Centralized vs Decentralized

Steve Salowsky

Hi Alan,

That's the ticket! A good amount of both, but not so much as to spoil the mix.

The mvmt is so centralized now that if people think of banding together to do something, they're labeled a break-off group, are blacklisted, and just fade away. I have seen many end up like this.

One example is Shehaqua, if you know the story.

The mvmt should be a facilitator of individuals and Blessed Couples coming together and working on projects. Had I asked HQ or any leaders to create an archive of church members and bands music, never would've gotten done. But I took the reins, coded in my free time and 1 year later, we have kingdomofheavenmusic.com

And yet, aren't we all supposed to have our lineages engraved onto True Family's tree? So we can't throw the baby out with the bath water. And yet, in their current state, it is very difficult to "work together" with them because they expect us to work "under" them. It's very much an elitist/Korean thing; elitist b/c they were raised as demi-gods by the members, and Koreans are very domineering people to begin with.

I grew up around the True Children and have many experiences.

Unless they can break free from their programming, and work "together" with the members, we might have to wait a few generations for the elitist/Korean extract is diluted in later generations.

In the meantime, we probably should continue working as decentralized Blessed Couples and continue moving the Providence forward.

Blessings,Steve

Alan Feldsott

Regarding decentralization - this is what True Father had to say in 1983:

"Once all those blessings are spread throughout all levels, then the True Father will be the eternal center for all people. There will always be a physical representative of the True Father here on earth, from one generation to another; there will be that axis on which the earth will turn."

"Parents, Children and the World Centered Upon Oneself”June 5, 1983; Tarrytown, New YorkGod's Will and the World (1985), p. 649

A core element of Father’s teaching is therefore that the KOGOE requires a common center, a “physical representative” (which I understand to mean someone from Father’s lineage). If there is no common center, it’s like trying to establish a solar system without a common sun to revolve around. It cannot function as a solar system. If we’re chasing after different suns, how can we unite as a single “movement" with a unified purpose?

I would agree that there needs to be decentralization of money and power of the church organization. But doesn’t there need to be spiritual, theological, and ideological centralization centering on one common axis to accomplish our goal?

Alan

Joe Leonard

Hi Terry,

Telling the truth is important, even when it’s harsh. The UM, I believe, got away from this and instead resorted to fabricating new stories along the way to justify its existence.

When I say “the UM“ did this, it is fair to ask what I mean by this. Is it TPs, is it some of the True Children, is it leaders pulling the strings behind the scenes, is it over obedient members who should’ve been questioning things much earlier? We are all responsible on some level, I think.

My criticism and challenge to those in this group who are leaning hard on theological explanations to guide their world view is that, in the end, religion is made up. That’s fine, human beings make up a lot of things. If those stories produce not only a high-quality of life - love, connection, intimacy, family, health, optimism, creativity, contribution –but also act as a service to alleviate the suffering of others in the world, it is a good thing.

I often think like this: the DP is a 400+ page book. If one just focused very seriously on pursuing what the first 50 pages of the DP suggests, they could have an amazing, gratifying and adventurous life.

That doesn’t mean that the fall of man and restoration are not true, or useful or applicable to life. The lessons from these sections could be drawn when needed, like a concealed weapon - ready to brandish if necessary - that you hope you never have to use.

I think the testimonies of the three second generation from this past Saturday’s Zoom call should radically change the direction of conversations in this group. But I’m not sure they will.

In those testimonies, we saw the actual outcome of the UM. And it is very good.

The UM did its job. It produced hundreds of thousands of families and many more children.

If we look at what those children are doing in the real world – instead of trying to make sense of the UM – we can find fulfillment and gratification. This is not a sideshow or a distraction, it is what Father intended.

The UM is the part of a space-bound rocket that falls away after launching the main capsule into space.

We can join our kids in these possibilities or we can attach ourselves to the discarded booster. It’s up to us.

I think this group should jump head first into exploring the ways in which our children (second and third generation) are healing the world. This will also heal us.

Joe

Terry Sweeney

Hi Joe,

The ‘truth’ of the UM being a highly dysfunctional organisation is all around us but many would prefer not to go there.

I don’t see reform as possible while Korea is still in charge of it. There seems no other choice than decentralization and self-determination within separate nation states.

If our UM house can be cleaned up again, then I think the SGs (2nd Gens) will get more involved in its future direction of travel. As it is, none of them in their right mind will want to get involved.

Identified problems need pragmatic solutions, and these require any uncomfortable truths to be addressed.

The vast majority of them want nothing to do with the UM in any of its colours.

I’m all for salvaging something meaningful from the UM ashes but I do fundamentally dislike the UM, as I do most other institutions which seek self-preservation and self-service as their only goal.

I’m what might be called a ‘hopeful veteran onlooker’ and only prepared to participate where there is honesty and integrity evident in the UM.

Cheers,Terry

John Redmond

Excellent Conversation.

I think the 'Elephant in the Room' is that 80% of our most capable 2nd Gens have voted with their feet and opted out.

My children are well educated professionals and I can't even begin to have a thoughtful conversation with them about any of this.

If we can't do that, what are our chances of having any impact in the larger world?

John R