This speech was given in acceptance of the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity awarded to the Reverend Sun Myung Moon by Shaw Divinity School on May 11, 1985.
Members of the faculty of Shaw Divinity School and Shaw University, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: On behalf of my husband, the Reverend Sun Myung Moon, and our family, I would like to express my deep gratitude for the honor you have bestowed upon him this day.
The sole purpose of his life My husband was especially moved when he read of the history of Shaw University and Shaw Divinity School, and their founder, Dr. Henry Martin Tupper, for he found in the life of your founder two Christ-like characteristics to which he has dedicated his own life: love of God and service to humanity.
I am told that on your Founder's Day, you all gather around Dr. Tupper's grave in the center of the campus to pay tribute to this great man, and to read aloud the epitaph on his tombstone: He counted not his life Dear unto himself that he might lift Godward his brother. Dr. Tupper received a great deal of persecution for his idealism, and yet, he persevered with courage.
Reverend Moon, too, knows the meaning of being persecuted for the sake of ideals; he is in federal prison this very day on that account. Yet, the sole purpose of his life will continue to be to lift all people Godward and ease the pain of suffering humanity.
My husband has also devoted himself to the cause of unity and understanding between races. When he was asked who the greatest American leader of the 20th Century was, Reverend Moon replied, "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr" At a time when many oppressed people wanted to return hate for hate, Dr. King said, "We must return love for hate."
Dr. King was imprisoned over and over again, and he gave his life for what he believed, but his words continue to inspire us. In the same tradition, my husband loves his enemies. He long ago forgave his accusers, and he loves America now more than ever.
He is thanking God in prison because he has been used as an instrument to rally and inspire the American people to fight against all forms of oppression and injustice. Reverend Moon shares with Shaw Divinity School and Shaw University a commitment to international, interreligious, and interracial harmony.
Since he believes that Jesus would have us live, work and study as one loving human family, he has dedicated his life and his ministry to end racism, religious bigotry and all forms of intolerance, not because he hoped it would make him popular or famous, but because it is right and because it is the Will of God.
Shaw Divinity School and Shaw University have had a great past, and Reverend Moon believes and prays that, with God's blessings, they will be used by God to establish an even greater future.
He is pleased to join in the great tradition of the Shaw Divinity School in working to love God and serve all God's children. May God bless the Shaw Divinity School for its bold leadership and courage now as in years past, and may He use it as a living instrument to build His kingdom. Thank you very much.
Hak Ja Han Moon