The Reverend Sun Myung Moon - Excerpts from letters from parents and friends - Advertisement

The Unification Church teaches and practices respect for the rights of others in their religious beliefs and practices. We only ask the same for ourselves in return. In this Bicentennial year, shouldn’t we remind ourselves that this is what America is all about? D In response to the urgings of many people who recognize the intolerance and prejudice of recent attacks against the Church, we are presenting the following excerpts from letters of persons who are not Unification Church members but who, as parents or friends of members, hold well informed opinions. D We urge you to find out for yourself what it is in Reverend Moon’s message that has inspired so many intelligent, creative young people to joyfully dedicate their lives to serve God and their fellow man.

The Unification Church has done a lot for our three children. The teachings of the PROTECT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM! Church have given The following is taken from an unsolicited essay by Dr: TS. Miyaday. The author is them a positive di rec- unknown to Unification Church officials but his thoughts are deeply appreciated. tion in life. By studying the Divine Principles, Our country was originally settled will recall that they have also left reporting, and make reasonable they have learned the by people from England who be- their parent’s house, and they effort to verify the source of their meaning and purpose of life. They have learned to lieved in the freedom of religion. should know that they should not information. As a rule, they do not actualize their teachings, applying them in their daily Our federal and state constitutions deny to their adult children the publish materials that are based lives. This has helped to mold their characters, guarantee that freedom. There are on rumors or prejudiced opinions. We are parents of a 25 year old daughter same right they themselves had which is evidenced by their behavior in society. also statutory laws that prohibit exercised earlier in their lives. There are, of course, exceptions to who has been a dedicated member of this church They have grown to be beautiful children, religious discriminations. To every It is the consensus of knowl- a general rule. for two and one-half years and we know, first hand, both academically and spiritually. My words do not law-abiding American, the free- edgeable people that the students During the recent months, of the positive and beneficial effects of their do justice to the feelings we have for this wonderful dom to worship according to and followers of the Unification .there were several sensational objectives and diverse worldwide programs. organization. one’s own belief is as precious as Church are in good hands, and ~ews media that published Anyone with an open mind and a sincere the freedom to express one’s are well taken care of by the Rev. erroneous reports about Rev. Sun desire to seek new truths would be spiritually Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Rechlis impressed with the total and unselfish dedication California legitimate ideas. and Mrs. Moon. The atmosphere Myung Moon - reports that were The Rev. Sun Myung Moon, based on rumors, wild psycholog- of all those who are full-time members of the who has been busy spreading the ical opinions, and the “say so” of a Unification Church.

Having neither particular love nor dislike for Gospel according to his own re- The freedom self-appointed protector of some- If one is concerned about their religious credibility then only a brief observation of their ligious belief, has become the ob- one else’s fully mature children. Reverend Moon, it strikes me as peculiar that no public outcry occurs when, for example 30,000 ject and victim of religious bigotry, of the press The publishing of harmful rumors programs and member participation would be sufficient to ascertain the most significant young people are being brainwashed by the parental selfishness, psychological headline hunters, and sensational cannot abridge with malice aforethought is bad. But to mix rumors, opinions, racial manifestations of any worthwhile religion - unselfish love and a total commitment to seeking University faculty to become asocial, antisocial, doperidden, dishevelled, dirty, promiscuous and journalism. [Also,] there was and is an the freedom of and religious prejudices, half- truths, and even untruths to create God’s will. bent on destroying our society! \ 1/~·~-:.:-: a n:..::-nlx:r cf them n…/c:ts to unmistakable sign of racial prej- udke. T:-,;s is regret”table and un- religion and the a journalistic “hash’; and to present such a questionabte- product to We do not believe all of their theology and philosophy. By the same token we do not embrace dynamiting and bombing this is considered merely a regrettable, but unavoidable abberation. fortunate since it originates from a source that is normally the loudest riglit to worship the unsuspecting public is down- all the tenets of Catholicism or some other denomi- nations but they certainly have the right to propa- right dishonest, and is criminal On the other hand, the cleancut, courteous, in denouncing racial prejudice according to in nature. gate and teach their theology And the same right belongs to the Unification Church. decent looking young people whom I have aimed against its people. It is The freedom of the press observed as being members of Reverend Moon’s hoped that it was strictly individual one’s belief. cannot abridge the freedom of Mr. and Mrs. Wtlliam James Calhoun society are for some reason considered most or isolated in character, and not religion and the right to worship Alabama reprehensible! So much so, that special organiza- representative of the wonderful and the teachings are such that according to one’s belief. America tions, .. . and ‘deprogramming’ is considered people that inhabit a large part they will become good Christians is a Ch ristian nation, and no per- necessary of Metropolitan New York. and good citizens. In this modern son can be deported from the My daughter, Lynn Could it be that the ‘Moonies’ are interfering When a young bird has troubled and confused world, we United States for preaching the Doerfler Kim, [has been] a with the well laid plans of those who are turning grown enough feathers, it leaves need more Christians, and even Gospel no matter what any member of the Church for American Youth towards the Left? its nest. It is instinct. It is natural. non-Christians, who can spread sensational tabloid or other self- the last six years. I person- When a son or daughter becomes peace and good will among all appointed protector of someone ally visited the Washington Mr. Charles Langdon old enough to be independent, he mankind. else’s adult children may say Center on two separate oc- California or she will leave home. If fathers Generally speaking, most Dr. Thomas S. Miyaday casions, spending one day and mothers will only look back newspapers and other news New Jersey to two days there at each into their own youthful days, they media are very careful in their time. I met all of the people Besides being a parent of a in the Center and found no four year member of this evidence of any type of Church, I have also had activities such as “brain- a great deal of first hand My husband and I are About six years [ago] my washing” or exploitation of youth. What I did experience with them and Presbyterians. Our son, daughter decided to find was a group of people dedicated to the would like to contribute Gilbert, has been a become a member. As a work of God. the following observations member of the Unification mother, naturally, I was Two years ago Mrs. Doerfler and I visited our I have made about the Church for about five years. quite concerned in the daughter in Seoul, Korea, where she was active in Unification Church: I was skeptical about beginning. Rather than sit the mission activities of the Church. I met many of 1. Moral practices are superior to any other the Unification Church until around at home and worry, the leaders of the Church in Korea. I found them I had the opportunity to visit I decided to learn all about to be fine, dedicated people. They have religious group in my experience. The highest standards are it recently I have never seen it. I went to the Church Cen- beliefs that do not coincide with my personal taught by Rev. Moon. a group of young people ters and listened to many religious beliefs, but then neither do the beliefs of 2. Spiritual dedication is unparalleled. with higher morals or more lectures, attended services the Mormon Church, the Unitarian Church, the 3. The Church is trying to turn the United dedicated to improving mankind. The opportunity and participated in the many activities of the Roman Catholic Church. States to better practices and this may be more of seeing so much consideration and love for one’s Church. I did not depend on hearsay, rumors, news The Unification Church is dedicated to the urgent than some think! fellow man is almost unheard of today I am media for my information. 1studied the books, love of God, to the sanctity of the family, to the 4. The Divine Principle (Church teachings) ashamed to say that so many of our so-called pamphlets, [etc.l published by the Unification avoidance of alcohol, drugs and illicit sexual represents an historical landmark of theological society of good church goers, both Catholic and Church … .The Church teaches the members to activities. I must rate them on a very high scale. analysis and revelation (whether we believe Protestant, do not begin to live the real Christian life honor and respect their parents, grandparents and it all or not). like this group of dedicated young people do. The relatives … I have heard Reverend Moon speak three Mr. Joseph H. Doerfler The Unification Church is strong, has change in our son has made us very happy times on his Day of Hope tours, and have personally Wisconsin substantial means, and member for member is the most dedicated group that I know of. The local Mrs. June Roschuni Florida met him. I can say that I stood in awe with humility and deep gratitude to this great man. r--------------, levels and headquarters practices are almost un- Mrs. Shizuko Nishio THE believable in religious commitment. They represent a small scale example of the ideal brother-sister relationships advocated by Jesus and the New My horne for a few days California &\ UNIFICATION Testament authors. was the US Headquarters \@!j/CHURCHOF Mr. Fred B. Crist for the Church. I’ve never received so much genuine I am the father of Marilyn Cohen and the father-in- A/V\ERICA Delaware love and attention. The 4 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036 law of Barry Cohen, two people there were truly members in good standing Telephone: (212) 730-5750 wonderful to me. And I of the Unification Church. Our 21 year old son, Warren, has with our can truthfully say that the Marilyn’s mother, now D I would like more information on the blessings and affirmative support been an active people I met there are deceased, was Jewish and Unification Church. • Please have the nearest member of the Unification Church for two years. everything we had hoped I am Jewish as are both local Unification Church representative contact Typical of this age, as a University of Colorado n«, our young people would parents of my son-in-law, me. • I would like to know how to join the freshman, Warren had little sense of purpose or be. It is hard to beiieve God gave me a son that is such a fine person. Barry • Unification Church. 1appreciate your efforts goals and little regard for society or himself. Upon I wish to point out to protect religious freedom. Here is my They (Unification Church members) are that the “hate campaign” letters written by Rabbi joining the Unification Church and understanding contribution to help pay for this ad. not hypocrites, or puppets, and they are not Maurice Davis of White Plains, New York, are entirely its principles, vague indifference was replaced by brainwashed. That is a bunch of hogwash. They without foundation. challenging purpose, drifting by productive leader- really feel deeply about what they are doing and are Since Marilyn and Barry have joined the ship activity, sloth by the desire to favorably impress, dead serious that their cause is good. But most Name Unification Church they have both come to reach unconcern by a desire to learn about contemporary importantly, they are doing this out of their own their full maturity and I think that the Unification problems and solutions. Happiness and personal free will and truest desire. They are not made to Church has played an important part in this Address fulfillment are his daily companions. do anything against their will. development. Mr. Leslie H. Deming Mrs. Peggy Moffitt Mr. Samuel W. Zell City State __ ____ Zip ___ New York Texas Maryland L--------------~