Joining The Dots - Day 9

Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, everybody. It's nice to see so many familiar faces here again. I'm going to carry on from where we left off yesterday. We looked at the principal explanation on the nature of reality, particularly through the film 'The Secret of Chaos'. Modern science suggests that reality is not as predictable as previously thought; instead, it contains a chaotic element. However, within that chaos, there is also order. The Divine Principle aligns with this understanding of the world. Years ago, I struggled to grasp many of the concepts in the Divine Principle because I didn't fully understand science or the nature of reality. But after nearly 30 years of studying self-generating orders, I believe the Divine Principle provides the most accurate description of reality that I've encountered.

The philosophy of the Divine Principle and Unification Thought maps onto the natural world much better than materialism or other philosophies. When we examine the natural world, we find many phenomena that the film did not address. For instance, life exists several kilometres below the Earth's surface, where conditions are incredibly hot. Scientists have discovered bacteria thriving in these extreme environments. Similarly, at the bottom of the ocean, there are black smokers—cracks in the ocean floor emitting hot, mineral-rich water—where unique forms of life exist, distinct from those found closer to the surface. This leads me to the impression that wherever conditions allow, life will emerge. The inherent direction of nature drives everything towards greater complexity, and the universal prime force facilitates these interactions.

I often ponder whether God specifically designed bacteria to live five kilometres under the Earth's surface. I believe God created a universe with dual characteristics—internal and external, positive and negative—allowing complexity to emerge. This is akin to a simple algorithm that yields surprising results. For example, black smokers in the ocean create environments where complex structures develop spontaneously. Regarding life elsewhere in the universe, I think if conditions permit, life will emerge. While I am agnostic about the existence of other human beings, I believe the universe could be teeming with life.

Continuing from where we left off yesterday, we discussed Nimrod and the Tower of Babel. Nimrod had a grand vision for a building project and inspired people to participate in this utopian endeavour. He represents an archetype of dictators throughout history, such as Mussolini, who claimed to be like a god, and Stalin, who used forced labour to build his ideal socialist state. These dictators believed they were doing good, yet they committed unspeakable crimes. Many still admire figures like Stalin, and even Kim Il-sung is regarded as the eternal president of North Korea. These leaders, like Nimrod, saw themselves as god-like figures, and their ideologies often led to the denial of fundamental democratic values.

Fascism and communism, while distinct, share similarities in their authoritarian nature. Fascism is national socialism, while communism is international socialism. Both deny the fundamental values of democracy, such as freedom of speech and the press. In fascist regimes, race is often the ultimate value, while in communist systems, class determines one's fate. Individuals exist for the benefit of the state, which is treated as a deity. Under communism, millions have perished, driven to their deaths through forced labour. Idealists, too, can be dangerous when they seek to impose their vision on society. Figures like Woodrow Wilson and Clement Attlee introduced measures that, while seemingly beneficial, often led to increased state control and loss of individual freedoms. The most idealistic leaders can become the most intolerant of dissent, leading to persecution of those who disagree with their plans.

When a state, led by an idealist, attempts to reorganise society according to their vision, those who disagree are often silenced. This intolerance can escalate quickly, with dissenters being arrested or sent to gulags. The journey from saintly idealism to fanaticism can be alarmingly short. It is crucial to recognise the potential dangers of allowing a single-minded idealist to dictate societal plans, as history has shown us the consequences of such actions.

The French Revolution, with Robespierre at its helm, serves as a poignant example of how individuals can cause immense harm in the pursuit of what they believe to be moral good. Frederick Haines often quoted that it is probable more harmony and misery have been caused by men determined to use coercion to stamp out moral evil than by those intent on doing evil. A serial murderer may kill a hundred people in their lifetime, but a leader of a country, in their quest to eradicate moral evil, can cause the deaths of countless millions. This paradox highlights the dangers of ideology, as seen through the lens of Albert Camus, who reflected on the Nazi occupation during the Second World War. He noted that the well-being of others has often been used as an alibi for tyrants, allowing them to commit heinous acts with a clear conscience, believing they are doing good.

Camus further elaborated on this idea, suggesting that a period in which millions are killed should be condemned outright, yet many remain unaware of such atrocities today. Understanding the roots of fascism and communism is essential; without this understanding, we risk repeating history. He illustrated how tyrants, like Genghis Khan, would raze cities for their own glory, while the oppressed were paraded through the streets. The mind does not recoil from such unabashed crimes, and the judgment remains unclouded under the guise of freedom. The phrase 'Work makes you free' at Auschwitz exemplifies how philanthropy can be twisted to justify horrific actions, reflecting a troubling trend in contemporary society where individuals commit terrible acts while appearing innocent.

A principled approach to these issues can be found in the Divine Principle, which discusses dual purposes. The purpose of the whole is directed towards the preservation and development of the whole, while the individual purpose focuses on the preservation and development of the self. For instance, in a business context, the company's purpose is to preserve and develop itself while increasing profits. Employees, on the other hand, are concerned with their own preservation, seeking to earn money to support themselves and their families. They also strive for personal development, seeking promotions and further qualifications to fulfil their potential.

The individual purpose and the purpose of the whole are interdependent. If a company is poorly managed and only concerned with profits at the expense of its employees, capable individuals will leave, leading to the company's eventual downfall. Conversely, if employees are solely focused on extracting as much as they can from the company, it will also fail. Thus, the individual purpose cannot be fulfilled without the purpose of the whole being respected. A successful company fosters an environment where employees feel valued and are willing to contribute, even during difficult times, out of loyalty and a sense of community.

In totalitarian systems like fascism and communism, the individual purpose is often sacrificed for the sake of the whole. Individuals are coerced into sacrificing themselves for the state, which undermines the principle of interdependence. This leads to a society where individual freedoms are stripped away, resulting in a lack of freedom of speech, thought, movement, and even the right to own property. The biblical characters that God seems to favour are those who resist the power of the collective and speak truth to power. Abraham's confrontation with Nimrod exemplifies this, as he stood against a totalitarian state and, despite facing dire consequences, chose to follow his conscience.

Moses, raised in a palace, ultimately rejected the authority of the state when it conflicted with his conscience. This theme of resisting tyranny is echoed in the actions of the midwives who defied Pharaoh's orders to murder Hebrew boys. Their courage in the face of oppressive authority illustrates the importance of individual conscience and the moral imperative to stand against unjust power. This narrative serves as a reminder of the need for individuals to uphold their values and resist the collective when it threatens to undermine their humanity.

Conscience rejected the authority of the state. We saw Pharaoh's daughter, Bithia; she saved Moses' life and brought him up as her own son, again rejecting authority and disobeying her father, thus breaking the law. We also saw when Moses killed an Egyptian. The story is not as it looks; he killed an Egyptian, and when the authorities wanted to arrest him, instead of doing the Socratic thing and allowing the state to put him to death, he fled into the wilderness. There, he became a shepherd and developed his own relationship with God through his conscience. After 40 years, he had an encounter with God at the burning bush. When they left Egypt, all the Hebrews were supposed to kill a lamb and put the lamb's blood on the doorpost. Killing the lamb was an act of extreme disrespect because they were killing a lamb, which represented one of the gods of the Egyptians, again showing their repudiation of the authority of these false gods. This illustrates the kind of people attracted to God, the kind of people God allows to speak truth to power.

Now, I want to move on to cover mental political economy. We see this in two stories in the Bible: one during the time of Noah, which depicts social disorder, and the Tower of Babel, which illustrates totalitarianism as an empire. What was the biblical political philosophy? God is trying to establish what we would call the Kingdom of Heaven or Chunghwa Gork through this whole process of restoration. What are the principles of biblical political economy that God is revealing? This is about resolving the problem of two different purposes, known as covenantal economy or governmental political economy. You might wonder what a covenant is. It's a bit like a contract, but unlike a contract that finishes after a certain number of years, a covenant is eternal and everlasting. A covenant is made when two or more people place themselves in loyalty to one another to achieve together what neither can achieve alone. It is not solely about me; it's about us together, creating a new identity.

The classical idea of a covenant is often modelled on marriage, which is why the prophets always compare the covenant between God and the people of Israel to marriage. When two people get married, they enter the church as individuals, make vows and promises to each other, and when they leave, they are no longer two individuals but a couple. There has been an ontological change; they have now become an 'us'. This vision of covenant is not about signing a contract for a few years; it is about making vows to each other until death do us part, envisioning an eternal, permanent relationship. So, let's examine the covenants in the Bible. After the flood, God made a promise to Noah, saying, 'I will make a covenant with you and all your descendants, and there will not be another flood.' The sign of this covenant is the rainbow, which is why we see so many rainbows today.

This covenant also has content, consisting of certain universal laws. These seven universal laws are part of this covenant given to all humanity, as all human beings, according to the Bible, descended from Noah's family. The first commandment is 'You shall not worship a false deity.' This includes not being an idol worshipper; a human being can be an idol, and the state can also be an idol. Another commandment is to not blaspheme God, and to be very careful how we use language about God. Other laws include not murdering or injuring others, not engaging in forbidden sexual relations, not stealing, and not eating a live animal. The latter reflects the idea of animal rights; one must treat animals with respect. In ancient times, without refrigeration, people would sometimes cut off the blood supply to an animal's leg to keep the meat fresh, which sounds cruel but was a practical necessity.

These are universal laws that apply to all humanity. They are very simple and do not require everyone to believe the same thing or live the same way. Instead, they create a framework for people to pursue their own values, visions, and dreams. Each nation can have its own laws, traditions, currency, and political structures, but within these seven universal laws. The other covenant is the one God made with the people of Israel at Mount Sinai, known as the Mosaic Covenant. These are particular laws, with 613 laws that apply only to the Hebrews. Other nations can develop their own legal codes regarding food and other matters. This illustrates that there isn't supposed to be one single code of law that everyone must follow; rather, there is unity in diversity.

The journey from Egypt into Canaan was about spiritual transformation for the people of Israel. Moses led them out of Egypt, where they were slaves, into the Promised Land of Canaan. However, they needed to undergo a spiritual, relational, social, political, and economic transformation. God wanted to establish a different kind of society in Canaan; He did not want the Hebrews to replicate a slave society there. To achieve this, they had to undergo a significant spiritual change regarding their relationship with God. They needed to treat each other differently, moving away from master/slave relationships that had predominated in their previous society. This transformation required changes in social, political, and economic relationships.

God thought this transformation could happen in 21 days, but it turned out to take 40 years. During this time, God said that the first generation would not enter Canaan; only the second generation, who were born in freedom and lived according to their conscience, would be able to do so. The first generation had a slave mentality, while the second grew up in freedom. This transition from slavery to freedom requires a huge psychological transformation. It is difficult for those who have been institutionalised to live in a free society. They were moving from being obedient, doing as they were told, to taking initiative and responsibility. It is only responsible people who are fit to live in a free society; there is no freedom without responsibility and no responsibility without freedom.

In this new world, God was to be their king. The greatest thing about God is that He is invisible, meaning no one can be closer to God than anyone else geographically. Everyone is capable of forming their own personal, profound relationship with God. Thus, God can rule and guide every individual through their conscience. They had to undergo a spiritual transformation, acknowledging God as their king and living a life of conscience, while also adhering to the rule of law. These laws create a space for them to be free and establish God-centered families as the basis for their society in Canaan. This required a new way of thinking, feeling, and relating, leading to new cultural and structural changes.

What needed to change were the thoughts running through their heads. As I mentioned last week, there is a story that shapes how we think about ourselves and our identity. People need to change this story and their way of thinking. When they change the way they think, they change the way they feel and how they see others. This creates a different culture and, along with it, different structures. Sometimes people believe that superior organisation can create the ideal society, but it must start with individual change. If people change the way they think, feel, and relate to each other, they will create a different culture and political structures that will follow. Structures are the last things to change when everyone reaches a settled agreement.

They met God at Mount Sinai, where God gave a vision statement. God instructed Moses to say to Jacob's household and declare to the Israelites that they should remember what He did to the Egyptians, how He bore them on eagle's wings and brought them to Himself. This journey is about developing a relationship with God. God says that if they will indeed listen to His voice and keep His covenant, they shall be His treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is His. They shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. This vision statement indicates that God owns the world and all its people, and He wants to separate the Jewish people, the Hebrews, to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. This means they are called to serve the world by teaching people about God and moral life, not to be a master race ruling over others. However, there is a condition: they have a choice to accept this calling or reject it. This illustrates the idea of government by consent.

God was inviting them to make a covenant, akin to a marriage, which signifies an incredibly intense relationship. There is a lot of arguing and fighting, but at the end of the day, it is an eternal covenant. No matter what either side does, they stick together. Moses went up to receive the Ten Commandments and all the other commandments. Upon returning, he called the elders of the people and presented them with the 613 commandments that the Lord had commanded him. The people responded together, saying, "All that the Lord has spoken, we will do." Moses reported their words to the Lord, who said to him, "Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you and may also believe you forever." This was their commitment, their response to God's invitation.

Moses then conducted a ceremony to formalise the covenant. He rose early in the morning, built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and erected twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel. Young men were sent to sacrifice oxen to the Lord. They would cut the artery or vein of the oxen, causing the blood to flow quickly. Moses took half the blood and put it in basins, while he threw the other half against the altar, which represented God. He then read the book of the covenant in the hearing of the people, who again affirmed, "All that the Lord has spoken, we will do and we will understand." Moses sprinkled the blood on the people, declaring, "Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words." This act symbolised a change of blood lineage, indicating that they were becoming the people of God, metaphorically becoming His sons and daughters.

The significance of this ceremony lies in the idea that the same blood that runs in God runs through them. They were not merely making a commitment; they were entering into a profound relationship with God as their King and Heavenly Parent. The choice of blood over water is significant, as blood signifies a deeper, more eternal relationship. This concept of covenant is also reflected in the foundation of the American Constitution. When the Pilgrim Fathers travelled from England to America in 1620, they made a covenant with each other, which became the basis of American political economy. This idea of "We the people" echoes the commitment made at Sinai, where they said, "We will do and we will understand."

Jonathan Sacks explains that we can only understand one's faith by doing it. The modern Western mind often seeks to understand before making a commitment, which is acceptable in certain contexts, such as signing a contract or purchasing a mobile phone. However, when it comes to deep existential commitments, such as marriage, one does not fully understand the other person before marrying them. It is through the act of commitment that understanding develops. This principle applies to learning any skill, whether it be playing a musical instrument or driving a car. One must first engage in the activity, reflect on the experience, and then understanding will follow.

The phrase "We will do and we will understand" also implies that while everyone is keeping the same commandments, each individual will understand them differently. This allows for personal spiritual paths, as they are united not by a common ideology but by the observance of laws and their individual interpretations. The event at Sinai was not merely an agreement between God and Moses; it was an encounter experienced by all 600,000 people present. This covenant marked the beginning of both their spiritual and political community, as all men, women, and children participated in this decision-making process.

The covenant established limits on human behaviour, as God is a lawgiver. No one, regardless of their status, is entitled to break the law. This concept also underpins the idea that there is no legitimate government without the consent of the governed. The covenant at Sinai was entered into by consent, which is a foundational principle of democracy. The involvement of all members of the community, including women and children, signifies a very different vision of political society compared to hierarchical structures seen in other cultures. The Jewish symbol of the menorah, which inverts the traditional pyramid structure, illustrates that leaders are meant to serve the people rather than the other way around.

As the Israelites sought to establish a good civil society in Canaan, they needed laws to guide them. The preamble to the covenant states, "I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt and out of the land of slavery." This establishes God's identity and His relationship with the people, creating a sense of obligation and reciprocity. Morality flows from this identity; understanding who they are informs how they should live. God did not introduce Himself as the creator of the universe but as the one who brought them out of Egypt, highlighting a personal relationship with their ancestors. God reveals Himself as one who cares about the suffering of His people, indicating that morality is rooted in identity.

This principle is illustrated by the story of Prince William, who realised his identity as the future King of England and understood how he should live his life in preparation for that role. When one recognises their identity as a child of God, it becomes clear how they should conduct themselves. The most fundamental identity is the relationship with the Divine, encapsulated in the declaration, "I am the Lord your God." This leads into the Ten Commandments, beginning with the instruction to have no other gods before Him, which emphasises the importance of prioritising God in one's life. Loving one's country is virtuous, but nationalism becomes problematic when it leads to the belief that one's country is superior to others. True love for one's country acknowledges both its strengths and weaknesses, aiming for improvement while maintaining a deep reverence for God.

It's about the primacy of conscience. As Father said, your conscience is more important than a parent, teacher, or king. You can love and respect your parents, your teachers, and sometimes even your king, who may appear like a god. However, you shall have no other gods before me. Therefore, conscience is more important than any parent, teacher, or king. If your parent, teacher, or king tells you to do something that is wrong, you must follow your conscience, even at the risk of your life. This was a tradition of Abraham, who absolutely listened to his conscience. When we talk about the pledge of absolute obedience, we are not referring to absolutely obeying a human being, as that principle is non-biblical. It is about absolutely obeying and listening to your conscience.

The second commandment states that you shall not make a graven image. This refers to making a painting, picture, or statue of God. The reason is that God is invisible. One of the great things about God is that He is infinite, eternal, has no beginning or end, and is an absolute being. God is ultimately mysterious; you can never fully understand everything there is to know about Him. Our understanding is limited by our language, as we can only conceptualise God in terms of the vocabulary we have. God is transcendent, awesome, living, and dynamic; He is becoming, not static. All images of God are finite, limited, relative, temporal, and lifeless. When people argue about God, they are essentially arguing about their own concepts of God, which are all relative and limited by language.

Idolatry occurs when you make your relative perspective an absolute claim. You may have your own concept of God and believe it to be the absolute correct one, but it is only relative. You can never fully understand God; your understanding will always be partial. It is not just about making pictures or statues of God; it is also about recognising the limitations of our own concepts of God. When people create their image of God, they are often worshipping themselves. It is interesting to listen to what people say Jesus is like, as their views often have little to do with what is actually written in the New Testament about Him. Many people have an idealised view of Jesus that does not correspond to the Jesus we encounter in the scriptures.

We should not have any expectations or preconceptions about what a person is like based on their nationality, race, or religion. We often have expectations of others, such as our spouses, based on idealised conceptions formed by our upbringing. This can lead to disappointment when they do not conform to those expectations. People often expect others to fit their ideals, which can be self-centred. Idealism can also manifest in expecting the world to conform to one's expectations. When people encounter those who refuse to conform, history shows that they may resort to extreme measures to impose their ideals, such as imprisonment or violence. Instead, we should love people as they are, rather than how we wish them to be.

The third commandment states that you shall not take the Lord's name in vain. Many people think this means not to say 'Oh God' or 'Oh Jesus' in moments of frustration. However, this is not what it is about. When people say 'Oh God' or 'Oh Jesus,' it is often a remnant of a time when they sought divine help in difficult situations. Words are powerful and creative; they can create atmospheres, relationships, and identities. For instance, when you become a citizen of a country, you must go through a ceremony and swear allegiance, which creates a new identity. Similarly, when you get married, you say vows that create a marriage. However, words can also be damaging. A blessing can uplift, while a curse can ruin someone's day.

This commandment warns against misusing language, particularly sacred words. The most beautiful words connected to sexuality and love have become debased and corrupted. The main point of this commandment is about priestcraft—misusing God's name. For example, a person in authority might manipulate others by claiming that if they do not obey, they will face divine punishment. This misuse of God's name to control and manipulate is a serious sin. Historically, this has led to abuses of power, such as excommunication or bans imposed by religious authorities. Therefore, it is crucial to persuade others using reason and evidence rather than invoking God's name.

Confucius spoke about the importance of rectifying names, which means ensuring that language corresponds to reality. If names are not correct, then language is not in accordance with the truth of things. This is essential for success in any endeavour. For example, during the pandemic, the issue was not the virus itself but the responses of governments to the situation. If language does not align with reality, affairs cannot be carried out successfully. Confucius emphasised that a superior person must ensure that the names they use are appropriate and that their actions correspond to those names. This principle applies to all roles in society, such as kings, fathers, and mothers, who must fulfil their roles appropriately.

The fourth commandment instructs us to observe the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a holy day that occurs once a week, starting on Friday night and ending on Saturday night. This timing allows us to welcome in the new day and say goodbye to the previous one. The Sabbath is a time for God and family, as God desires to create a God-centred family. To achieve this, all family members must be present together regularly. This idea reinforces the importance of family unity and the presence of God in our lives.

A Sabbath is a time for God in the family. It is a day when nobody goes to work because there is more to life than work. One day of the week, families come together; they play together, pray together, read together, sing together, and have fun together. They play music and games together. It is a day to invite God to dwell and live in the family, a time of great joy and happiness. By doing this every week, families create a God-centred environment, emphasising that there is more to life than work. Some people work seven days a week, too busy to go home for dinner or to read bedtime stories to their children. They are too busy attending meetings and neglecting the importance of family and fun. While work is essential, it should not overshadow the joy of family life.

The idea of spiritual refreshment is found in nature, friends, music, worship, and solitude. The first of the Ten Commandments given to the people of Israel when they left Egypt was to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength. This commandment emphasises the importance of loving God and teaching your children to do the same. The first commandment regarding the Sabbath was given when the Israelites were in a state of dependency. God instructed them to collect manna for six days and to rest on the seventh day, which was designated as a time to spend with family and God. God did not instruct them to work harder or have more meetings; rather, He commanded them to observe the Sabbath and take a break. Without this rest, people can become burnt out.

In our spiritual community, we often neglect the Sabbath, leading to burnout as many people work too hard. We fail to invest enough in our families and relationships. God said to observe the Sabbath because it is holy. For six days, work is to be done, as work is good and important for supporting oneself and one's family. However, the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord. The Israelites observed the Sabbath as a sign of the covenant between God and them, celebrating it for generations. God created the heavens and the earth in six days and rested on the seventh. To become like God, we must work six days a week and then rest with our families on the seventh day.

The commandment to observe the Sabbath is not only for the Jewish people but also applies to us. We want to create God-centred families, and God established structures for this three-and-a-half thousand years ago. The Jewish people have endured tough times over the last four thousand years, and they say, 'The Jews kept the Sabbath, and the Sabbath kept the Jews.' By celebrating one day a week with God and family, they passed on stories, traditions, and love from generation to generation. This living tradition has allowed them to maintain their identity and faith through the ages.

Another commandment is to honour your father and mother, which may seem familiar but is quite shocking. In the ancient world, most cultures were patriarchal, where the man owned his wife and children. However, this commandment states that one should honour both father and mother, indicating equal authority within the family. Parents must work together, united in their roles. This commandment challenges the patriarchal family structure that arose from the fall. It also highlights the importance of lineage, as we inherit wisdom and love from our parents, as well as trauma. We must preserve the dignity of our parents, recognising that they are not perfect and deserve our compassion and forgiveness.

Filial piety is a complex concept, and while I won't delve into it now, it is essential to understand that we inherit both wisdom and flaws from our parents. We must strive to forgive them and acknowledge their humanity. There are various models of filial piety, such as Jonathan, Saul's son, who is regarded as an example. I could go on for much longer, but I will wrap up here. Thank you for your attention and engagement; it has raised many questions for us to ponder. I pray for blessings upon everyone here.