Religion in South Korea Church or Unificationism (통일교 "Tongilgyo") is a new religious movement founded in South Korea in 1954 by Sun Myung Moon. Since its founding, the church has expanded throughout the world with most members living in East Asia. Unificationist beliefs are derived from the Christian Bible and are explained in the church's textbook, the "Divine Principle". It teaches that God is the creator and Heavenly Father, whose dual nature combines both masculinity and femininity and whose centre is true love. The Unification Church has sponsored many organizations and projects over the years; including businesses, news media, projects in education and the
Unification movement the "Chicago Tribune" was picketed after referring to members as "Moonies". Minister and civil rights leader James Bevel handed out fliers at the protest which said: "Are the Moonies our new niggers?" On an October 6, 1994 broadcast of "Nightline", host Ted Koppel stated: "On last night's program ...I used the term 'Moonies'. This is a label which members of the Reverend Sun Myung Moon's Unification Church find demeaning and offensive, and I'd like to apologize for its use." In other contexts it is still sometimes used and not always considered pejorative. On February 25, 1920, Sun Myung Moon was