Interreligious unity seen as key to the reunification of the Korean peninsula
Part 2 (final part) of report given by Rev. Guk Hwangbo 30th August 2024 in a large meeting in Gapyeong, South Korea for members and leaders of the Family Federation.
Members assembled when what is now called the Family Federation was founded 1st May 1954. Father Moon seated in front. Photo taken in Bukhak-dong, Seoul 3rd May 1954. Photo: FFWPU
“This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of our federation and the 140th anniversary of Protestant missionary history in Korea. The 70-year history of the Family Federation has been one of sorrow and unresolved grievances. Because Christianity did not recognize and accept the coming of True Parents, Christianity could not stand at the center of the providence.The 70 years that should have been filled with the glory of Christianity uniting with the True Parents instead became 70 years of lost opportunity and sorrow. Without recognizing the True Parents, Christianity found itself in a state like that of an orphan who has lost its parents, and the Family Federation, unable to unite with Christianity, lost its national foundation.
This ultimately led to the spiritual and ideological division of the Korean people. It also divided the social system and caused the tragedy of dividing the country into North and South.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Family Federation. […] The division of this country has also lasted for 70 years. And next year marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Korea.
In the history of Israel, God promised to liberate the Jewish people from Babylon after 70 years.
According to the Unification Principles, a 70-year cycle marks the end of a providential period of restoration and the creation of a foundation for a new beginning. Therefore, it is time for Christianity and the Family Federation to unite around the age of 70 and make a new start. It is the time for the doors of Christianity to open.
From the unity ceremony of reconciliation between Christianity and the Family Federation, held in Gapyeong, South Korea 23rd August 2024. Photo: Screenshot from live transmission by PeaceTV.
Thus, the fundamental reconciliation ceremony between the Family Federation and Christianity was not just a simple event. It was a profound providential act by Heaven to resolve the fundamental causes of the spiritual, ideological, systemic, and territorial divisions of the Korean people, divisions that arose because Christianity and the Family Federation could not become one.”
Rev. Hwangbo also reported about a prayer meeting on 11th July with Christian pastors, gathered at Imjingak in Paju [Editor’s note: City close to the 38th parallel and the border to North Korea] to offer prayers on the 71st anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement. Hwang said,
“On that day, we told the pastors that in this era of crisis, where religions are becoming secularized, Christianity’s traditional spiritual leadership is no longer sufficient as an alternative. We shared with them the words from Matthew 24:29, which speaks of the end times when ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky.’
We explained that Christianity, without meeting the True Parents, loses the power of Jesus’ gospel and the Holy Spirit, and that the stars (representing the faithful) are falling away. This signifies that modern people are seeking a new spirituality, but Christianity is failing to provide such an alternative.
We emphasized that only the spirituality of True Parents can provide the solution, and we strongly conveyed the vision of a Heavenly Unified Korea centered on True Parents. In this way, we united the hearts of the Christian pastors.
And exactly 44 days later, a reconciliation ceremony between the Family Federation and Christianity was held.
Now, the wave of harmony is spreading beyond Christianity to Buddhism.”
Members assembled when what is now called the Family Federation was founded 1st May 1954. Father Moon seated in front. Photo taken in Bukhak-dong, Seoul 3rd May 1954. Photo: FFWPU
From the unity ceremony of reconciliation between Christianity and the Family Federation, held in Gapyeong, South Korea 23rd August 2024. Photo: Screenshot from live transmission by PeaceTV.
“On that day, we told the pastors that in this era of crisis, where religions are becoming secularized, Christianity’s traditional spiritual leadership is no longer sufficient as an alternative. We shared with them the words from Matthew 24:29, which speaks of the end times when ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky.’
“On that day, we told the pastors that in this era of crisis, where religions are becoming secularized, Christianity’s traditional spiritual leadership is no longer sufficient as an alternative. We shared with them the words from Matthew 24:29, which speaks of the end times when ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky.’
