The Unification Church

While looking up online religious texts to read for my study, I came across a book called the Divine Principle. It's a religious book written by a self-proclaimed Messiah from Korea called Sun Myung Moon. His church is called the Unification Church and members are often called Moonies.

I know little of this cult's beliefs except that they consider their late founder (passed away in 2012) the reincarnated Jesus! Which is weird because most Christians believe Jesus has already been resurrected and then their leader died and abandoned them! They seem to have maintained a low profile since 2012.

The only thing I knew about them before looking them up is their practice of mass weddings. They are not as well known as other cults like Jehovah's Witnesses or Scientology.

The Unification Church is one of only a few New Religious Movements that have additional scriptures. In many ways I see them as Korea's version of the Mormons although Moon's contemporary is Scientology's L. Ron Hubbard. Just look at what they have in common with the LDS church: Both have additional scripture they revere equally with the Bible. Both have leaders considered prophets. Both have a nickname for their members starting with the letter M. Both have holy lands outside of Israel. Both have some ugly histories; The Moonies were accused of brainwashing in the 1970's while the Mormons have a history of polygamy and racism. They don't seem to use the cross often and instead preferring a circle with sun rays symbol like the Mormons use the Angel Moroni.

The Moonies consider Korea a kind of holy land like the Mormons consider Missouri a holy land. If you become a Moonie, you are encouraged to learn to speak Korean. And that's about all I know of them so far.

So now I'll ask a question: do the Moonies distribute copies of the Divine Principle like the Mormons distribute copies of The Book of Mormon? I do not think there is a Moonie church in the country where I live. I'll buy a copy online in the future.

 

okay... so Moonies might be a bit of a cultish life.. And in your example so are the Mormons. My question is: Are they disruptive to where you live or disruptive to YOUR personal Life? Are they dangerous? Are they violent? Are they deliberately trying to spread lies?

Would your concern be more that they are trying to 'deceive' or that they are just not the 'normal' Christians that The Holy Bible speaks of?

 

And if and when a Moonie or Mormon should try to share God's Word with you or any other, do you see faults and untruths in their word? If you do, can you remain sure footed to show YOURSELF why their message is inaccurate to The Holy Bible? Since the Moonies have the 'Divine Principal' and since Mormons have the 'Book of Mormon', would you be able to show how the information within the Divine Principal and the Book of Mormon adheres to or goes against The Holy Bible? Do you feel that they are deliberately trying to lead others into the same 'hell' they might be headed into?

 

I would not call them dangerous or disruptive because there are none where I live. I was raised Christian but now don't consider myself Christian. New Religious Movements give me less encouragement to worship and believe in God than traditional Christianity to say the least.

My only concern would be what would it be like if I were to have a casual conversation with a Moonie. I'm curious about who they are, what they believe and how they live. But is it safe to have a casual conversation with one without them aggressively trying to proselyte? I can look up all I need online I know... But talking directly to one still is tempting.

I don't know what's in the Divine Principle as I have not read it yet. I have read the Book of Mormon. I wouldn't say the book itself contradicts the Bible, but much of what the Mormons preach contradicts the Bible.

Hypothetically if I were coming from the position of defending traditional Christianity to a Moonie or a Mormon, I don't think I can do it on the spot when one approaches me. I would need to take a few hours to gather my thoughts.

 

What I am asking is this... From your first post, you stated certain things about the Moonies and Mormons and said that both the Moonies and Mormons have their own interpretation of holy lands and such... And since you stated that they go contrary to 'traditional' teachings of Christianity, it could lead one to believe them as a 'cult'. You also said that you were once a Christian but are no longer one. And from what it sounds like, you are becoming interested in how the Moonies and Mormons live and intrigued with their lifestyle. What might happen if a Moonie or Mormon speaks with you long enough for you to become convinced that their lifestyle of okay? Would you join and discredit your very first post of how they are some what 'cultish'?

 

Well, if one of them were to give me a frank explanation of what they believe without bursting my comfort bubble (asking for my address, pressuring me to go to some religious study group or making judgment on my own beliefs and lifestyles), I'd gain a lot more respect for such a person. However, I have to admit that I would have to occasionally hold back chuckles when thinking of some of their more stranger beliefs.

 

And surely we might be able to somewhat agree that personal beliefs, outside of Scripture, is out of sophistication.

 

Yes, as no one can know anything of a supernatural God's words.

We cannot even know if such an entity would use word to express itself.

Best to think the way the ancients did before Christianity and Islam reared their ugly idol worshiping heads and started killing for their Gods.

http://bigthink.com/videos/what-is-god-2-2

Regards
DL

 

You trust scriptures do you?

Jesus did not.

Luke 11:52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

Mark 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

Isaiah 56:11) "They are shepherds who have no understanding; They have all turned to their own way, each on to his unjust gain, to the last one" But do not despair, for the day of judgment is at hand, for the day of judgment and the day of the LORD occupy the same time frame. All the dross will be burned away. (Zech 13:9) & (Malachi 3:3). In that day, "you will distinguish between the righteous and the wicked" (Malachi 3:1

Jesus saw the corruption of both religions and governments.

So do I.

Regards
DL

 

I learned that Moonies have a very sinister method of proselyting. Instead of being up front and telling people about their church, they invite people to a get together at a specific time and place where they promise to discuss things like abstinence or charity. When you show up, you are trapped and then they try to proselyte you.

That's worse than Mormons and JWs because at least they are up front about who they are and their intentions and will not waste your time when you say no. The Moonies have already wasted your time by getting you to attend their events by being vague.

 

Based on the name you have chosen for this forum......
you might want to consider the church where former Atheist Howard Storm preaches.

You might just be able to use Howard's teachings to springboard yourself into a place of political power considering the circumstances?

http://www.near-death.com/experiences/notable/howard-storm.html#a04

 

Are you suggesting my ideal church? I don't know if there is one. I'm not looking for a religion to join. I'm just fascinated in NRMs and study them.

 

I listened to some audio of the Divine Principle and it's fascinating. I think I could learn a lot from it. Sun Myung Moon is was no returned Jesus, but he does have some interesting ideas.

 

Never seen one of their books either; if they don't offer it free as a pdf file or something, I don't know if I would fork over any cash for one, unless you're doing a paper or something on them. A lot of Christian sects don't use the cross symbol either, FYI; some use the fish, as it was the original symbol for 'The Way', as it was referred to among many of the original Jews who were the first followers.

 

Sounds like the same gimmick Scientology uses as well. Don't recall any JW's doing that, and they come by once a year handing out their literature. Seem like nice pleasant types to me, no hiding who they are that I've personally seen.

 

I learned that it was the Unification Church that first used the phrase 'love bombing'.

 

Doesn't sound terribly sinister to me, unless you mean they literally strap you down or something. Isn't this how many synagogues, churches, mosques, etc. proselytize?

I don't know how familiar you are with Korea, but its entire language and culture is (in)famously vague. Ask a Korean for directions, and he'll simply tell you "Go that way," regardless of how near or distant your destination is.

I don't know where you're getting your info from, but I'd take it with a grain of salt. Maybe the UC is a cult that thinks it can brainwash people into believing (as if that's a thing)...or maybe its more established neighbors just say that in order to undermine it, as is common in religious politics. In any case I've talked to Mormons and to (korean) JWs, and I personally wouldn't mind at all talking to one of these moonies. What are you worried about -- hypothetically, if you were to meet one -- if you don't mind me asking?

 

To answer your question, here is what a Moonie will do (their favorite places to prowl are college campuses): They would approach people and ask them what subjects they are interested in. Let's say I were interested in animal welfare. They would then tell me of a meeting or conference or whatever event where animal welfare is to be discussed and invite me to attend. If I go to the event, it is there they reveal who they really are and invite me to join some activist group or do volunteer work for a branch organization of the UC. Eventually it will be revealed that part of doing the work is to worship the 'True Parent' as they call Sun Myung Moon.

In the 1970's they invited people to camps where they would proceed to 'love bomb' them so they will stay.

 

This is an answer to your own question, not mine.

After reading a bit of the UC wiki, the most sinister thing I found was a comment on the church's focus on sexual "morality" -- which usually translates to sexual bigotry.

In any case you clearly have your own agenda here, and I'm not interested in it -- so chow.

 

My only 'agenda' is the study of religions. I find this one fascinating and I am trying to obtain a copy of the Divine Principle. Once I have read it, I'll move on to another religion and their text.

 

I too am an esoteric ecumenist. I study to find the best moral rules which is what interests Gnostic Christians.

You study looking for what?

Regards
DL

 

I am an agnostic who leans strongly towards atheism. I'm not at the point of saying "I don't know everything but I'm absolutely certain there is no god" which is in my opinion is the best way to quote that you are an atheist.

I study the religious texts to find what all the scriptures have in common. I also study them to see what is unique. I find religious texts fascinating. As I read them, I hope to pick up timeless truths that are of value to me no matter which holy book they come from. When my reading journey is at an end, I hope to change my label from agnostic to 'free thinker' as I have found the truths that matter to me.

 

Yes, but what matters to you?
What kind of timeless truths and which matters to you?

Morality is my thing. Your thing is ------?

I ask this again, because, to be frank, reading any philosopher will teach you more in one hour than reading religious text for a year.

I have been there.

Regards
DL

 

I cannot answer your questions directly, but I can rephrase my earlier statement. I hope to find at least ONE life value from each holy book if not a handful. I collect what I picked up from the books and form my own conclusions. I form my own religion for myself. Hence the label 'free thinker'. Some religious texts teach me nothing, some maybe dozens of values.

Example: If there is just ONE thing the Bible taught me that I may apply to my own non-Christian life it is forgiveness. I agree that we should not hold hatred for anyone and find it in ourselves to forgive those who have wronged us. If you want an example from another religious text I have read, ask again.

 

True forgiveness demand/requires repentance. You can forgive, sure, but if the one who has done evil to another does not repent, he cannot forgive himself and that is the important life changing part.

I do not agree that we should not hold hate in our hearts against those who offend us.

Love and hate are biases. Biases are what protect us even though some of our biases are misapplied.

Love is our genetic default position. We seek cooperation first as that is a better survival technique than competition which created victims or losers and we would label as hate.

Hate then is born of love.

If you love freedom and free thinking, for instance, you should hate any that would impede freedom and free thinking.

Think of that old adage. For evil to grow, all good people need do is nothing.

For the evil in those that would impede freedom and free thinking to grow, all good peopled need do is not hate them or fight them.

Inquisitions and Jihads are used by the evil ones and all Christians and Muslims must be fought if the good people are to grow.

Gnosis is knowing yourself. Look at yourself and your core instincts when young and how you developed a hate bias for your protection. As you will see, the hate bias is good to have.



Regards
DL