Unification Church

Unification Church, religious organization of Korean origin that became highly visible in the United States in the late 1960s. Based on the ideas of the Reverend Sun Myung Moon, who represents himself as an elect leader and seer, the organization recruits and regiments young people to dedicate their lives to the church in a highly disciplined fashion. Accused of “programming” its adherents (“Moonies”) by brainwashing techniques, the Unification Church was investigated by Congress in 1977 and has been attacked by both business competitors and parents of involved youths. In 1982 Moon was convicted of conspiracy to evade taxes.