Let's Raise our Voices for Religious Freedom!

Greetings distinguished guests from many nations and every continent, who are gathered here for this Conference of Hope.

I want to commend Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon for her leadership and outstanding work for peace and religious freedom for all.

The first and most foundational freedom for which all others are derived is the freedom to worship God as one sees fit. All freedom-loving nations uphold this freedom as essential to not only the principles of democracy but also the emotional well-being of its citizens. Freedom of religion can never be taken for granted. It must always be defended and looked after. There are always forces that will try to compromise this freedom, that will try to place themselves between us and our Creator.

Shortly, we will hear from some of the great leaders and scholars of our time. These are men and women of great wisdom and courage who have come to declare their commitment to our right, which is a free expression of faith by all people. Your participation in this conference is essential because what is most important is that we give voice to these ideals and that we do so as a community of all the faith traditions.

When Reverend and Mrs. Moon first began their work in the 1950s, the single biggest threat to freedom of worship came from the communist governments who institutionalized atheism as government policy. Therefore, the first order of business was to examine Marxism–Leninism and the rationale and the methods and develop an unstoppable critique and counter proposal to that ideology. Even though the Soviet Union broke apart in the 1980s, the threat to our most basic human freedoms still comes from the governing parties of the far-left nations.

Today Dr Hak Ja Han Moon leads a global Movement that seeks to inspire the hearts and minds of men and women of faith and good will to build good families in a world of peace.

We invite everyone to join us in this Conference of Hope. We are all humankind. Wherever you are, whatever your nation or language, you are a divine son or daughter of the same God. Let us all be joyful in that realization! Welcome to all of you!