6/5/10

What exactly is going down in Brazil?

Reports coming in show that the Unification Church is being shaken like never before. Many Unification Church members pushed the issues of the True Family aside and believed no division could occur. The reality is that division is here. Many members in Brazil have remained loyal to Hyun Jin Moon and believe that some sort of conspiracy is going on within the Unification Church. They are probably not too far off on the conspiracy part. The fact that Brazil, a nation with thousands of Unification Church members, has a great faction behind Hyun Jin Moon shows that there is serious division. The Latin American STF’ers cheered Hyun Jin on as he entered the service in Brazil and pushed Reverend Shin aside.

What is startling is that even well-known, respected members of the Unification Church in Brazil were disgusted by Reverend Shin’s actions against Hyun Jin and stand by Hyun Jin in support. Reports by some leaders shows that there is great misunderstanding of Hyun Jin and that persecution of Hyun Jin is undeserved. There is a blog ran by a South American member in support of Hyun Jin and their mission statement claims that the site was created to protect his dignity. Some leaders of the In Jin/Kook Jin-influence have persecuted them. Sound familiar?

We are not here to say who is right and who isn’t. I would have to say everybody involved in this is wrong and that this is only proof that this organization is corrupt and without God’s inspiration. What I find most tragic, though, is that many Americans simply support In Jin because… they don’t know what Hyun Jin has to say. They don’t know what Hyun Jin has been put through. All they know is that In Jin and her cronies are saying that Hyun Jin is a fraud, a thief, a heretic, etc. That, my friends, is tragic. Now, division is rising. Hyun Jin still has tons of control over the Unification Church International on a legal level and he has people faithfully attending him. Members have even moved to Washington to work under him. This division is very real. And this division was inevitable. The power-hungry In Jin and the often forgotten about Kook Jin have pushed propaganda down our throats. Speaking tours have gone through our churches preaching the evils of Hyun Jin by the command of these so-called “True Children”. Hyun Jin is finally speaking and people are finally standing up.

Now, you can say “I do not want to take a side because that will only create division” but you are taking a side. You are letting corruption to advance by having such a state of mind. There are serious problems and if you want your religion to survive, you have to choose a side. If you desire to see your brothers and sisters fight it out and for the Unification Church to be torn apart, then remain seated and you and I can watch this together.

For further reading:
What Brazilian Leaders Are Saying
Watch Videos of Hyun Jin Speaking (Password: 555555)
Watch the Controversial Service (Password: 555555)
The International Site in Support of Hyun Jin
The South American Blog in Support of Hyun Jin

5/27/10

Guest Post: “As if being gay wasn’t hard enough in the secular world.”

“There are many practices and issues in the Unification Church that have caused deep, lasting pains on people and are contrary to the vision of ‘world peace’ and ‘one family under God’”.

I felt it necessary to shed some light on a specific matter of the UC’s behavior with regards to how it handles the issue of homosexuality. Despite the UC’s professed mission to save the people of the world and loving God’s people, the UC has, as it does with many other issues, turned a blind eye to the needs of the homosexual community and has no strategy for reaching out to the gay population…some of which reside within the ranks of their own members, and by that I refer to myself.

It’s been incredibly hard coming to an understanding of myself as a healthy individual, seeing as how our sexuality is indelibly tied to our understanding of ourselves, and growing up in a movement that, like all evangelistic faiths, teaches you from an early age that you have no self-worth, and that you have no hope of attaining the eternal bliss the rest of your family and friends will attain, is reality-shattering and profoundly disheartening, as untrue as it may be. Father Moon’s infamous “dung-eating dog” comment really sheds light on what he and his family truly believe, despite what they profess. Fortunately I have been able to come to a healthy understanding of my identity, thanks in no part to the UC, which after trips to Cheong Pyeong and meeting with counselors, made me feel that such circumstances were entirely my fault and that I had no hope of rehabilitation unless I were to shell out thousands of dollars on “wish papers” (what right-minded individual can believe such nonsense, I ask you?) and pray or simply become celibate. Neither was acceptable to me and after years of struggle, I only hope no other 2nd gen have to endure the same. Love and happiness is attainable regardless of one’s sexuality, despite what the UC will tell you.

What is truly saddening is that there is no method of communication regarding such issues. The UC keeps hushed about these topics and young members will have to wander in the dark in search of guidance and help, not only in coming to terms with their identities but in encountering their precarious relationship with the movement that is to follow. It really pains my heart to think of what I have yet to go through and what younger members in my shoes will have to go through regarding coming out to their families and whether or not their parents are so brainwashed that they mistreat or even abandon their own children, all in the pursuit of “perfection” as set forth by Father Moon’s standards.

I wish to find some outlet for communication to help those who suffer in silence, not only with sexuality but with all issues regarded by the UC as taboo, but the means to do so escapes me. Though I wish still, at least for the near future to remain anonymous, I would love to see if this blog can open avenues, or perhaps lend me support in creating my own to achieve these goals.

5/31/10

lovethelight asked: I'm a previously blessed couple. Husband and wife out of church now. I left 3 years ago. In those 3 years I have agonized over the lies being told to the 2nd gens. I tried but failed to tell them what I discovered. I wept constantly at the thought of their lives being handed over to SMM and his kids by their parents.
When I read this blog, which I found by accident, I found myself rejoicing in tears! I don't know who you are, it doesn't matter. I can't thank you enough for what you're doing! You have the guts to go with your convictions. I admire that with all my heart.

I too will follow your lead is keeping my identity hidden. I know some of the leaders can and will bring hardship to bear on some of my, still church member, friends.

I am so thankful to have received this message and it was a delight to all of the writers of the blog. We have over a hundred saved messages and cannot answer them all, but we continually give thanks to all our supporters and we are so glad we can help in some way. We want to help members sort out their understanding of the Church, personal beliefs, and help them come to peace of mind with Moon out of the picture. An unhealthy habit of many members is to dismiss the negative things about the UC or simply push it aside without critically thinking about the issue.

I can assure you, more and more Second Generation are leaving the UC and cutting off ties with this corrupt organization. This “revival” that In Jin is trying to launch is starting to be recognized by many folks as superficial and her hypocrisy is coming to light more and more. Of course, many BCs are continually walking in support of her ministry and believe in Moon despite knowing the facts of his affairs. Nonetheless, I have a feeling many of those kids who pledge allegiance to Moon now will realize the mess they are clinging to within the next couple of years. BCs, for the most part, are good-hearted kids who genuinely want to know the truth. But I suppose only time will tell.

Your story is inspiring to us and we’re so thankful for people left the UC despite the strong attachments to the community and the judgment that would come upon you by those you love dearly. Peace.

6/3/10

A Memo from Hyung Jin

Family Federation for World Peace and Unification
I N T E R N A T I O N A L
13F Dowon Bldg., Dohwa 2 dong Mapo-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea 121-728
Tel: (82-2) 3275-4200 Fax: (82-2) 3275-4220 E-mail: mission@tongil.or.kr
Ref. No. FFWPUI 2010-18
To : Regional presidents, National messiahs, National leaders
From : FFWPU International Headquarters
Date : Cheon-gi 1.4.20 by the Heavenly Calendar (June 2, 2010)

Re. : True Parents’ special instructions regarding the right to give sermons or speeches at churches or official events/meetings anywhere in the world.

May God and True Parents’ blessings and love be with brothers and sisters in your region, mission nations and providential organizations.

On Sunday May 30, 2010, there was an incident at the national headquarters church in Brazil that resulted in the regional president being forcibly
escorted from the podium while he was giving his sermon, in order to make way for Hyun-jin nim to speak, without True Parents’ approval.

This memo is being sent in order to explain the circumstances of that incident and convey True Parents’ special instructions, given on May 31,
2010. All leaders should fully understand and abide by these instructions. Hyun-jin nim’s visit to Brazil and sermon given during Sunday service was
presented such that it appeared that core members had invited Hyun-jin nim and requested him to speak at the service. It was later revealed that
Hyun-jin nim’s visit was prepared by UCI, which influenced a majority of the board of directors of the Brazilian church to open the way.

The visit was promoted without any consultation with the Latin American church’s regional president and at a time when he was touring South American
nations on True Parents’ instructions to hold the Unification Ascension Festivals. After the regional president heard what was happening, he sought
and was informed of True Parents’ instructions through the World Mission Headquarters. True Parents stated that, without their approval, no one has
permission to give a sermon at an official gathering of members. This was conveyed through an official memo sent on May 28 to the Brazilian national
headquarters. The memo conveyed instructions to resolve this matter under the guidance of the regional president and national leader of Brazil.

However, the staff attending Hyun-jin nim apparently continued to make preparations for the event and insisted on following through with the
decisions that they made. The regional president and national leader of Brazil were denied any right of consultation.

Despite the memo from the World Mission Headquarters with True Parents’ instructions, they insisted that they would bring Hyun-jin nim to the
headquarters on Sunday and that the podium be yielded unconditionally. The regional president and church leaders of Brazil waited right up until the
time for service on Sunday for the opportunity to resolve this issue through dialogue, but nobody from the other party appeared and there was no chance
to consult with them.

Consequently, the regional president began to give the sermon, as originally planned, to commemorate the publication of True Father’s autobiography in
Portuguese. They spoke on the significance of the textbooks and True Father’s autobiography, and the corecontent of the teaching materials centering on True Father’s “Last Words,”the final part of the speech he delivered at the Ascension Festival. At that time, however, Hyun-jin nim’s staff mobilized many young people and escorted Hyun-jin nim to the headquarters church where the service was in progress.

They forced the regional president, who was still delivering his sermon, and the national leader, from the stage, took over the main hall of the headquarters, and held their own meeting.

Fortunately nobody was seriously hurt. However, the regional president was brought down from the podium and virtually confined in the back room.
Members in Brazil who were viewing the entire situation via live webcast reported that they were shocked. This was a sorrowful and tragic incident.
Upon hearing about this, True Parents made it clear that such violence is intolerable. They reiterated and emphasized the instructions that Hyun-jin
nim may not give a lecture or sermon at an official event or at the church without the explicit approval of True Parents.

Please thoroughly guide leaders and members, therefore, so that such a situation never happens again in the regions and mission nations.

Hyung Jin Moon
International President