Father recently shared his heart with some religious leaders. What follows are notes from Father’s words compiled by Nadine Andre (IIFWP) with edits and suggestions by Dr. Frank Kaufmann.
On October 19th-21st, nearly six weeks after the horrible events of September 11th, IIFWP and the World Association of NGOs (WANGO) convened Assembly 2001 under the theme “Global Violence: Crisis and Hope,” in New York City. More than four hundred international leaders from political, diplomatic, religious, media, academic and NGO communities throughout the world attended. Events of September 11th colored virtually all conversations and discussions.
During the conference, the IIFWP founders, Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon, invited top religious leaders present to a private luncheon. Those present included, Minister Louis Farrakhan (Nation of Islam), and his son, Mrs. Mohini Giri (Guild of Service, India), Chief Rabbi Izhak Bar-Dea and wife (Ramat-Gan, Israel), Dr. Manjit Singh Jathedar (Anand Pur Sahib, India), Reverend Junsei Terasawa (Nipponjan Myohoft, Russia and Ukraine), Chief Reuben Silverbird (Nedni Apache, Cherokee, Navajo), Father Nithya Sagayam (Bishops Council, India), Imam Muhammad Maqsood Ahmad Qadri (Dept. of Religious Affairs, Punjab, Pakistan), Dr. Allama Muhammad Idara Minhaj-Ul-Hussain Akbar (Idara Minhaj-Ul-Hussein, Pakistan), Chief Rabbi David Brodman (Savion, Israel).
Archbishop Stallings of the Imani Temple in Washington D.C. included in his prayer the names God, Yahweh, Allah and the Great Spirit in the grace he offered to begin the meal. Dr. Neil Salonen, president of the University of Bridgeport, noted that with the kosher, vegetarian and other cooking restrictions, meals couldn’t even be prepared in the same kitchen! Father implored everyone to eat well and enjoy the meal, and then spoke to them from his heart.
Father Speaks
When you are in a stiff formal setting, the best thing to do is simply be yourself, like children. That’s what I do. When we go to the spiritual world we can remember that we had this lunch together. When you go to the spiritual world you may see Reverend Moon with the founder of your religions. Very few people feel toward the founder of their religion as children feel towards their Father. This has to do with the question of lineage. Lineage links love and life. In other religions people try to find out who is in the direct lineage of their founder.
This meal is a god-given opportunity to get acquainted with one another so that we can work together for peace. Regardless of your cultural background, think of this as a family gathering; that makes it is easy to relate to one another. In the spiritual world you do not talk to one another based on doctrine or belief. The only issue is whether or not God is our Father, and we are brothers and sisters.
Do you think God sees anyone as His enemy? God has no relationship with the concept ‘enemy.’ You cannot go to God if you have such a concept. As we age we inevitably begin to think, ‘Am I ready to go to the spiritual world without any regrets?’ The most critical thing is that we not hold any grudges or resentment toward anyone. I knew this truth long ago. I never held any grudges because I knew that if I did, it would keep me far away from God.
Persecution has been like oxygen for me throughout my life, but I knew from a young age that if I felt resentment, I would not come close to God. Ironically, as we sit here in the Hilton Hotel, in this great country of America, I must tell you that this is the country that gave me the most persecution. I was incarcerated and accused by many including by the IRS. Maybe even Bishop Stallings opposed me at one time, but now he is here sitting with me!
In the midst of the American government’s harshest persecution of me, I never thought of destroying New York or the capital, Washington. Instead, I repented and prayed about how I could bring America back on course. I invested everything, my knowledge, my money, resources from all over the world and my prayers. The first check to begin The Washington Times newspaper was written while I was sitting in court. I simply wanted to save America, and its Judeo—Christian foundation. I know that Christianity has inherited the history of Judaism and is a Christian nation, so I wanted to protect the nation for the sake of Christ. That was my heart. Suppose all American people had that heart; they would have no enemies. Six times I was incarcerated, but God always protected me. People say I am a businessman with hundreds of millions and billions of dollars. I don’t care about money. I spend for the sake of the world. My motto has always been to live for the sake of others.
There are those who say that Rev. Moon is rich. He has his own land and money stashed away. He even has hundreds of bodyguards. But eventually the American government confessed that Rev. Moon had never taken any money home. In the 1980s, at the time of the worst persecution, I was indicted in America but was staying in Korea. Since Korea and America had no extradition treaty at that time, most people presumed that I would not return to face the charges. If I had stayed in Korea, I would have been safe, but I immediately returned to pray for this country and face their accusations. At the end of the trial, there were those who wanted me deported, but to everyone’s surprise the judge said, ‘No, that is not fair.’ That is the way God works.
Minister Farrakhan has received persecution. Other religious leaders have received persecution at different times because of their faith. Do you think God feels good when there is persecution from those who believe differently? It is the job of religious leaders to come closer to the Almighty God. If you persecute someone, you will be embarrassed when you see him in the spiritual world. No matter how much opposition you receive, if you are a true believer, all your oppressors will one day repent. Where do you think Rev. Moon lives now? I live in America, where I have received the most persecution about my teachings. People have come to respect me here in this country, they seek my guidance, because I never held a grudge against any American.
Each individual life has god-given value. In this country many people now love me, because they have found that I came to America to teach how to live for the sake of others. America and American people now know that during the last thirty years, I have been working tirelessly for this country. Many have considered me their enemy, but I have never changed my heart towards them. God has only one strategy: keep giving love. God keeps pouring out love, even towards Satan; God even embraces Satan as a family member.
Love your enemy. What is the destination of that love? Suppose God has His children, and Satan has his children. God’s way is to have His children marry Satan’s children. If you offer that level of heart, it is the starting point for the Kingdom of God. The end of the road of hatred is death. The culminating point of life is love. The final victor will be like God, who can embrace the entire world. Even Satan will repent!
I have absolute faith in God. God is using me to build a world of peace, like his son, messenger and errand boy. I am God’s errand boy. Every minute, and wherever I go, I am thinking about where I can plant a seed of true love. What could be more precious? The reason I am telling you this is because those sitting here represent the world’s major religions.
Are you willing to work together? Who is willing to go beyond the boundaries of their own religion to shepherd America, Russia, China and even North Korea? Kim Jong-il, the leader of North Korea, knows the value of what we’re doing. I was almost put to death in North Korea in the early days of my ministry, but I have never hated or wanted to harm them. Now they welcome me.
If I leave America, who will take my place? China has 1.2 billion people; the U.S. has 260 million. America is small compared to China. The Chinese tell me to come to China; they will help. They know I have the power to convert even the worst criminals. Why, then, do I stay in America? God has planted many seeds here. This is God’s country. I will leave after the harvest time. That is why I am here. In China and Russia we will keep repeating the process, all over the world, we will plant the seeds of true love.
When I went to Russia I prayed and planted seeds in Siberia, so Russia could become a country of God’s children. I planted seeds of true love in Russia and Communist China. How can we tear down the boundaries of religion? Boundaries stunt our heart. We are impeded by the boundaries of our own religion. God cannot find anyone without boundaries. How can we practice true love as God’s children with boundaries?
Through these international conferences, I am giving guidelines, guidance from God. I have the heart to go to hell in order to open gates, to liberate those there so they can go to God. I have met all the founders of your religions in the spirit world.
Over time, we will see the way to save humanity. Never worry about your enemy. Plant seeds of true love in their hearts and in their countries. The enemy world has been riddled with weeds for thousands of years. We have to pull out the weeds and plant the seeds of true love.
I interrupted your meal. I’m sorry. However, I hear the voice of God, who tells me that you can eat at any time, so this is an important moment!
Rabbi there are many millions of Jews in the world. There has been a lot of conflict, religious wars and racial wars. There shouldn’t be such a concept as ‘enemy.’ Everyone will lose as long this concept exists.
Minister Farrakhan, you are my friend, so I will speak frankly: you are a good and honest believer in Allah, but sometimes you show your anger and animosity. We need God’s family, God’s tribe, and God’s nation. The world has no hope unless we build love and abandon the concept of ‘enemy.’ And when the harvest comes, we must harvest the fruits of true love. At harvest time we do not need denominations. With denominational walls you cannot unite the world of true love.
Pray to God to see if I am telling you the truth. If I am lying, come and destroy me. If you cannot get an answer easily, then do what I say, and see if that helps you find out. If I am wrong, come to me and we will repent together.
We do not need religious wars and denominationalism. Without denominationalism we must go to God.
[Again to Minister Farrakhan:]
You’re a good man, a man of God, a powerful speaker. But you allow yourself to express anger. This is not good.
[Min. Farrakhan responded politely: Look at how you are speaking to us. You are passionate, not angry. That is how I speak. I am passionate too!]
[Father smiling] Yes, but you point fingers at others. The highest way is to take responsibility; that is the only way.
[To everyone] If you don’t believe what I’m saying, go to the spirit world; you will see I am telling the truth.
We must protect true love. What if Bishop Stallings started a movement to protect white people? My followers are trying to follow my lifestyle. Could you accept their marrying your sons and daughters? Show your hands. You cannot have lines that cross one another in your lives. You cannot have obstacles. Walk in parallel; walk in peace.
My followers emulate my life and my heart. If I send them to you, will you accept them by marrying them to your young people? It happens like that. We will regret that we didn’t educate our young children against boundaries and walls. We have to open the gates. If we all walk in parallel, we won’t have any conflict. If our minds and bodies are united in true love, there won’t be any obstacles. There are twelve major religions in the world. I propose an international marriage— blessing early next year. Will you join me? I ask you all to bring 12,000 young people, future leaders. Together, that will total 144,000.
The world will look upon us, and there will be spiritual power beyond your belief. It will guarantee that the boundaries are broken. That my friends, is the secret of God and the marriage—blessing. People have thought that the marriage—blessings I conduct take advantage of innocent victims, but look at Neil Salonen sitting here. He used to be a hippie! Now he is president of the University of Bridgeport. Look at Archbishop Stallings sitting here. He used to oppose me, but he has received the marriage—blessing and now is a champion of marriage! All religious leaders should push for this. At the United Nations last year during Assembly 2000, I declared that the world should do away with national and cultural boundaries. We are now building peace embassies on the model of this principle to be an example for others throughout the world.
It was time to conclude. Once again Father apologized for interrupting the lunch. He personally greeted and hugged each leader. The leaders then began to hug each other, representatives from the world’s most prominent religions. There seemed to be a feeling of respect and admiration for Father’s having the courage to bring them together, and for his speaking without fear or favor. He told them that God had told him to invite them together after the world had spun into turmoil. This is the time that they must lead. The conference itself had reflected many viewpoints and positions; however there was an overall sense that tolerance and understanding were necessary and that the historical resentment in people’s hearts must be healed.
The Religious Leaders Respond
It seemed that no one wanted to leave the room after the luncheon. Rabbi Brodman, chief rabbi of Savion, Israel, said he was surprised and impressed by the scope, organization and content of the conference, including Rev. Moon’s lunchtime talk. He said that he had heard of the conference three days before it was to begin, but knew he had to come. He had met god-fearing people of different colors and religions. One government dignitary from Africa asked him if he could take his picture because his daughter had never seen a Jewish rabbi. The Rabbi had a full beard, and was wearing a black hat and a decorated black and gold robe. He seemed surprised, but gladly complied. He said, “Being unknown is being unloved.”
It was not as if no one had any questions. A rabbi said, “Surely we have to love our enemy, but to love even Satan? What about Hitler and Osama Bin Laden?” In speaking about the international marriage, the rabbi’s wife said, “Theoretically, men and women are contradictions by their very natures. To bring harmony and unity in diversity is good, but I have a hard time with the concept of mixed marriages. Mixed marriages take people out of the fold.”
Father Nithiya Sagayam, from the Franciscan Capuchin Order of India said that it is true that we must pray for our enemies. “In speaking about sacrifice, Rev. Moon has created a thinking point about a certain morality.” As for the international marriage proposal he said, “As long as the partners are willing, it’s okay; different polarities have been lacking in Christianity.”
A Roman Catholic archbishop said, “It’s true, we are all created in the image of the Almighty God. The Jews are waiting for the Messiah and the Christians are waiting for the Second Coming.” He smiled jocularly and said, “It’s all right with me, whoever comes first!”