|
|
Dear Fellow Christians,
First, I need to state that I strongly support both the
ecumenical movement and the freedom of religion. My concerns are
not an attempt to change or challenge either of them.
With freedom of religion we have the right not only to practice
our religious faith, but also to state and follow those beliefs.
Additionally, we have the right to defend that faith. As
Christians that apologetic right is more a commission. First
Peter 3:15-16 states: " But in your hearts set apart Christ as
Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks
you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this
with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that
those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ
may be ashamed of their slander." The commission today is based
on the heart of the essence of the faith, as summarized in the
Apostles' Creed. This ancient and unchanging core unites diverse
believers with each other...and against unbelievers. However,
when another religion contradicts our beliefs, we need to take a
definite stand. This is particularly true for those of us who
were ordained in the Christian faith.
I am writing you concerning the functions of the Family
Federation for World Peace and other Sun Myung Moon sponsored
events. Christian ministers are often invited guests and, at
times, even speakers at these events. I pray the information in
this booklet will demonstrate clearly why we need to shun such
events and functions. Please understand that this issue has
nothing to do with denominational or racial differences. We are
well aware of Moon's claims that he is not accepted because of
his race. This is the farthest thing from the truth, as I
believe the following information will conclusively prove.
Christian ministers especially need to be careful of the events
and activities with which they are associated. When someone
actively takes part in an event, they are, in effect, endorsing
that event. By endorse we mean that they support or approve of
that object or subject in all aspects. Sometimes this may be the
result of a simple statement in a letter or advertisement. Other
times, being present at the event itself, either by taking part
in it or simply by being listed as present, constitutes an
endorsement.
Sometimes the endorsement turns out to be far greater than
intended. Unfortunately, a bad product reflects on the endorser.
A good example of this is demonstrated by the listing of
products to boycott because they sponsor television programs
with sex, violence, or profanity. Christians are asked not to
buy the sponsor's products in order to stop the production of
such programs. In other cases, Christians have picketed movie
theaters showing anti-Christian films. The results of these
united Christian efforts have demonstrated the values of a
united Christian front. Thusly, throughout the United States,
Christians have demonstrated their unity in protecting their
beliefs.
Please allow me to explain how anyone attending a Sun Myung Moon
sponsored event is not only endorsing Moon and his front group,
but also going against the Christian faith and doing serious
damage to that faith.
Since Sun Myung Moon's release from United States Federal prison
in 1984, he has been able to attract more and more religious
leaders to endorse both him and his movement. In recent years,
it has become common to find Christian leaders as featured
speakers at his major events. During his "Mass Marriages," which
are now referred to as "Blessed Events," some Christian leaders
have not only given testimonies about Moon and the "True
Parents," but have also served as emcees of at least part of the
events. This participation has lead not only to the giving of
false creditability to Moon and his movement, but has also
helped immensely with their recruitment of new young members.
Despite that problem, an even more important point needs to be
evaluated. Are those Christians who support Moon compromising
Christianity?
DEFINING THE ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT
We need to say at the beginning of this study that we strongly
believe in ecumenism. However, in today's world it is important
to define that belief. Ecumenism (Greek oikoumene, 'the
inhabited world') is generally defined as a movement seeking
visible unity of divided churches and denominations within
Christianity. A number of Christian leaders agree with Charles
Colson, the founder of Prison Fellowship, that the Apostles
Creed should be used as a test of Christian orthodoxy1 and that
association within the ecumenical movement should be limited to
those professing the Creed as a confession of faith. Colson
acknowledges that true unity is achieved by finding a "common
ground of orthodoxy on which [Christians] can stand together."
However, Colson then lists the following five precepts: the
infallibility of Scripture, the deity of Christ, the Virgin
Birth and miracles of Christ, Christ's substitutionary death,
and Christ's physical resurrection and eventual return, as the
five doctrinal backbones of orthodox Christianity.2 The list
includes two items missing from the Apostles Creed: the
infallibility of Scripture and the deity of Christ. As
Christians, we need to define our faith on the five doctrinal
backbones rather than just the Apostles Creed, which was not
written for that purpose.
We must also strongly state that we believe in the freedom of
religion. As Christians we must defend that freedom. Even if we
do not believe another religion, we need to protect its right to
exist. For, if it were to be outlawed, ours may be the next to
become illegal. However, that same freedom of religion also
gives us the right to defend our faith. That defense includes
correcting false teachings. Our concern in this area greatly
increases when those teachings are opposite what the Scriptures
teach. Thus, if someone is preaching a different Gospel, we must
respond to God's written commands.
With freedom of religion we have the right not only to practice
our religious faith, but also to state and follow those beliefs.
In doing so we also have the right to defend that faith. As
Christians that apologetic right is more a commission. That
commission today is based on the heart or essence of the faith.
Scripture very clearly tells us its purpose is to teach, rebuke,
correct, and train in righteousness (See 2 Timothy 3:15-17).
When another religion contradicts our beliefs, we need to take a
definite stand. Thus, if Sun Myung Moon and the Unification
Church, or any other group, has a teaching that contradicts that
of the Scriptures, we as Christians are obligated by our faith
to take a stand and point out what the Scriptures teach.
Therefore, the purpose of this booklet is not to condemn the
teachings of Sun Myung Moon but to point out the false teachings
so that Unification Church members might have the truth of
Scriptures to compare with Moon's teachings. It is also to show
Christians why they should not support any activities of Sun
Myung Moon, his church, or any of their front groups.
Since Moon and the Unification Church claim to be a continuation
of biblical tradition and teachings, we need to compare these
teachings to the Scriptures. Moon often quotes or refers to the
Bible in his speeches, so as Christians we must compare those
teachings to the Word of God. In addition, the Unification
Church has, in the past, referred to itself as a Christian
Church. Also, Moon and his family members have referred to
themselves as Christians in speeches. Disturbingly, that is the
message he tries to convey to the Christians, and the world at
large, while teaching something entirely different. For example,
just one of his statements clearly gives us a different picture:
"Until our mission with the Christians is over, we must quote
the Bible and use it to explain the Divine Principle. After we
receive the inheritance of the Christian church, we will be free
to teach without the Bible." (Master Speaks No.7, p.1) Another
doctrinal stance you should be aware of is his teachings on
prayer: "As Christians we prayed in the name of the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Spirit. Now we should pray in the name of the
True Parents." (Master Speaks, No.3, p.2)
Today, Moon also openly claims not only to be the Messiah, Lord
of the Second Advent, but also Emperor of the Universe (this
world and the spirit world). He further claims that Jesus Christ
came to him and asked that he [Moon] finish the job that Jesus
left unfinished. Upon hearing those last few statements, every
Christian should be prepared to respond with the truth of Christ
and our faith. No Christian can associate with those teachings
and still claim to follow Jesus Christ.
Excerpts of some of Sun Myung Moon's speeches reveal some
important teachings of which you should be aware. The most
important of those false teachings is that he consistently
teaches that Jesus Christ failed in His mission and asked Moon
to do what He could not do. He teaches that Jesus was the
illegitimate son of Mary and Zechariah and that Jesus was not
supposed to die on the cross, but since he did not marry and
failed in his mission, He had no choice. Moon openly declares
that he is the Messiah, Lord of the Second Advent, King of Kings
and Emperor of the Universe (this world and the next). While any
and all of those teachings should bring a Christian to his feet
rebuking them, let me give more to contemplate:
QUOTES BY SUN MYUNG MOON
"I know the established Christian theology. ... I know the
enemy, but the enemy doesn't know me. Thus the enemy has already
lost the war..." (Sun Myung Moon, Today's World, November 1993,
p. 14)
"I have inherited the mission and work, and succeed Jesus in his
work. I am fulfilling what Jesus left undone." (Sun Myung Moon,
Unification News, November 1993, p.3)
"Today God's word comes only through Father. If other people
receive God's word, that word is that Reverend Moon is the
Messiah." (Sun Myung Moon, Today's World, January 1995, p.27).
"Abraham was the father of faith, Moses was a man of faith,
Jesus was the son of man, trying to carry out his mission at the
cost of his life. But they are, in a way, failures." (Master
Speaks, "Victory of Defeat"," translated by Won Pok Choi, March
31, 1973, p.1)
"Until our mission with the Christians is over, we must quote
the Bible and use it to explain the Divine Principle. After we
receive the inheritance of the Christian church, we will be free
to teach without the Bible." (Sun Myung Moon, Master Speaks, #7,
p.1)
"Then in one sense, Father, Heavenly Father will say, "Reverend
Moon is far better than me, the Heavenly Father." In a short
period of time, he will synthesize, He will crush the enemy and
let them surrender. Our Master senses this kind of feeling of
the Heavenly Father. Also, he is proud of himself and
appreciates that Jesus Christ's unfinished job of 6,000 years
has been completed by him in his lifetime." (Sun Myung Moon,
Master Speaks, July 21, 1974)
"The time has come when the whole world must be concerned about
me. From now on, American Christianity must follow me." (Sun
Myung Moon, Today's World, November 1993, p.5)
"Of course, in order that the ministers feel at home, you must
declare your love to Brother Jesus, but at the same time do not
forget you goal, which is to bring them to the Lord of the
Second Advent." (The Victory of Love, 1992, pp. 65-66)
"No matter how difficult your situation may be you have to
follow the Lord of the Second Advent completely." (Sun Myung
Moon, Today's World, August 1996, p.13)
"Therefore, as individuals and families you have to absolutely
follow True Parents, your opinion cannot stand against True
Parents." (Sun Myung Moon, Today's World, August 1996, p. 9)
"From the beginning, the purpose of Christianity was to create
one world under God, but they did not know who the true owner
was to be. The true sovereign is not the American president nor
the English king, but the Lord of the Second Advent." Sun Myung
Moon, "Returning to the Home Country," Unification News,
November 1993, p. 3)
"During one of the 'Master Speaks' sessions a Unification Church
member asked Rev. Moon, "What will Jesus' position be after the
restoration is accomplished?" To which Rev. Moon replied, "Jesus
will be the first and eldest son, because he was the only one
who came to this world as the Son of God." Seeking clarification
the member then asked, "Do you mean God's eldest son, or the
Master's?" (He was using the title 'Master' in reference to Rev.
Moon) Moon responded, "The meaning is the same." (Sun Myung
Moon, Master Speaks, #4, The Restoration and Judgment, 1965,
p.9)
"In early July, I spoke in five cities around Korea at rallies
held by the Women's Federation for World Peace. There I declared
that we are the savior, the Lord of the Second Advent, the
Messiah." (Sun Myung Moon, Today's World, October/November 1992,
p. 7)
Sun Myung Moon has also made some statements that should make
every Christian stand up and object, and every American take
serious and careful note. For example:
"The whole world is in my hand, I will conquer and subjugate the
world." (Sun Myung Moon, Master Speaks, May 17, 1973)
"Am I foolish and insignificant or am I great? I gave all
individuals in the world cause to kneel down in front of me."
(Sun Myung Moon, Today's World, March 1995, p. 6)
"So from this time of peak every person or every organization
that goes against the Unification Church will gradually come
down or drastically come down and die. Many people will
die-those who do against our movement." (Sun Myung Moon, Master
Speaks, February 14, 1974)
"Any politician who wants to run for president will come to me
in a few years." (Sun Myung Moon, Today's World, Nov./Dec. 1994,
p.19
"In the Medieval ages, they had no separate cities-statesmanship
from the religious field- because people were corrupted at the
time. But when it comes to our age, we must have an automatic
theocracy to rule the world. So we cannot separate the political
field from the religious." (Sun Myung Moon, Master Speaks, May
17, 1973, p.12)
UNIFICATION CHURCH'S FRONT GROUPS
Since the Unification Church was not well received in the United
States, they recruited members through satellite organizations
that are commonly referred to as front groups. Very few recruits
actually knew they were joining the Unification Church. The
fronts are divided into several groups, but all serve to hide
the true owner or leader, Sun Myung Moon and the Unification
Church. Each group will state that they are independent of the
church. Most recruits become involved with one of these fronts
and become active long before knowing of the connection to the
Unification Church. Other fronts were established to legitimize
the image of Sun Myung Moon, and/or the Unification Church. I
have a listing of almost three hundred different fronts of the
Unification Church. The different fronts are divided into
recruiting, political, religious, media, cultural and social
fronts. New groups are splintering off main fronts as they
become useful to Moon's purposes. The Unification News has a
publishing statement that needs to be quoted at this point:
"Many of the activities, projects and organizations described in
the Unification News as affiliated with or part of the
'Unification Church' are, in fact, entities which are
organizationally and/or financially independent of HAS-UWC, but
are commonly considered to be 'Unification Church' activities
because they are fully or partially funded, inspired, or staffed
by HAS-UWC, its members and other adherents of the Unification
Faith."
Ruth A. Tucker wrote an article: "In Search of Respectability"
for Christianity Today, which gives some insight into the cults
use of fronts. While the article covers the Mormons, Unification
Church and the World Wide Church of God, it says that the
Unification Church has been the most successful. In explaining
their success, she lists several front organizations of the
Unification Church such as the New Ecumenical Research
Association (New ERA), and the American Freedom Coalition.
While it is not the purpose of this paper to present all the
different front groups, a few examples need to be given. The
main concept for the use of fronts was developed in 1981-2,
around the time that Sun Myung Moon was on trial for fraud and
tax evasion.
The Collegiate Association for Research Principles (CARP) has
been active on college campuses for decades as an organization
that promotes conservative social and political values. CARP
works to downplay its association with the Unification Church,
however, the link between the two has always been strong.
The Women's Federation for World Peace (WFWP) has Mrs. Hak Ja
Han Moon (Moon's wife) as its president. This group has
sponsored seminars around the world, often co-sponsoring events
with the Washington Times Foundation. The Women's Federation
clearly teaches Unification Church doctrine.
The Family Federation for World Peace (FFWP) started as a
separate front group. Presently it has taken the place of the
Unification Church. Sun Myung Moon clearly states in the
September 1977 Today's World: "Because such a time has now come,
I took down the sign for the HAS-UWC. It is reborn as the Family
Federation for World Peace and Unification. Through the curse of
the Old Testament and the New Testament eras, we lost everything
from the family to the worldwide level. Since we are in the time
of the world level, I started from the worldwide level and went
to the family level; so now we are establishing family church."
More importantly, now his members (and yours!) can be members of
the Family Federation for World Peace and your church at the
same time.
ENDORSERS OF THE UNIFICATION CHURCH
Anyone who attends, and/or speaks at a Moon function should be
considered an endorser of the movement. I assert this because:
IF they do not speak out against the talks or teachings that
contradict orthodox Christian beliefs, they have endorsed what
was said. Now I realize you may not agree with that statement,
but please allow me to give you some examples.
You must be aware that part of the problem with endorsing a
movement comes under the heading of integrity. In this context,
"lying" is making an assertion that intentionally deceives or
misleads. This deceitful assertion may be oral, written, or
clearly communicated by a gesture. Your responsibility for the
truth goes beyond what is said or written. It includes what is
understood and perceived by others. Let us examine a couple of
examples of events where this deception was present:
On January 19, 2001, there was an Inaugural Prayer Luncheon for
Unity and Renewal at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Washington D.C.
The Washington Times Foundation sponsored the luncheon. As is
often the case, the committee that sent out the letter for the
luncheon was not part of the Washington Times Foundation. The
invitation committee for this luncheon included Doug Wead.
Doug Wead is an unpaid political adviser. While George W. Bush
has shunned many of his father's former political advisers, Wead
is an exception. During the Bush administration, Wead, ordained
as an Assemblies of God minister, served as a liaison to various
groups, including the evangelical community. He is now reaching
out to gather evangelical support for the younger Bush.
Rev. Walter E. Fauntroy, pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church,
and a former delegate to Congress, also served on the committee
that sent out the invitations.
The list of those attending this luncheon needs to be an eye
opener for all of us. Even more importantly, everyone needs to
read how the event was reported both in the Washington Times and
on the Unification News' web page, which I am sure will end upon
the front page of the Unification News.
I will not go through the whole list of those attending, but the
key names need to be given. John Ashcroft was the attendant Bush
representative. Rev. Tony Evans, senior pastor of Oak Cliff
Bible Fellowship in Dallas, gave the opening prayer. Rev James
Merritt, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, gave a
tribute to Rev. Billy Graham. I honestly believe that Rev. James
Merritt was caught off guard and did not realize it was a Moon
sponsored event. He has stated that the invitation came from
Wead. However, we can be sure that Jerry Falwell, Robert
Schuller, Pat Boone, and Jack Hayford were all well aware of the
sponsor. They have all attended other Moon sponsored events.
Paul Crouch from TBN television and Kenneth Copeland also spoke
at the event.
Both the Washington Times and the Unification News web page tell
about these ministers honoring Billy Graham, Martin Luther King
and Sun Myung Moon, with Moon accepting an award from the
ecumenical ministers for his work in support of traditional
family values. It is important to point out here that Rev.
Merritt was caught off guard and, upon realizing the intention
of the luncheon, decided to use his time to honor Graham and as
an opportunity to share the gospel message. Unfortunately, the
Unification News web page and the Washington Times reported a
modified story. While they acknowledged honoring Graham and
Martin Luther King, they placed Sun Myung Moon equal to those
honored. When reporting that he was given the ecumenical award,
they left out which ministers were involved in presenting the
award. Thus, their readers are led to believe that Merritt,
Falwell Evans, etc. were part of that presentation.
I was informed that Paul Crouch showed the luncheon on his TV
program, including showing Sun Myung Moon getting the award.
What a recruitment tool that now makes for Moon!
I contacted the reporter that wrote the article for the
Washington Times and requested the names of those who were
actually involved in giving Moon the award. The reported
replied: "Even as a reporter, I am not privy to all the internal
ways the event was organized. As you can imagine, a lot of
delicate networking must have been involved to gather people who
disagree on many theological points. Therefore, it is only safe
to say the award to Rev. Moon was given by a group of clergy who
attended and have been supportive of his inter-faith and
pro-family activities and conferences." Unfortunately, since
those clergy were not named or identified, the reader of the
Washington Times or the Unification News web page are given a
list of the names of the clergy attending and therefore can
easily conclude they were the ones giving Moon the award.
I also need to point out that the editor in chief of the
Washington Times, Wesley Pruden, was the one to introduce Sun
Myung Moon and Mrs. Moon as old friends. Upon leaving, those
attending were given the book True Family and World Peace, which
includes the sermons of Sun Myung Moon in the New Testament Age.
Everyone who received the book should read pages 25-28. Therein,
a quote from Moon's speech of July 6, 1992 clearly states that
he is the Messiah, Lord of the Second Advent. The book also
tells of Jesus' failure to accomplish his mission. Moon presses
the teaching that Jesus failed and asked him, Moon, to do what
He could not do. Simply based on that teaching, every Christian
should take a very strong stand against it and Moon or they
cannot truthfully call themselves Christians.
One of the arguments I have had with some Christian ministers is
that although the Washington Times is a conservative paper owned
by Sun Myung Moon, he or the Unification Church has no control
over what they write. Therefore, they have no problem attending
a Washington Times Foundation sponsored event.
There should be no doubt that the Washington Times and its
foundation are not only owned and controlled by Sun Myung Moon,
but are used both to give Moon creditability and to help recruit
members into his movement. In the November/December 2000 issue
of Today's World, the Unification Churches magazine, there is an
article about a newspaper, the Middle East Times. According to
the article, this paper was established as a project of New
World Communications, the parent company of the Washington
Times, UPI and other secular publications.
Dr. Bo Hi Pak and Robert Morton proposed the idea of the paper
in 1982 as an English-language newspaper that would promote
understanding and reconciliation in the Middle East. The article
goes on to state that Unificationists can be proud that their
"just views" have been disseminated continuously by a small, yet
persistent and consistent voice, for almost two decades. What is
the difference between this paper and the Washington Times, who
have the same owner and leadership? Moon has claimed to have
given over one billion dollars to the Washington Times to keep
it running. What is he getting for his money?
It is true that the paper plays to the political right and
conservative beliefs. But Moon's organization is not any
different than any other cult that uses ninety percent, or more,
orthodox Scripture, then modifies the balance to justify (and
sanctify) their own heretical theology. The photo of Moon
getting an ecumenical award, without identifying the sponsors
who promoted the award, is worth millions of dollars in public
relations for the gross deceit it foists on the readers of the
Times' article.
The luncheon was held in conjunction with an American Leadership
Conference that the Washington Times reported was an
inspirational and training event for clergy and state
legislators. In reality, the American Leadership Conference is
yet another Moon front. Some of you will remember that this is
the same group that sent out millions of mailings to help get
the senior Bush elected President.
The problem we face is two-fold. Moon has accumulated a
virtually "bottomless wallet" of money and is willing to spend
it to attract top names he can use to his advantage. All of us
in the clergy are well aware of the vast amounts of money Jerry
Falwell has received from Moon over the years. Sadly, Rev.
Falwell has clearly indicated he willing to continue taking
money from Moon as long as it is offered.
As justification for personally attending a number of Moon's
events, Jerry has stated that he would be willing to preach in
Hell if they would let him back out. We need to assure Jerry
that Satan would love to have him preach in Hell; firstly, since
no one in Hell can be saved, and secondly, Satan will let him
come and go as he wants because Satan gets to keep some of those
who would follow Jerry down.
Yes, Moon does pay well and your church may need the money. But
can you really take that money knowing it is costing souls that
have been deceived because of your association with one of these
groups? Alan Tate Wood, former president of the UCI's Freedom
Leadership Foundation has testified that Moon, "through the UC
and its numerous front organizations wanted to acquire enough
influence in America to be able to 'dictate policy on major
issues, to influence legislation, and move into electoral
politics.'"
Describing Moon's technique for achieving control, Wood further
testified "You make yourself available to serve someone and
carry out his directives until he trusts you absolutely, whether
it is political work, economic work, or social work. Then
finally when your services have become indispensable you begin
to dictate policy. If he deviates from the policy you have set,
you withdraw your support, and he is powerless. So he has no
choice but to follow you."
Put in plan English, giving money to churches and ministers is
done not to aid, but to gain control! What true Christian can
justify to his Heavenly Father accepting support from a man with
this plan in mind?
Wood's comments bring to mind a particular episode of The
Twilight Zone in which planet Earth was visited by some
seemingly friendly aliens wishing to help mankind. In what
appeared to be an act of goodwill, the aliens gave a copy of a
book written in the alien language to the human world leaders as
a gift.
Scholars were soon able to translate the title of the book: "How
To Serve Man." This gave Earth's leaders a great deal of
confidence. After all, if these aliens wanted to serve mankind
so much that they wrote a book about it, we humans can surely
trust them, right?
As the story goes, the aliens invited an initial group of human
beings to visit their home planet. A group of people was
selected and they boarded the spaceship, looking forward to the
journey. Just as the doors on the spaceship were bolted shut and
its engines were ignited, a person rushed on to the scene,
screaming in a panic, "Don't go, don't go --- we've finished
translating the book and it's a cookbook! It contains recipes on
different ways of serving people as meals."
What a deception these aliens had accomplished: without even
being aware of the danger, a group of humans had been blindly
sucked into a situation that spelled their doom. Is not leading
people to follow Sun Myung Moon the same thing?
Before going on we need to review the history and background of
Sun Myung Moon. Many Christian ministers first heard of Moon
when he was indicted and convicted of fraud and tax evasion back
in 1982. Moon was found guilty and sentenced to eighteen months
in jail and fined $25,000, plus the cost of prosecution. The
case was carried up to the Supreme Court, which upheld the
conviction. Moon was incarcerated from July 20, 1984 to August
20, 1985 at a Federal facility in Danbury Connecticut.
Subsequently, many Christian ministers, politicians and others
joined to fight Moon's conviction, which they believed to be
against the First Amendment.
Please allow me to review some of the facts about this fight to
protect religious freedom and the First Amendment. The
organization organized to fight Moon's conviction was called
"The Committee to Defend the U.S. Constitution." We need to
start off by saying that Sun Myung Moon stated that the money in
question was being held by him for the benefit of the
Unification Church, even though the money was recorded and
deposited only in his personal name, with no mention of the
church to the banks involved. In addition, the evidence showed
that he treated the entire sum of money as his own and used it
for whatever purposes he chose. Some was used for personal
expenses and some for business-related expenses, but the Supreme
Court papers clearly showed that it was all treated by Moon as
belonging to him and him alone.
Here we get a clear case of deception. Christian ministers and
others were brought in to help Moon fight the conviction.
Claiming freedom of religion was being denied, and that the
First Amendment being violated, an organization was formed
called the Committee to Defend the U.S. Constitution. The New
York Times of July 28, 1985 gives some background on this
committee and quotes the then president of the Unification
Church, Moss Durst, as speaking for the committee. Here is where
the deception about the ties of the committee to the church
begins to unfold. The organization listed as sponsor of the ads,
the Committee to Defend the U.S. Constitution, gives an address
in Washington D.C., that is only a mail drop. A recorded voice
answers the telephone. Mr. Durst said that the committee was an
independent interest group that had no financial connection to
his church. But he added that the church would reproduce the ads
and send them to 300,000 clergymen around the nation.
Interestingly, this does not correlate with a letter that
Colonel Bo Hi Pak (Moon's second in command) received from his
lawyer. The letter clearly states the committee was formed
according to Pak's instructions. Thus the organization was
formed by the Unification Church to defend their leader.
.
THE FAMILY VALUES OF SUN MYUNG MOON
At the Prayer Luncheon, Sun Myung Moon received an award for his
work in support of family values. I ask each of you to closely
examine the type of family values that Moon promotes. The
Unification Church today admits taking our youth away from their
families in the early 1970's and even brain washing them. Those
youngsters were forced to sell flowers and other items on street
corners for up to 18 hours a day to give Moon much of the money
he used to purchase his power and political, business and
religious connections.
Moon's family values need to be excoriated, not rewarded. At
least one report states that Moon has been married four times.
He left his first wife, Sung Kil Choi, and their three-month old
son, Sung Jin, without explanation. He returned to them some six
years later, but they divorced shortly thereafter. Moon claims
that the divorce was because she failed to become the perfect
wife. Moon then had an illegitimate son, Hee Jin, with a
university student, Myung Hee Kim, in 1953 while still married
to his first wife. Moon married his fourth (or second) wife Hak
Ja Han in 1960. She was eighteen years old and he was forty.
While married to Hak Ja Han, Moon had another illegitimate son
with a church member that was raised by Moon's most trusted
adviser as his son, while the mother played the role of family
friend in his young life. So we see Moon as an adulterer with
two illegitimate sons, while at the same time claiming to be the
Second Coming of the Messiah.
As a parent, Moon fares no better. In 1965 Moon described his
ideal circumstances for the rearing of children: "We would like
to see a boarding house for the children of our members, where
some responsible persons could raise them and educate them at
least for a few years. This would release you for your necessary
witnessing." Sun Myung Moon and his wife were absentee parents,
according to Nansook Hong, ex-wife of Hyo Jin. The children were
left in the care of church elders and baby-sitters. When Hyo Jin
Moon was expelled from middle school for shooting his classmates
with a BB gun, Moon sent him off to live with Bo Hi Pak. When
that did not work out, he was sent to Korea to be raised by Moon
followers there. This true parent (Sun Myung Moon) held to the
theory that his followers were responsible for rearing the
Messiah's children. Nansook also states that the Moon children
do not even eat their meals with the parents, but bow to them,
and then bring their meals into the kitchen to be eaten.
This so-called promoter of family life had one son commit
suicide and his oldest (Hyo Jin) was divorced. Hyo Jin's ex-wife
(Nansook Hong) reports that their married life was a parade of
horrors including physical abuse, cocaine addiction, alcoholism,
adultery and pornography. Even after all of that, there is no
indication of any treatment for Hyo Jin before he was remarried
to another follower by Moon. Additionally, two of his daughters
are reported to have been unhappy with their family life. Are
these family values we want to reward and publicize as
appropriate for Christian leaders?
POLITICAL ASSOCIATIONS
Many politicians have also received large sums of money from Sun
Myung Moon through one or more of his organizations. It has been
estimated that George Bush senior, after losing his bid for a
second term, received a golden parachute from Moon. He was asked
to travel and speak with Moon in Asia, the United States and
South America. Published reports vary, claiming that Moon paid
anywhere from three to ten million dollars for Bush's speaking
services. Several newspapers have reported that Bush received
one million dollars per one-hour speech in certain years
following his presidency. One strange case took place in
Argentina in 1996 where Bush declared: "I want to salute
Reverend Moon as a man of vision", while at the same time Moon's
speeches quote him characterizing the United States as "Satan's
harvest" and American women as being descended from a line of
prostitutes. Ironically, I believe we must get the Christian
ministers away from Moon before even trying to get the
politicians away. If we can get the ministers away, most of the
politicians will certainly follow.
Sun Myung Moon has long promoted himself as being a fighter
against communism. This was one of the ways he has won over the
so-called right wing conservative party. Yet last year it was
reported that he gave the leader of North Korea $3,000,000 as a
birthday president. It is also true that Moon is hoping to open
an auto plant in North Korea and did receive presents from the
dictator, Kim Jong-il, on his birthday. However, those are
secular problems and not our main concern.
As Christians we must defend our faith, our Lord Jesus Christ
and His Holy Scriptures. Whenever someone, anyone, speaks
against our beliefs, we must stand up and speak loudly the truth
of God. One cannot take money, gold watches, or other items of
value to look the other way while allowing someone to speak
against our faith.
Some Christian leaders have claimed this is an opportunity to
preach the gospel. Unfortunately, while those in the audience
may hear what was said, the fact remains that your presence is
used to attract followers who only know that you were part of
the event and have no idea what you may have said. One of the
best examples of that was the Inaugural Prayer Luncheon January
19, 2001. Sun Myung Moon is pictured in the Washington Times
receiving a large award, for his work supporting family values,
from an ecumenical group of clergymen. The article states
"Martin Luther King, evangelist Billy Graham, and Rev. Sun Myung
Moon were honored by an ecumenical group of clergymen." Since it
was Merritt, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, who
honored Billy Graham, it is assumed that he was part of the
clergy giving the award to Moon. This inference is used to build
Moon's credibility, and more importantly, by his recruiters in
seeking new followers. Please, as devoted Christians, do not
allow yourself to get caught in this trap.
We hope that you have found this booklet informative and
inspiring. If you would like additional copies, or any
additional documentation or information, please contact us at
the address below. We would also encourage you to read In The
Shadow Of The Moons by Nansook Hong, published by Little, Brown
& Company..
Sincerely In His Service,
Dr. Frederick H. Miller, Th.M., Ph.D.
Director
True Light Educational Ministry Inc.
P.O. Box 310
Shirley, NY 11967-0310
631-395-4646
End Notes
1. Charles Colson, The Body, Dallas TX, Dallas Word
Publishing, 1992, p.186.
2. Ibid., p. 185. |
|
TLEM