|
More on the Status Quo
Another contributor to the culture in the unification movement as described before is modern day Confucianism – represented by Koreans in the upper echelons of the movement.
Tradition in Heaven
When he speaks about the ideal world Sun Myung Moon says that ‘Heavenly tradition is similar to Korean tradition’. Korean tradition is very much based on Confucianism – similar to most of Asia, including China.
Koreans pretty much understand it that way, that they already have paid all the rent and will be on top for eternity. The last chapter of the Divine Principle also says that ‘the commands from God must reach the entire society, without omission, through the medium of the saints’1. It would not surprise if the majority of the Korean members believed that ‘saints’ is synonymous with ‘Korean unificationist’. (The term ‘saints’ in the 1973 translation of the Divine Principle has in the most recent translation been changed to ‘God-loving leaders’2.)
In any case, the statements of Sun Myung Moon about the importance of Korean tradition bolster the pride and confidence of Korean members. At least in the past they caused Western members to bow in awe before the Korean ‘representatives of True Parents’ and believe that they have a long way to go until they measure up to the heavenly standard. It appears that most Koreans believe the same.
|
