The Challenge of the Cults and New Religions by Ron Rhodes

Author:Ron Rhodes
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Array
Publisher: Zondervan

UNIFICATION “FRONT GROUPS” AND CONFERENCES

The Unification Church sponsors numerous “front groups” that may be considered “backdoors” into church involvement. Numerous people become affiliated with what they think is a professional or academic organization—an activist group at a college, for example—and are unaware that the group is affiliated with the Unification Church. It is estimated that the Unification Church operates over 200 front groups in the United States alone.30 The ultimate aim of these organizations is the conversion and indoctrination of people into the cult. These groups include The International Federation for Victory over Communism, Freedom Leadership Foundation, World Freedom Institute, American Youth for a Just Peace, International Cultural Foundation, One World Crusade, Project Unity, Creative Community Project, Professors Academy for World Peace, Committee for Responsible Dialogue, and The Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles. Many of these groups sound inviting and beneficial. Tragically, however, many unsuspecting people have been drawn into the Unification Church by joining one of these organizations.

Another common tactic used by the Unification Church to lend respectability to itself and gain members is sponsoring conferences. Cult watcher Ruth Tucker, professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois, is correct in saying that “through scientific, philosophical, and religious conferences offered free of charge to ministers and educators at posh resorts, the organization has been able to win influential friends that would not otherwise have offered support.”31 Sociologist Eileen Barker was invited to one such conference, and she commented that it “turned out to be disappointingly respectable. In fact, by academic standards, it was even rather a good conference.”32 The church is vying for respectability.

The Unification Church has also sought legitimacy by associating with evangelicals and respectable leaders. The likes of former President George Bush, vice presidential candidate Jack Kemp, Marilyn Quayle, Bill Cosby, and Barbara Walters have participated at Unification Church–sponsored events (having been paid hefty hon-orariums). 33 Sometimes Reverend Moon will have himself photographed with a famous leader, and that picture will then be run in Unification publications, thereby boosting Moon’s credibility.

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