Unification Church and Islam: Difference between revisions
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The relationship between '''the [[Unification Church]] and [[Islam]]''' has often been noted, both by scholars and the news media. The ''[[Divine Principle]]'', the official textbook of Unification Church beliefs, lists the “Islamic cultural sphere” as one of the world’s four major divisions (the others are the East Asian, the Hindu, and the Christian spheres).<ref>[http://www.unification.net/dp96/dp96-1-3.html#Chap3 Exposition of the Divine Principle 1996 Translation Chapter 3 Eschatology and Human History], accessed September 3, 2010</ref> An official Unification Church website says: |
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: Unification teaching recognizes the [[Prophet Mohammed]] and the religion of Islam that is based on the truths revealed through him as pivotal in God’s providence of restoration.<ref>[http://www.reverendsunmyungmoon.org/teach_faq_islam.html UNIFICATIONISM AND ISLAM: MUTUAL RESPECT AND JOINT EFFORTS TO BENEFIT THE WORLD], reverendsunmyungmoon.org, accessed September 3, 2010</ref> |
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Unification Church support for [[Islamist]] [[anti-communists]] came to public attention in 1987 when church member [[Lee Shapiro]] was killed in [[Afghanistan]] during the [[Soviet war in Afghanistan]] while filming a documentary.<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1079/is_n2132_v88/ai_6536321/pg_29 Afghanistan: eight years of Soviet occupation], [[United States Department of State]], March 1988, The campaign to target foreign journalists had more tragic results. Two American filmmakers, Lee Shapiro and Jim Lindelof, were apparently killed by a regime attack while traveling with the mujahidin. In 1986, Lindelof had been named paramedic of the year for his efforts training Afghan medical workers. In response to protests, Kabul stated it could not "guarantee the security of foreign subjects" who enter illegally, whose presence it views as "evidence" of "external interference."</ref><ref>[http://www.newspaperarchive.com/LandingPage.aspx?type=glp&search=lee%20shapiro%20afghanistan&img=\\na0041\6800035\56050638_clean.html 2 Americans killed in ambush], ''Pacific Stars and Stripes'', October 29, 1987</ref> The resistance group they were traveling with reported that they had been ambushed by military forces of the [[Soviet Union]] or the [[Democratic Republic of Afghanistan|Afgan government]]. However, the details have been questioned, partly because of the poor reputation of the group's leader, [[Gulbuddin Hekmatyar]].<ref>[http://www.csmonitor.com/1987/1028/oed.html Two US journalists reported killed in Afghanistan; details murky], ''[[Christian Science Monitor]]'', October 28, 1987 "Two American journalists are believed dead in northwest Afghanistan, diplomatic and resistance forces say here. Filmmaker Lee Shapiro and his soundman, Jim Lindalos, both of New York, were killed Oct. 11, reportedly in a Soviet or Afghan government ambush, according to United States consular officials. However, the resistance group that accompanied the film team has a poor reputation among most informed observers, and doubts have arisen over whether the two Americans did indeed die in an Afghan government or Soviet attack."</ref><ref>Kaplan, Robert, ''Soldiers of God : With Islamic Warriors in Afghanistan and Pakistan,'' New York : Vintage Departures, 2001, p.170</ref> |
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In 1997, the ''[[Washington Report on Middle East Affairs]]'' (which is critical of United States and Israeli policies), praised the Unification Church owned newspaper, ''[[The Washington Times]]'' and the ''Times''’ sister publication ''[[News World Communications|The Middle East Times]]'' (along with ''[[The Christian Science Monitor]]'' owned by the [[Church of Christ, Scientist]]) for their objective and informative coverage of Islam and the [[Middle East]], while criticizing the ''Times'' generally pro-Israel editorial policy. The ''Report'' suggested that these newspapers, being owned by churches, were less influenced by pro-Israel pressure groups in the United States.<ref>[http://www.wrmea.com/backissues/1297/9712060.html As U.S. Media Ownership Shrinks, Who Covers Islam?], ''[[Washington Report on Middle East Affairs]]'', December 1997</ref> |
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In 1997, [[Louis Farrakhan]], the leader of [[The Nation of Islam]], an [[African American]] Pseudo-Islamic organization, served as a "co-officiator" at a [[Blessing ceremony of the Unification Church|blessing ceremony]] presided over by Unification Church founder [[Sun Myung Moon]] and his wife [[Hak Ja Han]].<ref>[http://www.cesnur.org/testi/moon_1199.htm From the Unification Church to the Unification Movement, 1994-1999: Five Years of Dramatic Changes] Massimo Introvigne, [[Center for Studies on New Religions]] "The ceremony in Washington, D.C., included six "co-officiators" from other faiths, including controversial minister Louis Farrakhan from the Nation of Islam. The Blessing ceremony in Seoul on February 7, 1999 also featured seven co-officiators including Orthodox Rabbi Virgil Kranz (Chairman of the American Jewish Assembly), controversial Catholic Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo and the General Superintendent of the Church of God in Christ (a large African American Pentecostal denomination), Rev. T.L. Barrett."</ref> In 2000 the Unification Church co-sponsored the [[Million Family March]], a rally in [[Washington D.C]] to celebrate [[family]] unity and [[Race (classification of human beings)|racial]] and [[Religion|religious]] harmony, along with the Nation of Islam.<ref>[http://archives.cnn.com/2000/US/10/16/million.family.march.02/index.html Million Family March reaches out to all]</ref> Farrakhan was the main speaker at the event which was held on October 16, 2000; the fifth anniversary of the [[Million Man March]], which was also organized by Farrakhan.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/16/us/families-arrive-in-washington-for-march-called-by-farrakhan.html Families Arrive in Washington For March Called by Farrakhan], ''[[New York Times]]'', October 16, 2000</ref> Unification Church leader [[Dan Fefferman]] wrote to his colleagues acknowledging that Farrakhan’s and Moon’s views differed on multiple issues but shared a view of a "God-centered family".<ref name="clarkson">{{cite news | last =Clarkson | first =Frederick | title =Million Moon March | work =[[Salon.com|Salon]] | publisher =Salon.com, Inc. | date =October 9, 2000|url=http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2000/10/09/march/print.html|accessdate=2009-11-05 }}</ref> In 2007 Rev and Mrs Moon sent greetings to Farrakhan while he was recovering from cancer, saying: "We send love and greetings to Minister Farrakhan and Mother Khadijah."<ref>[http://www.frostillustrated.com/full.php?sid=443¤t_edition=2007-01-31 Prayers for Minister Farrakhan health, recovery continue], ''Frost Illustrated'', January 31, 2007</ref> |
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In the 1990s and 2000s the Unification Church has made public statements claiming communications with the spirits of religious leaders including Muhammed and also [[Confucius]], the [[Buddha]], [[Jesus]], and [[Augustine of Hippo|Augustine]], as well as political leaders such as [[Karl Marx]], [[Friedrich Engels]], [[Vladimir Lenin|Lenin]], [[Joseph Stalin]], [[Leon Trotsky]], [[Mao Zedong]], and many more. This was reported to have distanced the church from Islam as well as from mainstream [[Christianity]].<ref>[http://www.cesnur.org/2003/vil2003_chryssides.htm Unifying or Dividing? Sun Myung Moon and the Origins of the Unification Church] George D. Chryssides, University of Wolverhampton, U.K. 2003</ref><ref>[http://www.uc-history.us/ Unification Church of America History] by Lloyd Pumphrey</ref> From 2001 to 2009 the Unification Church owned the [[American Life TV Network]] (now known as Youtoo TV), <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117966145.html?categoryid=2522&cs=1|title=American Life TV targets baby boomers|author=John Dempsey|publisher=''Variety''|date=2007-06-01|accessdate=2007-10-09}}</ref> which in 2007 broadcast [[George Clooney]]'s documentary, ''[[A Journey to Darfur]]'', which was harshly critical of Islamists in [[Darfur]], the [[Republic of Sudan]].<ref>[http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117966145.html?categoryid=2522&cs=1 American Life TV targets baby boomers: Channel airing Clooney's Darfur docu] [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]], June 1, 2007</ref><ref>[http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/time100/article/0,28804,1595326_1615754_1615880,00.html The Time 100: George Clooney]</ref><ref>[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/11/ap/entertainment/mainD8MJ771O0.shtml Clooney's Docu on Darfur to Air Monday]</ref> It released the film on [[DVD]] in [[2008]] and announced that proceeds from its sale would be donated to the [[International Rescue Committee]].<ref>[http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Americanlife-Tv-838350.html AmericanLife TV Network (ALN) Donates Proceeds From "A Journey to Darfur" DVD to the International Rescue Committee]</ref> In his 2009 autobiography Moon praised Islam and expressed the hope that there would be more understanding between different religious communities.<ref name="moon">{{cite book | last =Moon | first=Sun Myung | title =[[As a Peace-Loving Global Citizen]] | publisher =[[Gimm-Young Publishers]] | year =2009 | isbn = 0716602997}}</ref> In 2011 representatives of the Unification Church took part in an international seminar held in [[Taiwan]] by the [[Muslim World League]]. The purpose of the seminar was said to be to encourage inter-faith dialogue and discourage terrorism.<ref>[http://www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=151185&ctNode=445 World Muslim League plans seminar for Taiwan], ''Taiwan Today'', February 16, 2011</ref> |
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==See also== |
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*[[Unification Church and mainstream Christianity]] |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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==External links== |
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*[http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Islam Islam], article in Unification Church sponsored encyclopedia. |
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{{Unification Church}} |
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[[Category:Islam and other religions]] |
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[[Category:New religious movements]] |
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[[Category:Unification Church]] |
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[[ru:Церковь Объединения и ислам]] |
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Latest revision as of 17:54, 31 May 2021
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