Sample by Topic from Apologia Report

UNIFICATION CHURCH

 

"The Nature and Issues of New Religious Movements and the Responsive Attitude of Christianity toward Them: With Reference to Unificationism" by Jae Joung Lee -- a subhead asks, "Is Unificationism a Christian heresy or a newly rising religion?" and concludes the latter, rejecting the notion that it could be considered a "Christian denomination" that ever devolved in the first place. Korea Journal of Theology, v1 '95, p224.

(from Apologia Report 1:3, January 22, 1996)

 

"On the Rebound" by Meredith Ferguson -- "The Rev. Sun Myung Moon has been down, but never out. Now he's focusing on family values with conferences and big name speakers such as George Bush. But is he just trying to buy credibility?" Others mentioned to whom Moon has paid "whopping speaker's fees" of up to $100,000-a-pop include William Bennett and Jack Kemp. The author states that the Washington Times newspaper that Moon founded in 1982 and has financed heavily ever since "continues to enjoy an influence far beyond its 100,000 circulation ... the Times remains a must-read among the nation's political power brokers." So, it would seem, the same may be true of the Times' affiliate national news magazine, Insight. Includes spotty remarks about an increasing emphasis on Latin America by Moon. Los Angeles Times, Sep 10 '96, pE1. Thanks to Eric Pement, see also: "Bill Cosby, Scowling at the Moons: Moon, the Host of Stars," The Washington Post, August 1, 1996, pp. C1, C2; also, full page editorial, "A word to our readers," The Washington Times (newspaper owned by Moon conglomerate), August 9, 1996, reprinted in full by The Washington Post, n.p. Ira Rifkin, "Moon no longer a pariah to mainstream religionists," issued by the Religious News Service under the dateline of August 2, 1996; reprinted in The Christian News (Lutheran newspaper), Sept. 9, 1996, page 10; and "Conferees put premium on preserving family," The Washington Times, August 1, 1996, page 30.

(from Apologia Report 1:27, October 14, 1996)

 

"Unification Church Support Shifting from Japan to Latin America" -- claims that "Japan has been the 'financial engine driving the church's global machine,'" quoting an August 4 story in the Washington Post. The cause is said to be "protests and criticism by former member and the public" in that country. Finds this has been especially true since the Aum Shinrikyo affair. Includes minimal discussion of the Latin American shift. Religion Watch, Sep '96, p7.

(from Apologia Report 1:29, November 11, 1996)

 

"Unification Church Influence in America" by Bob Waldrep -- one of multiple articles on the UC in this issue. This item concentrates on the number of well-known Christian leaders (such as Robert Schuller, Ralph Reed, and Beverly LaHaye) that have participated in conferences sponsored by Moon's organizations. A sidebar offers a partial list of Moon-affiliated organizations. Watchman Expositor, v13 n5 1996, p8.

(from Apologia Report 2:2, February 3, 1997)

 

"Bush Helps Rev. Moon Spread the News in Latin America" -- reports that his November trip to Buenos Aires was the third time former President George Bush has spoken at Moon-related conferences. Mentions that Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson have also been involved with Unification Church affiliates. Church & State, Jan '97, p17.

(from Apologia Report 2:5, March 10, 1997)

 

"Trying to Save Josh" by Ellie Brenner (as told to Joan Remnick) -- In this "My Problem and How I Solved It" feature, a mother recounts her son's nearly four-year odyssey through the Unification Church after being snared by CARP, the cult's university arm. Josh was on mobile fundraising teams as far away as the Bahamas and even made a recruiting trip to Russia, but his family's patient approach and use of responsible exit counselors eventually bore fruit. A very good article for folks who don't realize that normal, intelligent people still get trapped in such groups via sophisticated unethical persuasion techniques. Good Housekeeping, Jul '97, p67.

(from Apologia Report 2:20, July 1, 1997)

 

--------

 

Sources:

 

Church and State, (202) 466-3234, <americansunited@au.org>, <http://www.netplexgroup.com/americansunited/>

 

Good Housekeeping, (800) 888-7788, <http://goodhousekeeping.com>

 

Korea Journal of Theology, Fax (02) 393-6597

 

Los Angeles Times, <http://www.latimes.com>

 

Religion Watch, (516) 785-6765, <relwatch1@aol.com>

 

Watchman Expositor (Watchman Fellowship), (800) 769-2824, <http://rampages.onramp.net/~watchman/index.html>

TOP OF PAGE

PARENT PAGE

MORE SAMPLES

APOLOGIA HOME PAGE