Changes

==History==

==History==

Sun Myung Moon was born and raised in what is now [[North Korea]], during imperialist [[Japan]]ese occupation. 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.  During the  Japanese occupation, the Presbyterian church--along with many other faiths--was the object of Japanese persecution. It was also a time during which various degrees of spiritual innovation was taking place. Although for a short time Moon was taught in the Presbyterian [[Christian faith]],  he states that on [[Resurrection Sunday]] 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 he 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 imperialist [[Japan]]ese occupation. 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.  During the  Japanese occupation, the Presbyterian church--along with many other faiths--was the object of Japanese persecution. It was also a time of spiritual innovation. Although for a short time Moon was taught in the Presbyterian [[Christian faith]],  he states that on [[Resurrection Sunday]] 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 he 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 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>  

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. He 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]], where, in 1971 he established his international headquarters. Moon found a political ally in the 1960s with South Korea's leader Park Chung Hee, as both were committed to fighting [[communism]]. Moon created ideological and political alliances with prominent figures based on a common interest, even though these people often did not otherwise share all of his beliefs.<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 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-1970s 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 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>  

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>