Moonie
The Unification Church (Korean: 통일교; RR: Tongilgyo), officially the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU; 세계평화통일가정연합), is an Abrahamic monotheistic new religious movement, whose members are called Unificationists or sometimes informally Moonies. The Unification Church 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 FFWPU. It has a presence in approximately 100 countries around the world. The organization's leader is Hak Ja Han, Moon's wife; Moon had previously co-led it until his death. The couple's followers honor them 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, and a larger human lineage, free from sin. The Unification Church is well known for its mass weddings, known as Blessing ceremonies. Its members have founded, owned and supported related organizations in business, education, politics and more.
Its involvement in politics includes anti-communism and support for Korean reunification.
The Unification Church has been accused of excessive financial exploitation of its members. It has been criticized for its teachings and for its social and political influence, with critics calling it a dangerous cult, a political powerhouse and a business empire. In 2025, Han was arrested due to her links to Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife, Kim Keon Hee. In March 2026, the Tokyo High Court upheld a 2025 decision ordering the Unification Church to dissolve in Japan.
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