International CARP Offers Creative Student Leadership

A new student movement in the United States is growing, centering on New York universities and attracting students to international leadership seminars at Barrytown, New York. This movement is the Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles, originally founded in Japan twelve years ago, and now active in Korea, Taiwan, the United States, and Europe.

A brochure for the leadership course offers three lecture series: Divine Principle, Unification Thought, and Communism: A New Critique, explaining that, “As the cultures of the world are on converging paths and science is destroying many traditional beliefs of both East and West, it is of great importance that a common ground of principles and values be understood and applied in all fields of human endeavor. This will be the foundation for good leadership and world harmony.”

The Columbia University chapter of CARP has outlined the following goals, which are similar to CARP goals in other countries.

I. Revival of Judeo-Christian tradition

As the national crisis demonstrates most clearly, America is undergoing its greatest test. American democracy has never matured into a clear and concrete ideology, and the original principles on which America was founded have been eroding away until only a near empty form remains. We must recognize this crisis as a warning and sign for us to examine and re-evaluate the principles which govern our lives.

The original principles upon which the American democracy was based, are derived from the Judeo- Christian ethic and centering on a belief in God, have almost disappeared, and with them the character and strength of the American people, as well as respect for Americans by the people of the world.

America has a vital role to play in the world. However, more and more of those who have been close to America are turning away, their hearts embittered with distrust. Emphasis on individual rights, at the expense of others, has reached a climax in the American nation. As a result, American policies are made without consideration for her allies. Americans must reconsider and return to the Judeo-Christian foundation in order to actualize the goal of responsible service to the world. This service is our first moral imperative.

II. Unification of the sciences and religion

In November 1973, CARP worldwide helped to sponsor the Second Unified Science Conference, held in Tokyo, Japan. It was attended by world-renowned scientists who discussed the lack of spiritual orientation in this highly developed scientific civilization.

Einstein said, “Religion without science is crippled, and science without religion is blind.” Science must provide the foundation for man’s life, and religion must provide the direction and meaning. Religious people must lead the way by elevating their fundamental principles and teachings in order to provide purpose and direction for modern man. The result will hasten the true goal of science-that of providing the resources, efficiency, and comfort necessary to insure an ideal life for all people.

III. Revitalization of education

In education, the subdivision of studies has gone so far that individual research projects have lost their inter-relationship and common direction; modern education is deadlocked and lacking a unified purpose.

The true purpose is to realize happiness for both individuals and the whole body of humanity -families, societies, races, nations, and the world.

From this point of view, all areas of education must be reorganized and harmoniously oriented to this one purpose.

IV. Unification of Eastern and Western culture

CARP’s cultural exchange program has promoted an interchange among professors and students in the countries of Asia, the United States, Canada, and Europe. CARP has also been supporting the “Little Angels” (the National Folk Ballet of Korea) in their tours of campuses throughout the world. The Little Angels has performed for such heads of state as Queen Elizabeth, the Crown Prince and Princess of Japan and Holland, and President Nixon. The troupe’s most recent achievement was a special benefit performance for UNICEF in the UN General Assembly Hall, December 27, 1973.

CARP’s program of cultural interchange stems from the desire to fulfill more deeply both Eastern and Western ways of life and culture. Traditionally, Western thought emphasizes man’s external aspects, such as analytical thought, and Eastern religion emphasizes internal aspects, such as intuition. The two ways of thinking must be brought together in order to provide a more integrated and balanced view of man, and a more highly developed way of life and culture. The interchange of peoples and cultures throughout the world is to accomplish such a union.

V. Promotion of welfare

The welfare of the people is a universal need. Even New York City, the most influential city in the world, is facing the worst problems concerning the welfare of its citizens. Subways, streets, and buildings must be kept clean and in good repair externally. Divorce, broken homes, juvenile delinquency, drug problems, immorality, and crime must be dealt with and eliminated internally.

In all areas of activity, CARP’s goal is to promote the welfare of the people both internally and externally. CARP is uniting conscientious students to serve the society by applying their knowledge and abilities to help the residents and children of their communities who are in need.

VI. New Critique of Communism

Communism cannot make men happy because its view of man is false. It is clear that a people deprived of such basic liberties as freedom of speech and worship cannot be fulfilling their potential as human beings. The action and ideology reveal the negative and destructive nature of Communism philosophy. By insisting that all life and growth occur by struggle and conflict, the Communist seeks to justify violent revolution and bloodshed. From the 1960’s onward, the Communist principles for “world peace and unity” have produced division and destruction which dominate the college campuses of the world today.

Based on the belief in God and love of fellow men, CARP intends to expose the errors of Communism not by slander, but by logical and practical critique and counterproposal to the Communist method and ideology.

Therefore, the CARP movement in the college campus will provide the environment and alternatives by which the student can search for more substantial truth.

VII. Promotion of information of the university system

CARP seeks to promote student understanding of university laws and functions in order to develop future leaders in all aspects of the educational field.