What's the deal with the Unification Church?

Crom · Post by **Crom** » 2005-10-20 03:52am

Anyone know anything about the Unification Church? Just looking for general information. Skimming their website is giving me a headache, and I was more interested if anyone had first-hand experience with them. Are they generally a band of fundamentalists?

Glocksman · Post by **Glocksman** » 2005-10-20 04:10am

They're worse than Fundies.
They're complete nutjobs who basically think 'Reverend' Moon is God.
Think of them as the Korean Scientologists, and you'll be on target.

Crom · Post by **Crom** » 2005-10-20 04:17am

Ah fuck. That was the impression I got from their website. I was hoping I was wrong.

Elheru Aran · Post by **Elheru Aran** » 2005-10-20 09:11am

They're also the people who made a scene awhile back by conducting enormous weddings in stadiums... something like a thousand people at a time got married together. They claim to have wedded several million in a worldwide broadcast. I always remember them because of that...

Patrick Degan · Post by **Patrick Degan** » 2005-10-20 11:57am

Big mind-control cult which also seems to have a lot of influence in the Republican Party these days. They also own some big media organs, including UPI and the Washington Times.

Post by **Zaia** » 2005-10-20 05:46pm

To SLAM with thee.

Peregrin Toker · Post by **Peregrin Toker** » 2005-10-21 03:08am

From Rotten.Com's page on Reverend Moon:

Case in point: an April 2001 appearance at a Methodist church in Las Vegas. It was just another typical sermon by Reverend Moon. There were about 600 people in the congregation when the sermon began. But for some reason, people kept walking out, well before he got on a roll about schlongs:

"The head of the love organ is shaped exactly like a poisonous rattlesnake. And just like a rattlesnake, it's always looking for a hole."

Einhander Sn0m4n · Post by **Einhander Sn0m4n** » 2005-10-21 03:30am

Don't forget his son owns Kahr Arms. Yay, Uberfundies with weapons factories!

Crom · Post by **Crom** » 2005-10-21 12:50pm

Peregrin Toker wrote:From Rotten.Com's page on Reverend Moon:

Case in point: an April 2001 appearance at a Methodist church in Las Vegas. It was just another typical sermon by Reverend Moon. There were about 600 people in the congregation when the sermon began. But for some reason, people kept walking out, well before he got on a roll about schlongs:

"The head of the love organ is shaped exactly like a poisonous rattlesnake. And just like a rattlesnake, it's always looking for a hole."

I just read the article and, yeah, WTF!? Assuming this is legit how the hell can you follow this nutjob?!

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2005-10-21 04:25pm

"The head of the love organ is shaped exactly like a poisonous rattlesnake. And just like a rattlesnake, it's always looking for a hole."

What's so silly about this quote? It makes far more sense than most of the Bible, so I don't see how this is any more cringeworthy than "normal" religions.

Duckie · Post by **Duckie** » 2005-10-21 09:23pm

Darth Wong wrote: What's so silly about this quote? It makes far more sense than most of the Bible, so I don't see how this is any more cringeworthy than "normal" religions.

For one I don't see the resemblance...

Duckie · Post by **Duckie** » 2005-10-21 09:23pm

Ghetto Edit- of the "Head of the Love Organ" as he puts it to a Rattlesnake, not to the Bible's quotes and him.

Peregrin Toker · Post by **Peregrin Toker** » 2005-10-22 03:43am

Darth Wong wrote:
"The head of the love organ is shaped exactly like a poisonous rattlesnake. And just like a rattlesnake, it's always looking for a hole."
What's so silly about this quote? It makes far more sense than most of the Bible, so I don't see how this is any more cringeworthy than "normal" religions.

It is still unintentionally funny, and I sincerely doubt that many priests would regularly quote the more unintentionally humourous parts of the Bible (except for, of course, the Book of Revelations).

Lord of the Abyss · Post by **Lord of the Abyss** » 2005-10-22 04:10am

Just to point out how weird and influential Moon is, he was crowned ( literally ) in a ceremony that included over a dozen Senators and Representatives. Link

The Rev. Moon Honored at Hill Reception
Lawmakers Say They Were Misled
By Charles Babington and Alan Cooperman
Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, June 23, 2004; Page A01

More than a dozen lawmakers attended a congressional reception this year honoring the Rev. Sun Myung Moon in which Moon declared himself the Messiah and said his teachings have helped Hitler and Stalin be "reborn as new persons."

At the March 23 ceremony in the Dirksen Senate Office Building, Rep. Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.) wore white gloves and carried a pillow holding an ornate crown that was placed on Moon's head. The Korean-born businessman and religious leader then delivered a long speech saying he was "sent to Earth . . . to save the world's six billion people. . . . Emperors, kings and presidents . . . have declared to all Heaven and Earth that Reverend Sun Myung Moon is none other than humanity's Savior, Messiah, Returning Lord and True Parent."

Details of the ceremony -- first reported by Salon.com writer John Gorenfeld -- have prompted several lawmakers to say they were misled or duped by organizers. Their complaints prompted a Moon-affiliated Web site to remove a video of the "Crown of Peace" ceremony two days ago, but other Web sites have preserved details and photos.

Moon, 85, has been controversial for years. Renowned for officiating at mass weddings, he received an 18-month prison sentence in 1982 for tax fraud and conspiracy to obstruct justice. In a 1997 sermon, he likened homosexuals to "dirty dung-eating dogs."

Among the more than 300 people who attended all or part of the March ceremony was Sen. Mark Dayton (D-Minn.), who now says he simply was honoring a constituent receiving a peace award and did not know Moon would be there. "We fell victim to it; we were duped," Dayton spokeswoman Chris Lisi said yesterday.

Other lawmakers who attended or were listed as hosts felt the same, she said. "Everyone I talked to was furious," she said. With Minnesotans demanding to know whether Dayton is a follower of Moon, Lisi said, the senator persuaded the St. Paul Pioneer Press to write an article allowing him to reply.

The event's organizers flew in nearly 100 honorees from all 50 states to receive state and national peace awards. The only "international crown of peace awards" went to Moon and his wife.

Some Republicans who attended the event, including Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett (Md.), said they did so mainly to salute the Washington Times, a conservative-leaning newspaper owned by Moon's organization. "I had no idea what would happen" regarding Moon's coronation and speech, Bartlett said yesterday.

But a key organizer -- Archbishop George A. Stallings Jr., pastor of the Imani Temple, an independent African American Catholic congregation in Northeast Washington -- said Moon's prominent role should have surprised no one. He said a March 8 invitation faxed to all lawmakers stated that the "primary program sponsor" would be the "Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace (IIFWP), founded by Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon, who will also be recognized that evening for their lifelong work to promote interfaith cooperation and reconciliation." The invitation was signed by Davis and the Rev. Michael Jenkins, as co-chairmen of the IIFWP (USA).

The event's co-sponsors were the Washington Times Foundation, the United Press International Foundation, the American Family Coalition, the American Clergy Leadership Conference and the Women's Federation for World Peace, according to the invitation. Stallings, a former Roman Catholic priest who was married in Moon's church, said Moon's association with those organizations is well known.

"You'd have to be deaf, dumb and blind to not know that any event that is sponsored by the Washington Times . . . could involve the influence, or the potential presence, of the Reverend Moon," he said.

Use of the Dirksen building requires a senator's approval. Dayton said he gave no such permission, and Stallings said the question of who did so is "shrouded in mystery."

Moon has claimed to have spoken in "the spirit world" with all deceased U.S. presidents, Jesus, Moses, Mohammed and others. At the March 23 event, he said: "The founders of five great religions and many other leaders in the spirit world, including even Communist leaders such as Marx and Lenin . . . and dictators such as Hitler and Stalin, have found strength in my teachings, mended their ways and been reborn as new persons."

Several Web sites quoted Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.) as praising Moon at the event for "always standing up for what is right." In an interview yesterday, Cummings said, "I don't recall saying that. That may have been confused with what I was saying" about Bishop Joseph Showell, a constituent being honored.

The Rev. Walter Fauntroy, a Democrat who was the District's congressional delegate for 10 years, was the event's master of ceremonies and recipient of a "National Crown of Peace" award. Also speaking at the event was Rep. Curt Weldon (R-Pa.).

Davis said in an interview that he is a lifelong Methodist who does not agree with many of Moon's religious teachings. But he praised Moon's efforts to promote world peace. Davis said that some Moon associates have donated money to his congressional campaigns, but that that has nothing to do with his support for Moon's organization.

The prominent role played by Davis, Fauntroy and Stallings, among others, reflects Moon's efforts to reach out to the black community. Jenkins said many African American clergy members "have become strong allies" of Moon because they sympathize with the "mistreatment and labeling" he has faced.

© 2004 The Washington Post Company

There's a picture with the crowns here at Salon.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2005-10-22 07:27am

Peregrin Toker wrote:
Darth Wong wrote:
"The head of the love organ is shaped exactly like a poisonous rattlesnake. And just like a rattlesnake, it's always looking for a hole."
What's so silly about this quote? It makes far more sense than most of the Bible, so I don't see how this is any more cringeworthy than "normal" religions.
It is still unintentionally funny, and I sincerely doubt that many priests would regularly quote the more unintentionally humourous parts of the Bible (except for, of course, the Book of Revelations).

Given the number of Christians in America who argue (vehemently and with a perfectly straight face) that creationism is a scientific theory and a guy who murders the entire world's population in a fit of anger is "perfect unconditional love", I don't see any grounds for saying that Christians are less likely than Reverend Moon to say silly things. In fact, if this is the worst you'll hear from Reverend Moon, then Christians are far, far, far worse.

Zero · Post by **Zero** » 2005-10-22 08:33am

Darth Wong wrote: Given the number of Christians in America who argue (vehemently and with a perfectly straight face) that creationism is a scientific theory and a guy who murders the entire world's population in a fit of anger is "perfect unconditional love", I don't see any grounds for saying that Christians are less likely than Reverend Moon to say silly things. In fact, if this is the worst you'll hear from Reverend Moon, then Christians are far, far, far worse.

You're generalizing. Not all christians believe creationism to be anything more then someone else's bullshit, and if you're speaking of the supposed 'global flood' that killed off the entire fucking human race, many don't believe in that either. It may just be that in the real world, I typically meet people with their greater sensibilities about them, but I've never actually met a christian that believed in creationism, or the flood, aside from my own mother.

If you're speaking instead of just fundamentalists, then you're absolutely right.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2005-10-22 10:07am

Zero132132 wrote:
Darth Wong wrote:Given the number of Christians in America who argue (vehemently and with a perfectly straight face) that creationism is a scientific theory and a guy who murders the entire world's population in a fit of anger is "perfect unconditional love", I don't see any grounds for saying that Christians are less likely than Reverend Moon to say silly things. In fact, if this is the worst you'll hear from Reverend Moon, then Christians are far, far, far worse.
You're generalizing.

Not 100% of Christians have to believe in something for me to be able to generalize about it. As long as a majority believe in it, then the claim is valid. And the polls say that a majority do in fact believe that creationism should be taught in school.

Not all christians believe creationism to be anything more then someone else's bullshit, and if you're speaking of the supposed 'global flood' that killed off the entire fucking human race, many don't believe in that either. It may just be that in the real world, I typically meet people with their greater sensibilities about them, but I've never actually met a christian that believed in creationism, or the flood, aside from my own mother.

The polls say otherwise. Please take your personal anecdotal "evidence" elsewhere.

If you're speaking instead of just fundamentalists, then you're absolutely right.

Pull your apologist head out of your ass and look at the polls. A solid majority of Christians think creationism belongs in science class, and the idea that only a tiny minority believe in the Flood is utterly absurd. Almost half the entire American population thinks the Bible is a more accurate source of geological dating information than science.

Elfdart · Post by **Elfdart** » 2005-10-24 12:42pm

"The head of the love organ is shaped exactly like a poisonous rattlesnake. And just like a rattlesnake, it's always looking for a hole."

[/quote][/quote]

That Rev. Moon is such a romantic!