Confusion in the Western Value System and the Meaning of the Family for Society in Munich, Germany

M ore than 80 participants, mainly the south of Germany and does voluntary from Austria, Switzerland, the work with the management team of a Czech Republic and Germany, Protestant Free Church. In his met in the religious retreat Schloss presentation: The Sex Education Plan and Fuerstenried near Munich. The topic Gender Madness, he spoke about attempts under discussion was the role of the family by gender activists to make sexual diversity in Western society and the threat posed by a topic in the school curriculum, and gender ideology and so-called ‘gender highlighted the ideological background mainstreaming.’ behind efforts to change the idea that mankind consists of two sexes. Presentations were given by academics, representatives of NGOs and politicians, among them a member of the Czech parliament and a Slovakian member of the European parliament as well as representatives of UPF and four other supporting organizations. The whole conference was accompanied by intensive dialogue and exchange of ideas. At the very beginning of the conference there was a moment of silence to remember Fritz Piepenburg, executive director of UPF whose recent sudden death saddened us all. He stressed that in contrast, especially in the first years, healthy family relationships After a short video introducing the are of vital importance to children. Not the audience to the goals of UPF International, education received in school, but the the program got under way. The first part bonds experienced in the home, are crucial of the conference dealt with Moral for a healthy emotional and intellectual Relativism and Genderism. development. Divorce is a traumatic The first speaker was Frank Simon, a experience for children and damages their forestry engineer who worked for several self-confidence. years as a Christian foreign aid assistant in

‘evaporating’. But neither God nor the goal of history has changed; it lies in the fulfilment of the three great blessings (Genesis 1:28): incorruptible people, love in the family and preservation of the creation. Therefore, the foundations for a culture of peace are: God as loving parents and the origin of value and dignity, the family as the first school of love, a responsibility to serve and overcome barriers as well an awareness of man’s eternal existence. Under the topic From Familism to The UPF chairman Karl-Christian Myrdalism the social scientist Dr. Stefan Hausmann spoke about The Ideological Fuchs, referring to the results of many Vacuum and the Foundation for a Culture statistically supported investigations, of Peace. After WW II, a great desire for explained the social and political contrasts lasting peace prevailed in the Western between ‘familyists’ and ‘myrdalists’ world with a longing to avoid such a (named after Gunnar and Alva Myrdal, catastrophe in the future. The preamble to who masterminded the Swedish welfare the constitutions of several of the German state). Signs of ‘defamilisation’ are a loss of states includes a reference to God. Thus an ability to ‘bond’ in so-called post- the constitution of Bavaria begins with the modern lifestyles and ‘singularisation!, a words: ‘in view of the ruins which were the massive drop in the birth rate in result of a world without God and without industrialised countries (which has in the conscience..’ and the German constitution Jack Corley leader of the European meanwhile also reached the new industrial with: ‘in awareness of its responsibility Unification Movement and former Vice- nations in Asia), as well as giving before God and mankind…’ President of the International Educational preference to state over family The movements to unite Europe had a goal Foundation gave a lecture on Three Life responsibility in education. The way out of of reconciliation and the thinking of the Goals and Education in Values. He the destabilizing ‘de-familisation’ that has United Nations was influenced by a desire reported about IEF’s character building only one family member in its field of to return to God. Seventy years later, program which he worked with in the vision, is to a ‘re-familisation’ which however, the Christian view of man is encourages the whole family system.

1990’s in Russian schools after the collapse commandment to love one’s neighbour. ‘gender-mainstreaming’, since the decline of the Soviet Union, and later also in Today, as once in the late Roman Empire, in marriage in Europe leads to poverty for China. It is derived from the three basic life there are increasing signs of decay: a many women and children. Children who goals stated in Genesis 1:28 which offer a marked tendency to selfishness (growing grow up in one- parent families have a standard for norms and values. In his individuality), the relativisation of human seven-fold risk of poverty compared to personal development, man needs a dignity, overemphasis on sensual pleasure, those who grow up in a traditional family. spiritual standard to guide his physical cowardice and a lack of willingness to Motherhood has become a mere medical instincts. The development of social make sacrifices. Areas where education diagnosis, children are not any more seen abilities takes place on the foundation of takes place are the family, schools and the as important investments and parents are heart which is developed in the family. In media. The family as the smallest unit of just perceived as tax payers and school, along with the transfer of specific society secures the ongoing propagation of contributors to the work force. Because the knowledge, the meaning of love, sexuality tradition and values. It is in the family that role of women as mothers has been and marriage should also be taught. A firm and unconditional relationships are neglected, pensions and health care for balanced education can be represented as found. It is more than an association or women as they age are no longer adequate. a pyramid of education of heart, norms sports club. An assessment program Mrs. Zaborská gave very competent and expertise. should take into account the effects that answers to questions about her work, the laws have on the family as a fundamental influence of lobbies, fear of discrimination social ecosystem. and voting behaviour. She also explained how lobby groups manage to get their ‘reports’ voted for (example: the Lunacek and Estella reports). She referred to the responsibility that every citizen has to vote. On the following day, Sunday, a few new participants joined us. The presentations continued and the main topic was now: Strengthening the Family in a Global Context. Carolyn Handschin lives in Geneva and Nina Nováková, Member of Parliament is the director of the UN office of the of the Czech Republic, spoke on The International Women’s Federation for Situation of the Family in Current Politics. Anna Zaborská, member of the World Peace. Her topic was Family and Her concern is the transmission of European parliament for Slovakia, dealt the UN, Family Mainstreaming. Phrases in European culture in the field of education. with The Family in the European UN resolutions mostly start in a positive The basic elements of European culture Parliament. She lays emphasis on way, but they often contain contrary and come from pre-Christian Greek women’s rights and family-friendly negative positions. The Economic and philosophy as well as Christianity with the politics. In this connection, she demands a 10 commandments and the ‘family- mainstreaming’ as opposed to

reform. Marriage and the family is today The final presentation World Peace seen in a more external way and is through Healthy Families was delivered by orientated to political correctness where all Dr. Dieter Schmidt, chairman of the forms of the family are considered equal. Family Federation for World Peace and Marriage must again be understood as an Unification. The first responsibility of institution based on an understanding of world religions is the same as that of the Christian values and be able to pass on its UN: peace. Therefore, UPF invests itself human inheritance to the next generation. for interreligious dialogue and for the fulfilment of the UN millennium goals which are now called ‘sustainable goals’. As a medical practitioner he stressed that health embraces physical, spiritual and Social Council of the United Nations social well-being and is not simply the (ECOSOC) represents many aspects absence of illness and infirmity. Secure concerning the family and peace. In July attachment to their parents is an 2015, the Human Rights Council (HRC) important condition for the health and passed a resolution by 21 votes to 14, neuronal development of young children. supporting the family. Unless the family is On the other hand, early sexualisation put in the centre, human rights and leads to chemical disturbance in the brain freedom can never be realized. It is of (triggered by pornography and sexual concern that in the meanwhile the focus stimulation) and ultimately to attachment The theologian and representative of the disorders. Therefore, sexual abstinence has been diverted from protecting the Agency for Family Publications (AFFP), before marriage as taught by religion family to ‘family deconstruction’ under the Rolf-Dieter Braun, introduced the makes sense. The holy scriptures of the influence of the ‘reproductive health’ policy initiative ‘Marriage Week’ as a world religions stress the decisive role of of Planned Parenthood and the contribution to his topic What Can we do the family. Jesus, with his statement ‘God ‘Yogyakarta principles’ of the gender for Marriage and the Family? In the week is my father’, brought a new movement. The mother of seven spoke out before Valentine’s Day (February 14), understanding of God which contributed for ‘family mainstreaming’, since although many events are held nationwide: from to his crucifixion. Rev. Moon advanced the family is the cause of many problems, literature circles, cooking events, film this understanding by talking about ‘God it is also the solution. She made several evenings, distribution of flyers, to candle- as the parents of mankind’. Interreligious, suggestions as to how the family could be light dinners and ‘days to encourage the intercultural marriages and healthy, loving brought more into focus. family’. The main message is: marriage is families offer an important contribution to positive and married people can do world peace. something for their relationship! Proposals to spread family values range from: mixing The conference was wonderfully with creative people, meeting people and supported by songs from the choir of an institutions from the fields of culture, African Free Church from Nuremberg, church, politics and science by connections ‘Oasis of Love’. They thrilled us with gospel in the internet and social networks, songs and engendered heavenly relaxation distribution of publications, discussions in for the participants. A special mention small groups at home, to looking for local must also be made of the excellent cuisine, initiatives. The fact is: ‘nothing good the hospitality and loving care given by the happens unless you do it!’ personnel and the nuns. All of this made for a harmonious atmosphere which contributed to the success of the seminar. The second speaker on Sunday morning was Josef Gundacker from the Family All the participants praised the event and Forum, Austria. His topic was: What is hope that a large and effective network can Family? The School of Love! First of all he be established to support the family and showed a power-point presentation that rediscover its potential for generating was structured like a meditation to the peace. song: ’Teach your Children Well’. Children Organizer: Universal Peace Federation should be given roots and wings from their Germany parents. He made the case for less state Co-Organizers: Women’s Federation for interference and more responsibility for World Peace Europe, Family Forum parents and for a paradigm shift in family Austria, Family Federation for World politics, marriage and children’s rights Peace and Unification Germany