European New ERA Seminar

Liselotte Perrottet
July 27, 1986

President Won Pil Kim gives a testimony about Father.

From July 27 to August 1 the first European New ERA Seminar on Unification Theology and Lifestyle took place in Muggendorf, a pleasant rural site in West Germany.

This seminar started with a big challenge to our faith, because the day before the opening we lost our hotel accommodations to a host of refugees. Miraculously we found another, even nicer hotel in the same village ready to welcome our 44 guests, and our seminar could begin without delay.

This was our first attempt to teach the Principle to European theologians. Philosophers, sociologists, religious teachers, representatives from ecumenical and interfaith organizations, and ministers from different churches, including two black churches from Britain, made up the group.

All of them were eager to learn about Unification Theology from our two lecturers, Ulrich Tuente and Christian Hausmann, who had to face a very unusual and challenging audience, since they normally teach young people at our Principle workshops in Camberg.

Professor Redhardt, a psychologist of religion, Dr. Flasche, a Lutheran theologian, and Dr. Salaquarda, a philosopher, contributed papers on Unification Theology, each from his own specific scholarly perspective.

Most meaningful were the small group discussions. Participants got a better understanding of the real dimension of the Principle by hearing from members what it means to them in their life of faith. One can disagree with another person's theological explanations, but who can deny the spiritual experiences that visibly transform another person's life?

We held regular Unification morning services, and participants took pleasure in singing holy songs and joining with us. All traces of distrust or even distance disappeared from the beginning, and more and more openness and heartistic connection developed throughout the week. Not only were the participants impressed by the honesty and sincerity of our teachers and members, but they seemed to understand that these qualities were first of all to be found in Father himself, whom they recognized as a man of God.

At the final banquet, they had the privilege of listening to President Won Pil Kim's testimony about Father. They were deeply moved by his words as well as by his personality, and no one was surprised to hear someone saying, "President Kiln must be Rev. Moon's Peter." Another guest became very enthusiastic: "How wonderful, if the Principle were true! Of course it is not; it is a utopia. But if it were...how wonderful it would be!" And someone answered: "Anyway, in this one week they converted all of us."

Our band concluded the evening by singing and playing beautiful songs, and the hearts who had resisted to the end were all melted in joy.

I don't think anyone was completely won over by our theology, in this short time. But without exception the participants became our friends and expressed their wishes to meet us again. Some of them offered to cooperate with our church in the future.

After this first and very encouraging experience we are looking forward to the next seminar with great hope and anticipation.