Strengthening Marriage and Family in the 21st Century

The Contribution of UnificationismThe Family Federation for World Peace and Unification

1

Buddhist, Sikh, Muslim, Native American, Hindu, Christian

Co-officiators from theWorld‘s Religions

33

Gross National Product OR

A Store of Lasting Love

Securing a prosperous and peaceful future

Securing a prosperous and peaceful future

44

The Human Factor

All institutions are led by human beings

They may be built on noble ideals, but they are influenced by the values and integrity of those who make the decisions

Human character is shaped by experiences in the family, the educational system and by social, cultural and religious influences

4

Three Steps to Peace and Well-being

Gen 1:28

God’s Gift to Humankind

and our primary responsibility in life

5

Peace in the Individual – “be fruitful”

Peace in the Individual – “be fruitful”

Mind/body unity Growth in character -

virtue Closeness to God -

temple

Mind/body unity Growth in character -

virtue Closeness to God -

temple

BodyMind

God

GoodCharacter

7

Peace in the Family and Society – “multiply”

Peace in the Family and Society – “multiply”

God-centered marriage

Devoted couple Beloved children Harmonious families A peaceful world

God-centered marriage

Devoted couple Beloved children Harmonious families A peaceful world

FamilyFamily

NationNation

WorldWorld

WifeHusband

God

Child

8

Peace in the World – “have dominion”

Peace in the World – “have dominion”

Healthy environment Material prosperity for

all Science and

technology benefiting human beings and the natural world

Healthy environment Material prosperity for

all Science and

technology benefiting human beings and the natural world

NaturalWorld

Humans

God

Peace andProsperity

Family

Society

Nation

One World Family

Husband True Love Wife

Child

God

Humans True Love Things

Ideal Creation

God

True Love Body

Ideal Person

God

Mind

Be ‘Fruitful’‘Multiply’

‘Have Dominion’

9

10

Love, Life and Lineage……

… which do you think has most value?

Many people think that it is love.

However, no matter how valuable love and life are, they are horizontal in nature. They appear and conclude within one generation.

On the other hand, lineage is vertical in nature and continues forever, generation after generation.

When a man honors his father and mother, God says,

“I regard it as though I had dwelt among them and they had honored me.”

Judaism, Talmud

When a man honors his father and mother, God says,

“I regard it as though I had dwelt among them and they had honored me.”

Judaism, Talmud

The Family Honors God.The Family Honors God.

Lord, give us joy in our wives and children, and make us models for the God-fearing.

Qur’an 25.74

A model Family A model Family

When the family declines, ancient traditions are destroyed.

With them are lost the spiritual foundation for life, and the family loses its sense of unity.

Hinduism, Bhagavad-Gita 1.40

When the family declines, ancient traditions are destroyed.

With them are lost the spiritual foundation for life, and the family loses its sense of unity.

Hinduism, Bhagavad-Gita 1.40

Family As a Spiritual Foundation

Family As a Spiritual Foundation

If a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for God’s church?

I Timothy 3.5

The Family and Community

The Family and Community

1515

Love in family relationships

Supporting one’s father and mother, cherishing wife and children and a peaceful occupation; this is the greatest blessing.

Sutta Nipata 262 (Buddhism)

There are five relations of utmost importance under Heaven

between prince and minister; between father and son;between husband and wife;between elder and younger brothers; and between friends.

Confucianism, Doctrine of the Mean

There are five relations of utmost importance under Heaven

between prince and minister; between father and son;between husband and wife;between elder and younger brothers; and between friends.

Confucianism, Doctrine of the Mean

Family Relations Are Essential.

Family Relations Are Essential.

It is by the proper regulation of each family that the whole world is stabilized.

I Ching 37

It is by the proper regulation of each family that the whole world is stabilized.

I Ching 37

The Family Influences the Whole.

The Family Influences the Whole.

My father, thank you for showing me affection; my mother, thank you for making me comfortable; thank you for clothing me with wisdom, which is more important than providing me with clothes.

Yoruba Nuptial Chant (Africa)

Parental Love Parental Love

1919

Unificationism

Absolute Sexual Ethics

1.Purity before marriage.

2.Fidelity within marriage

19

2020

Gross National Product OR

A Store of Lasting Love

Measuring the true basis for prosperity

Measuring the true basis for prosperity

The Significance of Marriage

The Significance of Marriage

A partnership of man and woman A sacred, exclusive and eternal

commitment Forms the most fulfilling, secure

and constructive base for: • sexual/conjugal love• creation of new life• raising and educating

children• establishment of lineage

A partnership of man and woman A sacred, exclusive and eternal

commitment Forms the most fulfilling, secure

and constructive base for: • sexual/conjugal love• creation of new life• raising and educating

children• establishment of lineage

Thank you

22