A member must say that he is a member of the Unification Church

The spiritual leader Sun Myung Moon, founder of the Unification Church, once proclaimed: “A member must say that he is a member of the Unification Church and that he is the follower of Sun Myung Moon. If he doesn’t have the courage to say it, he is not worthy of me.” This declaration, fierce and uncompromising, speaks to the ancient virtue of courage, not as an ornament of the spirit but as its foundation. In these words lies the timeless challenge given by all teachers, prophets, and reformers throughout the ages — that belief without bravery is an illusion, and faith that hides in fear is no faith at all.

The origin of this quote rests in the turbulent years of the Unification Movement, when its followers faced intense criticism and persecution. To belong to the Church was not merely to join a congregation, but to stand against misunderstanding, ridicule, and even hatred. Thus, when Sun Myung Moon demanded that his followers declare themselves openly, he was not asking for flattery; he was testing their strength. Like a smith striking hot iron, he sought to purify the faith of his disciples through the fire of public conviction. For he knew that only those who stand unshaken before the world can truly serve a higher purpose.

When Moon spoke of being “not worthy” without courage, he echoed the wisdom of the ancients: that loyalty and truth must be lived, not merely spoken in secret. To profess a belief but fear its consequence is to deny its power. Every great teacher — from Socrates to Christ — has demanded this same steadfastness. To Socrates, truth was more precious than life; to Christ, faith was proven upon the cross. Likewise, Sun Myung Moon’s challenge was not about pride, but about integrity. He called his followers to be whole — their words, their actions, and their faith bound together as one.

Consider the story of the early Christians in Rome, who faced death in the Colosseum for refusing to renounce their faith. Many were offered safety if they would but bow to the emperor’s image, yet they stood firm, saying, “I am a follower of Christ.” Their courage did not merely preserve their own souls; it changed history. Their steadfastness planted the seeds of a faith that would outlive empires. In the same spirit, Moon’s words are a call to courage that transcends religion — they remind us that every conviction worth holding must be defended with the full measure of the heart.

But courage, in Moon’s vision, was not merely defiance; it was love made strong. To declare one’s belonging was not to boast, but to affirm connection — to say “I stand with my teacher, my faith, my family” even when the world turns away. It was an act of unity in the face of division, an act of truth in the face of fear. In a world where conformity is rewarded and authenticity often punished, such courage is rare and precious. It is the courage that sustains every reformer, every artist, every visionary who dares to live in alignment with their deepest truth.

Yet his words carry a warning too: for courage without humility can harden into arrogance, and loyalty without reflection can become blind devotion. The true disciple must balance courage with wisdom, and faith with discernment. The worthiness Moon speaks of is not measured by loud declarations alone, but by the purity of intent that guides them. It is not enough to speak boldly; one must live honorably, with compassion and truth as one’s compass.

From this teaching arises a universal lesson: whatever you believe in — whether a faith, a purpose, or a principle — claim it without fear. The world often demands that you hide your truth to fit its comfort, but greatness demands honesty. If you stand for justice, say so. If you pursue peace, embody it. If you love, do not whisper it in the dark — proclaim it through your deeds. For courage is not the absence of fear, but the will to act despite it. To live truthfully is to live fully, and to live fully is to live with honor.

Thus, let these words of Sun Myung Moon echo beyond the boundaries of his faith. They remind us that the highest worth of a soul is found not in secrecy but in sincerity. To speak one’s truth, to stand by one’s convictions, and to face the world without disguise — this is the mark of spiritual maturity. Whether you walk the path of faith, of art, or of justice, remember this: the world does not honor the timid. It is courage, radiant and unyielding, that sanctifies the human heart.