Graduating from Religion: The True Intent of Reverend Sun Myung Moon
In my note profile, I describe myself as a "graduate."
First, I would like to clearly articulate the true meaning behind this term.
Here, using Reverend Sun Myung Moon's words as a guide, I will organize what it means to "graduate from religion."
It is not about abandoning faith or betraying God, but rather, I understand it as a process of drawing closer to the original purpose of faith.
Chapter 1: Reverend Moon's Shocking Words
1. On the Church (from his autobiography)
First, Reverend Moon himself speaks about the "church" and "religious organizations" in his autobiography as follows.
> "I do not particularly like the word 'church.'"
> "Originally, there is no reason to separate people from me using the word 'church.'"
> "What I wished for was a church without denominations."
>
> "A true religion is one that seeks to save the nation even at the cost of its own organization, and to save the world even at the cost of the nation. In no case can a denomination take priority."
What we can understand from these words is that, in the first place, Reverend Moon himself did not view the "church" or "religious organization" as the ultimate goal.
I remember when I first started attending church, a senior member told me, "The Unification Church is a church created to build a world where religion is no longer needed." If we reach a world where God is naturally present, religion will become unnecessary—I thought that made perfect sense when I heard it.
The church and religious organizations are important vessels, but they are ultimately a means, not the end. What Reverend Moon wished for was a "church without denominations," in other words, a world that transcends the labels that divide people from one another.
2. The Purpose of Religion (from "Pyeong Hwa Gyeong")
When I read "Pyeong Hwa Gyeong" during a 40-day devotion course, I was deeply shocked by the following words. Reverend Moon repeatedly spoke to world peace ambassadors and religious leaders as follows.
> "Religion is not the goal (purpose). It is merely a passing point to restore the original state."
> "Religion is a repair shop to fix the state where the mind and body are fighting; religion is a required course, but it is not the goal itself."
> "The goal is to be repaired at the repair shop, graduate as an exemplary student, and live a heavenly life while enjoying the blessings that God originally wanted to give as an original human being."
Religion is a "repair shop," and it is a passing point to restore the original state.
The goal is not to "continue living inside the repair shop," but to live a heavenly life as an "original human being."
I felt that the very idea of "graduating from religion" was included in Reverend Moon's words from the beginning.
3. The Limitations of Rituals (from "Pyeong Hwa Gyeong")
Similarly, in the "Pyeong Hwa Gyeong," there are clear words regarding the limitations of religious rituals.
> "God cannot enter into the restricted doctrines and rituals created by religion"
> "The original relationship between God and human beings does not require the steps of faith rituals; it is a relationship of parents and children who can live centered on an ideal family, intoxicated by the happiness of true love in daily life."
If one takes these words at face value, I have come to feel that remaining stuck in formalities carries the risk of straying from the original purpose. And I thought, God is not in the church, but rather in our homes.
Chapter 2: Three Meanings of "Graduation"
So, what does it specifically mean to "graduate from religion"?
I have organized it into the following three points.
Meaning 1: Religion is a "Repair Shop"
Reverend Moon described religion as a "repair shop that fixes the state where the mind and body are fighting."
Religion is a place to fix the state where the mind and body are fighting
The natural state is to graduate once the repairs are finished
It is unnatural to stay in a repair shop forever
The goal is not to live inside the repair shop, but to live as an original human being, enjoying blessings
For me, "graduating from the religious organization" is not a denial that says, "I don't need the church anymore."
> Being cared for by the repair shop called the church up to a certain stage,
> learning, repenting, and being trained,
> and then taking what you have gained there to start living the "real performance" of daily life and family—
I feel that is the meaning of "graduation."
Meaning 2: Graduation from Dependence on the Organization
The second point is the meaning of graduating from dependence on the organization.
Thinking and judging for oneself, rather than "waiting for instructions from the organization"
Making decisions based on conscience and the Word, rather than "obeying because I was told to"
I understand "Owner of Cheon Il Guk" to mean a person who lives proactively
Even without being bound by an organization, faith can exist if one is faithful to God and one's conscience.
To me, "graduation" means moving away from blind subordination to a religious group and entering a stage where one lives as an individual responsible before God. I believe this is what it means.
Meaning 3: From Form to Substance
The third is the transition from form to substance.
Rituals and forms themselves are not the goal.
Daily life itself should be the place of faith.
The family is the foundation of a small heaven, a church where love and responsibility are practiced, and a training ground.
We are called not just to speak, but to bear witness through our substance.
Worship, events, and rituals are important, but they should all be
> Preparation for practicing love in the family and society,
> Giving life to people, restoring relationships, forgiving one another,
> And creating happiness together.
I now understand that "graduating from religion" is the process of shifting the center of gravity from form-centered to substance-centered.
Chapter 3: Faith and Religion (Organizations) Are Different
In September 2022, I wrote this on my blog.
> "Faith and religion (organizations) are different."
This is not merely my personal opinion, but words rooted in the teachings of Father Moon that I have seen until now.
What is faith?
[Faith]
An infinitely personal relationship with God.
Living according to one's conscience.
Practicing the Word.
Cultivating love with the family as the foundation
The core of faith is not about 'which organization you belong to.'
It is about how your heart is connected to God—in a word, faith is a way of life.
What is a religion (organization)?
[Religion (Organization)]
Churches and religious groups as organizations
Systems, rituals, and rules
Hierarchical structures, positions, and lines of authority
Donation systems and various operational structures
While these have certain functional necessities, they are not faith itself.
> 'Loyalty to an organization' is not the same as 'faith in God.'
> 'Instructions from a religious group' is not the same as 'the voice of conscience.'
When these two are confused, people end up prioritizing 'organizational convenience' over 'conscience.'
As a result, haven't many people been hurt, families divided, and young people turned away from faith?
I personally felt a weight lift from my heart when I was able to clearly distinguish between the two.
In fact, the first time I heard someone say, 'I think faith and religion are different,' it was from my daughter. It took me by surprise. Being taught by the second generation... (sweat)
Even if you distance yourself from a religious group, your relationship with God continues, and becoming free from an organization is not the same as abandoning your faith.
'Graduating from a religious group' is not the same as 'letting go of faith.' Rather, it is a stage where you begin to live a more subjective and essential faith.
Conclusion: Beyond 'Graduation'
I think some people hear the phrase 'graduating from religion' and feel a sense of betrayal, while others feel liberation or anxiety.
However, when viewed in light of Reverend Moon's teachings, we come to understand that religion was originally a repair shop that assumed 'graduation,' that religious groups are a means rather than an end, and that the goal is to live as an original human being within the family and society.
The reason I call myself a "graduate" is a modest declaration of my determination as an imperfect human being who wishes to get even a little closer to that goal.
From now on, I want to be sincere before God and my conscience, rather than relying on an organization.
And I want to go beyond the framework of religion and respect one another.
At New Year's, I go to the shrine with my family for the first visit of the year, and I am also on friendly terms with the monk at the temple that my family has been associated with for generations.
I want to aim for a life where I live as a "master of Cheon Il Guk," cultivating small but genuine love within my family and daily life.
(Postscript)
Thinking about it this way, I can't help but wonder if the request for a dissolution order against the former Unification Church is actually a stern yet profound love from God, saying, "Do not remain within the framework of religion forever! Move on to the next step quickly." Am I the only one who thinks that?