Ambassadors for Peace and America's Role in the World
Rev. Dr. Chang Shik Yang
Chairman
Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace - North America
Washington Hilton, Washington D.C.
June 22, 2003
Most honorable religious leaders, elected officials, professors and
community leaders, Ambassadors for Peace, ladies and gentlemen:
It is a distinct honor and privilege to address you at the beginning of
this national assembly of the American Ambassadors for Peace sponsored by
the Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace, along with
the American Family Coalition, The American Clergy Leadership Conference, The
United Press International Foundation and The Washington Times Foundation. I
sincerely welcome you to this historic conference "American Leadership
Initiative - The World at a Turning Point - America's Role and Responsibility"
You have taken time from your work and important schedules. I believe,
however, that there is no more important or urgent task than the one set
before us today. Our world is in crisis, and we have gathered from every
corner of America, with a common concern and a shared sense of responsibility
to search for solutions to the critical problems we face at this time.
My topic tonight is the Ambassadors for Peace and America's Role in
The World.
As you know, world peace and the renewal of America and all nations is the
fundamental goal of the IIFWP and the co-sponsors of this conference. This has
been the lifelong mission of our founder, Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon. He sees
America as the central nation to lead all the nations of the world toward
peace. Throughout his entire life he has devoted himself to the objective of
achieving lasting peace. His strategy has been straightforward and unchanging.
First, world peace begins with personal transformation of individuals who
are renewed in their personal relationship with God. Second, world peace
has its foundation in the family where the most basic personal and public
virtues are learned. The family is the school of love and morality. Third,
peace will only emerge as people learn to live for the sake of others,
overcoming selfishness and practicing the ideal of true love. Fourth, the
barriers that divide people must be overcome, that is, barriers created by
race, nationality, religion, language and culture.
This can only be accomplished through the teaching of Jesus that one
must "love your enemy". Father Moon has lived by this principle all of
his life. God has prepared religious leaders and people of faith to break
through these barriers. These basic principles lie at the heart of the
IIFWP vision, guide its worldwide programs, and shape its approach to our
current crisis. Ambassadors for Peace are central to the accomplishment of
such a vision.
Father Moon envisions two basic groups as being crucial to provide
leadership for the nation - the religious leaders and secondly people of
faith - men, women and youth who are called by God to work in the area of
politics, academia, media, business, non-governmental community and social
service fields. Religious leaders and faith based professional leaders make
up the Ambassadors for Peace.
The religious leaders here are represented in great part by the American
Clergy Leadership Conference. Archbishop George Augustus Stallings and Pastor
T. L. Barrett Jr. and ACLC clergy have been leading a most historic movement
of Christian, Muslim and Jewish leaders. These clergy together with IIFWP
and its affiliated organizations have been tearing down the walls between
denominations and religions. They have joined with leaders of other faiths
to spark a worldwide interreligious and international blessing of marriage
movement in which marriages are blessed by True Parents. Last year 144,000
clergy participated in the blessing expanding throughout the year to millions
of clergy and international leaders of all faiths. President Wahid, the
former President of Indonesia who is also a religious leader blessed over
100,000 couples with IIFWP. These blessed couples are pledging to become true
husband and wife, based on a covenant with God that there will be no divorce
or infidelity. The movement of the Blessing is for all Ambassadors for Peace
of all faiths and has become one of the most solid foundations upon which
religious leaders can stand together in harmony. Through the common ground
of marriage and family unbreakable bonds have formed between Christian,
Muslim, and Jewish leaders as well leaders of all the faiths of the world.
Their recent pilgrimage to Israel sponsored by IIFWP and ACLC opened the door
to begin the healing process of the ancient division between Christianity
and Judaism. In this effort an explosion is occurring in which the Christian
churches are removing their crosses as it is an impenetrable barrier to
the reconciliation process between Christians and Jews. Theologians at a
recent conference at Georgetown University entitled "The Cross Reconsidered
- Historical Perspectives" reexamined the cross and are now discussing what
would have happened if Jesus' family, disciples and the larger body of chosen
people had believed in him. This discussion is causing people to "step out of
the box" which is required if we are to come together. Dr. Cain Hope Felder,
professor on New Testament Literature and theologian from Howard Divinity
School predicts removing this barrier to Jewish Christian unity is going to
spark a revolution greater than the reformation.
Interestingly it was this historic and controversial stand by the ACLC
clergy that attracted the Jewish leaders to the pilgrimage conference.
Rabbis who normally don't meet with Christians were touched by the courage
and sincerity of these leaders who set the cross aside to remove the barriers
with their elder brothers. Together all repented for the fact that we have
not achieved the kingdom that God is seeking. We could agree that Jesus
was misunderstood and that due to that the kingdom did not come at that
time. Father Moon's work through IIFWP inspired repentance in such a way
that the Christian, Muslim and Jewish family could come together for the
historic Jerusalem Declaration. Many wept at the moment of the signing and
though violence continues to break out in Israel our religious leaders feel
hope that peace will be realized through this reconciliation process.
Many of you are Ambassadors for Peace standing as leaders from the
professional fields. Though you are not religious leaders, you are equally
important because you are people of faith who have been called by God to work
as legislators, civic leaders, youth and community leaders who are committed
to uplifting the ideals of strong families. The honoring of parents through
the National Parents' Day Coalition is but one example of the work you are
doing. Ethics based work that you infuse into all professions is critical
to causing a cultural shift in the direction of America and the world. Your
efforts to inspire family values based legislation, media, economic development
and community renewal are the foundations for a prosperous and successful
society because it is based on faith in God. Now you have come together to
inspire the world.
3000 outstanding leaders from the United States have been appointed
by Rev. and Mrs. Moon, our True Parents as Ambassadors for Peace. 200 are
here tonight for this historic conference. 30,000 Ambassadors for Peace have
been established world wide. However, though your mission is in some ways
similar to that of the ambassadors of the world, your appointment is not as
an ambassador or representative of a nation, religion or people but rather
as representatives of God and True Parents. Thus, Ambassadors for Peace are
God's ambassadors to the world.
This commission originated in the Bible. In II
Corinthians 5:20 St. Paul wrote, "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,
as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye
reconciled to God".
A central theme of IIFWP is that the key to peace is linked to the
relationship between America and the UN. America, to be secure, must cooperate
with the nations of the world. Recently Father Moon gave a special message
for the Ambassadors for Peace concerning the international dimension of
their mission.
"In order to realize the ideal of a world of peace in a fundamental
and comprehensive manner, I once again advocate that the United Nations
establish an assembly consisting of representatives from all religions.
At that time, the representatives must implement the central ideal that their
founders sought to realize, and they must do it with wisdom, exemplifying in
their personalities a true love that can serve as a model for everyone. I
hope that many leaders will take this matter seriously and continue to
strive to establish an assembly of global religious and spiritual leaders
within the UN.
I have worked without ceasing my entire life for the sake of realizing
the one nation in Heaven and on earth that is the will of the true love of
God. I did not teach concepts alone, but I led the way and provided the
example. On that worldwide foundation, I established the Interreligious
and International Federation for World Peace, and appointed Ambassadors for
Peace throughout the world. That was in order to cultivate leaders who will
realize the world of peace and harmony by eliminating the boundaries that
cause conflict and struggle and by serving as living examples of altruistic
true love. In addition, I am building "Peace Embassies" in every nation of
the world as bases for our peace movement and our service movement, and as
educational centers to teach and accomplish the vision and wisdom that our
IIFWP advocates."
Ladies and gentleman, this is the essence of our mission. We are to bring
the proper balance and cooperation between the world's religious and political
leaders. This is the path that will lead to peace. America must set the example
for the world. On this occasion we go forth to the halls of Congress to bring
a message of hope and vision for the elected officials of our nation. We not
only bring a message, but also a commitment that from this day forward we
want to work together with our elected officials to realize the vision of
God for America and the world. A vision of faith, family and freedom for all.
We bring a message that encourages the understanding that God's hand of
providence is guiding this nation and that America must become a light unto
the world. The Ambassadors For Peace are God's representatives to reveal
this course and guide this nation accordingly.
God chose certain individuals to stand at the pivotal moments in history.
In this light George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr. were chosen. The Ambassadors for Peace should see themselves in
this light, as forefathers not only of a new nation but also of a new world.
Last February at the IIFWP Conference in Seoul, Father Moon gave a
vision stating:
"I would like to ask you to take deep interest in the prophecy that I am
about to make. Humankind is at a turning point. This era is that long-awaited
time in which the power of God will become manifest in our lives, even
though He is invisible and has seemed almost powerless and nonexistent in
the past. The time has come when the absolute power of God, who is the Lord
of the holy order and laws which really do exist in all things and in the
universe, will manifest in amazing ways and be experienced by people in
their daily lives."
Ambassadors For Peace, now is the time! The time has come to end the
hatred, religious conflict, violence and bloodshed. Now is the time to end
the history of broken families and broken hearts! Now is the time! From
the sun kissed shores of California, now is the time. From the snow capped
Rockies to the wheat fields of Kansas, now is the time. From New York Harbor
to Stone Mountain in Georgia, now is the time! From the Sea of Galilee to the
Gaza Strip, now is the time. From the East Bank of the Jordan to the Western
Wailing Wall, now is the time to realize a world of peace.
The scriptures say ... "If my people, which are called
by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my
face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from
heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (II
Chronicles 7:14)
Our task is great, but Father and Mother Moon deeply trust you and believe
that God has touched your lives in a special way. You have the power and
the authority to bring God's hope to America and the world. Truly you are
God's Ambassadors for Peace.
May God bless you and your family and your mission.
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