PC's List of Concerns about the Sanctuary Church
PC's List of Concerns about Hyun Jin and his Movement
Four of Rev. and Mrs. Moon's grown children are, or have, led spinoff movements of their own. This includes older son Hyun Jin, daughter In Jin (just online), and sons Kook Jin & Hyung Jin together. English speakers, and even many native Koreans, have trouble distinguishing between (the names of) two of those sons, thus many have solved this by nicknaming them "H1" (Hyun) and "H2"(Hyung), however they and their supporters profess offense at this. Here, I will usually spell out their names in full. In the case of Hyun Jin/H1, I will use "his movement" because it doesn't have one widely recognized name.
This list is patterned upon the first List of Concerns, written about Hyung Jin and his Sanctuary Church [SC]. While Hyun Jin's schism and now-separate organizations are actually some five years older, they've been quieter and far more dignified. However, they managed (via leadership coups and court battles) to gain control of vastly greater resources. (Some claim as much as two billion dollars' worth, centered on several thriving businesses, many expensive properties, plus a major development project in Seoul.) Hence, now they have a list of their very own.
♥ For outside observers, I should mention that the vast majority of Unificationists are quite concerned by Hyun Jin's actions. He often lists his grievances yet gains little sympathy, and he shows as much anger as wisdom, while living like a wealthy recluse. He started his schism with a small, intensely loyal, paid staff; then some of them jumped ship, while in five years just a handful of Unificationists have joined his organization(s).
Technical note: the embedded web links are for clarification, illustrations, and further explanation, and will open in a new window. Be careful not to overload your web browser.
Note: In October 2018, Hyun Jin (H1) and his UCI board members lost a major long-running legal case, in a Washington DC federal court. Their takeover of UCI was deemed a breach of fiduciary duty, and they were ordered to return all of those assets (worth a billion dollars or more) to tha mainstrean UC/FF movement.
Another note: As things wound their way through an appeals court, and with a split decision, the first judgment was revered. As of 2022, Hyun Jun solidified his control of UCI and its funds. Legal actions are ongoing. (And his few members are openly proud of having done all this.)
- Paul Carlson
Maintaining a very controversial stance: that his own father, the Rev. SM Moon [True Father] was utterly deceived in the later years of his life, by evil advisors, thus wrongly convinced that his loyal son was a renegade? (When Hyun Jin actually was that renegade, taking off with more than one billion dollars' worth of the movement's assets, based upon sharp legalistic maneuvers.)
Claiming to be "protecting the assets" that he took over, but instead, selling off many of those properties, and defiantly standing against several costly lawsuits, for eight years and counting? (There could only be lawsuits if there's a stubborn second-entity to sue, and Hyun Jin heads that entity. He also set a precedent for his younger brothers Kook Jin and Hyung Jin, who (several years later) launched another separate movement.)
Permitting or encouraging the use of pseudonyms by his vocal supporters? Claiming the career and legal perils were-and-remain so great that many of his supporters were better off anonymous? (In effect, saying, "All you Unification Church [UC a.k.a. FFWPU] members really should join with us, meanwhile we are so afraid of you and your leaders that we're refusing to tell you our names." This kind of psychology may not even have a name, anyway it has turned off nearly everyone concerned.
As of February 2017, Hyun Jin's leaders affirmed and extended this assertion.)
Pointedly refusing his father's specific instruction to step down from his (then current) positions, to spend one year at his father's side? Then cutting off totally from his own father and mother, moving hurriedly to the Seattle area with his newborn grandson, denying them the opportunity to see the child? (From that fateful day until now, Hyun Jin continues to remain physically and in other ways separate. He now says his official positions were too important, and his father too much in error, for him to have taken a year's sabbatical. Many others note, given True Father's style, it probably wouldn't have been a literal full year anyway.)
Constantly saying, when his father was still alive, how the man was in great peril -- yet in effect claiming to be helpless to assist the man, or even communicate vital information to him, for some two long years? Never visiting his father during the man's later life, and rarely-if-ever contacting his still-living mother? Making a scene at his father's public funeral, showing up unannounced with several bus-loads of people, including unsuspecting members of a secular hiking club? His supporters telling everyone he could not go on ahead by himself, because "he might have been kidnapped" there? (He's been complaining ever afterwards, and trying to rewrite those well-documented events from the funeral at Cheongpyeong, repeating those same implausible scenarios.
After eight long years, and with a court loss looking more likely, Hyun Jin has allegedly stepped up efforts to reconcile with his mother. However, no details are given, and no softening of his positions has been shown.)
Holding tight control over the assets he took over, moving funds around the world, and setting up a Swiss financial entity called Kingdom Investments to hide those funds? Placing only non-and-former UC members on the board of that entity? (This only came out thanks to one court document, and intensive research revealed more detail. Hyun Jin's response was to banish those who disclosed the truth (this page author and one other man) from discussing things online, in a popular Internet forum. This page author was also accused several times of "leaking sealed court documents," which is a felony, when in reality everything came from Swiss and other public records, also numerous interviews.)
"Running a tight ship," as one of his supporters called it, to the point his paid staff is forbidden to ever mention Kingdom Investments? Normal conversation with his supporters remaining difficult, because when controversy occurs, there will usually be silence for a couple of weeks, followed by uniform talking points? (Such loyalty is impressive, however, not a situation in which most people are willing to place themselves.
This very list has illustrated the point. It was brought to their attention soon after it was published online, and (as months -- and now several years -- pass) there has been no acknowledgement, nor objection, and no counterpoints offered, only total across-the-board silence. That is extremely unusual for any organization, and not too admirable in what's supposed to be a group engaged in an inclusive global outreach, also in sharing a much-needed truth.)
Claiming to be True Father's genuine universal heir, the one appointed claimant to the heavenly throne; when in reality, almost all of his supporters are on his long-time paid staff? Only a handful of English-speaking people, in eight (and now more) years, seeing enough value to join Hyun Jin's movement? (There are exceptions. In this page author's observation, due to personal loyalty to a pioneering missionary, the church members in Chile; and due to great financing, those in Mongolia, partly chose to join his camp. Most UC members have been less impressed, though he does look good in comparison with his two outrageously rebellious younger brothers Hyung Jin and Kook Jin.
As a three-way tension slowly develops, sharply criticizing Hyung Jin [H2] for "poaching members," as his SC has grown only by bringing over established Unificationists; meanwhile offering zero reports of solidly converting anyone from the larger secular world to their own group? (Into the FPA, GPA, etc., however joining-or-conversion might be defined.) Yet portraying themselves as a "happy medium," a better place, for UC/FFWPU members to attend? (To be candid, in most nations these days, the UC itself is no longer growing rapidly. Yet the UC's official stance toward the two schismatic groups is quiet and dignified, while its multiple public outreach efforts, with service projects, formal ecumenism, individual witnessing, and more, continue worldwide.)
Insisting that he upholds his father's legacy in the most true and reliable way, yet shedding almost all religious aspects from his movement? Then turning around, years onward, and creating a Family Peace Association which looks very much like a church? (He changed the umbrella financial organization Unification Church International's very name to its mere initials. This author predicted, early on, that Hyun Jin was becoming too secular to launch a serious or lasting movement. Perhaps he now agrees, yet his recent efforts appear rigid and calculated; though its constituent members-and-families continue to enjoy the wonderful, selfless, spirituality taught them by Rev. Moon, and many are indeed doing effective service projects.
As of 2023, proudly emphasizing they are Not A Church, having no Clerics; which are, implicitly, horrible old things.)
Yet also, in a very religious way, making formal claims that Rev. SM Moon appointed Hyun Jin as "the Fourth Adam," and thus, the current and successor Messiah. That is simply untrue, as Rev. Moon never did so.
Trying very hard to reflect his eminent father's character and conduct, but coming up way short? Being consistent in his message, to the extent he seems to be acting by rote? Showing a harsh temper but not much love? (His supporters are very proud of Hyun Jin's steadfastness, and it seems he is that, to the point he's been repeating the same basic three-or-four sermons for twenty years. The annual Official Letters he published, for two or three years after his schism, appeared to be ghostwritten. Occasional video releases show Hyun Jin repeatedly kicking people, or literally screaming forth a paint-blistering judgmental sermon. Rarely is he shown personally doing any service work, or giving counsel, or nine-tenths of the other things SM Moon was beloved for.)
Wanting to be a world savior, yet only appearing in public for fancy scripted VIP events a few times each year? Holding some large enthusiastic rallies, a few years back, but with no known effective followup? (Hyun Jin now pays himself quite handsomely, and (allegedly) double-deals to himself via the organizations he took over. Meanwhile, he lives in one of the most exclusive gated communities in the western United States, thus very few people get to even see his house, much less go inside. His supporters say this mansion is needed to impress VIPs. However, in contrast, Rev. Moon's big mansion (in Irvington, NY) was host (despite numerous, even violent, threats from opponents) to a continual torrent of ordinary UC members and leaders and secular VIPs and more.
In March of 2017, Hyun Jin held a major event in Manila, with large popular rallies and entertainment, plus scholarly presentations and discussion groups. This received favorable media coverage in the Philippines and Korea and beyond. All to the good, and as with SM Moon's efforts before, also Mrs. Moon's similar efforts now, we can hope these produce a deeper understanding and lasting support.)
Playing the "victim card" continually, often listing his grievances, and appealing for sympathy? When he profited something like a second billion dollars, from a development deal in downtown Seoul; while most of his staff is resolutely loyal? Then complaining when the tide turns, and legal decisions go against him? (It's a metaphorical case of "live by the legal diktat, die by the legal diktat." Hyun Jin grabbed those assets through clever maneuvers, but after years of legal wrangling, and many ignored pleas (by all sides in the dispute) to "drop the lawsuits," he might lose those same assets via a major court decision. Updated to add, those decisions continue to go one way and then the other.)
Remaining vague about the role of his mother [Hak Ja Han, True Mother] all along, not stating whether he'd counted her among the "wicked amoral deceivers" surrounding his father, or instead was she a fellow victim of them? In recent months, beginning to adopt the Sanctuary Church's style of floating nasty accusations about his mother and her (supposed) new teachings? (While dodging obvious related questions, and for years on end. Now, bringing in just the worst aspect of his more-charismatic younger brother's ministry!
As of February 2017, a prominent Hyun Jin staffer has stated, via an online post, that "She [Hak Ja Han] is the very one that orchestrated the cabal against Hyun Jin Nim." With this (possibly inadvertent) admission, we again see that Hyun Jin is adopting the SC's harshest accusations.)
Joining his younger brother Hyung Jin, in constantly trashing his own living mother? Encouraging all of his supporters to do the same? (By 2022 it became clear, H1 had blamed his mother also, and he's is now utilizing more clever and devious methods to slander her. His supporters, usually without identifying themselves as such, are busy spreading cleverly crafted rumors and accusations.)
Trashing the UC/FF with supercilious contempt, when their own organization is composed entirely of schizmatics from that same movement? (They've made a huge point out of finances, and spending funds wisely or not. While their entire group is based upon legally-pilfered money! Openly offering themselves as a trendy, evolved, non-church which won't ask its members for big donations -- since, unspoken, their leader has that cool billion dollars to spend.)
Having his own supporters lie by omission, instead of proudly stating their position? (In 2022 a clear pattern developed, among his Japanese and American supporters, of pretending to be open minded seekers, and then at the first opportunity, trashing Mrs. Moon with scripted scandalous rumors. Also flipping more unificationists to their side, even to the point of breaking up couples and dividing families. When Rev. Moon had always been clear: it's better if a couple leaves active membership together, than splits up over that issue.
Playing things very close to the vest. Where does the FPA meet? What are their official teachings? Have they (much like Hyung Jin and his Sanctuary Church) modified Rev. SM Moon's teachings? (None of that information is readily available, nor are Zoom links; while FPA supporters have (quite angrily) refused to share any such data with this page author.
In reality, they seem to have bleached the entire DP (into idealistic utopian maxims), and also, debased the very concept of a providential messianic role. However, they quietly refer to H1 has "the Fourth Adam," with vague and spurious claims that SMM's appointing him to certain leadership roles, included such a majestic elevation.)
Falsely claiming that his own mother, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, has a serious gambling problem, and that she's some sort of Imelda Marcos, shopping incessantly. Even were it true, that's in extremely poor taste, however both claims are false. (Koreans do enjoy gambling, while she is very busy, and due to her poor health, she is always accompanied by a caring staff. Also, what she owns or buys, she always gives away (no matter its material or sentimental value), to unificationists across the globe.
In 2023 this accusation widened. Because SMM really did gamble sometimes (his favorite spot was Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas; he also gave speeches there), and utilized that as a lesson in God's urgently-watching heart, that fact defused their accusations against his widow. Instead, they now falsely claim that SMM did not gamble, rather, only gave money to church leaders, in order to present that same lesson.)