Changes

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.  

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. The first of these was held 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, jewellers, 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.

===Driksen building coronation===

===Driksen building coronation===

<blockquote>In the context of heaven's providence, I am God's ambassador, sent to earth with His full authority. I am sent to accomplish His command to save the world's 6 billion people, restoring them to heaven with the original goodness in which they were created.</blockquote>

<blockquote>In the context of heaven's providence, I am God's ambassador, sent to earth with His full authority. I am sent to accomplish His command to save the world's 6 billion people, restoring them to heaven with the original goodness in which they were created.</blockquote>

Certain prominent politicians took part in the ceremony, stating afterward that they were misled.<ref>The Washington Post, Wednesday, June 23, 2004; Page A01</ref><ref> http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=38947</ref>

Certain prominent politicians took part in the ceremony, stating afterwards that they were misled into participating.<ref>The Washington Post, Wednesday, June 23, 2004; Page A01</ref><ref> http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=38947</ref>

==Theological development and doctrine==

==Theological development and doctrine==