Creating a World of Peace - The Thought and Works of Sun Myung Moon by Joon Ho Seuk

Volume 3 - True Love in a False World [Part 1 of 5]

Contents

1. Introduction

A. True Love
B. The Loss of True Love
C. The Return to True Love

2. Conjugal Love Is Exclusive

3. Responsibility For Sexual Love

A. Developing and Maintaining Self-Control
B. Being Responsible to Ones Spouse
C. Being Responsible to Ones Child

4. Linking The Deepest Aspects Of Our Being

A. Love
B. Life
C. Lineage

5. Creating A Protective Sphere For Love

A. Conscience
B. Purity
C. Modesty
D. Appropriate Behavior

6. Reverend Moon's Activities

A. Organizations Educating Professionals
B. Organizations Educating Families
C. Organizations Educating Youth

1. Introduction

Volume two of this series, The Ideal Family as the School of Love and the Foundation of the Ideal Society, contains Reverend Moon's explanation of how human beings were created to grow up to live in the ideal world of peace and harmony through receiving true love, true life and true lineage in their families.

It is clear, however, that this is not the situation of the world in which we live today.

This is not a world of peace and harmony; rather, individuals, societies and nations threaten and commit violent acts against one another daily.

Families are not places where true love, true life and true lineage are to be found. Divorce, single parent families, spousal abuse and incest are some of the all too common experiences in today's families.

The Source of True Love, Ideals and Peace

From True Family and I, South American Address, June - July, 1995.
Since ancient times, humankind has been longing for eternal, truthful, and unchanging love, ideals of happiness and peace. But today we are living in a world of distrust and a time of confusion. In this world it is impossible to find the conditions in which the ideals mentioned above can be realized.
We might say that people have been doing their best, but have come to an impasse.
If people are unable to realize these ideals, then we have to seek beyond our human limitations to find an eternal, unchanging and truthful Absolute Being and rely upon Him.
If this Being is longing for true love, true ideals, true peace and true happiness, then it will be possible to realize these ideals through Him.
In this case, if there were such a Being, we would call Him God. This God would be the King of love, the King of ideals, the King of peace and happiness. If, through God, we want to set up the ideal conditions pursued by human beings, we have to listen to God's suggestions. This is a logical conclusion.

Today's world is indeed a false world, far from the original ideal of God's creation described by Reverend Moon. Nevertheless, his teachings provide understanding of how the original ideal is to be achieved. This volume is entitled True Love in a False World, reflecting Reverend Moon's belief and hope that a true world of peace is still possible.

The following poem, Crown of Glory, which he wrote as a teenager, reveals the intensity of his conviction that true love will finally triumph.

The Crown of Glory

Written by Sun Myung Moon in 1935
When I doubt people, I feel pain.
When I judge people, it is unbearable.
When I hate people, there is no value to my existence.
Yet if I believe, I am deceived.
If I love, I am betrayed.
Suffering and grieving tonight, my head in my hands.
Am I wrong?
Yes, I am wrong.
Even though we are deceived, still believe.
Though we are betrayed, still forgive.
Love completely even those who hate you.
Wipe your tears away and welcome with a smile
Those who know nothing but deceit
And those who betray without regret
Oh Master! The pain of loving!
Look at my hands.
Place your hand on my chest.
My heart is bursting, such agony!
But when I loved those who acted against me I brought victory.
If you have done the same thing, I will give you the crown of glory.

The sexual revolution promised greater freedom, love and happiness through removing past inhibitions and disrupting time-honored traditions. Instead, however, the excesses of the sexual revolution have brought an avalanche of personal and social problems.

Social leaders and parents agree that abstinence protects against HIV/AIDS and STDs, but they lack the confidence to persuade young people to adopt the standard of abstinence until marriage. The fear of sexually transmitted diseases or unwanted pregnancies is not always a compelling reason for abstaining in the face of intense pressure and romantic feelings.

This volume presents Reverend Moon's teachings and activities addressing the root cause of Today's moral problems, and how young people can overcome the false temptations of this world and focus on developing true love in their lives.

Table of Contents

True Love