Reply #53: here's where that action (by Moon) began [View All]

http://www.cesnur.org/2001/moon/14.htm

"Moon Tries to Connect With Black Pastors"

by Hamil R. Harris ("Washington Post," April 21, 2001)

More than 2,000 people, including about 300 African American pastors, filled a Washington hotel ballroom this week to hear the Rev. Sun Myung Moon deliver a call for an interfaith movement to strengthen American families.

Moon's appearance was one of his last stops on a three-month, 52-city tour billed as an effort to promote family values and break down barriers between races and denominations.
The Korean-born founder of the Unification Church has been a controversial figure because of his followers' belief that he is the messiah, and also because of his financial activities and his church's recruitment techniques. He was convicted and imprisoned for tax evasion in 1984.

Some Washington area black pastors declined invitations to Monday night's event at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, citing disagreements with Moon's religious teachings. But many others participated, saying they were willing to overlook such differences because they agreed with the broad themes of Moon's "We Will Stand" tour.

Among the ministers attending were the Rev. Walter Fauntroy, the former D.C. delegate to Congress; the Rev. William Bennett, pastor of First Baptist Church of Deanwood; the Rev. George Augustus Stallings, archbishop of Imani Temple African-American Catholic Congregation; the Rev. Cleveland Sparrow, of Sparrow World Temple; and the Rev. Donald Robinson, the D.C. mayor's special assistant for religious affairs, who presented Moon with a proclamation from Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D).

"Many of the goals of the 'We Will Stand' tour are consistent with the goals the mayor espouses for the city," Robinson said. "I don't see a conflict. I just see this as an opportunity for the city to align itself with like-minded people. We want the renewal and restoration of families, the renewal and revival of community. We want a sense of racial harmony."

In recent years, Moon, 81, has sought to reach out to black pastors and veteran civil rights activists, as well as to members of the Nation of Islam. Last October, his Family Federation for World Peace and Unification co-sponsored the Million Family March that featured Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan.

...there's lots more there if you have the stomach for it...