The Unification Church and Rod of Iron Ministries are two organizations that have been described as cults. While they share a common link, the Moon family, the churches are rather different in their beliefs.
Here are some key facts on both organizations.
To learn more about the history of these two organizations, check out our deep dive on this topic, featuring insights from international cult expert Rick Alan Ross.
Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity
The Rev. Sun Myung Moon and his wife stand before some of the 2,200 couples who were married in New York's Madison Square Garden, July 1, 1982. The bride's dresses were made of identical blue suits and red ties. About a third of the couple included men and women of difference races or nationalities, in keeping with the Unification Church's belief that interracial marriages can help end racism. AP photo/Marty Lederhandler
Alternate names: Unification Church, "Moonies"
Started where/when: South Korea, 1954
Started by: Yong Myung Moon, later known as Sun Myung Moon
Currently led by: Hak Ja Han, Moon's widow
Core beliefs: Moon is a Messiah sent to complete Jesus Christ's unfinished work. The world was created from the Christian God's "inner nature," reflected by the dual expressions of life: Sung Sang, which is causal and masculine, and Hyung Sang, which is resultant and feminine. Moon was intended to bring god's love to his followers through actions including mass wedding ceremonies, encouraging his followers to follow the example of Moon and his family.
Political connections: Conservative, spanning South Korea, Japan, the United States, and other regions. The Unification Church has reportedly held connections with presidents Richard Nixon, George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush, Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev, North Korean president Kim Il-sung, and Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan.
World Peace and Unification Sanctuary Church
Sean Moon prays at the Sanctuary Church in Newfoundland. (Hannah Phillips)
Alternate names: Rod of Iron Ministries
Started where/when: Pennsylvania, 2013
Started by: Hyung Jin Moon, also known as Sean Moon, Sun Myung Moon's son
Currently led by: Hyung Jin Moon, also known as Sean Moon
Core beliefs: Moon launched World Peace and Unification Sanctuary Church following the death of his father and conflicts with his mother regarding his position in the Unification Church. Rod of Iron Ministries is considered a militant splinter group of the Unification Church, encouraging some core ideals of Moon's father's church while venerating and worshipping firearms, particularly the AR-15, as the Christian bible's proverbial "rod of iron."
Political connections: Far-right, particularly throughout the United States. Moon has been quite vocal about his support for former President Donald Trump, supporting "the big lie," and being involved in the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection. The church's Rod of Iron Freedom Festival has drawn support from numerous far-right advocates and celebrities pushing Second Amendment rights and other topics.
Source:https://www.poconorecord.com/story/news/2023/02/26/unification-church-and-rod-of-iron-ministries-what-sets-them-apart/69933145007/
