing, the conditions to receive the Blessing have become progressively easier over the years. When I received the Blessing, the requirements included having three spiritual children (disciples), having completed a 7 day fast, and so on. Today, anyone and everyone can receive the Blessing without precondition. So, what was not approved in 1992 became acceptable by 1999 as the Blessing providence broadened. Now, there are singles groups associated with the UC which help young people find a spouse, teach marriage preparation classes, and so on. I expect that my children will choose their own spouse. They may marry within the faith, though they may not. I hope they do. In any case, if the teaching they have received at home amounts to anything, I hope that it will stand them in good stead for their future families and married lives, and that they will be able to make the world a better place than the way they found it. Damian Anderson
Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2001 04:43:53 -0500 From: Damian J. Anderson To: Damian J. Anderson Subject: Re: Tamar's Role in bringing the Lord Martin, Rather than answer the question of Tamar in detail for now, it may be helpful to point out references in Rev. Moon's teaching to Tamar and let you read them and then answer your questions if you have any: REBIRTH AND THE ORIGIN OF THE BLESSING 1. CHANGING OF THE BLOOD LINEAGE THROUGH THE ISRAELITES http://www.unification.net/bif/bif-3-2.html DAY OF THE VICTORY OF HEAVEN http://www.unification.net/1979/791004.html The Essential Restoration and the Establishment of Elder Sonship http://www.unification.net/trmes/trmes-3.html The Way of Restoration http://www.unification.net/gww/gww-07.html View of the Principle of the Providential History of Salvation http://www.unification.net/1996/960416.html True Parents and the Completed Testament Age http://www.unification.net/hjh/hjh930701.html TOTAL CALCULATION OR ACCOUNTING OF GOD'S HISTORICAL PROVIDENCE http://www.unification.net/1994/941225.html That ought to be enough for you to get an idea of it. Damian Anderson "Martin Anderson" wrote in message news:5Wme6.4733$LQ2.75798@news2-win.server.ntlworld.com... > Well done Craig, > > Where you get the patience for such thankless hard work is a mystery > to me. > > Now I would be grateful for once to see as careful a rebuttal from the > DP viewpoint. Any takers? > Eric? > Damian? > Dan perhaps? > > Surely this is straight down the line religious debate. It is > potentially constructive and an opportunity to witness for your faith. > > Hopefully, > Martin
Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2001 00:09:19 -0500 From: Damian J. Anderson Reply-To: Unification Church Internet Evangelism mailing list To: UNIF-EVANGELISM@LISTSERV.AOL.COM Subject: [UE] UC trends Martin, I agree. Dan F is of the jaded and cynical camp within the UC. Still, he does make positive contributions in an area that he feels able to contribute, namely, promoting religious freedom and interreligious tolerance. I respect him for that, even though I am saddened to see Dan lose his idealistic spark. But then he is no youngster. Idealism tends to fade with age. He joined the church in the 1960s, and I have known him since I was his upperclassman in the Unification Theological Seminary in 1983, I believe. Before that, I knew him by reputation, and from his songs. It takes effort for anyone to keep a dream and a vision alive. God is a great example of one who kept a dream alive over a very long time of desperately disappointing results. We need to learn from God's faith and perseverance and steadfast love for us, to keep believing in us, when we did not believe in him or ourselves. As for the trends in the church, I am pleased about the emphasis on Rev. Moon's words, and the emphasis on spirit world and spiritual experience. The ministry at Chung Pyung Lake is a work of physical and spiritual healing and purification. It is good and necessary in my view, though I admit that some complain that it is too crowded. I went to CPL in 1996 before all the new facilities were built, and it was probably more crowded then than it is now. It has been a victim of its own success. This was another ministry started by a church member without Rev. Moon's blessing, and later endorsed from above after seeing the results. The temple built there and the facilities upgrades came from contributions from pilgrims. That sounds reasonable to me. Hyun Jin Moon has been given the vice presidency of the Family Federation, that is good. I am pleased to see the Moon children involved in ministry. The church leadership in most countries is Korean, this is true, but then I have no aspirations for church leadership. It seems that having Koreans in charge facilitates worldwide communication, though it may prevent good local leaders from arising. I have no problem with it. People with good ideas need to take initiative. That is how good results happen. More and more federations .. yes, well, Rev. Moon sees a need for them. I don't really understand why, but he sees significance in it. There is no harm in it, though I don't see the value either. Damian Anderson "Martin Anderson" wrote in message news:31Eh6.12128$BQ3.222007@news6-win.server.ntlworld.com... > Dan, > > You are more of a cynic about this organisation than many who claim to > be anti-UC. > What a sad reflection this is on what has been achieved by those who > were entrusted with your idealism, your service and your hopes. > > But as many have said, membership has not been without its benefits. > You got to know some fine people, possibly some of the cream of your > generation, and you amongst them. > > Wisdom takes many forms, > > Martin > > Dan Fefferman wrote in message > news:20010210125428.12252.00000353@ng-ca1.aol.com... > > >o, what are some of the > > >latest developments in the larger scheme of things, I wonder, if > any? > > > > The more things change, the more they stay the same basically. The > biggest IMO > > is the new stress on spirit world as the Rev prepares to go there > himself. Plus > > Hoon Dok Hae (speech reading) replacing lectures as the basic > teaching medium. > > > > There is now a major pilgrimage institution at Chung Pyung Lake > centering on > > Mrs Hyo Nam Kim, the medium for Dae Mo Nim (Mrs Moon's mother.) In > includes a > > meeting hall with a capacity of at least 6,000, dining hall that > seats about > > 2,000 I guess, an obelisk-like monument to Heung Jin, convenience > store, > > sleeping accomodations (korean style like sardines on the floor), > bathing > > facilities, plenty of restrooms (!!). They are currently building a > mental > > hospital there as well (no joke). > > > > Hyun Jin is now firmly established as heir apparent. This month all > members > > under 40 were assigned to work under him. There is also a new > generation of > > younger korean leaders running many operations, and many of the > older ones have > > been put out the pasture as "national messiahs." (but the big names > seem to > > keep their former positions as well... Rev Kwak, Mr Joo, Dr. Pak > etc.) > > > > Still, in virtually every country and region, the top leader is a > korean. > > Father seems to have temporarily accomodated himself to the fact > that the > > westerners won't learn the language. Lately he speaks in Korean but > > simultaneous translations are provide through headphones. > > > > Other than that, there are probably several new ultimate federations > for world > > peace since we talked last. And several more conferences to end all > > conferences. Like I say, the more things change the more they remain > the same. > > > > Dan --------------------------------------------------------------------------- To change your subscription to this list, or add other lists, please go to: http://www.unification.net/forms/subscribe.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------------