For the Christian no symbol is more universally precious than the cross. Whether East or West-Catholic, Orthodox or Protestant-the cross is perhaps the one common symbol that we all agree on. We do not worship the cross as an object of affection or veneration but we all treasure what it represents, believing that it is remains a powerful symbol for those who follow Christ in apostolic faith. The reason for this is really quite simple-Christians have always believed that this ancient torture stake represents the crucifixion, thus the death and atoning sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. For us, as orthodox Christians, the cross is at the very center of our faith.

The apostle Paul clearly gloried in the cross, prompting him to say to the confused Galatians: "May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (Galatians 6:14). Paul even says that the division of the races, between Jew and Gentile, is reconciled "through the cross" (Ephesians 2:16). And, he adds, God has made peace with all things "through the blood of his cross" (Colossians 1:20).

I think about the cross almost every single day. Whether I see a cross or not I recall to my mind and heart that without the cross I have no gospel, thus no hope and no eternal life. Without the cross I have no wisdom, no message, and no ministry. Paul reminded the Corinthians that when he had ministered to them he "decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2). In other words, he resolved to make Christ the sole subject of his teaching and ministry. One could say, and not be off the mark an iota, that all Christians, and especially Christian ministers, should follow the apostle and do likewise, making Christ and his cross the very center of everything they do for God and the church.

But the danger of preaching a message other than that of the cross is perennial. Here well-intentioned ministers do get off the path. It may not seem to be a great danger for many in our day but it clearly was in Paul's time. And, contrary to what many think today, it remains a danger right down to this very day.

Sun Myung Moon and the Black Clergy of America's Cities
As I read the front page article, "Rev. Moon and the Black Clergy" Chicago Tribune, Sunday, November 5, 2006), I was quite frankly stunned. I knew that Moon was still alive, but I considered him an unimportant person since he is now 86 years old and a discredited ex-convict. I couldn't have been more wrong. The Tribune reported that there are now some 6,000 clergy in America who are associated with the American Clergy Leadership Council (ACLC), a front for Moon's false doctrine and his long standing desire to be received as the world's messiah. The goal is to bring this number to 30,000 by 2008! How can this be?

Moon's followers organize monthly prayer breakfasts where clergy, mostly Baptist and Pentecostal, hear and give praise to Moon and his wife as "Father and Mother Moon." Many of these ministers have taken luxury trips to Japan, Korea and Europe, all expenses paid, via Moon's gifts. In addition, most have received $12,000 gold watches as personal gifts.

How does this happen? Moon provides a meaningful cultural context where black clergy can meet and affirm the positive benefits of certain parts of his ideology. His ultimate goal is to produce a "brown race" that will come about through interracial marriage and bring in the new humanity. As Moon put this in 1991, "Little by little the color of black people will eventually become lighter." Moon's teaching, further expressed in a 1993 speech, is quite clear at this point: "The Asian culture and people will become more dominant." Phillip Shanker, spokesman for the Unification Church (formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification), explains Moons racial philosophy this way: "The emphasis is not on diluting the races, per se, but the transcending of race."

The Tribune went on to report that these teachings do not offend many African-American ministers today because they see the white man as oppressive and anti-black. This is what has led some pastors to actually embrace the "take-down-the-cross" ceremonies.

What Attracts Them?
The Chicago Tribune article suggested that what primarily attracts these black pastors is "prestige, a powerful ally and gifts." Some pastors participate but insist that they still reject some of Moon's more outlandish doctrinal notions. These doctrines include the idea that Jesus failed to complete his mission on earth, since he did not marry and create perfect children and that Sun Myung Moon is the second coming of the Messiah. They also include the teaching that the mission of the church is to bring people into oneness with Moon himself. The philosophy that he touts has been called Godism, which is a way of promoting a Moon-based vision of theocracy. He teaches that he and his second wife are the "True Parents" of a new spiritual lineage born without original sin.

But in spite of these kinds of anti-Christian beliefs, ministers still come and thus increase the ranks of the ACLC. One reason is the way the movement had gained and developed acceptance in the black community. The leader of the ACLC in Chicago is the Rev. A Harold White, senior pastor of the True Light Baptist Church. White, a powerful local leader with a long history in the National Baptist Convention USA, lends real credibility to the movement by organizing and running the monthly prayer breakfast meetings.

Take Down the Cross
Perhaps the most symbolic display of the impact of Moon's thought on many ministers and churches has come when some ministers have decided to declare their position openly. Some have done this by taking down the cross from their churches. One Chicago pastor, Rev. Joseph McAfee, took down the cross from his church on Easter weekend, 2003. He proceeded to bury it. This practice is part of the Moon-led influence upon ministers. McAfee says, "Why would you want to come to church every Sunday and look at a dead man killed on a piece of wood?" Moon respects the cross, insists Schanker, but it has become "a symbol throughout history of intolerance for Jews and Muslims." Getting ACLC pastors to act on such beliefs, adds the Tribune writer, "is evidence of how Moon's movement has matured since he was incarcerated in the early 1980s after a tax-fraud conviction." (So much for a lineage born without sin!)

The Moon church, which owns many profit-making companies in the United States, was once seen as a cult. This new strategy has allowed it to impact formerly Christian ministers to move away from the central message of the gospel by denying the cross. Anson Shupe, a sociology professor, notes that no one accuses Moon of brainwashing anymore since, he adds, "The movement has normalized and lost the rough edges that made many families fearful for adult kids being involved."

What Moon is doing is forging ties to religious and political leaders so that he can gain influence and power in communities. To a certain extent he is succeeding, at least in some black communities. What is shocking is that the names of the people who are willing to be associated with this man is quite amazing. To the surprise of many Rev. Moon has twice bailed out Jerry Falwell's cash-strapped Liberty University with support. He has also supported Minister Louis Farrakhan, the radical Muslim cleric. And former President George H. W. Bush, and his wife Barbara, have spoken at Moon functions and received gifts from Moon. Barbara Bush has toured with Moon and spoken at several events sponsored by the Women's Federation for World Peace, headed by Moon's wife. The Washington Post said, in 1996, that "The group will not report how much it paid Bush and his wife, nor would the former president reveal his fee, but estimates ran as high as $1 million for his six appearances with the group here." As recently as 2004 George H. W. Bush sent a video-taped message to the guests at an ACLC breakfast meeting in Washington commending them, and Rev. Moon, for their efforts to support strong families, volunteer service and faith-based solutions. And the former president's Points of Light Foundation got $1 million for its Hurricane Katrina relief fund effort. Concludes the Chicago Tribune: "This ability to establish a broad array of alliance has helped to advance Moon's conservative social views that ACLC members share." And in Massachusetts it was the ACLC that helped force the move to adopt an amendment to the state constitution banning homosexual marriage. They will seek to get this on the ballot in 2008.

But it is in the black community where Moon has made the greatest inroads in urban settings across America, with Chicago being the largest example. At a recent meeting a Japanese soprano sang a "haunting rendition" of Amazing Grace and the message praised Moon and brought great applause.

One Chicago clergyman, Rev. T. L. Barrett, Jr., who is openly sympathetic with Moon, is a minister in the Church of God in Christ (COGC). COGC is a predominantly black evangelical denomination. Most of Barrett's congregants at his Life Center Church seem OK with this affiliation. One is quoted saying, "I have a lot of faith in Pastor Barrett. I've heard him say how he respects Rev. Moon and that's OK with me. If he likes him, then so do I." The ACLC reports that 1,200 Chicago area ministers are members of the conference. Overall, the national membership of ministers is said to be 6,000.

Rev. A. Harold White says, "I can use it [ACLC] and never have to mention Moon's name." He adds: "It's a smorgasbord that you can choose what you agree with and what you don't." The goal of Moon's people is clearly to reshape public perception. A leader in the Unification Church says, "With a large membership base, we can change the public perception of our Founder [Moon]." And, "We will be able to influence public policy decisions among our state legislators and the U. S. Congress. Even Government officials would have to listen to the voice of the ACLC. It is the voice of the prophet to the king." White seems to agree, and thus he gladly promotes Moon while attempting to retain some kind of Christian message.

Conclusion
I find it nothing short of amazing that this whole movement has publicly expressed itself in so many black churches by pastors staging formal services in which they "take down the cross" and bury it in the ground. The symbolic action is more than ironic. It appears to be a powerful step toward full-scale apostasy. It is also a reminder that those who tamper with the message of the Christ will, in the end, deny the gospel of Christ. Taking the symbol out is not tantamount to such denial but it sure powerfully underscores the spiritual and religious reality of what Sun Myung Moon is and what he stands for. What amazes me is how evangelicals, both black and white, remain silent about this travesty. Since a lot of Moon money has found its way into conservative pockets this is even more troubling, at least to my mind.

With the early twentieth-century hymn writer I want to say to the world, and especially the conservative world of family values and moral conservatism, "Lift High the Cross, the love of Christ proclaim, till all the world adore His sacred name." The writer of this hymn, George W. Kitchin, puts this very well:

Come brethren, follow where our Savior trod, Our King victorious, Christ, the Son of God.
Led on their way by this triumphant sign, The hosts of God in conqu'ring ranks combine.
O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree, as Thou has promised, draw men unto Thee.
Set up Thy throne, that earth's despair may cease beneath the shadow of its healing peace.
For Thy blest Cross which doth for all atone, Creation's praises rise before Thy throne.

If you truly love the cross of Christ you must understand that great pressures will always exist to lead you away from this precious center of true Christian faith. And if you are a minister you must "lift high the cross," preferably in every sermon you preach and every action you take. To deny the cross invites spiritual disaster. Someone needs to tell this to clergymen who are misleading their flocks and someone ought to tell the conservative leaders who support them, both explicitly and implicitly. This is serious business my friends.