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
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