Pieces Of Concerns

John Theriot
January 15, 2010

When I visited the Philippines the first time, I was in awe of the people. Everyone I met in the church was so wonderful and loving. I saw the hardships of the brothers and sisters, and my heart was with them. I really felt that "This is the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand" and wished sincerely that the American (Unification Church) Movement would inherit this kind of loving heart.

I remember also the many things I learned about the Philippines. The language barriers, the deep divisions caused by religious differences. When I looked around at the Filipinos I met on the street, they really looked like brothers and sisters. I deeply reflected on a map of the Philippines and saw in the islands the shapes of the continents of the world. What I realized is that God has trusted the Philippines so much that He has saddled the Filipino family with the responsibility to resolving the world's toughest problems. At that time, I felt that if there were any people who could digest the language barrier and religious division, it is the Filipino family.

Now you are given the most incredible opportunity, that is to preserve the legacy of True Father. Never, in the history of any religion has the transition of the founder gone smoothly. The division of Christianity is an example and the continuing bloody fight between the main factions of the Muslim faith are another example.

In Jin Nim has stated that Hyun Jin Nim is not the problem, but he is receiving bad counsel from the people around him. Well, we are the people around him. In my heart, I know that Hyun Jin Nim will turn around. However, If Hyun gave Father his jet and newspaper back today and united with the other members of the True Family, do you think the leaders who set him up will follow him? Do you really think that those who are willing to usurp the results of the blood, sweat and tears of the Filipino members suddenly change their minds and return the property and credit?

The problem is not Hyun Jin Nim, it is us. We have been affected by a sort of "virus" that causes us to shake in our faith that True Parents as the one True Father of our church.

Based on our weakened state, we have been challenged on two fronts. First we have faced the Nakayama group proclaiming Father's failure. The Nakayama group has focused on winning over (in my opinion) the senior members who were swept aside when the Kim's took over.

Second you have the crisis of faith that is surrounding Hyun Jin that questions Father's decision making ability. This "virus" has affected many of the younger members and leaders.

I pray that we can renew our faith at this time and take seriously the lessons of history. We need to rally around the True Family and protect them.

With love and respect for the great Filipino family,
John Theriot