Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 8, No. 3, 2009, Page 73
of that I will be able to tell the people the truth of God, the new revelation. The worst
treatment America could give me is to ignore me. Now I can preach the truth.‖
A group of adult children whose parents were married in mass Unification Church (UC)
weddings in the 1980s gathered for their weekly youth group meeting in Bowie, MD, in
January, and they discussed going mainstream. David Moffat, 24, a junior at the University
of Maryland, said: ―Our parent‘s generation was much more all-out. ..You could say they
were fighting a war. Our generation is more focused on happiness and prosperity, going to
college, getting jobs. It‘s important to be part of the culture. If you‘re above the culture,
you can‘t change the world.‖ The group noted that parents can now look for suitable
spouses for their children among the children of other members, rather than rely solely on
founder Sun Myun Moon‘s choices. David Moffat‘s sister, Karthy Mehlman, even married
out of the UC. This initially troubled her family, but they‘ve now accepted her decision and
she attends special events at the church.
The discussion in Bowie comes at a time of flux in the UC and uncertainty about its future.
The church estimates that there are 21,000 active members in the U.S. and 7,500 blessed
children—those born of the Moon-sanctified marriages—many of whom live in the
Washington area, the hub of UC businesses and lobbyists. Some of the children are
following their parents‘ example, others haven‘t attended a UC worship service in years.
Sociologist Amanda van Eck says that coming out of isolation will help Unficationism
survive, but former member Michele Burton, a 23-year-old D.C. public school teacher, says
that while there is ―a gravitational pull toward appearing normal ...you can‘t be normal in
this movement. You‘re going to be different.‖
of that I will be able to tell the people the truth of God, the new revelation. The worst
treatment America could give me is to ignore me. Now I can preach the truth.‖
A group of adult children whose parents were married in mass Unification Church (UC)
weddings in the 1980s gathered for their weekly youth group meeting in Bowie, MD, in
January, and they discussed going mainstream. David Moffat, 24, a junior at the University
of Maryland, said: ―Our parent‘s generation was much more all-out. ..You could say they
were fighting a war. Our generation is more focused on happiness and prosperity, going to
college, getting jobs. It‘s important to be part of the culture. If you‘re above the culture,
you can‘t change the world.‖ The group noted that parents can now look for suitable
spouses for their children among the children of other members, rather than rely solely on
founder Sun Myun Moon‘s choices. David Moffat‘s sister, Karthy Mehlman, even married
out of the UC. This initially troubled her family, but they‘ve now accepted her decision and
she attends special events at the church.
The discussion in Bowie comes at a time of flux in the UC and uncertainty about its future.
The church estimates that there are 21,000 active members in the U.S. and 7,500 blessed
children—those born of the Moon-sanctified marriages—many of whom live in the
Washington area, the hub of UC businesses and lobbyists. Some of the children are
following their parents‘ example, others haven‘t attended a UC worship service in years.
Sociologist Amanda van Eck says that coming out of isolation will help Unficationism
survive, but former member Michele Burton, a 23-year-old D.C. public school teacher, says
that while there is ―a gravitational pull toward appearing normal ...you can‘t be normal in
this movement. You‘re going to be different.‖
