Japan court dissolves controversial 'Moonies' church

BBC ^ | 03/25/25 | Shaimaa Khalil, Kelly Ng

[SeekAndFind]

A court in Japan has ordered the disbandment of the controversial Unification Church, which came under scrutiny after the shock killing of former prime minister Shinzo Abe in 2022.

The alleged assassin had confessed that he held a grievance against Abe because of the ex-leader's ties with the church - he blamed the church for bankrupting his family.

Japan's education and culture ministry sought the church's dissolution and accused it of manipulating followers into making huge donations and other financial sacrifices.

But the church, more popularly known as the "Moonies", argued that the donations were part of legitimate religious activities. It can appeal to overturn Tuesday's ruling.

The order handed down by a Tokyo district court will strip the church of its tax-exempt status and require it to liquidate its assets, but it will still be allowed to operate in Japan.

During their investigation, authorities found that the church coerced followers into buying expensive items by exploiting fears about their spiritual well-being.

They interviewed nearly 200 people who said they were victimised by the church.

The Unification Church, which was started in South Korea, has established a presence in Japan since the 1960s. The name "Moonies" was derived from the name of its founder, Sun Myung Moon.

It has drawn controversy even before Abe's assassination for teaching that marriage is central to spiritual salvation. It is known for holding mass wedding ceremonies involving thousands of couples.

[VanShuyten]

Good

[alexander_busek]

The alleged assassin had confessed that he held a grievance against Abe because of the ex-leader's ties with the church - he blamed the church for bankrupting his family.

Idiosyncratic choice of words! Implies Abe had been friendly with the church, when actually the reverse was true. I would have instead gone with "...because of the ex-leader's lawful prosecution of the church..."

Regards,

[lee martell]

I haven’t heard anything about Moonies since Poppy Bush ‘aggressively’ shoved Broccoli off of his dinner table.
The News Press were aghast!

[rdl6989]

I thought they fizzled out after Moon, the founder, died.

[VanShuyten]

“ I haven’t heard anything about Moonies ..”

I think they still own The Washington Times.

[SunkenCiv]

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[Chode]

his kid did OK for himself...

Kahr Arms Group
https://shopkahrfirearmsgroup.com › Blog
Dec 22, 2021 — Kahr Firearms Group is proud to announce that CEO and founder Justin Moon is the 2021 recipient of the “Gun Rights Defender of the Year Award”!

[SaveFerris]

Support Nuclear Power?

[GrumpyOldGuy]

I had forgotten all about the moonies!! My how time flies!

[Sacajaweau]

Wow...

[Fiji Hill]

The Moonies infiltrated the conservative movement in Southern California during the 1980s. They and the Church Universal and Triumphant (CUT), a cult whose creed was a mishmash of Eastern and Western religious beliefs combined with a belief in magic colors, practically ran the grassroots conservative movement out here. But I haven’t heard much about them since New Coke was taken off the market.

[RebelTXRose]

I wonder about my high school friend who got married in the group wedding long ago. Only saw her twice after that n couldn’t stay long either time. Very closely watched.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

I thought that sounded familiar! Think of all Japan’s gun laws to prevent such things!
https://nypost.com/2022/07/08/shinzo-abe-assassin-used-homemade-gun/

[NearlyDone]

That is a rather toxic sect. It’s a scam of that Sun Myung Moon guy. I had a friend who fell for it. Fortunately, I convinced him to get out early enough. Sun Myung Moon is no longer alive but I would be surprised if the sect reformed itself.

[Bikkuri]

I had never heard of them until I was stationed near Miami.
Was at a red light near the airport and there were moonies wandering around waiting cars on the street in white gowns selling flowers.