VICTORY CELEBRATION FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

AFP Theatre, Camp Aguinaldo, EDSA

Manila, Philippines

April 12, 1998

 

Rev. Byung Wooh Kim 

deliver his keynote speech

 
 

 


Magandang gabi, kumusta kayo ? l still remember a few words of Tagalog.  Rev. Guimary and General Bumi, former president Eric Niduasa and incumbent president Michael Zablan, brothers and sisters and parents, Good evening again, and Happy Easter !

Today, is already an historic day in the Philippines. Everybody feels so happy because today is Easter Sunday and also we are celebrating our great Victory for Religious Freedom. Heavenly Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ have given us the opportunity to share this joy and happiness together. I’m really so fascinated by the Filipino people’s strong faith in God. Already fourteen years have passed since I came to Thailand as a missionary and began my work in Asia. There is a strong faith in God in this country that I have not witnessed in any country in Asia or  in the world!

The day before  yesterday I was in Pampanga, and witnessed the crucifixion. From a humanistic view point, it was a miserable and unbearable experience for me, but from a purely religious viewpoint in our life of faith, I considered this phenomenon deeply. Only one country in the world; only the Philippines can have such a special ritual. I was so moved and touched.  Even I could not imagine, bearing this physical torture.  Having seen this direct beating and nailing, I realized that only the Filipinos could endure such an ordeal. You are truly courageous  people and I have come to admire the  Filipino people’s faith in God and  faith in the law. It is for this reason that I have a sense of pride in working with the Filipinos and I have become one of your chief advocates and promoters.  In this world, the Filipinos are truly a great people. ( Applause )
  

 
 

Actually, today truly is a special day for all Filipinos, especially those of the Unification movement. In the future, I am certain that all of your countrymen will also come to appreciate and remember this day. 

Just a week ago, a huge cloud hung upon our church here in the Philippines. For more than two years, many of our leaders and members -- including our beloved founder and Holy Father -- endured the humiliation of being investigated by government bodies and of facing court charges for no other reason than that we practiced and lived our faith. 
 

Government officials have deeply misunderstood our movement, and persecuted us. They filed false charges against our Church and in the process, totally ignored the sanctity of Religious freedom. The Philippines is a free and democratic country and we should be free to practice those freedoms given to us by God.  This is our right as a human being. Even if we believe in a small stone and worship that stone everyday or wish to bow to a tree or bush, that is our choice. It should be our basic right. Yet, two years ago, because of misunderstanding and ignorance those rights were ignored and our freedom compromised. For two years we suffered these indignities.
 
For more than two years that I could not enter this country, Mrs. Julia Kim literally, without exaggeration, shed her blood and  tears. General Bumi, our trusted and loyal friend, lost his dignity and shed many tears because of his association with our movement.  All of our members were scattered and many of those VIPs who supported us before the persecution, ran away.
 

Those righteous and conscientious people however, continued to support us. I especially cannot forget Bro. Andrew Gonzales who voluntarily appeared in the NBI, National Bureau of Investigation, and  testified to Rev. Moon and our Unification Movement. At that time, many people were afraid of the few powerful officers who persecuted us and since we are religious people we were looked down upon. Actually, we are an innocent, and pure group. We just believe in God and believe in our laws. We are working for the sake of this nation, but they made us suffer. 

Now the cloud has lifted. The words of the psalmist have been fulfilled: "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." 

 

 
 

As we always believed -- from the first day of our ordeal to the last -- the day of vindication has finally come. 

We knew this day would come because God would never forsake those who were being persecuted for spreading His message of faith and hope. "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free," says the Gospel of St. John. Those words never left us during our ordeal. 

We also knew this day would come because here in the Philippines -- the only predominantly Christian country in Asia, and a famous citadel of democracy -- religious freedom is sacred. Righteous people would not allow the laws of this land to be perverted by a few. We have not been disappointed in that belief. 

 

 

In my deeper reflections over this ordeal, I also cannot say that the blame lies solely in the ignorance and misunderstandings of outside people or groups. We ourselves must also bear part of the responsibility for our problems. We did not do enough in our public relations work, in approaching the media, educating VIPs and in general, preventing misunderstanding. We are ultimately responsible for giving clear information about our purpose and activities. Our efforts were simply not good enough. 
made. 

In our darkest hour our spokesman, a very courageous gentleman, who unfortunately cannot be with us now, testified on our behalf. That man is Gen. Magsino. He appeared, and voluntarily became our spokesman,.  I will never  forget his bravery. When he appeared, he testified to the media and to the people.

 

 

 

Pres. Fidel V. Ramos at the Malacañang office

Also, at that same time, Congressman Damasing, as I recall appeared at the Congress. I remember him  shouting,  "I WILL DEFEND THE UNIFICATION MOVEMENT ! They have done nothing wrong!" Senator Tatad, Senator Enrile. and an important media figure, columnist Bro.Yen Makabenta appeared. Teddy Boy Locsin, and the  many other newspaper editors and publishers worked together. When the  media people were mobilized, they recognized later that there was something terribly wrong with the charges

There are many others whose names appear on our long list of those that took part in the crusade for our rights. Men and women in government such as Fidel V. Ramos and Justice Secretary Silvestre Bello who were instrumental in bringing this case to a definitive close. There were also many leaders of other churchs who sounded a ringing declaration on the sanctity of religious freedom. Also, had our friends in the media not been able to help and intercede on our behalf, our ordeal perhaps would not yet be over.
 
I see this as a victory for God, a victory for True Parents, and a victory of  conscience. This is a victory for the Filipino people. ( Applause ). I thank God, and I am so grateful for the work of God’s hands.
 
Brothers and sisters, two years ago, I really thought that I would never come back to the Philippines. Once  this case went to the courts it could literally take ten years or twenty years, we were unsure. But God’s hand worked. Then in just two years, two months  and two weeks,  the court case is finished. Is this great  or not? ( Great ! ) ( Applause ). Through God and True Parents’ spiritual foundation, all the leaders and VIPs who suffered, all our members, brothers and sisters and the tears and sweat and blood they shed, we could rise above our enemies. Through all of this and the many  prayers that were offered, the Unification Church could finally be resurrected.

All Unification members and all brothers and sisters are resurrected. ( Applause ). Especially today on this Easter Sunday in celebrating the Resurrection day of  Jesus Christ, we ourselves our appropriately resurrected. This day has great  providential significance, and from now  we  can do anything together. In the name of God, in the name of Jesus and in the name of True parents, we have been liberated( Applause ). With the government’s guarantee of our status and with the support and recognition of the media, our problems are behind us.

We can  be proud of being a  Moonie.  Moon people, are you a full moon, ( Laughter ) a half moon or quarter moon? I would like to ask you this question. Some people here are full moons. A full moon is beautiful, a totally round circle. Those are full-time members known as a full moon ( laughter ) Some people are half moons, and some people are only quarter moons.  Is the Unification  Church full of quarter moons ?  Full moons are better and more beautiful. Brothers and sisters, why we are so famous in this society or country,  Why? Why do we create so much noise? Why are people afraid of us ? Why do people think this is such a big organization? I’ll tell you about this.

When Jesus Christ came, two thousand years ago, who  believed him to be the Messiah? Who believed ? No one believed in him as the Messiah. Who could believe at that time? In his  lifetime, who believed him to be the Messiah?  They not only disbelieved but accused him, mocked him and questioned him. The Israelite people, the very chosen people who should have attended  Jesus Christ, vilified him instead of attending and protecting him. They spat on his face  and finally crucified him. Jesus  was innocent - but why was he crucified ? Brothers and sisters, you have to clearly understand that  this world does not yet belong to God.

Who controls  this world? ( Evil ) You know very well. This world is what we call in religious terms, the fallen world, sinful world, or Satanic world. Who controls this world, God or Satan ? ( Satan ). So some people say God is dead. We can say, if there is a God, why is this world so miserable? Why are there so many conflicts ? Why is this world controlled by Satan? The Evil power seems much stronger. Conscientious people seem to be cowards or foolish and people believe this world to be abnormal.

There is something wrong  in this world, which means the world is controlled by an evil power. Why can’t people who want a world of goodness, accomplish some righteous action? Always they are persecuted. 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ who never committed a sin, was persecuted.  The Rev. Moon and the Unification members  of the Unification church were persecuted Why? You know, I have come to reflect that living fish never go downstream.  Only dead fish go downstream. Living fish always go upstream. Is this true or not? (True) Are you dead fish or Living fish ?  ( Living fish )
 
This movement is going upstream and reversing what the people of the world are doing, everybody  is going downstream, but we are going upstream. So, it is natural that we should be  persecuted. There is no way to avoid this, because this is the way of religious people, this  is the way of conscientious people, and  this is the way of righteous people.  Because this is the secular, fallen world,  people  who are working for goodness are always persecuted because they are going the opposite way of the fallen world. So today we have reached the source of the stream at the top of this mountain.  The persecution here is finished.

Now we are resurrected, and can go  forward. Our way is clear. Father mentioned this victorious case in the Philippines and said that, from now, the country of the Philippines will be the leading country in Asia ( Applause ). In many aspects, including the economy, Philippines will  be the leading country. You have been suffering so much and I have always  believe, that any country  who really supports the Unification Movement  will be blessed. The country who persecuted the Unification movement will decline. I have many experiences, in Korea, in Thailand, in Singapore, and in Taiwan. Any country that persecutes our Unification Movement, usually begins to decline. Why?  Because the Unification Movement is guided by God’s power.

All human beings, must go the way of Unification.  This is God’s main  providence now. Your hope is Unification and my hope is unification.  Every country and all religions find their final hope in unification. God wants unification,  not deviation or separation. If there is a God, what will God like? We all want unification. In the family. Do you think that husband and wife want unification or separation ? (Unification ) So how can we unify? Is unification easy or difficult ?

So far many people who have wanted to unite together have never succeeded. If there is anyone here who has succeeded in creating complete unification between  husband and wife, please raise your hand. Even after understanding Divine Principle or Unification Principle it is difficult, isn’t it ( yes ).    Thus for people who do not know the Principle, how can they make unity between husband and wife centered on true absolute love ? How can they unite together ?
( Impossible ) In the family do you want unification or not?

Do you want unification or not?  ( yes we want ) So before husband and wife unite together,  the first priority is to unite your mind and body. The individual must come first.

In the  world also it’s still the same. We have to unify all the different religions.  Do Muslims like Christians or not ? Do Christians like Muslims ?
No. They hate each other.

If there is a God, God wanted unification among religions. Is this true or not. (True). Unification is God’s main providence, final goal and final purpose.

So to people who create  difficulty or who cause a  hindrance to the way of the providence of unification,  will God give a gift or punishment ? God will most certainly punish.  I’m very sorry for the person who created a problem through this case and who persecuted the Unification movement in the Philippines. I’m sorry to say the name of this immigration officer and I’m sorry that he already went to the spirit world. But, now he can  see the world, and can recognize the wrong that he has created. I’m sure that he has already repented, so I would like to pray for him today.

Before I did not want to pray for him, but I must because he too should be resurrected and lifted up to the higher spirit world. Can we pray for him? ( Yes ) Jesus cried out to God in his most suffering moment, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." This was the deep expression of the heart of Jesus.  So together  we must forgive this misguided official because he did not know what he was doing.

Two thousand years ago the chosen people persecuted and crucified Jesus, Why? Because they did not know who he was. It was because of ignorance. So we have to forgive those who persecuted us. They did not know what they were doing to the Unification Movement.

The Holy Blessing, is our Holy Sacrament,  This  is a kind of  Holy ritual ceremony. Is the Holy Blessing a mail order bride scheme ?  A front for illegal recruitment ? It’s impossible. They researched, they investigated and finally they made  a conclusion, that there was no evidence and no proof to substantiate these charges.

Yesterday, we discussed with the media people, how to re-shape, and take back our original image, but  there is so much damage done already. We have to  restore our image step by step.

Brothers and sisters we have the Unification Principle and we have the Unification Foundation International all over the world. In one hundred eighty five nations around the world, we have God,  we have Jesus, we have True Parents and we have our brothers and sisters. I thought that during this two-year persecution all of our members had left, but  today I see that so  many brothers and sisters still remain. I’m so grateful for your strong faith in God and True Parents. You know, two thousand years ago, there were only twelve people left at the time Jesus was persecuted, but now, how many people are here? We still have many brothers and sisters  throughout the nation and throughout the world. So I can  feel  energy, power, conviction and great confidence.

So today we are having this victory celebration. Please support Heavenly Father. ( Applause ) Philippines will become a leading country in Asia and  in the world. Brothers and sisters, today we have to heartistically thank God  who has been leading us to victory for Religious freedom. Let us then bring a greater foundation for this country and for the world.
 
The great country of the Philippines needs the Unification Movement. Each family, every individual, all religions, all parties and political parties, need unification. Without unification this country will be in trouble. So, this  victory is because of
God’s direction, God’s guidance and God’s direct involvement.

Please, brothers and sisters, behind our victory, God has been working so hard together with you. Please remember, God is alive, God has been working with us together. He is continually with us.

With this understanding, we as the Unification Movement, the sons and daughters of God must make renewed efforts to strive to be of even greater service to our country and to God. This must be our pledge tonight.

Today in this gathering of our brothers and sisters, we are conscious, now more than ever, that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves. Our inspiration comes from God’s promise that whatever we give will be given back to us many times over.

Thank God and thank you brothers and sisters. May God bless you! Thank   you !
 
 

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