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Sun Myung Moon was born and raised in what is now [[North Korea]], during a period in which it was under imperialist [[Japan]]ese dominion. Moon's parents mainly adhered to [[Confucianism]] until they converted in 1930 to the [[Presbyterian]] church in Korea, when Moon was around 10 years old.  The Presbyterian church was the object of Japanese persecution during that period, along with many other faiths, and which was a time when various degrees of spiritual innovation and phenomena was also occurring. Although for a short time Moon was taught in the Presbyterian [[Christian faith]],  Moon states that on Easter morning in 1936 (when he was 16) he saw a vision of Jesus, in which he was commissioned "to restore God's perfect kingdom", and that Moon would be "the completer of man's salvation by being the Second Coming of Christ",<ref>Sun Myung Moon and The Unification Church, James Bjornstad, p. 9</ref> though minor variations of this message are given. Moon would be known as the "Savior, the Lord of the Second Advent, the Messiah".<ref>Today's World, September 1992, pp. 20-21</ref>  In a similarity to men such as [[Joseph Smith]], the founder of [[Mormonism]], and Emanuel Swedenborg, founder of [[Swedenborgism]], Moon claimed that he conversed in the spiritual realm with [[Abraham]], [[Moses]], [[Jesus]], [[Mohammad]], [[Buddha]] and other notables of other faiths.<ref>The Perennial Dictionary of World Religions, Keith Crim, editor, p. 775</ref><ref>''Outline of the Principle'', Level 4, p. 2, 1980</ref>  

Sun Myung Moon was born and raised in what is now [[North Korea]], during a period in which it was under imperialist [[Japan]]ese dominion. Moon's parents mainly adhered to [[Confucianism]] until they converted in 1930 to the [[Presbyterian]] church in Korea, when Moon was around 10 years old.  The Presbyterian church was the object of Japanese persecution during that period, along with many other faiths, and which was a time when various degrees of spiritual innovation and phenomena was also occurring. Although for a short time Moon was taught in the Presbyterian [[Christian faith]],  Moon states that on Easter morning in 1936 (when he was 16) he saw a vision of Jesus, in which he was commissioned "to restore God's perfect kingdom", and that Moon would be "the completer of man's salvation by being the Second Coming of Christ",<ref>Sun Myung Moon and The Unification Church, James Bjornstad, p. 9</ref> though minor variations of this message are given. Moon would be known as the "Savior, the Lord of the Second Advent, the Messiah".<ref>Today's World, September 1992, pp. 20-21</ref>  In a similarity to men such as [[Joseph Smith]], the founder of [[Mormonism]], and Emanuel Swedenborg, founder of [[Swedenborgism]], Moon claimed that he conversed in the spiritual realm with [[Abraham]], [[Moses]], [[Jesus]], [[Mohammad]], [[Buddha]] and other notables of other faiths.<ref>The Perennial Dictionary of World Religions, Keith Crim, editor, p. 775</ref><ref>''Outline of the Principle'', Level 4, p. 2, 1980</ref>  

Moon established his first church in 1946, titled the ''Broad Sea Church''. In 1948 Moon was excommunicated by the Presbyterian Church, and a short time later was imprisoned and tortured by the North Korean authorities,  and shortly after was released but then arrested and imprisoned again, remaining so until the camp was liberated by American and U.N. troops in 1950. Moon relocated to South Korea, and began a church in a refugee camp in Pusan. In 1954 Moon registered his church as ''The Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity'' (HSA-UWC). In 1955 South Korean authorities arrested Moon for draft evasion, and later adding charges of adultery and promiscuity. However, the government could not prove its case and Moon was released. <ref>James Bjornstad, ''Sun Myung Moon & The Unification Church'', p. 11</ref>  

Moon established his first congregation in 1946, titled the ''Broad Sea Church''. In 1948 Moon was excommunicated by the Presbyterian Church, and a short time later was imprisoned and tortured by the North Korean authorities,  and was soon released but was arrested and imprisoned again, remaining so until the camp was liberated by American and U.N. troops in 1950. Moon relocated to South Korea, and began a church in a refugee camp in Pusan. In 1954 Moon registered his church as ''The Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity'' (HSA-UWC). In 1955 South Korean authorities arrested Moon for draft evasion, and later adding charges of adultery and promiscuity. However, the government could not prove its case and Moon was released. <ref>James Bjornstad, ''Sun Myung Moon & The Unification Church'', p. 11</ref>  

In 1959 Moon came to [[America]] in 1959 where in 1971 he would establish his international headquarters. Moon found a political ally in the 1960's with South Korea's leader Park Chung Hee, as both were committed to fighting communism. Forming ideological and political alliances with prominent figures based on a common interest, who often do not otherwise share all his beliefs, would later become a prominent practice of Moon.<ref>"Unification Church Influence in America," p. 8</ref>  

In 1959 Moon came to [[America]] in 1959 where in 1971 he would establish his international headquarters. Moon found a political ally in the 1960's with South Korea's leader Park Chung Hee, as both were committed to fighting communism. Forming ideological and political alliances with prominent figures based on a common interest, who often do not otherwise share all his beliefs, would later become a prominent practice of Moon.<ref>"Unification Church Influence in America," p. 8</ref>  

While growth in the [[United States]] was slow to begin, organization and growth were increased in the in the early to mid 1970's as Moon made his third tour of the country. Moon made many publicized speeches (including in Madison Square Garden and Yankee Stadium in New York City) and orchestrated other gatherings, and increased evangelism.  

While growth in the [[United States]] was slow to begin, organization and growth were increased in the early to mid 1970's as Moon made his third tour of the country. Moon made many publicized speeches (including in Madison Square Garden and Yankee Stadium in New York City) and orchestrated other gatherings, and increased evangelism.  

A later feature of Unificationism was the practice of mass public wedding ceremonies, which began on July 1, 1982 when  Moon  married over 2000 couples at one time at Madison Square Garden, [[New York City]]. In 1988 6,516 couples from 83 countries were married in a church-owned barley-cola bottling plant near Seoul. S. Korea.<ref>Wall Street Journal, August 24, 1992, p. A-1</ref> In August of 1992, Moon presided over a mass wedding of 3,000 couples in Seoul Korea, while in 1995 more than 720,000 people were married via satellite at 545 sites in over 100 countries.<ref>Christian News, 9/25/95, p. 14</ref> Regarding such, Moon stated, "No religious leader nor the president of any nation can accomplish such a feat."<ref>Proclamation of the Messiah by Reverend Sun Myung Moon</ref> <ref>http://www.letusreason.org/Moon.htm</ref>  

A later feature of Unificationism was the practice of mass public wedding ceremonies, which began on July 1, 1982 when  Moon  married over 2000 couples at one time at Madison Square Garden, [[New York City]]. In 1988 6,516 couples from 83 countries were married in a church-owned location near Seoul, South Korea.<ref>Wall Street Journal, August 24, 1992, p. A-1</ref> In August of 1992, Moon presided over a mass wedding of 3,000 couples in Seoul Korea, while in 1995 more than 720,000 people were married via satellite at 545 sites in over 100 countries.<ref>Christian News, 9/25/95, p. 14</ref> Regarding such, Moon stated, "No religious leader nor the president of any nation can accomplish such a feat."<ref>Proclamation of the Messiah by Reverend Sun Myung Moon</ref> <ref>http://www.letusreason.org/Moon.htm</ref>  

The Unification church is estimated to own or have a substantial interest in approximately 300 financial institutions all over the world, including publishers, jewelers, and clothing stores,<ref>[http://www.carm.org/religious-movements/-religions-list/unification-church CARM, ''The Unification Church'']</ref> as well as substantial influence in Bridgeport Academy and University of Bridgeport.

The Unification church is estimated to own or have a substantial interest in approximately 300 financial institutions all over the world, including publishers, jewelers, and clothing stores,<ref>[http://www.carm.org/religious-movements/-religions-list/unification-church CARM, ''The Unification Church'']</ref> as well as substantial influence in Bridgeport Academy and University of Bridgeport.