“Freedom Society” Tour Energizes Civic Activists on West Coast
Kook Jin Moon, chairman of the Tongil Foundation, brought his philosophy of governance in the Kingdom of Heaven on earth to Lovin’ Life Ministries (LLM) communities on the West Coast as part of an eight-city speech tour in the United States titled the “Freedom Society Tour.”
Moon launched his speaking tour in the International Ballroom of the Radisson Hotel of Los Angeles International Airport on July 25, 2012.
Chairman of the Tongil Foundation Kook Jin Moon
launched his eight-city "Freedom Society Tour,"
through which he is explaining his philosophy of
governance for the Kingdom of Heaven on earth, in
Los Angeles, CA. Kook Jin Moon (center), accompanied by Rev.
Joshua Cotter and Pastor Mark Tengan to his left,
delivered his "Freedom Society" speech to
nearly 500 people in the International Ballroom of
the Radisson Hotel. Moon’s second stop on his eight-city tour
was San Francisco, at the Bay Area Family Church in
San Leandro, where approximately 400 people gathered
to welcome him. Vice President of the Unification Church USA Rev.
Joshua Cotter accompanied Moon during his visits to
Unificationist communities on the West Coast. Moon’s third and final stop on the West
Coast was the North Seattle Community College
Concert Hall in Seattle, WA, where 250 individuals
assembled to hear his increasingly-popular speech.
Moon lunched with four Christian ministers, including Elder Don Garrick, the director of public affairs in the Mormon Church and president of the City of Huntington Beach Interfaith Council. “Moon and Elder Garrick had a passionate dialogue regarding ‘freedom and responsibility’ and the proper responsibility of current religious leaders towards society,” said Pastor Tengan. According to Pastor Tengan, Elder Garrick had read Moon’s ‘Strong Korea’ speech and agreed with many of Moon’s points. Their discussion continued for more than 90 minutes.
“We had a dinner meeting with Kook Jin Moon and District 12 leaders at 6:00 p.m.,” Pastor Tengan continued. “The group of 25 people was captivated as they intently listened to him from around the dinner table. Throughout the day, he seemed very relaxed, yet sharp and carefully listened to each person’s questions and comments. Everyone was so appreciative to be able to share with him about their activities, witnessing efforts and educational developments and receive advice in return.”
The evening program in the Radisson Hotel, attended by 475 people, began with a musical offering by the Los Angeles LLM Band and a viewing of the recently broadcast documentary on the Unification Movement produced by Al Jazeera (view here). Timothy Elder, assistant to Moon, presented an introduction to the Tongil Foundation and the results of the restructuring of Tongil Group over the past few years under Moon’s guidance throughout Korea and Japan.
The keynote presentation by Moon, entitled “Freedom Society,” addressed the difficulty of keeping freedom without a clear understanding of truth and depicted a historical pattern of mankind’s losing freedom because of ignorance.
“Our Los Angeles families were fascinated by Kook Jin Moon’s explanation of how God is represented by our True Parents, how Adam and Eve are represented by contemporary man and woman, and how the Archangel is represented by the government,” said Pastor Tengan. “He explained how we need to reclaim freedom by taking responsibility for our lives; we cannot blindly accept government handouts and directives, but insist on personal ownership and constructive action. After the presentation, we had a great Q&A session for 20 minutes. Our families really enjoyed the program and said that Kook Jin Moon came at the right time. Many asked for a copy of the speech.
“The next day after breakfast with our staff, Kook Jin Moon left for San Francisco. We thank God, True Parents and Rev. In Jin Moon for the opportunity to receive this remarkable member of the True Family.”
Feedback from Participants in Los Angeles
Hana Villafana, young Unificationist: “Rev. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon, our True Parents, must be so proud of Kook Jin Moon as a representative of the True Family leading the way towards substantiating the Kingdom. We truly do need the True Children to show us and help us understand what True Parents have been talking about and what it looks like in reality. Even though his principled explanation was unconventional, it makes so much sense. Now the next step is for each of us to make our own commitment and fulfill our own responsibility to work towards the freedom society he spoke of.”
Las Vegas LLM Pastor Demian Dunkley: “Incredible. I absolutely love Kook Jin Moon’s very practical, big-picture perspective on how to position our minds and focus our efforts towards creating a totally new kind of society. Learning from the repeated failures of the past, drawing from models of success, and rooting it all into a principled perspective, Kook Jin Moon is calling us into action. Responsibility gives us our freedom. He shared with us his motto: ‘I never let anyone else do my work.’ This is not a time to sit on the fence or stand on the sidelines with our arms folded. Why would God have brought us all this way without also giving us a clear down-to-earth vision on how to bring Heaven down to earth?”
Susan Munsell, American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC) representative:“I found Kook Jin Moon’s presentation of the ‘Freedom Society’ to be truly powerful and inspirational. Using the Divine Principle, he conveyed clear, concise and practical steps towards peace in our world. It was very refreshing but at the same time challenging in that now I feel responsible to let others receive this message. As an American, I have been so troubled by the state of our nation. I believe we are at a dangerous pass and could easily not survive. The content of this message and Kook Jin Moon’s leadership has really given me hope and a more clear understanding of how to carry out True Parents’ vision for the renewal of our country and the world.”
David Stein, young Unificationist: “I feel as if True Parents represent the cosmic level and Kook Jin Moon has brought the Divine Principle down to earth and made it real for our lives! It's amazing how he made abstract concepts so logical. You know it’s the truth when it resonates with all things you have seen in your life. Some of these points have been right in front of me, but hearing his speech made me understand in my head something that I felt for a long time – for example, when he talks about losing our freedom when we get free stuff from the government.
“The whole experience confirms to me how Kook Jin Moon is following True Parents’ footsteps and how lucky we are to spend any time at all with the True Children. It was amazing how he was willing to receive all those questions. Rev. In Jin Moon first did it on her speaking tour and it blew me away. These two I want to follow!”
Bjorn Nyseter, Unificationist: “I felt Kook Jin Moon’s passion when he gave this message of how Satan's [keeps a] hold on people and the change we need to see. It makes sense how good, mature people having weapons will make a differences in creating an ideal world. I could see from the Divine-Principle perspective and connect historically why we need a society to be free and how Satan has controlled us through big governments. We can't just be weak as God's people; we need to defend peace. What inspired me most is how professional and clear this message is in enabling people to understand the Divine Principle. People could hear this first as an introduction to our movement. I'm so grateful to the True Children who can grasp True Parents’ heart and spirit. Only the True Children could do this.”
Mark Moore, young Unificationist: “First off, I would like to thank Heavenly Father for allowing my family and me the opportunity to listen to Kook Jin Moon, as well as being able to see my brothers and sisters once more!
“Kook Jin Nim shared a profound message. He showed us examples of how human beings throughout history have struggled under masters and dictators and how this was a result of the Human Fall. As we can see through the Divine Principle, a nation's government serves an archangelic role and is meant to be a servant of the people (Adam and Eve) and God. However, when government oversteps its bounds and seeks to make its people dependent upon government institutions such as welfare, command economy, etc., the government leaves its proper position and takes that of God.
“From Kook Jin Nim's words, I could see how not just America, but the world was meant to live as a True Ideal Family would live; with a love and maturity that God has always wanted us to inherit from Him. God gave us the freedom and the responsibility to grow and develop as co-creators. However, if people allow their government to take over the roles meant for private organizations such as helping the poor, funding healthcare, and managing the economy, we trade freedom for dependency.
“Like a family, the parents want the children to be self-sustaining and even better than themselves, not eternally dependent like a dictatorship. America is a beautiful nation that God has surely prepared, and if we value the freedom and prosperity that our nation offers us, we will take responsibility to bring God back into the heart of America through our own lives.”
Kook Jin Moon Visits San Francisco, CA
Moon’s second stop on his eight-city tour was San Francisco, at the Bay Area Family Church in San Leandro on July 26, 2012. Together with Rev. Kevin Thompson, pastor of District 11, approximately 400 people gathered to hear his “Freedom Society” speech, for which feedback is below.
Bill Bechtel, Unificationist: “As a Brazilian, I understand that America’s being strong will influence my country too. I am so grateful for this message of hope and clarity from Kook Jin Moon.”
Calvin Younger, ACLC pastor: “Finally, I understand what the Divine Principle is talking about when it speaks of freedom and complete liberation. This is a needed message of hope that Kook Jin Moon is bringing, and we need to make a plan of how to get it out to America.”
Maria Ochoa, Unificationist: “I never before understood what our theology of the Kingdom of Heaven really was. After 33 years of membership, I can now see for the first time what Father has been talking about for many years, and we have been too dumb to see. It has taken a True Son to stand as a John the Baptist for his Father and to proclaim True Father’s Messiahship and then back it up with the content to prove why he is the Messiah. I can see great hope in our church from now.”
Charles deWatteville, LLM Pastor in Sacramento:“When Kook Jin Moon said that government is the Archangel, I just knew it was true. This was the most profound talk since the first lecture that I heard when I joined the church. Also, to see that everything was based on Father's words from the Peace Messages and elsewhere was quite wonderful. Kook Jin Moon exudes confidence because he knows what he is teaching is truth and therefore the truth will ultimately win out. However, he did make it clear that there will be God’s judgment if we choose to ignore the Messiah.”
Kook Jin Moon Visits Seattle, WA
Moon’s third and final stop on the West Coast was the North Seattle Community College Concert Hall in Seattle, WA, where 250 individuals, together with District 10 Pastor Larry Krishnek, had gathered to hear his increasingly-popular “Freedom Society” speech on July 27, 2012.
During a luncheon at the Airport Seattle Marriott Hotel, Moon discussed his “Strong Korea” and “Freedom Society” speeches together with Ambassador for Peace Conrado “Sluggo” Rigor, Executive Director of the International Drop In Center and Publisher of the Filipino American Bulletin, ACLC Pastor “Doc” Richard Rivers, Robert Bleu, president of Shining Ocean, a Unification-Church owned seafood company, Dr. David Burgess, also of Shining Ocean and local Unificationists. The discussion ranged from topics such as public unions, the Constitution and its founders and the problems of public education.
“For every question, Kook Jin Moon had a quick, simple and profound response,” said Pastor Krishnek. “We were all energized after the luncheon.”
Next on the agenda was a dinner at Windermere Mansion, the home of Moon’s parents, Rev. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon, to which local organizational leaders and adult second-generation Unificationists had been invited.
“Kook Jin Moon conversed with members on the porch overlooking Lake Washington and continued the conversation over dinner,” said Pastor Krishnek. “Once again, he invited questions and gave us a unique and fresh perspective grounded in Father Moon’s teaching and the Divine Principle.
The main event began at 7:00 p.m. at the North Seattle Community College Concert Hall, which was filled with members of all ages. According to Pastor Krishnek, all seats were taken and many had to sit on the steps in the aisles. Seattle Youth Pastor Teddy Sylte offered welcoming remarks and presented the Seattle LLM band, which performed two songs. Similar to the event program in Los Angeles and San Francisco, the Al Jazeera documentary was shown to the Seattle audience and Tim Elder report’s about restructuring efforts in the Unification churches in Korea and Japan preceded Kook Jin Moon’s “Freedom Society” speech.
“The atmosphere in the hall was one of rapt attention as many notions were challenged and intriguing insights on the Divine Principle were offered during Kook Jin Moon’s address,” said Pastor Krishnek. “His explanation of real application of the Divine Principle in building the ideal world was awesome. The hour went quickly and we were left wanting more. And, we did get more as Kook Jin Moon took time to answer a few questions.”
The program concluded with a prayer from Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) leader Mrs. Keiko Sylte and four rousing cheers of Eog Mansei by Pastor Krishnek. Early the next day, Kook Jin Moon continued onwards to his next stop: Chicago, IL.
Feedback from Participants in Seattle
Ted Casten, Unificationist: “I am glad that Kook Jin Moon came and told us what he is doing. It was enlightening, necessary and constructive. Most of what he said was new to me and needed to be said. In my opinion, our church is turning the corner and going in the right direction. I need to pray and reflect on how this information applies to our futures as individuals.
“I would like to have a copy of the Friday presentation available so that it can be watched again and can be shown to others who were not present. I hope that in the near future, there can be visits like this to the different areas of America. Like Lovin’ Life Ministries, it helps to unite us. I will certainly follow the world news now from a different viewpoint.”
Patricia Couweleers, Unificationist: “The content that Kook Jin Moon brought to us is so essential for everyone to hear at this time. This is the last days’ point of view of the “Principle of Restoration,” that is to say, putting everything back in its proper place and understanding where the world must go from here. I hope there is a way to send this message more publicly in the USA to bring people's attitudes and understanding into providential alignment at this crucial time in American politics. Kook Jin Moon’s presentation brings perfect clarity.”
Conrado “Sluggo” Rigor, Publisher of the Filipino American Bulletin:“Thank you to Ambassadors for Peace for inviting me. It was a profound experience for me to personally meet Kook Jin Moon. He has an excellent grasp of world affairs, a deep thinker in the mode of a true disciple of freedom, peace and harmony. Like his father, Kook Jin is destined to play a vital role in the promotion of enduring peace in our world. Please thank Rev. Larry Krishnek for me for having had the privilege to be included in that exclusive lunch at Marriott last Friday. Thank you again and best regards.”
George Vargas, Unificationist: “I am not fully comfortable with Kook Jin Moon’s presentation. I feel that it is fine to keep firearms for self-defense. But I am concerned that the Tongil Group is in the business of manufacturing war weapons and selling them to regimes, like the Egyptian military, that has had reports of human rights violations, including torture of its citizens. The distribution of weapons of war to oppressive governments is a serious matter, and if it is true, it is shameful, and sinful. If I am wrong, and I truly hope I am, then I apologize.
“Further, I think the manufacturing of war weapons is very harmful to True Parents and our Movement's reputation. Even if the arms that Tongil makes go to Abel-type governments, there are many people who could be our John the Baptists that can't abide by that. We owe Kook Jin Moon a debt of gratitude for his work to clean up the financial problems in Korea, but, we do not need to make war weapons. It's not necessary.
“Finally, I feel disheartened. I found the overall presentation to be somewhat unfulfilling. The idea that half the world’s population may be decimated before we see the Kingdom of Heaven doesn't give me a lot of reason to feel optimistic about the future. I think what needs to be emphasized is that the presentation is Kook Jin Moon’s perspective.
“I pray for Kook Jin Moon, Tim Elder and the rest of the people at Tongil, and hope their efforts always mirror what our True Parents would do.”
Annerose Lowe, Unificationist: “Kook Jin Moon’s visit reminded me of True Father's early visits in the USA when he said, ‘I came as a doctor and firefighter.’ There was a spiritual clarity after the speech that will help our nation’s future political decisions. Our Founding Fathers are on this speaking tour with Kook Jin Moon.”
Sarah Nishioka, co-chairwoman of WFWP in Seattle: “Kook Jin Moon’s words conveyed a very timely message. I as well as many brothers and sisters are aware that this message fills some major gaps and holes in our understanding of the Principled reality of this world today.
“Bringing clarity to the present social-, economic- and political spheres through the Divine Principle gives us a beginning point from which to work from, which reminds me of when I first joined the Unification movement. We do have a lot of teaching to do, which reminds me of when we taught Victory Over Communism. Now, it looks like it’s the time to teach about the Freedom Society. Through teaching, one learns. To me, education is a key point.
Contributed by Ariana Moon.