Unification Church

Not to be confused with Unitarianism, Universalism, or Unity Church.

Family Federation for World Peace and Unification
(Unification Church)
세계평화통일가정연합
Official emblem
AbbreviationFFWPU, UC
ClassificationNew religious movement
ScriptureBible
Divine Principle
Acting LeaderHak Ja Han
RegionWorldwide
Headquarters12F Dowon Building
292-20 Dohwa-dong
Mapo-gu
Seoul, South Korea[1]
FounderSun Myung Moon
OriginMay 1, 1954
Seoul, South Korea
Other name(s)
  • Unification Movement
  • Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity (세계기독교통일신령협회)
  • Unificationists
  • Moonies
Official websitefamilyfed.org

The Unification Church (Korean: 통일교; RR: Tongil-gyo) is a new religious movement, whose members are called Unificationists or sometimes informally Moonies. It was founded in 1954 by Sun Myung Moon in Seoul, South Korea, as the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity (HSA-UWC; 세계기독교통일신령협회); in 1994, the organization changed its name to the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU; 세계평화통일가정연합). It has a presence in approximately 100 countries around the world.[2] Its leaders are Moon (prior to his death) and his wife, Hak Ja Han, whom their followers honor with the title "True Parents".

The book Divine Principle informs the beliefs of the Unification Church. Moon considered himself the Second Coming of Christ, appointed to complete the mission Jesus Christ was unable to because of his crucifixion: beginning a new ideal family,[3] and a larger human lineage, free from sin.[4] The Unification Church is well known for its mass weddings, known as Blessing ceremonies.[5] Its members have founded, owned and supported related organizations in business,[6] education,[7] politics[8] and more.[9] Its involvement in politics includes anti-communism and support for Korean reunification.[10][11][12] The group has been accused of excessive financial exploitation of its members.[2] It has been criticized for its teachings and for its social and political influence, with critics calling it a dangerous cult,[13][14] a political powerhouse and a business empire.[15][16]

  1. ^ "International Unification Church Directory".
  2. ^ a b Worth, Robert F. (October 2023). "THE BIZARRE STORY BEHIND SHINZO ABE'S ASSASSINATION". The Atlantic: 44–53. Archived from the original on March 29, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  3. ^ "Unification Church". Britannica. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference maass was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference nrti was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Fisher, Marc; Leen, Jeff (November 23, 1997). "A Church in Flux Is Flush With Cash". The Washington Post. pp. A01. Archived from the original on October 7, 2008. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  7. ^ Yamamoto, J. I., 1995, Unification Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House ISBN 0-310-70381-6 Excerpt: Archived February 10, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ Sun Myung Moon forms new political party to merge divided Koreas Archived September 1, 2013, at the Wayback Machine Church and State, May 2003
  9. ^ Swatos, William H. Jr. (1998). Encyclopedia of religion and society. Walnut Creek, CA: AltaMira Press. ISBN 978-0-7619-8956-1. Archived from the original on February 25, 2018. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
  10. ^ Goodman, Walter (January 21, 1992). "Review/Television; Sun Myung Moon Changes Robes". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on April 9, 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference books.google.com was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Kent, Stephen A., From Slogans to Mantras: Social Protest and Religious Conversion in the Late Vietnam War Era (Syracuse University Press, 2001), 168.
  13. ^ Barker, Eileen, The Making of a Moonie: Choice Or Brainwashing? Modern Revivals in Sociology, illustrated, reprint, revised ed. (Gregg Revivals, 1993) ISBN 978-0751201369
  14. ^ Bromley, David G. and Anson D. Shupe, Jr., "Moonies" in America: Cult, Church, and Crusade, edited by David G. Bromley, Sage Library of Social Research (Sage, 1979)
  15. ^ Swatos, William H. Jr. (1998). Encyclopedia of religion and society. Walnut Creek, CA: AltaMira Press. ISBN 978-0-7619-8956-1.
  16. ^ Stymied in U.S., Moon's Church Sounds a Retreat, Marc Fisher and Jeff Leen, The Washington Post, November 24, 1997
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