Stranger Things

July 17, 1984: Washington Times Riled by Charge of Moon Church Control (The Washington Post)

QuoteAt a morning press conference at the National Press Club, James R. Whelan charged that The Times "is firmly in the hands of top officials of the . . . Unification Church Movement" and that Col. Bo Hi Pak, the South Korean who is Rev. Moon's top aide and president of News World Communications, has taken "direct, on-site, executive control of all noneditorial functions of the newspaper on behalf of the newspaper's owners."

Orders were being given, Whelan said, by unnamed "elders of the church."

Whelan, saying that "a covenant of independence has been irreparably breached," also held out the possibility that he might sue the newspaper for breach of contract....

"I have one major message to give to you," said Hempstone, who has been executive editor at The Times since it began publishing in May 1982. "The Washington Times is not -- I repeat, not -- a 'Moonie newspaper.' "...

Newspaper analyst John Morton, of the brokerage firm of Lynch Jones and Ryan, said of Whelan's going public with his claims: "It won't have much impact on advertising support because they don't have any. I doubt it will have a substantial effect on circulation."

July 18, 1984: Moon Newspaper Head Dismissed in a Dispute (The New York Times)

QuoteThe publisher, James R. Whelan, said he was replaced Friday by Smith Hempstone after Bo Hi Pak, president of News World Communications, the newspaper arm of the Unification Church, failed to keep promises assuring Mr. Whelan control of the editorial content of the newspaper....

According to a statement released by the Times, Mr. Whelan was dismissed after he demanded ''in excess of $2 million over five years'' as the price for giving up the publisher's position.

July 20, 1984: It's Only a Paper Moon (Washinton Weeky/CIA Reading Room)

QuoteBut the dream won't end, and Whelan glances down at the text and resigns himself to the inevitable. The words are spoken haltingly, as though extracted from his mouth one by one with a pair of pliers-"The Times is a
Moonie paper."

July 23, 1984: Ex-Pubisher Says Moon Church Ran Newspaper (The New York Times)

QuoteIn a July 18 letter to The Washington Post released Friday by Mr. Whelan, he said, ''I had no intention ever of impugning the motives of those who, until a few days ago, were my close associates and who, until they realized I was going public, were together with the owners, unstinting in their praise of me.''

Mr. Whelan said he had watched in shock as his former colleagues engaged ''in the vilest form of character assassination, dredging up every resentment - every grievance, every grudge, real or imaginary - all for the sole and single purpose of disguising the fact that they had gone along with what they had said they would never go along with: direct Moonie control of The Washington Times. ...

Conscious of the mistrust that surrounds its relationship to the church, The Times takes great care in handling coverage of articles involving Mr. Moon or church activities. In an effort to avoid charges of bias, the newspaper used a wire-service report for its front-page article on Mr. Moon's conviction of tax fraud, and according to one senior editor it agonized for many months before running an editorial in support of Mr. Moon's position. Dozens of religious and civil liberty groups had also taken Mr. Moon's side in the case

Note to Self: Compare recent coverage of Moon with that bolded quote in mind. In particular Religiocide in Korea: The Attempted Assassination of a Faith

Sept. 16, 1984: Moon's Japanese Profits Bolster Efforts in US (The Washington Post)

QuoteThe Japanese branch of the Rev. Sun Myung Moon's Unification Church has transferred at least $800 million over the past nine years into the United States to finance the church's political activities and business operations, including The Washington Times newspaper, according to two former high-ranking church officials.

This money is generated in Japan, primarily through a Tokyo-based business operation that uses church members to sell marble vases, miniature treasure pagodas and other religious icons that are represented as having supernatural powers, the former officials said.

Nov. 28, 1984: FBI Holds 6 in Kidnapping of Moon Aide (The New York Times). Note: More here about the kidnapping.

QuoteThe church leader (and founding chairman of The Washington Times Corp.) Bo-hi Pak, said he had been held for two days in a small house in Orange County and had been subjected to shocks with electric devices before being released. Two of the arrested men were identified by the F.B.I. as members of the Unification Church and friends of Mr. Pak.

Feb. 20, 1986: Media Cautioned on Stories About Editor : Lawyers' Letter Seen as Novel Attempt to Influence News Coverage (Los Angeles Times)

QuoteThe circumstances of Whelan's ouster from the Washington Times remain unclear even 18 months later. Whelan charged at the time that control of the newspaper, which has considerable visibility in the White House, was being seized by its controversial owners, officials from the Rev. Sun Myung Moon's Unification Church. "The Washington Times has become a Moonie newspaper," he told a press conference.

Washington Times editors denied Whelan's accusations in their own press conference and charged that Whelan had been removed after he demanded a lucrative new contract, including a gift of an $800,000 house. ...

Larry Chandler, promotion and research director for the Washington Times, contended in an interview that Moon and the Unification Church have no legal or financial connection to the newspaper, although previous statements by Washington Times editors contradict that.

I'll just post a few messages from the most noteworthy presidents. Suffice to say there is quite an obvious common theme to all of them. And what they lack in verisimilitude, they make up for in... well something? Or nothing? I don't know.

And now let's read about what George Washington was up to in June 2002.

George Washington (1789-1797): First President of the United States

QuoteI, George Washington, am deeply moved to learn through Mr. Sang Hun Lee the identity of Rev. Sun Myung Moon, learn about Rev. Moon's accomplishments and philosophy, and come to a realization that he has appeared as the Messiah. I was introduced to poignant content, including the course of Rev. Moon's turbulent life and suffering that led to his ascension to the position of the True Parent of humankind, his bloody battle with Satan to discover the Divine Principle, his providential victories, and the circumstances of God as he oversaw the historical time periods that existed in parallel from ages past. In particular, I came to the realization that the Messiah is giving unlimited love to the people of the United States, and is offering the most profound sincerity and dedication in order to guide humankind to the philosophy of peace. Yet the people of America are greatly lacking in sincerity and dedication in attending the Messiah. I realize that the American people are blessed by the mere fact that the Messiah is present on American soil. Yet, they appear unable to realize this deeply. I am deeply distressed over this.

The government and people of the United States should accept the philosophy and teachings of the Messiah. They must realize this is a blessing God has given to America. For what purpose did America become the strongest nation in the world? You should remember that when your ancestors founded America, they began by attending God, recognizing him as being the highest pinnacle. But what is your situation now? America must repent. Examine the direction in which you should be going, and the reality of where you are going. Will God guide you to the path of eternal blessing? Only if the people of America repent and receive guidance in the teachings of the Messiah will America become God's eternal Eden.

George Washington; June 9, 2002

Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809): Third President of the United States; Author of the Declaration of Independence

QuoteA great saint, the Messiah, has been born in the calm country of Korea, so I shall speak from my heart with the desire that the bright light from the East shine on all people. The founding spirit of America is second to that of no other country in the world. I take pride in that. Yet in this place, the world after death, I am quite envious of the people of Korea, a calm and quiet country. Where is there any peace or happiness for the people of America, vexed by philosophical and racial struggle, and by numerous incidents of terror? The Messiah, the True Parent of humankind, brings the philosophy of peace for the sake of the world. See what happens when the leaders of America accept these teachings. See what happens when America no longer seeks after only her pride as the strongest country externally but makes an unbiased examination of herself to see what she has done for peace in the world.

People of America, rise again. Return to the nation's founding spirit. Follow the teachings of Rev. Sun Myung Moon, the Messiah to all people, who has appeared in Korea. There is no inconsistency between our founding spirit and his teachings. Well-known presidents and kings from history are excited by the greatness of his philosophy of peace.

America, rise again. Make America the land of God's new truth and new hope. That is the mission America is called to fulfill in this age.

Thomas Jefferson; June 10, 2002

Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865): Sixteenth President of the United States; Preserved the Union through victory in the Civil War, and issued the Proclamation of Emancipation for the slaves

QuotePeople of America, I wish for you to constantly go the way of obedience, aligned with the teachings of True Parents.

Rev. Sun Myung Moon, Mansei!

Returning Lord and Messiah, Mansei!

True Parents of humanity, Mansei!

I, Abraham Lincoln, have experienced incredibly wondrous and exciting moments, but I am saddened that there is no communication, or crossing back and forth, between the earthly and spiritual worlds. Without doubt, Rev. Sun Myung Moon is the True Parent of humanity. He shows us how to love one another and brings us together as one, with no discrimination among religions or races. He is accomplishing feats on many levels that would be utterly impossible if it were not for True Parents' teachings. People of America, do you think you can bring peace through war and military force? God has appeared before humankind as our parent. While I was listening to the Divine Principle lectures, I had a vision. In this vision, all the souls in this place, including black people, yellow people, and white people, and including Christians, Buddhists, Confucianists, and Muslims, all came together and danced for joy. Then I saw a bright light, that is, the brilliant light of God, and in that instant, I, Abraham Lincoln, wanted to also jump in among them and begin to dance.

People of America, people of the world! Black people are children of God, as are white people. At some time, all of you will have to gather here in the spirit world and walk side by side and live together. I simply came here and experienced this fact before you.

I am making a request to the people of America because I love you with an earnest heart. Rev. Sun Myung Moon has appeared as the Messiah and the True Parent of humankind. I hope that you will attend the Messiah and constantly walk the path of obedience based on True Parents' teachings. War and military force will only serve to create another human hell. Is it not time for the earthly world to declare an end to hell? A philosophy of peace for humankind comes from the Messiah. The life that you now live in the earthly world is only a fleeting and incomplete life. If you are to live in the eternal world with eternal happiness, you must above all else awaken to the truth of the Divine Principle and Unification Thought. This is my solemn request.

Rev. Sun Myung Moon, I respect you. I thank you very much for all you have done. I will attend you resolutely as the Messiah and returning Lord, tear down the walls between races and religious groups, and participate actively in True Parents' Unification Movement.

Abraham Lincoln; December 9, 2002

Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909): Twenty-sixth President of the United States

QuoteOnly when you realize the truth about God's work can you know the significance of peace for humanity.

I was very envious of the other former American presidents who reported before me, and I am very grateful and joyful to have an opportunity to also pass on my message to earth. On earth, I became the youngest president in American history, and so I had more progressive inclinations than the others. When I listened to lectures on Rev. Moon's Divine Principle and Unification Thought here in the spirit world, I was so moved that I feel an ever-growing urge to be resurrected on earth every day.

That is because American leaders of today look down on moral values, waste material resources of various kinds on unreasonable projects, provide a declining level of education in matters of morality and character and cannot come up with a clear solution to the chaos of this time. Rev. Moon's Divine Principle and Unification Thought are far superior to the doctrine that America is founded on. Consider the current situation of Israel. Are they serving Jesus Christ and closely following his teachings?

At present, great secrets of heaven are being revealed through the Divine Principle and the Unification Thought. Do you know that an eternal world where people live truly exists? It is a pity that the words I speak cannot fully express the strong emotions and admiration I feel for Rev. Sun Myung Moon's teachings. I am really very grateful to Rev. Moon. Even if he is not the Messiah or the Savior in religious terms, when we consider his doctrine, it is more than enough for us to acknowledge him as the leader of the world.

People of the United States! I implore you to serve the true teacher of humanity and to accept his theology so that you can remain forever as the people of the greatest nation in the world. Rev. Moon has the answers in many different dimensions regarding the establishment of an eternal world of peace. When I see his projects for realizing a world of peace, I cannot hold my head up, because as someone who received the Nobel Peace Prize, I am too ashamed. Only when the American people follow his teachings can America remain as a great nation of prosperity and peace in front of the world. And only when you properly realize, in this time, the truth about who God is can you know the significance of peace for humanity. This is the main point of my message that I want to convey to you from my heart.

Theodore Roosevelt; July 14, 2003

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1933-1945): Thirty-second President of the United States; Served four terms as president; Promoted the New Deal Policy in an attempt to solve the Great Depression of the 1930s

QuoteFranklin Delano Roosevelt's Prayer

Heavenly Father!

I think I am too bold to call You Father. Dear Father, You are so miserable! You are a God of great grief and bitter pain. What can I say to bring You words of comfort, Father? I am Roosevelt. At one time, as the president of the United States, I invested all my energy for the welfare and prosperity of the American people, but I didn't guide them in any way to help them prepare for life in the eternal spiritual world. It is this point that has caused my heart to feel untold suffering. Heavenly Father, please forgive me.

And dear God, please lead the American people today to the right path. Most of them are caught up with excessive self-praise and egoism just because they are citizens of the strongest power on earth. They are unable to display tolerance and humility toward the third world countries, they take their own future lightly, their own view of God is deviating from the true path.

Heavenly Father, please shake and wake up America. I pray earnestly for our American people. Heavenly Father, I beg for forgiveness that I was unable to teach them that You are the parent of all humankind. Heavenly Father, I will invest all my energy and prayers here in the spirit world until the day when all the American people become God's true children.

The new truth of the Divine Principle is moving my heart deeply, and is making me repent about everything in my past life. It is the first time in my life that I have had such deep feelings. I realized so many things through the Divine Principle, and the only thing that I can do at this time is lament loudly with tears of repentance.

Heavenly Father, please protect and preserve the throne of the True Parents, Rev. Sun Myung Moon who worked so hard to find and reveal this new truth. Father, I know that this prayer is presumptuous and impolite, but unless I pray and repent in this way before You, I will not be able to endure. I want to offer this prayer to You, dear God. Please accept it.

God's child, Franklin Roosevelt; July 26, 2003

Oh not JFK too! I actually met a UN lawyer last week. I should pass this on to him in case he and other UN staff didn't receive JFK's message to the UN sent from heaven almost 40 years after his assassination.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy (1961-1963): Thirty-fifth President of the United States

QuoteA Message to the United Nations

Those of you at the United Nations, I am John Kennedy!

I want to declare an extremely important thing to you today. The fact that Kennedy is sending a message from the spiritual world to the United Nations is something that cannot be imagined in your world, and it is very significant news. Through attending lectures of the new truth, Divine Principle and Unification Thought here in the spirit world, I have understood the direction and goal that the world must take today. I want to let the UN know the following.

The people of the world today must live as brothers and sisters, helping and depending upon each other. This is the most urgent and universal value. I want to convey to those of you at the UN this strong message showing our resolution and will, hoping that you will put it into practice. I declare the following:

1. God is the parent of humankind and truly does exist.

2. After people finish their life on earth, their soul continues on to live in the eternal world, namely the incorporeal world (spirit world) which is a reality.

3. Rev. Sun Myung Moon is the Messiah, the Savior and the True Parent of humankind.

4. All of humankind and the UN have to understand the ideology and works of Rev. Sun Myung Moon and they have to accept his leadership and guidance.

5. The realization of an eternal world of peace is only possible when we put into practice the ideology of the True Parents and practice love on the supra-religious, supra-national, and supra-racial levels. A world of peace cannot be realized through wars or through force.

6. The whole of creation, including humankind, exists in reciprocal relationships, namely, both internal nature and external form, and plus and minus (male and female).

7. The beginning of human history went wrong and this has to be restored according to the providence of restoration.

8. We have to clearly know the true identity of Satan (Lucifer) who left a huge stain on the beginning of human history.

9. The gap between the rich and poor is becoming more serious on the earth. The cause of ignorance, sickness, poverty and war has to be completely eradicated.

10. The Divine Principle and Unification Thought are the unique textbooks that can free humankind from suffering and unhappiness.

I sincerely hope that those of you at the UN keep these ten points in mind and in your own countries fulfill your responsibility in this age to lead humankind into a new future. Members of the United Nations, don't ask what the United Nations can do for you, ask what you can do for the realization of the eternal world of peace (the original founding purpose of the UN). I feel sorry to God that during my short term as president the UN did not fulfill its responsibility and, with a heart asking for forgiveness, I send this message.

John Kennedy; July 30, 2003

Just after posting the first links below regarding Yeon-jin (Kat) Moon, I came across the following two 2012 articles, which is what I have in mind for this thread. I will be able to in some cases add more details and links.

This first article explores some of the problems and issues some of Moon's children experienced.

Sept. 28, 1998: Do As I Preach, and Not As I Do (Time Magazine/Internet Archive)

Sept. 4, 2012: Rev. Moon Oversaw Large, Often Bickering Brood (Deseret News)

Sept. 5, 2012: Moon & Wife 'True Parents' but Children Suffered Estrangement, Tragedy - & Reality TV (Yahoo News)

The True Parents site has a page with short bios for eight of Moon's children.

The bio of Hyo-jin Moon has no mention of his first wife, Nan-sook Hong nor their five children from their 15-year marriage. How Orwellian.


Mainly for my benefit for now, I just want to list the most notable of Moon's children. In no particular order, except that from what little I know, Kat seems like the most intelligent, articulate, and compassionate - and she wanted nothing to do with her parents"church". We can infer from that that she didn't buy into her parents' messiah claims, the foundation of their cult.

Yeon-jin (Kat) Moon
Links from TParents.org

Nov. 23, 1999: In Memory of My Brother (Young Jin)
Note: I just posted below the opening two paragraphs and closing sentences. It is very much worth your time to read it. It provides insights into both Kat and her brother Yeon-jin, who tragically committed suicide on November 2, 1999.

QuoteI was saddened to hear that the only testimonies given at Young oppa's funeral were by people who never took the time to get to know him, i.e. Kim Hyo Nam, Mrs. Lee, and Peter Kim. I want to give you a taste of what my brother was all about. And I never want him to be forgotten...

My brother was someone not many knew. I, however, was lucky enough to spend a significant amount of time with him. He and I attended Groton School, a prep school in Massachusetts, for three years together. He was charismatic and loved by all the faculty. He was especially known for being a hard worker, who ceaselessly worked to attain all his goals. He was quiet and soft-spoken, but when he opened his mouth, only intelligent and bold opinions emerged from his lips. He excelled during his years at Groton, which, I believe, were probably the happiest and most successful five years of his life. ...

I wish the world could have known what a difference he made in my life as well as others. I want everyone to know what a great brother, friend, and mentor he was to me. He was always calm, composed, and extremely logical. He lived for the sake of others, and was truly selfless. He was kind and generous. I love him dearly, and he will always be my favorite brother.

Young-jin Moon

Former member Teddy Hose reflects on his experiences growing up around the Moon family and his memories of Young-jin. Father Moon's responce to Yeong-jin's suicide was one of the factors that led Teddy to leave the cult.

Feb. 8, 2022: Why I Left the Moonies (Teddy Hose on Facebook)

I wasn't quite sure where to post this, but here is as good a place as any. And 1984, what a year! I just posted the opening paragraph and the last few sentences. It's a very interesting and insightful read.

Brainwashing and the Moonies (Cultic Studies Journal, 1984, Volume 1, Number 1, pages 27-36)

QuoteThis article reports on the experiences and thoughts of an anthropologist who, under an assumed identity, participated in a 3-day Unification church workshop.  Although the author's expectation that she would encounter "brainwashing" techniques was not met, she was, nevertheless, struck by the subtle, yet powerful, socialization techniques through which the UC members were able to influence her.  She concludes that, to be effect, preventive education in this area must address the subtleties of the socialization processes that can bring about major personality changes ...

My weekend with the Moonies was intended to answer some questions I had.  Instead, it raised many more.  The most solid thing I came away with, however, and my reason for writing this, is a new understanding of brainwashing.  If we are to avoid it, we must first learn to recognize it.

2024

Jan. 19: Gov't Panel Compiles Measures To Help Japan's UC Victims (Mainichi Shimbun)

QuoteThe panel compiled support measures based on the testimonies of former believers and the children they raised, known as second-generation followers. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, who chaired the meeting, stated the government's intent to further enhance support for those who were victimized by the group, formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification.

The measures will include training courses led by ex-believers and second-generation followers aimed at helping consultation service providers understand victims' feelings, job search support for second-generation followers with low income, and services such as school counseling for their children.

Feb. 10: Editorial: Moriyama Unfit As Japan Culture Minister After UC Ties Emerge (Mainichi Shimbun)

Feb. 19: 37 Consultation Requests Made By Kids Regarding UC Worries (Mainichi Shimbun)

QuoteKazunori Yamanoi. The government said that as of the end of January there were 24 cases of children seeking advice from school counsellors, and 13 where they called a Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology support line with worries relating to the group, formally called the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification.

By topic and with multiple selections possible, 24 cases involved the home environment -- the most common concern -- and five consultations from junior high students were about stopping going to school. More than one case with high school counselors involved physical and mental health, academic choices and other points.

In November 2022, the education ministry asked prefectural education boards and others to implement guidance services regarding the Unification Church. This was so that schools would not respond passively to students' problems just because they were religious in nature.

March 27: Japan Court Imposes Fine on Unification Church (UCA News)

QuoteA trial court in Japan has imposed a fine on the Unification Church for failing to respond to some of the questions related to its controversial collection of hefty donations from its members. Tomihiro Tanaka, president of the Unification Church in Japan, was fined 100,000 Yen (around US$660) on March 26 for failing to answer more than 100 of some 500 questions, the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) reported.

June 19: Psychiatric Exam Finds Ex-Japan PM Abe Shooter Mentally Fit (Kyodo News)

July 6: Only 8% of Religious Group Followers' Children Back Government Remedy Steps (Kyodo News)

QuoteIn the survey, conducted in May and June with responses from 120 family members of avid followers of the Unification Church, Jehovah's Witnesses and other religious groups, 89 percent said they had been abused by their families and other relatives.

The survey also showed that 72 percent of respondents experienced hardship from people outside their families because of their faith, such as being bullied at school or denied access to higher education, underscoring a lack of adequate relief measures for them. ...

A total of 107 out of the 120 respondents said they had been abused by their families. Examples are forced adherence to faiths through threats of not paying school fees, restrictions imposed on who they can marry, physical violence, bloodshed, and whipping.

July 8: Two Years After Fatal Shooting of Abe, Unification Church Issues Remain (Kyodo News)

QuoteMonday marks two years since former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was fatally shot, while issues related to the Unification Church and the plight of "second-generation" members of religious groups that drew attention afterward remain unsolved.

In the wake of the incident, the Japanese parliament enacted a law to ban maliciously solicited donations, while the government has requested the Tokyo District Court to issue an order to dissolve the Unification Church over donation solicitation practices.

Dissolution would deprive the group, formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, of its tax benefits as a religious corporation, although the organization could still continue its activities in Japan.

Second-generation members say they are still struggling with the impact of being born into a family of avid followers, such as being denied access to higher education or employment. But the government's steps to provide remedies, including the implementation of the law to ban malicious solicitation of donations, are not enough, they said.

July 11: Top Court Rules That Pledge Not to Sue Unification Church is Invalid (Asahi Shimbun)

QuoteThe Supreme Court on July 11 ruled that a statement written by a former follower of the Unification Church promising not to seek compensation from the group is invalid, opening the door to her daughter pursuing damages. ...

In this lawsuit, the eldest daughter of a former Unification Church follower, who is deceased, is seeking 65.8 million yen ($407,000) in damages from the church and a church follower who solicited her mother to donate. The daughter, who is in her 60s, stated that the church and the follower "made her mother to donate money by stoking her anxiety that she would be unhappy if she did not donate."

July 11: Top Court Rules Unification Church No-Refund Document Invalid (Kyodo News)

QuoteJapan's top court on Thursday overturned a lower court ruling that had absolved the Unification Church from returning donations to the family of a late former member, deeming that a document the woman signed preventing her from seeking refunds was invalid.

In the first ruling by the Supreme Court on donations to the religious group, its First Petty Bench sent the case back to the Tokyo High Court, citing insufficient examination of whether the organization had acted illegally.

The woman's family is seeking around 65 million yen ($402,000) in damages from the group. Many other members are known to have signed and submitted similar documents to the Unification Church, which has been under renewed scrutiny since former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated, allegedly by the disgruntled son of a member.

"If the way donations are solicited significantly deviates from societal norms, it is appropriate to deem it illegal," the court said, referring to circumstances where donors are unable to make informed decisions.

August 27: Unification Church Hit With Fresh Fines for Impeding Government Inquiry (Kyodo News)

QuoteA Japanese court on Tuesday fined the Unification Church with a 100,000 yen ($690) penalty for refusing to respond to the government's inquiry into its alleged illegal donation solicitations. Upholding a lower court decision, the Tokyo High Court rejected the controversial religious organization's appeal. The group has come under renewed public scrutiny after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was fatally shot in July 2022 during an election stump speech over his perceived links to the church.

Oct. 7: Ex-Staffer Details How Unification Church Backed an LDP Candidate (Asahi Shimbun)

QuoteAt the meeting, it was agreed that the religious groups would support the LDP candidates in the proportional representation section of the Upper House election.

The subsequent efforts that the religious groups made in supporting the LDP's elections has come to light from the man's story. The 43-year-old man who lives in Fukuoka was working in the Fukuoka office of Kitamura when he ran in the Upper House election for the first time in 2013. The man presented numerous documents from the office during the interview. ...

In mid-June 2013, a senior staff member at the office said, "The Federation for World Peace will support us in the election," to other staff members, soon after he returned from a business trip to Tokyo. The man became worried if it was acceptable to agree to the support, because he knew that the religious group was connected with the Unification Church through his experiences with political movements.

Nov. 28: How Will the Unification Church Scandal Pan Out? (Nippon)

2023

Jan. 10: How Shinzo Abe's Murder & His Ties to Moonies Blindsided Japanese Politics (The Guardian)

Feb. 23: Ex-Followers Seek 1.6 Billion Yen from UC (Asahi Shimbun)

March 8: Who Are 'the Moonies' & How is The UC Linked to Shinzo Abe's Murder (SBS Dateline)


March 16: In the Grip of the Unification Church: The Story of a Former Second-Generation Follower (Nippon)

QuoteThe woman's parents had an arranged marriage and wed in a mass weddings Moon presided over. This made the woman one of what the UC calls the "blessed second generation," who according to UC teachings are born free of original sin and so occupy a special presence within the movement. ...

The woman tells how her parents placed the UC before everything else, even family. "From the time I was a small child, my mother would be away from home for six months at a time doing missionary work overseas," she says, adding that while in elementary school she was made to go on some of these trips abroad. Her father, a local leader in the UC, was involved in church activities from morning until night. "We were never able to build a normal parent-child relationship."

As an adolescent, she began to worry that her parents planned for her to "receive a blessing," language used in the UC to mean a marriage between church members, and give birth to children who would be third-generation followers. When her suspicions proved true, she says she finally realized that her life was being controlled by others, filling her with hopelessness. ...

"I waited for a time when my parents were busy doing work for the church," she describes. "Then I grabbed my suitcase and left." She traveled to another prefecture where an aunt and uncle lived, but her parents quickly learned her whereabouts. "They told my aunt and uncle—who were only trying to protect me—that they should commit suicide. They said they would take me back home to re-educate me because I had become a devil." Sensing real danger, she lived on the run for a time, but her parents never relented. "They followed me and even had the police bring me home on one occasion." ...

Today, the woman is severely critical of the UC. "What kind of a church champions the value of family harmony while at the same time leaving me no choice but to cut ties with my own parents? How many other children have they hurt the same way? There is no doubt in my mind that the UC is a criminal organization that disregards the rights of children. Followers need to wise up to this truth."

May 21: Solidarity With Japanese Ex-Moonies & Responce to Cult Apologists (Medium - Former American Member)
Note: This is one of the best articles about the surrounding issues and the "defences" used by cult apologists

July 13: Lucrative Speaking Fees for Donald & Melania Trump Revealed in Revised Personal Financial Disclosure Filing (CNN)

QuoteA revised personal financial disclosure filing from former President Donald Trump made public Thursday offered new details about the roughly $1 billion that he appears to have earned in his post-presidential life, including lucrative speaking engagements by Trump and his wife, along with more specifics about his foreign business ventures.

Trump, who leads polls for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, was paid a total of $2 million for speaking at two Universal Peace Federation World Summits in Bedminster, New Jersey, and Palm Beach, Florida. The group was established by the late Rev. Sun-myung Moon, the Korean evangelist and businessman who founded the Unification Church, and his wife, Hak-ja Han.

Oct. 13: Japan Seeks Court Order to Strip Unification Church of Legal Status in Country (Hankyoreh)

Oct. 26: Unification Church-Linked Group Paid Trump $2.5 mil. for Video Messages (Mainichi)

QuoteFormer U.S. President Donald Trump received some $2.5 million from the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), a Unification Church affiliated group, to make video appearances on three occasions between 2021 and 2022, while former Vice President Mike Pence was paid $550,000 for speaking at a UPF event, the Mainichi Shimbun has confirmed by acquiring U.S. official records and checking them with court documents in Japan.

Meanwhile, the UPF has maintained that the group didn't pay former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who made a video appearance at its event in September 2021. If this is true, we must question why Abe agreed to speak for the event free of charge. In the video, Abe said he "highly appreciated" the Unification Church, formally called the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, for its efforts to "place importance on the value of family." This video appearance is believed to have been one of the triggers for his assassination in July 2022.

There are dozens and dozens of articles about her arrest. I'll just link to a few and perhaps add more later

Sept. 23: Unification Church leader Arrested in South Korea (France 24/Seoul AFP)

QuoteWe humbly accept the court's decision. We will sincerely cooperate with the ongoing investigation and trial procedures to establish the truth, and we will do our utmost to take this as an opportunity to restore trust in our church. We deeply apologise for causing concern.

The above quote from a spokesperson is in stark contrast to this messaging, which seems like a case of them saying the quiet part out loud.

Sept. 23: Former FFWPU Director Seeks Bail in Luxury Gifts, Political Funds Case (The Chosun Daily)

Sept. 24: Unification Church President Han Hak-ja Finishes First Special Counsel Questioning After Arrest (Chosun Daily)

Sept. 24: Following the money: Investigators seek to verify if Unification Church cash reached Yoon (Hankyoreh)

QuoteThe key allegation requiring further investigation is Han's alleged delivery of 100 million won (US$72,000) in illegal political funds to PPP lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong in January 2022 through Yun Young-ho, the former global operations director of the Unification Church. Yun has been indicted and is currently behind bars.

The special counsel team is considering the possibility that this sum may have made its way to the former president himself. During the investigation, it was revealed that Yun, who managed Unification Church finances, placed half of the 100 million won delivered to Kweon in a separate bundle that bore the Chinese character for "king" in embroidery. This suggests Yoon may have received or been aware of a portion of the Unification Church's bribe.

It is highly likely that the team will turn up additional funds beyond the aforementioned 100 million won that the Unification Church handed Kweon.

Sept. 25: Former Japanese Followers Express Anger Over Alleged Bribery by Unification Church, Money May Have Come From Japan (The Yomiuri Shimbun Via Asia News Network)

Sept. 25: Unification Church Records From 2021 Show Possible 5 billion Won Earmarked For Presidential Election (Hankyoreh)

Sept. 25: Religion, Politics, Payback: Why The jailing of Han Hak-ja Feels Familiar (Michael Breen for The Korea Times)

QuoteHad it waited for verification, it might have learned that, while media reports there are 200,000 to 300,000 Unification members in Korea — probably based on the church's own claims — the real figure is 10 percent of that. The list is dodgy. Of course, if it turns out it includes fake names or people unknowingly registered, the church could face separate charges.

Note: Interesting contrast between Breen's estimation of numbers with Massimo's description of Han Hak-ja as someone who is "known to millions as the Mother of Peace". Usually they are in agreement.

Sept. 26: Probe into PPP Collusion Finds 3,500 UC Members Joined Party Ahead of Key Events (Korea JoongAng Daily)

Sept. 26: South Korea's Arrest of UC Leader Wins Praise (UCA News)

Sept. 29: Special Counsel Questions UC Leader, Lawmaker Over Alleged Bribery (The Korea Times)

Sept. 29: Unification Church Leader Han Hak-ja Requests Detention Review (The Chosun Daily)

QuoteHan Hak-ja, the Unification Church leader detained on the 22nd, reportedly requested a review of detention legality from the court on the 29th, arguing that the detention decision was unjust. The court must decide on release or dismissal within 48 hours of receiving the request.

Sept. 30: Unification Church Urges Rally in Gyeongju During APEC Summit as Leader Faces Corruption Probe (The Korea Herald)

QuoteDemian Dunkley, head of the Unification Church's US branch, has called on church members in Korea, the US and Japan to gather in Gyeongju, South Gyeongsang Province, during the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, to protest a special prosecutor's investigation into church leader Han Hak-ja.

According to local broadcaster JTBC, Dunkley made the remarks during a Sept. 21 sermon at a church facility in New York. In a video obtained by the outlet, he is seen telling the congregation, "President Trump, along with (Chinese leader) Xi and others, are coming to Korea in October for APEC."

"What if we gathered hundreds or thousands of young people to welcome Trump with pictures of Trump, pictures of Mother (Han) and American flags?" he said, adding, "We should cover all of Gyeongju with our young people."

Oct. 2: Court Dismisses Lawmaker's, UC Leader's Petitions Against Arrest (The Korea Herald)

Oct. 2: PPP Lawmaker Indicted for Accepting Political Funds from UC (Korea JoongAng Daily)

Oct. 5: Special Counsel Likely to Indict South Korea's Han Hak-ja for Refusing Summons (The Chosun Daily)

QuoteThe special counsel team of Min Joong-ki, which is investigating various allegations involving Kim Keon-hee, appears likely to indict, without further questioning, President Han Hak-ja over her refusal to comply with a summons related to the Unification Church allegations.

Oct. 5: Reflections Outside Seoul Detention Center (Family Fed. USA/Facebook Video)

QuoteMembers continue to pray and offer devotions daily outside Seoul Detention Center, where Holy Mother Han is detained.
Here are some reflections from Cathy and Thomas Hwang

2021

June 17: D.C. Court of Appeals Zoom Oral Arguments (From 2 hours 15 minutes & 30 seconds)


Sept. 7: Lengthy Lawsuit Exposes Rifts Within Unification Church (Washington City Paper)

QuoteIf the Sunni-Shia schism or Martin Luther's revolt against Catholicism had taken place in an American courtroom, they might have resembled the scene at the D.C. Court of Appeals (or rather, on its split-screen simulcast) on June 17 (See above).

There, lawyers representing two of the main factions of the post-Reverend Sun Myung Moon Unification Church debated whether Unificationism was a religious denomination or a nondenominational movement and which exact peace festivals (there were many) Reverend Moon supported while he was alive. They became particularly entangled with the meta-issue of how to characterize their fight, with the defendants claiming it was a dispute over religious doctrine and leadership and therefore off limits to the court under the First Amendment, and the plaintiffs claiming it was a case about misappropriation of church property and violations of nonprofit law.

2025

Jan. 9: DC Court Asked to Limit Use of 'Ecclesial Abstention' When Fraud is Involved (Baptist News Global)

July 3: Family Federation for World Peace and Unification International v. Moon (Justia - US Law)

QuoteThe case involves a dispute within the Unification Church, also known as the Unification Movement, following a schism and succession conflict. The plaintiffs, including the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification International, filed a complaint in 2011 against defendants, including Unification Church International (UCI) and its president, Hyun Jin (Preston) Moon. The plaintiffs alleged that the defendants engaged in actions contrary to the church's mission, including amending UCI's articles of incorporation and transferring assets to entities like the Kingdom Investments Foundation (KIF) and the Global Peace Foundation (GPF).

The Superior Court of the District of Columbia initially granted partial summary judgment in favor of the plaintiffs, finding that the defendants' actions were inconsistent with UCI's original purposes. However, the court's decision was reversed on appeal in Moon III, where it was held that resolving the plaintiffs' claims would require deciding disputed religious questions, making them nonjusticiable under the First Amendment's religious abstention doctrine. The case was remanded for further proceedings.

On remand, the trial court dismissed the remaining claims with prejudice. The court found that the plaintiffs lacked special interest standing to pursue their self-dealing claims against Preston Moon after Moon III, as the claims no longer involved extraordinary measures threatening UCI's existence. The court also determined that the contract claims were nonjusticiable under the religious abstention doctrine, as resolving them would require interpreting religious terms and doctrines. The court declined to apply the potential fraud or collusion exception to the religious abstention doctrine, finding no evidence of bad faith for secular purposes.

The District of Columbia Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court's orders, agreeing that the plaintiffs' claims were nonjusticiable and that they lacked special interest standing. The court also upheld the trial court's decision to deny the plaintiffs' motion to reopen discovery, finding no abuse of discretion. The litigation, which spanned over a decade, was thereby brought to a close.

July 4: Unification Church Loses 14 Year Suit Against Founder's Son (Bloomberg Law)

Sept. 21: Moon Fortune to Stay in Zug Foundation (Swiss Info)

QuoteIt's the end of a protracted legal battle. On July 3, 2025, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals put an end to one of the longest legal disputes over the will of the reverend Sun Myung Moon, late founder of the Unification Church, better known as the Moonies. The background to all of this was the transfer of a fortune amounting to several hundred million dollars into a foundation in Zug, Switzerland.

The American court turned down all the petitions by the widow of the reverend, Hak-ja Han Moon, and their youngest son, Hyung-jin (Sean) Moon , against their rival Preston Moon, eldest son of the deceased Korean guru. The judges found that decisions of this man were an internal religious matter. Civil courts are not in a position to decide on this sort of dispute, it being excluded by the First Amendment of the US Constitution.

....

2022 Cont.

Sept. 21: Shinzo Abe: Man Sets Himself Alight in Protest at State Funeral for Killed Japan PM (The Guardian)

Sept. 23: Unification Church Says it Accepted 'Excessive' Donations from Mother of Suspect in Abe killing (The Guardian)

QuoteThe church has acknowledged that Yamagami's mother donated more than 100m yen, including life insurance and real estate, to the group. It said it later returned about half at the request of the suspect's uncle. A church lawyer, Nobuya Fukumoto, said he considered the donations by Yamagami's mother "excessive", and that "we have to take it seriously if that tormented [the suspect] and led to the outcome". ...

A party survey found nearly half of its lawmakers had ties to the church. The prime minister, Fumio Kishida, has pledged to cut all such ties, but many Japanese want a further explanation of how the church may have influenced party policies.

Sept. 28: Predatory Cult: The Shadow of Unification Church Over Abe's Funeral (The Interpreter)

Sept. 29: Japan's Lower House Chief Admits Links With Dubious Religious Group (Kyodo News)

Oct. 1: Hotline to Stay for Victims of Unification Church Scams (Asahi Shimbun)

QuoteOne caller said, "A family member who belongs to the church had to file for bankruptcy after donating in excess of 100 million yen ($691,000). We want to get the money back." ... Thirteen percent of the calls touched upon problems among family members while 8 percent were about psychological problems.Of the calls related to money problems, 48 percent were made by relatives, while 24 percent came from former members and 7 percent from current members. About 30 percent of all calls were about so-called spiritual sales tactics in which the individual felt coerced to purchase expensive items or make hefty donations. When asked when the most recent payments were made to the church, 37 percent of the callers said more than 20 years ago, while 18 percent said within the past year.

Oct. 7: Unification Church Tries to Derail Ex-Believer's Press Conference (Kyodo News)

QuoteThe controversial Unification Church on Friday attempted to stop a former believer's press conference by sending a message purportedly signed by her parents, but she pressed ahead and spoke out on alleged abuses that she and other believers endured at its hands.

In a summarized version of the faxed message read out during the event, Sayuri Ogawa's parents called for the press conference to be halted immediately, saying their daughter has a "tendency to lie," and the psychiatric issues she said she suffers had worsened since a gunman killed former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

At the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo, which hosted the event, Ogawa, who uses a pseudonym to protect her real identity, relayed her traumatic experiences as a so-called second-generation church believer. ...

Born and raised in the church, founded in South Korea in 1954 by Sun Myung Moon and often labeled by critics as a cult, Ogawa said that after graduating from high school, she was sexually harassed by a public minister during a retreat. The woman said that at the retreat, she was also told she was "possessed by an evil spirit" and subsequently sent to a facility in South Korea for a supposed exorcism.

Ogawa said the contradictory practices of the church and her witnessing other believers suffer mental breakdowns impacted her own stability, leading to her being hospitalized in a psychiatric ward.

An emotional Ogawa also said she grew up in financial difficulty, with her parents making frequent donations to the church. She said her family confiscated 2 million yen ($14,000) that she had saved by working a part-time job, adding the money has not been returned.

Oct. 15: The Dark Shadow Cast by Moon Sun Myung's Unification Church & Abe Shinzo Asia Pacific Journal

QuoteIn 1984, the Washington Post was told by two renegade former officials of the Unification Church in Japan that from 1975 to 1984 it had transferred at least US$800 million to the United States, to finance a myriad of the cult's businesses, publications, and political operations, including the money-draining Washington Times newspaper.

Most of the money came from gullible and superstitious Japanese who were peddled marble vases, ivory seals, and miniature pagodas said to have miraculous powers, along with ginseng teas, at vastly inflated prices. Japanese members of the cult were given sales quotas requiring them to transfer to the United States about $2.5 million a month earmarked for the Washington Times, which lost an estimated $150 million in its first two-and-a-half years of operation, according to Soejima Yoshikazu.

Soejima had been editor of the cult's Japanese newspaper, Sekai Nippo, but was fired on Moon's orders for attempting editorial independence. A gang of toughs from the Unification Church, led by members of the affiliated anti-communist group Kokusai Shokyo Rengo, ransacked the newspaper office, and beat him up, according to Soejima. Then in June 1984, Soejima was attacked outside his Tokyo home and repeatedly stabbed. At the time, he had been preparing an article critical of Moon for Bungei Shunju magazine.

In 1987, the Asahi calculated there had been 15,000 complaints since 1980 of Japanese citizens being defrauded by Unification Church members, through total purchases amounting to ¥317 billion. A national network of lawyers to combat reikan shoho (霊感商法, selling of spiritual goods) was set up.

Oct. 19: Japan Police Consulted About Unification Church Some 200 times in Sept. (Mainichi Shimbun)

QuotePolice across Japan received some 200 consultations about the controversial Unification Church in September, the Mainichi Shimbun has learned from a source affiliated with the police.

These included matters that possibly violate the Penal Code, but no illegal activities have apparently been confirmed at this point. ... Matters that could run counter to the Penal Code included six cases about monetary damage and physical damage, respectively, and five cases of slander.

Oct. 19: UC Tries But Fails to Silence Farmer in Kochi (Asahi Shimbun)

QuoteA farmer in Kochi Prefecture who blames the Unification Church for the breakup of his family said a church leader made an unwelcomed visit to tell him to stop talking to the media. Tatsuo Hashida, 64, said the senior official, Hideyuki Teshigawara, would not leave the home even after a phone call to the police was made. "I don't want you to be on the mass media anymore," Hashida quoted Teshigawara as telling him.

Oct. 17: Ex-Unification Church Executive Reveals Quotas For Donations (The Yomiyuri Shimbun)

QuoteSakurai said there are several types of contributions, such as monthly offerings where a follower pays one-tenth of his or her income when attending religious services, so-called "blessing contributions" for marriages, and special contributions.

For special contributions, the church sets a target period and monetary amount to be collected, and allocates quotas to each of its prefecture-based districts according to the number of followers. General members of the group are not informed of the quota, and executives ask for donations in person or by fax, Sakurai said. Around 2000, a teaching called "ancestor liberation," which was not previously in the group's doctrine, began to spread within the church.

A former member of the church, now in her 60s and living in the Kanto region, told The Yomiuri Shimbun that she paid a total of ¥2.8 million five years ago in exchange for "liberating" seven generations of her and her husband's ancestors. She was told she needed to liberate their ancestors going back 420 generations, and she in fact made contributions that exceeded ¥5 million to liberate up to the 28th generation of their ancestors.

Oct. 24: Japan Minister Steps Down Over Allegations of Links to Cult Being Probed for Shinzo Abe's Murder (India Today/Reuters)

Oct. 28: People Born into UC Seek Law To Prevent Abuse (Asahi Shimbun)

Quote"We have been told that (public authorities) cannot intervene with issues involving a religion," one individual said at the news conference. "We urge the government to treat abuse cases involving religions and beliefs in the same way as other abuse cases." Second-generation former followers said they have been forced to undertake certain activities or follow a specific religion against their will. They said they have suffered both physical and mental abuse form the religious groups, and that instilling fear is a common method used by the organizations to get their way. But the former followers said child consultation centers and other public organizations have turned them away when they sought help, citing "religious issues."

Nov. 8: Japan PM Promises Law to Help Unification Church Victims (The Diplomat)

Nov. 24: What is The Unification Church & How Will Japan's Probe Affect it? (Asahi Shimbun)

Dec. 2: In Japan, Unification Church Scandal Stains Integrity of Ruling Party (Christian Science Monitor)

QuoteJapanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said Tuesday he will speed up the drafting and passage of a law to regulate the collection of donations by religious groups and protect families of believers after he met with victims of the Unification Church and was heartbroken by their "horrendous experiences."

Dec. 10: Unification Church Claims Abuse as it Faces More Questions (Asahi Shimbun)

Dec. 10: Japan Passes Funds Law Amid 'Cult-Like' Church Controversy (DW)

QuoteThe new law, approved at this year's closing parliamentary session, bans religious and other groups from using coercion or threats to solicit funds from followers. Many Unification Church followers claim they were forced to join, left in poverty, or neglected because of their parents' devotion to the group.