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==Theological development and doctrine==

==Theological development and doctrine==

Moon's theology is seen to be influenced by a variety of sources. Moon's parents had followed a blend of traditional Korean religions - Confucianism, Buddhism and folk shamanism before choosing to convert to Presbyterian faith. Early on in his departure from Christian theology, Moon was influenced by "Paik Moon Kim, a self-proclaimed messiah",<ref>Encyclopedia of American Religions, Gordon Melton, Vol. 2, p. 226</ref> whose teachings Moon is seen using. Moon also cited a cult text from the fifteenth or sixteenth century, the ''Chung Kam Nok'',  which supported his claim that Korea would bring forth the messiah.<ref>The Perennial Dictionary of World Religions, p. 776</ref>   

Moon's theology is influenced by a variety of sources. Moon's parents had followed a blend of traditional Korean religions - Confucianism, Buddhism and folk shamanism before choosing to convert to Presbyterian faith. Early on in his departure from Christian theology, Moon was influenced by "Paik Moon Kim, a self-proclaimed messiah",<ref>Encyclopedia of American Religions, Gordon Melton, Vol. 2, p. 226</ref> whose teachings Moon is seen using. Moon also cited a cult text from the fifteenth or sixteenth century, the ''Chung Kam Nok'',  which supported his claim that Korea would bring forth the messiah.<ref>The Perennial Dictionary of World Religions, p. 776</ref>   

One of Moon's early converts, Young Oon Kim, was a further influence in the development of Unification theology.  Also known as Miss Kim, she tended to see visions, hear voices, and have hallucinations in her youth, and become deeply influenced by the writing of occultist [[Emanuel Swedenborg]], whom she said appeared to her in visions. Having rejected much of her early [[Methodist]] training, Kim sought to be ordained in a small organization called the ''Universal Church of the Master'', and also combined various ideas from other religions.  Miss Kim would later be particularly influential in its growth of Unificationism in the [[United States]], as its the first missionary there. Miss Kim also worked in translating the ''Divine Principle''into English.<ref>http://www.religionfacts.com/unification_church/index.htm</ref><ref>George D. Chryssides, ''Unifying or Dividing? Sun Myung Moon and the Origins of the Unification Church'', University of Wolverhampton, U.K.</ref><ref>http://www.letusreason.org/moon2.htm</ref>  

One of Moon's early converts, Young Oon Kim, was a further influence in the development of Unification theology.  Also known as Miss Kim, in her youth she had visions, heard voices, and had hallucinations. She became deeply influenced by the writing of occultist [[Emanuel Swedenborg]], whom she said appeared to her in visions. Having rejected much of her early [[Methodist]] training, Kim sought to be ordained in a small organization called the ''Universal Church of the Master'', and also combined various ideas from other religions.  Miss Kim would later be particularly influential in its growth of Unificationism in the [[United States]], as its the first missionary there. Miss Kim also worked in translating the ''Divine Principle''into English.<ref>http://www.religionfacts.com/unification_church/index.htm</ref><ref>George D. Chryssides, ''Unifying or Dividing? Sun Myung Moon and the Origins of the Unification Church'', University of Wolverhampton, U.K.</ref><ref>http://www.letusreason.org/moon2.htm</ref>  

The Divine Principle,  a 536 page work, was published in 1957 and is the primary doctrinal authority for the Unificationism. While it is considered to be divinely inspired scripture, it is stated to be "only part of the new truth. ...as time goes on, deeper parts of the truth will be continually revealed" <ref>Today's World, September 1992, p. 16</ref>   

The Divine Principle,  a 536 page work, was published in 1957 and is the primary doctrinal authority for Unificationism. While it is considered to be divinely-inspired scripture, it is called  "only part of the new truth. ...as time goes on, deeper parts of the truth will be continually revealed" <ref>Today's World, September 1992, p. 16</ref>   

In Unification theology, God is both masculine and feminine, according to the concept called ''polarity'', and is based on finding the characteristics which are common to all entities in his Creation." <ref>Outline of the Principle - Level 4, p. 10</ref> being similar to the idea of deity seen in [[I Ching]], [[Confucianism]], [[Taoism]], as well as the [[Hindu]] worship of a Mother Goddess.<ref>Unification Theology, p. 56.</ref>

In Unification theology, God is both masculine and feminine, according to the concept called ''polarity'', and is based on finding the characteristics which are common to all entities in his Creation." <ref>Outline of the Principle - Level 4, p. 10</ref> being similar to the idea of deity seen in [[I Ching]], [[Confucianism]], [[Taoism]], as well as the [[Hindu]] worship of a Mother Goddess.<ref>Unification Theology, p. 56.</ref>

In seeking the restoration of God's plan and establish the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth, Moon's theology mandated that ''indemnity conditions'' be met, and that someone would restore the ''Foundation of Faith'' and the ''Foundation of Substance'', and achieve perfection, have an ideal marriage, raise sinless children, and then propagate this perfection till the kingdom comes. God’s efforts at restoration are stated to have included [[Cain and Abel]], [[Noah]], [[Abraham]], [[Moses]], [[John the Baptist]] and [[Jesus Christ]], but all of whom Moon claims failed.  

In seeking the restoration of God's plan and establish the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth, Moon's theology mandated that ''indemnity conditions'' be met, and that someone would restore the ''Foundation of Faith'' and the ''Foundation of Substance'', and achieve perfection, have an ideal marriage, raise sinless children, and then propagate this perfection till the kingdom comes. God’s efforts at restoration are stated to have included [[Cain and Abel]], [[Noah]], [[Abraham]], [[Moses]], [[John the Baptist]] and [[Jesus Christ]], but all of whom Moon claims failed.  

Jesus is held to have provided a spiritual salvation, while His bodily physical resurrection is denied, and He is rejected as having completed God’s plan, due to Him having died without marrying and raising perfect children, which would have provided physical salvation. In contrast, Sun Myung Moon is stated to have fulfilled all the conditions necessary to be the Messiah (which was officially proclaimed in 1971), and to have enabled salvation for mankind.<ref>[http://www.religionfacts.com/unification_church/index.htm ReligionFacts: ''Unification Church''].</ref><ref>James A. Beckford, ''Cult controversies: the societal response to new religious movements'', pp. 44-48.</ref>

Jesus is held to have provided a spiritual salvation, while His bodily physical resurrection is denied, and He is rejected as having completed God’s plan, due to His having died without marrying and raising perfect children, which would have provided physical salvation. In contrast, Sun Myung Moon is stated to have fulfilled all the conditions necessary to be the Messiah (which was officially proclaimed in 1971), and to have enabled salvation for mankind.<ref>[http://www.religionfacts.com/unification_church/index.htm ReligionFacts: ''Unification Church''].</ref><ref>James A. Beckford, ''Cult controversies: the societal response to new religious movements'', pp. 44-48.</ref>

In 1960 Moon married 17 year-old Hak Ja Han, his third and present wife.  This year was when ''the marriage of the Lamb'' prophesied in the book of Revelation took place, and (Moon) the Lord of the Second Advent and His Bride became the True Parents of mankind, according to Moon.<ref>Bjornstad, ''The Moon Is Not The Son'', pp. 62-63.</ref> Being held as the first couple to be able to bring forth children with no original sin,<ref>http://www.carm.org/religious-movements/-religions-list/unification-church</ref> Hak Ja Han is reported to have borne 14 children.<ref>http://www.letusreason.org/Moon.htm</ref>  

In 1960 Moon married 17 year-old Hak Ja Han, his third and present wife.  This year was when ''the marriage of the Lamb'' prophesied in the book of Revelation took place, and (Moon) the Lord of the Second Advent and His Bride became the True Parents of mankind, according to Moon.<ref>Bjornstad, ''The Moon Is Not The Son'', pp. 62-63.</ref> Being held as the first couple to be able to bring forth children with no original sin,<ref>http://www.carm.org/religious-movements/-religions-list/unification-church</ref> Hak Ja Han is reported to have borne 14 children.<ref>http://www.letusreason.org/Moon.htm</ref>