Moon Survey

Author:

CRI Statement

Article ID:

DM180

Updated: 

Jul 31, 2022

Published:

Jun 9, 2009

SUN MYUNG MOON was born in 1920 in what is now North Korea. Moon reports that on Easter morning, 1936, he saw Jesus, who told him that he was chosen to complete the mission which Jesus Himself was unable to finish. In 1954, Moon established the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity, common­ly known as the Unification Church.

In 1957 he published Divine Principle. Moon claims that Divine Principle is a revelation he received from God. Some critics feel that he formulated these teachings in North Korea eleven years earlier in a monastery established by Paik Moon Kim, who himself has claimed to be a messiah of sorts.

On New Year’s Day, 1972, Moon says that God “sent him to America.” He came to America and toured under the guise of patriotism with the theme “God Bless America”. On his second tour he supported President Richard Nixon during the Watergate investigation. Three hundred fifty followers fasted for seventy-two hours on behalf of Nixon, asking Congress to “forgive, love, and unite.” The President personally thanked Moon for his support. Since that event the Unification Church has had the public eye.

Meanwhile, Moon has raised enough money for four estates: Barrytown, New York (225 acres worth $1.5 million); Belvedere in Tarrytown, New York (worth $850,000); Irvington, New York (22 acres worth $670,000); and Boonville, California (650 acres). He has collected this fortune from: (1) companies where he makes marble vases, machine parts, ginseng tea, pharmaceutics, titanium, air rifles, shotguns, and concrete; and more significantly (2) the sacrifice of his followers’ possessions and the funds which they solicit on the street.

Members of the Unification Church and other organizations who follow the direction of Sun Myung Moon are popularly known as “Moonies.” They may say that they are from the Creative Community Project or C.A.R.P., or any of a number of front organizations, but they all follow Rev. Moon, and they worship and obey him as their messiah. Peddling flowers and candy, or simply asking for dona­tions, these smiling solicitors have collected over $15 million for Moon’s empire.

Proselytizing is done very subtly. Prospective members are invited to an “open house.” After the visitors have experienced the camplike atmosphere, they are asked to attend a weekend seminar. There they are kept active constantly, are allowed little sleep, and are given a low protein diet in order to be put in a State of mind where the Unification Church doctrine can be easily absorbed.

The gist of the Unification Church theology is that God’s purpose for creation was to establish a kingdom of heaven here on earth with perfect people. Adam and Eve were created to become perfect and bear perfect children. Before this could take place, however, Lucifer seduced Eve in the garden of Eden and had relations with her. This is what Moon calls the spiritual fall of man. Eve, now having sin, also had relations with Adam, causing the physical fall of man. Now, in order for God’s purpose for creation to be estab­lished, mankind must be redeemed spiritually and physically. God chose Noah, Abraham, Moses, and others to restore man to his proper relationship with God, but none were successful. Jesus was chosen, but because of the unbelief of the Jews he was crucified before he could marry the perfect woman and begin the kingdom of heaven here on earth.

The Unification Church hopes for a messiah who will attain perfection and marry the perfect mate who will bear perfect offspring. They of course believe this man to be Moon.

Unification Church members have either not heard the truth of Jesus Christ’s total victory over sin, or having heard, have not accepted it. Moon, their substitute messiah, has imposed his own way of dealing with guilt. By studying Divine Principle, recruiting new members, and fund-raising for the messiah, the devotees obtain a sense of spiritual merit (and make Moon rich, as well).

Jesus, the true Messiah, was not on earth to become a rich and overbear­ing master, but rather a servant, giving his all, even his life. True expression of love is in giving, not receiving. Jesus offers his authentic love, proven not by a luxurious life, but by his willingness to suffer the penalty we deserve.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

The following is a list of Moon organizations from the Congregational Record — Senate, 25 March 1976:

The Unification Church

Project Unity

One World Crusade

International Cultural Foundation

International Federation for Victory over Communism

Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles

Freedom Leadership Foundation

The Rising Tide (publication for the Freedom Foundation)

Rising Tide Bookstore (Washington, DC.)

World Freedom Institute

Little Angels of Korea

Little Angels Korean Folk Ballet

Professors Academy for World Peace

Unification Church of New York, Inc.

Unification Church International

National Prayer and Fast for the Watergate Crisis

Unified Family

International Re-education Foundation

The Weekly Religion

The Way of the World

Tongil Seigei Monthly

Ton I (or Tongil) Industry Company

I Wah (or l l Hwa) Pharmaceutical Company

I Shin (or l l Shin) Stonework Company

Ton Wha Titanium Company

The Han Rutile Company

American Youth for a Just Peace

Sun Myung Moon Christian Crusade

Korean Folk Ballet

New Hope Singers International

Committee for Responsible Dialogue

Day of Hope Tour

Unification Thought Institute

Unification Church of America

International Conference on Unified Science

Council for Unified Research and Education

D.C. Striders Track Club

International Pioneer Academy (San Francisco)

International Ideal City Project (San Francisco)

Korean Cultural Freedom Foundation

New Education Development Corporation

Center for Ethical Management and Planning

Eden Awareness Training Center

Creative Community Project

The Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity

San Francisco Day of Hope Committee

International Education Foundation

Sunburst

New Educational Development Systems, Inc.

International Exchange

International Exchange Press

Aladdin Coffees, Teas & Kindreds, Berkeley

Aladdin Warehouse, Berkeley

Rose Shop, Berkeley

Judaism: in Service to the World

Leamington Hotel Flower Shop, Oakland

Seno Travel Service Inc., 150 Powell St., San Francisco

International Prisoner Re-Education Foundation

Center for Ethical Management and Planning, Inc., Berkeley

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