Marriage and Family Chapter 7

Institute for American Values, 1841 Broadway, Suite 211, NY, New York Sixteen top American Scholars on Family Life Why Marriage Matters, Twenty-Six Conclusions from the Social Sciences 2

Fundamental Conclusions Marriage is an Important Social Good Marriage is important for public well-being; it is associated with a range of economic, health, educational, and safety benefits that help local, state, and federal governments serve the common good. Institute for American Values, 1841 Broadway, Suite 211, NY, New York

Marriage in a Global Context There is powerful evidence, not just that marriage is important to society, but that human beings are in some basic sense made to be married. Maggie Gallagher The Moral and Social Significance of Marriage in the Global Context, IIFWP Assembly 2000, p. 4. 4

“The well-being of society and children depends on the health of our marriage culture.” Marriage and the Law: A Statement of Principles, Institute for American Values New York, NY, Web: 5

Family: Essential for Society As far back as our knowledge takes us, human beings have lived in families. We know of no period where was not so… Again and again… human societies have reaffirmed their dependence on the family as the basic unit of human living—the family of father, mother and children. Margaret Mead and Ken Heyman, Family (New York: Macmillan, 1965): p

Gandhi-ji I would like to see India free and strong… the individual, being pure, sacrifices himself for the family. The family for the village, the village for the district, the district for the province, the province for the nation, the nation for all. I want Khudai Raj, which is the same thing as the Kingdom of God on earth. Raj Ghat, Eastern Gate, New Delhi, India 7

8 “…the individual, being pure, sacrifices himself for the family…” Where does Peace Begin?

The Mission of Religion 9 Religions should not only focus on the individual as the center of salvation (moksha, nirvana), but must also understand and support the family as the key to solving social problems.

10 ECONOMICS EDUCATION RELIGION Moral Values SCIENCE POLITICS CULTURE Religion: The Center of Civilization

① To resemble God ② To perfect love (individual perfection) ③ To give ownership of your sexual organ to your partner (love is experienced and perfected through a partner ）. The Purpose of Marriage

God’s Ideal of True Love Seed from a True Father Womb of True Mother Conception (Seed of True Love) (Lineage of True Love) (Body of True Love) 12 Absolute Sexual Purity Palace of Love, Life and Lineage

13 Universal Family Values 1 st Abstinence Brahmacharyia 2 nd Be Faithful Grihastha

Peace Message #10 There is an absolute requirement that all people must fulfill, no matter who they are. This is the requirement of maintaining their purity, which is the model of absolute sexual morality… The first stage is maintaining absolute sexual purity prior to getting married… Second is the model of absoluteness in the love of husband and wife. 14 Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon, Peace Message #10, November 21, 2006

Three Responsibilities God Mind Body Man 15 God Man Woman Children God Man All Things Ideal World The greatest among the Three Responsibilities is the Marriage Blessing. Character of Goodness Families of True Love Societies of Co-prosperity

1. Heart of Children Four Great Realms of Heart Father & Mother Perfected Woman Perfected Man God ＋ － 16 Filial SonFilial Daughter True SisterTrue Brother True HusbandTrue Wife Children 4. Heart of a Parent 3. Heart of a Couple 2. Heart of Siblings

Society Fa m ily Husband / Wife Love Brother / Sister Love Parent’s Love Children’s Love 17

18 Importance of an Ideal Family The family is the framework and environment for human growth. Moon, Dr. Rev. Sun Myung. (2005). The Providential Path to True Liberation and Complete Freedom. Washington D.C.: IIFWP.

19 Social Harmony: Learned in the Family 1. Parental love  Respect for Children 2. Sibling love  Respect for Friends 3. Filial piety  Respect for Elders 4. Conjugal love  Respect Human Sexuality

20 Family Contribution to Human Development The family plays a key role in developing good character. 1.Develops conscience. 2.Learn to live for others (to sacrifice). 3.Sets proper priorities: Family well-being > individual 4.Experience the co-existence of love and law.

United Nation’s MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS Many of the goals are directly connected to the family… but the institutions of marriage and family are overlooked.

The Value of Marriage & Family These are essential social values… Free speech, Private property, Free enterprise, Public education, Health care, Equal protection of the law, and Democratic elections But the institutions of marriage and family are more important! 22

Man’s Last Revolution There have been many revolutions… Industrial, Political, Religious, Cultural Revolution Solve problems?No! Unified Peaceful World?No! World of Happiness?No! Why not? Revolutions centered on Power or Control — a violation of Human Responsibility. 23

Revolution of True Family Values  Absolute Sexual Purity What weapons will we use? True Love and Principle flowing from Shimjung. Last Revolution: ⇒ Centered on Shimjung (Roots) ⇒ True Love (Flowers, fragrance) ⇒ True Character (Fruit) ⇒ Revolution of Absolute Sex (True Family) 24 Man’s Last Revolution

Thank you ! 25