Moon's U.S. Tour 2001

by Andrew Webb ("Albuquerque Journal", March 9, 2001)

Members and clergy from churches statewide gathered Wednesday night to hear Korean evangelist Rev. Sun Myung Moon as he called for a spiritual "renewing of the nation."
Moon, speaking through an interpreter, told the audience to "sanctify marriage" and put an end to divorce. He said a strengthening of the family would lead to a strengthening of the nation.
"Live for the sake of family, and God will eventually come to us," he said.
Moon said America should be a spiritual leader to the rest of the world. "When a nation places its own needs first, it won't be able to influence the world," he said.
The event was part of a 50-state tour organized by The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, a multidenoninational organization aimed at using biblical principles to strengthen families and communities, according to president Rev. Michael Jenkins.
State Sen. Mark Boitano, R-Albuquerque, and former governor David Cargo participated in the event, held at the Albuquerque Marriott on Louisiana NE.
Jenkins said Moon's ideology focuses on breaking down racial barriers.
"We believe God has chosen America to be a light to the rest of the world," Jenkins said. "We should not allow racial walls, and we believe Moon has been chosen to bring us all together."
Moon founded the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity in 1954. It became known as the Unification Church.
His book, "The Divine Principle," serves as the basic scripture for the church. He wrote that he had a vision of Christ when he was 16 and believed that God chose him to save people from Satanism.
In the early 1970s, he began missionary operations in the United States and drew young people to his movement. That generated controversy, with parents contending he had indoctrinated their children into what they called a cult.
Followers, who came to be known as "Moonies," addressed Moon and his wife as Father and Mother.

---