The "Moonies"

by Toms, A. F. | Category: Spotlight On | Jun 1981

Members of the Unification Church may be encountered on the streets of many of our cities and towns, selling their magazines or asking for support for missionary work. Popularly known as Moonies, after their founder, Sun Myung Moon, they belong to a cult which has sprung into prominence in recent years. They claim some three million followers in 120 countries, and they are causing much concern to Christian people, particularly in America, where the movement has its base. And not only Christians, but all who have the care of young people at heart are being alerted to the serious damage which is being done to the lives of those who are drawn into the movement. The severance of family ties which so often follows is of particular concern.

In recent weeks, in the centre of his home city, the writer was handed a circular published by the University Students' Association warning the public of the danger posed by this religious cult. Perhaps those who are loudest in their protests are people who were once caught up in the system themselves. Having been rescued from it, they can speak from personal experience of the brain-washing techniques used to persuade initiates to commit themselves to the movement.

They work under a number of different titles. Beside street canvassing, one of their tactics is to knock on doors offering help in home or garden. When they have gained admittance, and appreciation for their services, they introduce their religious wares. If sufficient interest is aroused to persuade attendance at a local seminar the person is then subjected to a programme of indoctrination but carefully concealed in an atmosphere of warmth and love. Under emotional pressure the initiate is encouraged to leave home and family and live in a communal centre, and to hand over all possessions to the group.

Sun Myung Moon is a Korean, born into a Presbyterian family in 1920, and at 16 years of age he claimed to have a divine revelation, when he was charged to continue Jesus' work. In 1954 he founded what is called, in its full title, the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity. Three years later a book was published called "The Divine Principle", written by one of his followers, and presenting their theological interpretation of the Bible.

Some have been deceived by the fact that the Bible is quoted so freely in Moonie literature. Scriptural terms are widely used, but even a casual glance at their beliefs is sufficient to convince the Bible lover that they are far removed from the "simplicity and purity that is toward Christ". As the apostle Paul puts it, the Jesus they preach is "another Jesus" from the One whom we love; their gospel a different gospel from that wherein we stand; and underlying it all is a different spirit from the Holy Spirit whom we have received (see 2 Cor. 11:4). Indeed, from the testimonies of those who were once entangled, who tell of the strange grip it had upon them, it is evident that the powers of darkness are at work. And we remember that "the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons (margin: Gk), through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies" (1 Tim. 4:1,2). That the leaders of the Moonie religion speak lies is without question, for their doctrines are plainly opposed to the truth of God's Word. But what might not be clearly evident, before careful examination, is that behind them is the great Deceiver himself working through his emissaries.

When the apostle John said that "many false prophets are gone into the world" he placed on record a test whereby the spirits could be proved. "Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit which confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit which confess eth not Jesus is not of God: and this is the spirit of the antichrist" (1 John 4:2,3). What do they teach about Christ? That is the test The Moonies clearly state that Jesus is only a man, that His death on the cross was a mistake, that He did not rise physically, and that through His death He has provided spiritual, but not "physical", salvation. From this they deduce that the world still waits for another Messiah (other than the Lord Jesus), Lord of the second advent, as Moon describes him, who will provide this physical" salvation and unify men and nations in what he calls the kingdom of heaven on earth.

Up to the present time Moon has not directly claimed to be the Messiah, but it is said that the Messiah was born in Korea between 1917 and 1930, and as he and his present wife are said to be the perfect parents, bringing "physical" salvation to the world, the inference is clear. We remember the Lord Jesus said that "many false prophets shall arise, and shall lead many astray" (Matt. 24:11), and once again His words are proved true.

Much more could be written, but we forbear for such false doctrines are repulsive to all who love the Lord Jesus. We would not use the pages of our magazine to publicize them were it not for the fact that some of our readers

may well be in touch with people who are being influenced by the Moonies teachings. If we are to give the help so much needed, we must be alerted to their Satanic character. The apostle Paul's warning is as relevant today as when it first came from his pen, "Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ" (Col. 2:8).

The fact that this dangerous and blasphemous cult is claiming the dedicated lives of so many people, who incidentally are mostly young, is in itself a challenge to all who are messengers of the cross. The cross of Christ has not lost its appeal, nor His gospel its power to save. But are we presenting it earnestly and in the power of the Holy Spirit? Should we not call to one another through the pages of "Needed Truth" that we re-affirm the great principles of our faith, that we seek the Lord's help in communicating them more urgently in language that can be understood by all, and that through our yielded lives we daily bear witness to the unspeakable joy that is ours in the service of "our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ".

Toms, A. F. | Jun 1981
Spotlight On