EDITOR: The Bible reminds us in 2 Timothy 4:3: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;” and 1 Timothy 4:1 “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;”

So, we are seeing the rise of many religious groups, but not necessarily an increase in Christianity. There are several religious groups that can fall into this category of being false. However, for the sake of space, I will try to briefly discuss the MOONIES or the Universal Church. The reason being the establishment of such a religious organization has the potential of leading people away from the faith, to believe a lie.

The Rev Sun Myung Moon is a self-proclaimed messiah. He had himself crowned “humanity’s saviour” in front of astonished members of Congress at a Capitol Hill luncheon. In 2009, 10,000 couples exchanged or renewed vows before Mr Moon at Sun Moon University near Seoul.

In the church’s view, Jesus had failed in his mission to purify mankind, because he was crucified before being able to marry and have children. Mr Moon saw himself as completing the unfulfilled task of Jesus: to restore humankind to a state

of perfection by producing sinless children, and by blessing couples who would produce them.

Marriage was a key part of achieving salvation, and for a couple the marriage was as much a commitment to the church as it was to each other. Often the couples had met only weeks earlier, or could speak to each other only through an interpreter. Many had to remain separated for several years, doing church work, before they were allowed to consummate the unions.

“We are going to liberate God,” according to Rev Moon. The church believes that the spirit of Heung Jin had returned for a time in the body of a Zimbabwean man, who travelled the world and with Mr Moon’s sanction, beat straying church members.

In 1992, he conferred the title of Messiah upon himself. He also declared that he and his second wife, Hak Ja Han, were the “true parents of all humanity. He viewed himself as the humanity’s saviour, messiah, returning lord and true parent.”

We are therefore encouraged to search the scriptures and to realize that we are facing a challenge from the doctrines of Devils. It is for us therefore to let the Bible speak. We ought to obey the word of God and not be lead astray by such devilish teaching. Let us know who our adversaries are and so do not embrace things that are not godly.

Kennard King