Unification Church

The Unification Church is a monotheistic religious movement.

Monotheistic means its followers believe in one God. The group is officially known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU). However, many people still use the name Unification Church. Members are often called Unificationists. Some people also use the term "Moonies." This term was first used by American media in 1974. Many members find the word derogatory or disrespectful. The movement has a presence in approximately 100 countries. Its teachings are based on a book called the Divine Principle.

The movement's beliefs focus on the concept of the "True Parents." Followers grant this title to Sun Myung Moon and his wife, Hak Ja Han. Moon believed he was the Second Coming of Christ. He felt he was appointed to complete a mission Jesus Christ could not finish. According to Moon, the mission was to establish an ideal family. He also sought to create a human lineage that was free from sin. One major way members practice these beliefs is through Blessing ceremonies. These are large mass weddings where many people marry at once.

Sun Myung Moon founded the movement in 1954. He started the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity (HSA-UWC) in Seoul, South Korea. Moon was born in 1920 in North Korea. His family originally followed Confucianist beliefs. They later converted to Christianity and joined a Presbyterian Church. After World War II ended in 1945, Moon began his work as a preacher. He traveled to Pyongyang in 1946. There, he was arrested and sentenced to five years in a labor camp. He eventually moved to the United States in 1971.

The organization expanded rapidly across the globe. By the end of 1955, the HSA-UWC had 30 centers in South Korea. In 1955, Moon also established the Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles (CARP). This student group promotes international cooperation through the Unification worldview. CARP is now active on campuses in over 80 nations. The movement also spread to Europe, South America, and Russia. In the 1990s, the group grew in former communist nations. By 1994, the HSA-UWC had about 5,000 members in Russia.

The movement has significant social and economic reach. Moon directed members into the seafood industry. He called this the "oceanic providence." In the late 1970s, the church invested nearly one million dollars in the U.S. seafood industry. Moon even claimed to be the "king of the ocean." The movement also founded News World Communications in 1976. This corporation owned many news outlets, including United Press International. The church has also been involved in various political causes. These include anti-communism and support for the reunification of Korea.

Despite its size, the movement has faced intense criticism. Some activists in the 1970s labeled it a dangerous cult. They accused the movement of using brainwashing to recruit members. Others have criticized the church for excessive financial exploitation of its followers. The movement's political influence has also drawn scrutiny. In Japan, legal issues led to a major change. In March 2026, the Tokyo High Court upheld a decision to dissolve the church in Japan. This followed a 2025 decision regarding the organization.

The movement continues to evolve under new leadership. In 1994, the HSA-UWC was replaced by the FFWPU. This change was intended to include other religious organizations. Hak Ja Han now leads the organization. She also founded the Women's Federation for World Peace in 1992. This group has members in 143 countries. Its goal is to encourage women to promote peace in their communities. The movement remains a complex subject involving religion, business, and global politics.