In September of this year, Sun Myung Moon, the self-appointed founder and leader of the ‘Unification Church’ (more commonly known as the ‘Moonies’) died. I remembered reading about this and that is why I have decided to write about the Moonies for my next blog.
The cult became notorious in the 1970’s and was known to be very alluring, powerful and brainwashed many youngsters, with it encouraging many to completely leave their families and immerse themselves within the doctrine that Moon taught. In this clip from a documentary from the 1990’s we can see how desperate a family are to see their daughter and sister, but sadly the young girl is very disinterested. It is very difficult to understand how the ‘Moonies’ coaxed in young people as of course much of it would have been done in private.Perhaps Moonie knew that young people are more vulnerable and looking for something to fulfil their life. This article is extremely interesting as it is from a former Moonie. It shows how the members were made to see Moon as the Messiah. The insider shows how we need to expose such a group as its links are dangerous and detrimental to health – for example encouraging its people to work for 21 hours in a day for the church!
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| A stadium full of Moonies getting married |
Another key aspect of the Church is its highly bizarre weddings where Moonie matched people by picking people out of a line and then having people have their wedding ceremony with up to 3000 other couples – in this youtube clip you will be able to see how the weddings and the consummation of marriage are very strange!
For me, this kind of behaviour leads onto something deeper. It is not right that any type of group can encourage cutting off ties from family or friends – the very people that helped shape your life up until that point. Personally, if a religious group cannot accept your personality and personal relationships then I believe one must take a good look at whether that religion is really healthy and of benefit. This extreme group raises the question of whether governments should intervene. How can it allow a self-appointed leader to brainwash its vulnerable young people?
This is such an interesting blog post!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, I have never even heard of the Moonies but after reading this I can't understand how as it's so different to any other religious expereince etc!
It's a really sad clip to see someone so disinterested with their own family when she is obviously so cared for. I completely agree with you, if a religious group can't accept you for who you are then perhaos it isn't the right religion for you...
Thanks Harry!
ReplyDeleteYes, the Moonies became notorious in the 1970s and 1980s (my mother actually informed me about them a couple of months ago when the leader died). I assumed that they had fallen by the wayside so was actually shocked to see that they are still prominet within the 21st century - if you go on 4oD there is a whole documentary following couples getting married in such a ceremony which is extremely interesting.
And I completely agree with your last point. Religion should encompass family life and relationships and if it can't accept these then I would urge that particular person to question if that religion is really something that they want.