What if I told you a story of faith and controversy. It is woven into the very fabric of New York City. We are standing before the Korean Sung Moon Church. It is a place with a history as complex as the city itself.
This church is linked to the Unification Church. Its story begins with Rev Sun Myung Moon. He was born Young Myung Moon in North Korea in 1920. Moon claimed Jesus Christ appeared to him when he was 16. Christ asked him to accomplish a mission as a latter-day prophet.
After this experience Moon wrote his Divine Principles. He became involved in a Pentecostal movement after World War II. This movement believed the Messiah would be born in Korea. Moon claimed he defeated all Satanic forces in 1945. He changed his name to Sun at this time.
He started the Unification Church in 1954 in South Korea. In 1955 Moon was jailed for draft evasion and adultery. Some former members say one must receive Moon’s blood for salvation. This involves ritual sex.
Moon became a multi-millionaire from various businesses. These included tea, titanium and drugs. He claimed God told him to come to America in 1972. His mission was to prepare people for the Second Advent of Christ. He bought land in New York including an estate in Tarrytown.
The Unification Church expanded in the United States. It became controversial because of its theology. Political activism and the lifestyle of its members also contributed to the controversy.
The church faced criticism for its unorthodox beliefs. One belief was that Moon is the second coming of Christ. Some members fully dedicated themselves to church activities. This often led to neglect of family, school and career.
Some people tried to remove their children from the church through deprogramming. The media often reported negatively on the church’s activities. Steven Hassan a former leader became an outspoken critic.
Rev Moon’s followers often sold candy flowers and peanuts on the streets. They claimed to raise money for various causes. These included drug abuse programs and missionary work. Critics said these reasons were often false. This was known as heavenly deception.
The Unification Church was involved in political activities. Moon was a strong advocate for anti-communism. He asked church members to support President Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal.
In 1982 Moon founded The Washington Times. It is a conservative newspaper in Washington D.C.. President Ronald Reagan credited it with helping to win the Cold War.
The word “Moonie” became a common term for members of the church. Initially some members embraced the term. Later the church discouraged its use. They considered it derogatory.
Despite controversies the Unification Church has influenced American society. It has established businesses and media outlets. It is involved in education the arts and political activism. The Korean Sung Moon Church stands as a testament to this complex history. It reflects a story of faith controversy and transformation.