Ep.17 The Unification Church (The Moonies)

In this episode of Hidden Cults, we turn our attention to the Unification Church, more commonly known as “The Moonies.” Founded in Korea in the 1950s by Sun Myung Moon, the group grew into a global movement that promised spiritual salvation through “True Parents” but became infamous for its mass weddings, rigid hierarchy, and intense demands on followers. We explore Moon’s rise from post-war Korea to international notoriety, how the movement blended Christian language with unique theology, and why it attracted both devoted believers and harsh critics. Along the way, we examine the group’s vast financial empire, political connections, and the psychological toll on members caught between faith and control. The story of the Unification Church is one of devotion, manipulation, and the blurred line between religion and cult. It asks us to consider how charismatic leaders can reshape belief on a massive scale, and at what cost.

Part 1 –  Seeds of a Movement
Part 2 –  The Divine Mission
Part 3 –  March to the West
Part 4 –  Mass Weddings and Media Power
Part 5 –  Controversy and Confrontation
Part 6 –  Legacy of the Moonies

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International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA)
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