Sri Lanka, A Model for Peace in a Country Torn By War

by John Grhring-NYC

Sri Lanka, a nation that has been torn by the violence of terrorism and a warfare that is rooted in ethnic and religious hostility, hosted the Religious Youth Service (RYS) on March 15-17 in the rural village of Koskandawala where twenty four participants from three nations joined hands in working on repairing a school and clearing a playground.

The RYS is a peace project which aims at reconciling religious conflict through modeling interreligious cooperation and service and has recently held projects in the former battlefront of Croatia and in the volatile Republic of Haiti. The project in Sri Lanka was jointed sponsored by the International Religious Foundation, (IRF) the Women's Federation for World Peace (WFWP) and the Sarvodaya movement.

This was the fourth time the RYS has had a project in Sri Lanka since September, 1992. A sign of RYS's increased development is that for the first time Hindu, Tamil's from the war-ravaged region of Jaffna participated, worked, worshipped, and sang with their Buddhist, Christian and Unification co-participants.

Sri Lanka is a very beautiful island with a religiously diverse population. Recent bombings in the city of Colombo have placed fear, anger and mistrust in the hearts of many. The RYS serves as a spiritual antidote to the hostility and tension that grips so much of the people's lives. RYS is a very realistic model that can foster the healing that is so vital for the recovery of this nation.

The Women's Federation for World Peace (WFWP) helped mobilize people and financial resources to see that the RYS could be held successfully. It is a natural concern for the WFWP, whose mission is to bring about harmony and help educate youth in the values that promote true and lasting peace. The WFWP volunteers moved the hearts of the local villagers and fellow participants by the quality of their heart and service.

Among the education programs of the RYS were presentations by the Sarvodaya movement about rural self-help programs, group discussions about how different religions and individuals view questions on: " Is their Life after death ?,"and " How and when am I accountable for my actions?" In addition to a planned cultural program the participants filled the environment with spontaneous singing at the work site, on vehicles and in multiple languages.

Time was also set aside to visit a local Buddhist temple and learn more about the predominate faith of the country.

One Buddhist monk who was an RYS participate said, " This project was the most memorable time in his monastic life."To many this RYS experience provided a new vision of how peace is possible in a multireligious community. For some it served as the stimulus to make a personal commitment to peaceful change. In the words of one Sri Lankan, " The RYS should be spread all over our country, teaching through example the role of tolerance and the hope of cooperation."

To all, the role and value of religion was re-examined and viewed with a new sense, and understanding. Religion could be seen as a source of enlightenment, a treasure that should never be used as an excuse for division and distrust.

Upcoming RYS Project:

RYS Honduras: June 22-30

The project will accept speakers of Spanish and English.

Project Notes:

The RYS will begin at the capital city, Tegucigalpa. The planned work will be geared to the uplift and benefit of children. RYS will cooperate with the WFWP. Education programs will include a study of Honduras' culture, economy and spiritual heritage. The religion of the Mayans and other first peoples will be studied. A visit to the ancient Mayan city of Copan will be included.

Optional Tour: June 30-July 2 (Caribbean beaches, eco-forest tour)

Come with us and visit nature's wonders found in the rain-forest. Take time to visit, swim and snorkel on beautiful Caribbean beaches. You deserve this special adventure in Latin America.

Cost for the RYS project: $120

Cost for the optional tour: $50 (includes two meals, transport and lodging)

Participants are responsible for their travel expenses. American Airlines flies to Honduras.

For an application and more information:

RYS International
4 W. 43 St., New York NY 10036
fax: 212 869 6424 phone: 212 869 6023 ext. 429
e mail: flag@pipeline.com

Pure and Proud in San Francisco

by Michael Balcomb-San Francisco, CA

Shouting "Stronger families is what our city needs," more than 50 young college and high school students staged a spirited rally at the Feb. 12 meeting of the San Francisco City Supervisors in the Richmond. The young members of the Pure Love Alliance were out in force in front of the George Washington High School protesting what they called the Supervisor's extraordinary decision to grant so-called "marriage certificates" to homosexual and lesbian partners.

The issue has caused considerable controversy in the city, as evidenced by the large police presence. Supervisor Tom Ammiano, openly gay, apparently received a number of threats and was accompanied throughout the meeting by a plain-clothes detective.

Outside, however, the spirit was festive as one speaker after another encouraged the supervisors to examine their consciences and put the family first. Placards and signs carried by the young demonstrators spelled out the message to the 500+ who came to attend the supervisors town meeting.

Irina Kutzenova, an exchange student from Moscow, said that public reaction was evenly divided. "Some were very hostile," she said, "and said that government didn't belong in anyone's bedroom. But others were so excited and said, `You are totally right! It's about time!'" And Shaolin Pen, a Chinese American from San Jose, told the supervisors that they could not legislate against the law of nature. Homosexuality is "unnatural and wrong," and the supervisors have no business condoning it, she said.

Jin Suh Park and Malitzen Flores, both members of World CARP, the international student body co-sponsoring the meeting, then led participants in the "Pure Love Pledge." The pledge, which has already been signed by thousands of young students, commits people to four promises:

To refrain from all sexual relationships before marriage. To respect and honor the ideal of purity in oneself and others. To learn how to practice pure love as a child, friend, spouse and parent. To dedicate oneself to absolute fidelity within marriage.

Later, during the supervisors' meeting, local organizer Michael Balcomb chided the supervisors for their wrong priorities. "San Francisco's young people need to be pure," he said, "and while the Supervisors cannot legislate behavior, they can lead by example." Citing links between sexual activity at school and poor educational achievement, he said that "education stressing abstinence and self- control would be the best contribution the supervisors could make."

Late last year, at simultaneous rallies in Hollywood and Washington DC, the Alliance announced its goal to reach a total of 10 million signatures for the Pure Love Pledge. Rallies were held in several major cities around the country, including Chicago, where Alliance members protested Playboy magazine for its shameless exploitation of women. More than 4,000 students demanded that Playboy and similar pornographic materials be removed from the college bookstores and libraries.

The Pure Love Alliance is also planning a major festival and rally in Atlanta this summer at the time of the Olympic Games. Several thousand young students from all over the world are expected to attend.

Pearl of Great Price

by Curtis Martin

Morning dew glistens on the grass.
Fog drifts slowly through the trees.
Opening the doors of my heart,
I enter the temple of my Lord.

The Lamb lies quiet on the altar,
With trusting eyes, soft and innocent.
Christ is here, holding the Lamb.
He is the Bridegroom of my soul.

A chorus of birdsong rises in praise,
Rejoicing in the sweetness of His love.
Gentle rain refreshes the earth,
Washing me with His tears.

Nothing I own compares to Your love.
Let me sell it all and live in Your heart.
Stay by my side, Precious Lord.
You are my Treasure, my Pearl of great price.

Our Multicultural Society

by Abdel Mesbah

Two years ago, the desire and the necessity came to me, through deep inspiration, to start an ethnic association for people originating from the Middle East Region who are residing in the New York area.

Geographically, the limitation of the Middle East Region seems to be hard to achieve. However, many similarities of the Middle Eastern cultures can be found in most of the countries around the Mediterranean Sea, in the North, Northeast and Northwest of Africa, and in the Gulf and Arabian Sea regions.

Webster's dictionary defines culture as "the sum total of ways of living built up by a group of human beings and transmitted from one generation to another." This definition shows us how broad is the meaning and the content of the word "culture." By "ways of living" we can easily think about almost everything that is part of our daily life--the way we think, feel and express our feelings; the way we grow, prepare and eat our food; the way we design, build, decorate, furnish and live in our homes; the way we sew and wear our clothes; the way we believe and practice our religion; the way we get married, bring our offspring into this world and educate them; the way we deal with our relatives and our neighbors; the way we practice our moral, religious and political authority; and even the way we greet each other. All of the above things are part of our culture.

I still remember the culture shock I first had when I went to Europe to visit my friend. When he met me at the airport, naturally I wanted to hug and embrace him, for that was and still is the way men greet each other in my beloved native country. But I felt that my friend was uncomfortable and embarrassed by the fact that I acted that way. Later on, he explained to me that in his country it is untimely that a man embrace another man in public. So, what was good and acceptable from the viewpoint of my culture, was bad and inappropriate from my friend's.

This example shows us that sometimes the difference of appreciation of even small things from the cultural viewpoint can create a misunderstanding and even poison relationships among people. Unfortunately, in our world today, one cannot find a culture which can be described as a universal, absolute and harmonious one. The criteria we use in appreciating the same behavior may drastically vary from one sphere of culture to another. Hence, we need to understand, respect and tolerate the culture of others in order to live with them in harmony and peace.

We here in New York City are fortunate to live in such a multicultural society representing the encapsulation of the whole world. Even though sometimes it is not easy to live in harmony with others, we still can enjoy the richness and diversity of the various cultures found throughout the city. For example, we can think about the variety of foods, music, literature, and so forth, that one can easily find throughout our beloved city. What we need is to understand, respect and tolerate the culture of other ethnic groups and find out ways in which we can harmonize their culture and ours.

For this reason, Reverend Joong Hyun Pak has asked us to start A.R.M.E.C. (Association for the Research of Middle Eastern Cultures), to be a bridge between Middle Eastern and American cultures. Our motto is "We appreciate the importance of mutual respect, understanding and tolerance as the foundation for a healthy and harmonious multicultural society."

If you share our conviction as set forth above, then please join us, that we may work together in building such an ideal society.

We invite you to celebrate with us the Islamic New Year 1417, on May 31, 1996, at the A.R.M.E.C., 4 West 43rd Street, New York, New York, from 6:00 to 9:00pm. This will be an elegant, cultural evening of dining on Moroccan cuisine, listening to live Moroccan music, fellowship and sharing of Islamic culture.

For ticket information, or other information, please call Abdel at 212-997-0050 ext. 288 or Hakan at 914-941-9039 (evenings).

On Moral and Intellectual Humility

by Haven Bradford Gow

Confucius and Christ agree on one very important thing: humility-moral and intellectual-is indispensable to leading a virtuous life and becoming a good human being.

I think, for example, of the late Dr. Russell Kirk, the eminent conservative Christian man of letters who was well-known and respected throughout the Western world for his essays and books such as The Conservative Mind, Eliot and His Age and Enemies of the Permanent Things. During the later part of his long and distinguished life and career as a writer/scholar, Dr. Kirk was the president of the Wilbur Foundation.

In 1983 Dr. Kirk honored me by selecting me to become one of his Wilbur Foundation Literary Fellows, and I got to study, do research and write under his guidance and supervision at his home in Mecosta, Michigan. On the first day of my literary fellowship, Dr. Kirk said to me, "Thank you for coming to us; please consider me your humble servant."

It was clear from Dr. Kirk's words, actions and demeanor that he was a man of moral and intellectual humility, which was a major reason why he was such an outstanding scholar, teacher, lecturer and writer. Dr. Kirk was humble enough to acknowledge his debt to the wisdom of our ancestors-people such as Confucius, Christ, Socrates, Aquinas, Shakespeare, Edmund Burke, the founding fathers of this country, Abraham Lincoln. Because he possessed moral and intellectual humility, Dr. Kirk was able to communicate the immense wisdom of the past to his contemporaries.

We can also see humility in the example of Christ. Christ could have come to this world as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords; he had the power to command the greatest military might in the world to wage war on behalf of the forces of light against the forces of darkness. Yet Christ came to us as a poor, helpless, defenseless, innocent baby born in a manger; he was so cold that he had to depend on the breath of animals to keep him warm. And to save us from our sins and provide us with the hope of salvation and eternal life, Christ humbly accepted unmerited persecution, suffering and death on the cross.

Socrates also taught us about moral and intellectual humility. Despite being the outstanding teacher of his time, Socrates preached and practiced humility; his attitude was: "The older I become and the more I learn, the more I realize how little I do know and how much more I need to learn. So, I will proceed to go to others, ask them questions about the important issues of life, and let them teach me about God, happiness, right and wrong, good and evil, virtue and vice."

We find contemporary examples of good men who practice the virtue of humility. One thinks, for example, of Rev. Herman Otten, editor of The Christian News (RR1, Box 309A, New Haven, MO 63068), who has for several years as a minister and editor/writer taken noble and courageous stands on explosive issues like abortion, euthanasia, infanticide, "gay" rights, pornography, the importance of good family life, and religious faith versus secular humanism. Despite Rev. Otten's moral and religious certitude about such issues, however, he is humble enough to remain open to criticism and is willing to consider views contrary to his own. In each issue of The Christian News, therefore, we find letters to the editor critical of Rev. Otten's positions, which lead to a lively debate in the pages of his weekly publication.

Still another example of moral and intellectual humility can be found in the life and work of Dr. G. H. Wang, an eminent scholar and president of an educational/cultural affairs foundation in Chicago, as well as a selfless contributor to various charitable causes. Throughout his long and prestigious life and career, Dr. Wang has dedicated himself to showing that the wisdom and insights of ancient Chinese philosophers can be blended with the insights and wisdom of Christianity. Despite his charitable activities and scholarly work of enormous magnitude, though, Dr. Wang prefers to give others the credit and spotlight.

Today, prominent scholars and writers are engaged in the kind of scholarship fostered by Dr. Wang. For example, historian Roxann Prazniak's Dialogues Across Civilizations (Harper/Collins/Westview Press) is a splendid example of how we can benefit from comparing the experience, wisdom and insights of Chinese civilization with those of European civilization.

According to Dr. Wang, educators teach best through personal example; educators can best teach young people the meaning and significance of virtue by displaying in their personal and professional lives such qualities as moral and intellectual integrity and humility.

Dr. Wang's words of wisdom are echoed by Dartmouth College president Dr. James Freedman in his new work, Idealism and Liberal Education (University of Michigan Press). Dr. Freedman explains: "Colleges do inevitably teach values, and they do so by example. Students learn values by observing how professors perform in and outside of the classroom-professors who are dispassionate in their search for truth, careful in their weighing of evidence, respectful in their toleration of disagreement, candid in their confession of error, and considerate and decent in their treatment of other human beings." He adds, "The morality of a professor's example is perhaps the most powerful force in the teaching of values. By the power of their example, professors engaged in liberal education convey the humane significance of such values as inquiry, integrity, empathy, self-discipline and craftsmanship. These are values that inform the academic process."

Marathon Runner

Nine UC members ran the 1995 New York City Marathon! The Marathon was held November 12, 1995 but we just recently were given the photo of one of them--George Aoyama (#1661 with white forehead band), who received a medal at the finish line. George is a dental lab technician in charge of the Ideal Dental Lab in Manhattan and was blessed in the 30,000 Couple Blessing in August 1992 with medical internist, Dr. Yasue Yoshino. This Marathon, incidentally, takes a lot of stamina. The race starts on Staten Island, runners then cross the Verrazano- Narrows Bridge to Brooklyn, up to the Queensboro Bridge to Manhattan and up to Central Park. George finished in 4 hours 51 minutes. The other eight UC members were from Ten Kai Restaurant in Manhattan.

In Memoriam William Joseph Ruiz

William Joseph Ruiz, our dear brother and friend, ascended into the spiritual world on March 25, 1996 in Hyattsville, Maryland. He had been hospitalized for about a month, suffering complications from AIDS. His Seung Hwa Ceremony on March 27 was filled with his family and friends, who paid fitting tribute to this remarkable life which had crossed paths with theirs. Most people will remember Bill for his deep love of God and people and devotion to True Parents; his sense of humor, love of music and art of all kinds, his tenacious spirit and constant drive toward spiritual growth and self-improvement.

Bill Ruiz was born on June 24, 1952 in Ithaca, New York. He joined the Unification Church in 1972 in San Francisco after being witnessed to by Peggy (Warden) Matsuya and Maria (Gill) Brabazon, and joined David Kim's One World Crusade #3 team there. From 1972 until 1979 he traveled around the country on various OWC teams and MFT teams and missions.

Bill left OWP in the spring of 1979 after challenging a white pin, which was an important accomplishment for him. He wrote in a letter at that time, ...we worked so hard together, we laughed and played together, we prayed and cried together. [This] was a message from God to go forward. God spoke to the deepest part of me and said that if only I'd believe it, He would work even through me, if I applied the Principle .... I felt deeply sorry for my faithlessness and promised God that I'd unite no matter what. You know the rest. So many moving things happened and we made it. At first, I wanted to think of those things as miracles, but I think now that they were normal. What's incredible is how we see love and trust and unity as such strange things....

Bill was blessed in the 2,075 Couples blessing at Madison Square Garden on July 1, 1982. He joined Go Tours bus company in New York City in early 1983 when the company was located in the East Sun Building. Jon O'Connor, a co-worker at Go Tours at the time, reflects: "After years on MFT, Bill's sales skills were well honed and his ability to relate to people and accept whatever responsibility was required were a benefit in his new position. The company moved twice during Bill's tenure and on both occasions, Bill was always there to organize the move and to set up the new office. He loved to decorate new environments and set up office systems that helped to make the operations run more smoothly. While Bill spent his years at Go Tours primarily in Charter sales, he was in many ways the glue that held us all together at times. His ability to reach to the heart of people and his willingness to accept more than his share of work did much to enhance the company's image. Even many years later, customers that had dealt with Bill would recall with warmth his open nature and deep heart.

"However, Bill also went through some of his most difficult times while with Go Tours. His difficult childhood often haunted him and he made many efforts during his years in New York to overcome those past painful memories and move forward in his life. In many ways he was successful and certainly made more than a sincere effort to grow during that time. However, New York City is never an easy place to live, and the pace at Go Tours was a stressful one; finally Bill felt the need to move on. He left in 1986. During those first few weeks after he was gone, it was not so much the work load he handled that was difficult to take on, it was the loss of his unique character that was felt by those who remained. Bill was one of those people you don't often have the chance to encounter in life--his deep love of God and of True Parents was an absolute in his life, and while he struggled (as we all do) with the reality of life, he never lost the deeply spiritual nature and sincere love of people that made him one of the most wonderful people I have ever had the good fortune to encounter."

From 1989 to 1991, Bill worked at the World & I magazine as Marketing Coordinator, where he .was remembered as being "a man of bubbling enthusiasm." He was in charge of library .subscription sales and single copy sales. Toward the end of his time there, his heart began to be .pulled in the direction of the flowering of the Russian providence. When the call came for .members to help in Russia, he could no longer resist, for in the deepest part of him was always .the longing to teach Divine Principle and bring True Parents to as many as he could.

Therefore in 1992 Bill spent perhaps the most meaningful and fulfilling time of his life in Russia, .teaching Principle, raising young members, and organizing workshops for educators, which included school teachers, principals and students. While in Russia he became seriously ill with .pneumonia and had to come back to the States. After recovering, he spent time helping out various missions in the Washington area, such as the Washington Times National Weekly .Edition, Original World Projects, the World & I magazine, and the Summit Council for World Peace.

At the same time, he became active with Damien Ministries, a non- profit care-giving association. He helped set up the "Damien House," a federally-subsidized group house that cared for HIV+ and AIDS patients in a comfortable and loving environment. Bill was the first member of the Damien House, and on their Board of Directors. Even while struggling with declining health, his nature was always to reach out to help and minister to others who were suffering more than he was.

During these last years of his life, he was motivated to finally put his introspective thoughts on paper, and wrote a large volume of poetry. One of his most meaningful poems entitled "Testament" was movingly read at his Seung Hwa Ceremony.

His physical body is buried at the Fort Lincoln Cemetery in Brentwood, Maryland, but we know his shining spirit is already engaged in new and exciting missions on behalf of His beloved Heavenly Father and True Parents! May the time pass swiftly, dear brother, until we hear again your deep, booming voice in song and your infectious giggle and lively wit, when you welcome us to the realms of all the saints who have gone on before us!

Election Year Redux

Well, it's an election year again. Would you believe its been nearly four years since this article was first published? Here I present it again, with suitable updates.

As I write this the 1996 Primary Elections are complete, and all eyes are turning towards November. Americans will be voting for candidates from City Councilman to President.

In past campaigns one could hear ads with stirring music, and a breathless recounting of all the wonderful, brilliant things the candidate has done for us. Some were tempted to think, "Hey, with this guy on our side, who even needs the Second Coming?" Today, with all the recent scandals, anyone who ran such an ad would get laughed right off the map! Nowadays, most candidates afraid to include their Party affiliation in their ads, much less, whether they're the incumbent.

There are traditional `liberal' and `conservative' candidates, as well as a large number of `protest' contenders. Many people are saying, "We need a third party," expressing dissatisfaction with the "same old thing in Washington." In fact, there is already a wide variety of alternative, nationwide political parties. If everyone really found a `third party' which exactly suited their views-there would have to be thousands of them.

At this point I must include a disclaimer. You see, this is a religious publication. Let me inform you that I must not, and will not, support or endorse any specific legislation, candidate or party. Heck no-the thought never even crossed my mind. Wouldn't dream of it!

As you consider voting, remember a few things. Recent elections have had very low turnouts. Maybe you and I be the only voters-and we can just settle things ourselves.

When a politician promises you wonderful things, he (or she) might hope to `buy your vote.' When they shake your hand, visualize their other hand reaching into your wallet. Remember, they can never give you anything-they have to take your money first. Worse, they waste half, maybe even three quarters of it on bureaucratic bungling.

Of course, they'll tell you they're spending somebody else's money; taxed from "the rich," or "big corporations." Or that they've "brought in Federal dollars." They're assuming that you're too stupid to figure out their game.

In the past 30 years government has ventured into `solving social problems'-and spent five trillion dollars in the process. That's trillion, with a `t.' Enough money to completely buy up our nation's `troubled' areas-with enough left over to present every poor person in this country with a huge check.

Obviously, this avalanche of tax money hasn't accomplished much. I hear that some people got some good help, but they've left behind an even larger number of folks, stuck in the same old boat.

Where is this little game of theirs headed? The growth of America's government has outpaced its population by some 100 times. The federal budget has grown even faster. You've heard outrageous examples. Our national debt, if you count such things as bond and pension obligations, has reached nearly 20 trillion dollars!

Yet many politicians have the gall to say we haven't spent enough ; that certain horrible old leaders "cut the budget" and ruined everything. If you check the actual numbers, you'll see that government spending remains, and grows, more each year. But never enough, apparently, to satisfy everyone.

Too bad-because the goodies can't keep coming forever. About 150 years ago, Frederic Bastiat got it right when he said, "But the law is not a breast that fills itself with milk. Nor are the lacteal veins of the law supplied with milk from a source outside of society."

At election time candidates start talking tough. "It's time to crack down on-" (fill in the blank), they'll roar. "Down on crime! Up with schools!" Too bad it's usually empty rhetoric. Commentators like Michael Reagan are now holding their actual records up to public view.

Remember, government has a hard time doing anything right. Don't think they're going to start now! If a candidate promises that he's going to fix things, try to get some details. There are certain vital jobs which only government can do.

We've learned a few things from Rev. Moon. That "God has blessed America" with its prominence and prosperity. Because America is good, as Alexis de Tocqueville said. And because she "sacrificed herself," her blood and treasure, for the freedom and development of many nations. What a far cry this is from the popular, selfish `us first' political platforms. Ask a candidate about these things, also.

Before you vote, get informed. One hears people argue about "aid to Boanesia" or "independence for Zorbistan," and yet those same people couldn't find most countries on a map!

Check out the issues, and the `numbers.' You don't need a college degree for this. Just knowing the rough proportions can be pretty enlightening. How much are we taxed? Where is it spent? Which parts of the budget are shrinking-or growing?

Don't rely on the flighty, highly biased `mainstream media' for your information. Check out various viewpoints. Magazines carry a huge variety of opinions. The Nation has extremely leftist views; the National Review, staunchly conservative ones. Our own UNews has many excellent `headwing' commentaries!

If you've got a radio handy, you can catch quite a bit. On National Public Radio you'll hear a `progressive' viewpoint. (Some say a `far leftist' one.) With Rush Limbaugh you'll hear an `incisive, conservative' view. (Or an `insensitive, extremist' one?)

If you're as busy as I am, you could even go and pester a better- informed friend. Better yet, several of `em.

I don't care much about labels, or which `wing' a candidate is tagged with. I want to know their record, philosophy, and position on the issues. I would hope to know their personal character. When I lived in a small state, Idaho, I actually got to know some of the `bigwigs.' Here in California I've met many dedicated activists, of several stripes.

Winston Churchill once said, "We have the worst form of government, except for all the others." We should be thankful for what we have, even if we do keep messing it up. It's been said that "we get the leadership we deserve." I think there's plenty of room for improvement, don't you? For now, I say, "Get informed, and get involved." See you down at the polling booth!