Unification Church

== Relations with other religions ==

=== Judaism ===

Unificationism holds that the Jewish people as a whole were prepared by God to receive the Messiah in the person of [[Jesus|Jesus of Nazareth]], with [[John the Baptist]] tasked from birth with the mission to lead the Jewish people to Jesus, but failed in his mission. According to the ''[[Divine Principle]]'', the Jews went through a "course of indemnity" due to the failure of John the Baptist to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, in spite of publicly testifying to him at the Jordan River, whilst receiving the baptism.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Exposition of the Divine Principle |publisher=Sung Hwa Publishing Co., LTD |year=2005 |isbn=897132127X |edition=2nd |pages=266–270}}</ref>

In 1976, the [[American Jewish Committee]] released a report by Rabbi A. James Rudin which stated that the ''Divine Principle'' contained "pejorative language, [[Stereotypes of Jews|stereotyped]] imagery, and accusations of [[collective guilt|collective sin and guilt]]."<ref name="Rudin">Rudin, A. James, 1978 [http://ajcarchives.org/AJC_DATA/Files/7A46.PDF A View of the Unification Church], [[American Jewish Committee]] Archives</ref> In a news conference which was presented by the AJC and representatives of Catholic and Protestant churches, panelists stated that the text "contained over 125 [[Anti-Judaism|anti-Jewish]] references." They also cited Moon's recent and public condemnation of "[[Antisemitism|antisemitic]] and anti-Christian attitudes", and called upon him to make a "comprehensive and systematic removal" of antisemitic and anti-Christian references in the ''Divine Principle'' as a demonstration of good faith.<ref name="ajcarchives.org">[http://www.ajcarchives.org/ajc_data/files/7a37.pdf Sun Myung Moon Is Criticized by Religious Leaders; Jewish Patrons Enraged], David F. White, ''[[The New York Times]]'', December 29, 1976</ref>

In 1977, the HSA-UWC issued a rebuttal to the report, stating that it was neither comprehensive nor reconciliatory, instead, it had a "hateful tone" and it was filled with "sweeping denunciations". It denied that the ''Divine Principle'' teaches antisemitism and gave detailed responses to 17 specific allegations which were contained in the AJC's report, stating that the allegations were distortions of teachings and obscurations of the real content of passages or the passages were accurate summaries of Jewish scriptures or New Testament passages.<ref name="Response to A. James Rudin's Report">[http://www.ajcarchives.org/AJC_DATA/Files/7A44.PDF Response to A. James Rudin's Report], Unification Church Department of Public Affairs, Daniel C. Holdgeiwe, Johnny Sonneborn, March 1977.</ref>

In 1984, [[Mose Durst]], then the president of the [[Unification Church of the United States]] as well as a convert from [[Judaism]],<ref name="Time Magazine">{{cite news | title =Religion: Sun Myung Moon's Goodwill Blitz | work =[[Time Magazine]] | url = http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,966889,00.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080907024311/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,966889,00.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = September 7, 2008 | date =April 22, 1985 }}</ref> said that the Jewish community had been "hateful" in its response to the growth of the Unification movement, and he also placed blame on the community's "insecurity" and Unification Church members' "youthful zeal and ignorance". Rudin, then the national interreligious affairs director of the American Jewish Committee, said that Durst's remarks were inaccurate and unfair and he also said that "hateful is a harsh word to use".<ref name="ReferenceB">"Unification Church seen as persecuted", ''[[The Milwaukee Sentinel]]'', September 15, 1984, p. 4</ref> In the same year Durst wrote in his [[autobiography]]: "Our relations with the Jewish community have been the most painful to me personally. I say this with a heavy heart, since I was raised in the Jewish faith and am proud of my heritage."<ref>[http://www.tparents.org/library/unification/books/tbns/TBNS-09.htm To Bigotry, No Sanction], Mose Durst, 1984</ref>

In 1989, Unification Church leaders Peter Ross and [[Andrew Wilson (academic)|Andrew Wilson]] issued "Guidelines for Members of The Unification Church in Relations with the Jewish People" which stated: "In the past there have been serious misunderstandings between [[Judaism]] and the Unification Church. In order to clarify these difficulties and guide Unification Church members in their relations with Jews, the Unification Church suggests the following guidelines."<ref name="tparents.org">[http://www.tparents.org/Library/Unification/Publications/Other-Pub/Uc-jewsh.htm Guidelines for Members of The Unification Church in Relations with the Jewish People], Peter Ross and Andrew Wilson, March 15, 1989.</ref> In 2008, the ''[[Encyclopaedia Judaica]]'' described the statements and guidelines arising from mutual contacts as "excellent".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jewish-Christian Relations, Encyclopedia Judaica |url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jewish-christian-relations-encyclopedia-judaica |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730041347/https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jewish-christian-relations-encyclopedia-judaica |archive-date=2022-07-30 |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org}}</ref>

=== Christianity ===

Protestant commentators have criticized Unification Church teachings as being contrary to the Protestant doctrine of [[Sola fide|salvation by faith alone]].<ref>Yamamoto, J. 1995, ''Unification Church'', Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Press, {{ISBN|0-310-70381-6}} p. 40</ref> In their influential book ''[[The Kingdom of the Cults]]'' (first published in 1965), [[Walter Ralston Martin]] and [[Ravi K. Zacharias]] disagreed with the ''Divine Principle'' on the issues of [[Christology]], the [[virgin birth of Jesus]], the movement's belief that [[Jesus bloodline|Jesus should have married]], the necessity of the [[crucifixion of Jesus]], and a literal [[resurrection of Jesus]] as well as a literal [[Second Coming]].<ref>Walter Ralston Martin, Ravi K. Zacharias, ''The Kingdom of the Cults'', Bethany House, 2003, {{ISBN|0764228218}} pp. 368–370</ref>

In 1974 Moon founded the [[Unification Theological Seminary]], in [[Barrytown, New York]], partly in order to improve relations of the movement with other churches. Professors from other denominations, including a [[Methodist]] minister, a [[Presbyterian]], and a [[Catholic priest|Roman Catholic priest]], as well as a [[rabbi]], were hired to teach religious studies to the students, who were being trained as leaders in the movement.<ref>Yamamoto, J. I., 1995, ''Unification Church'', Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House {{ISBN|0-310-70381-6}} ([http://www.zondervan.com/media/samples/pdf/0310703816_samptxt.pdf Excerpt:] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210024144/http://www.zondervan.com/media/samples/pdf/0310703816_samptxt.pdf |date=2012-02-10 }})<br />"1. The Unification Theological Seminary

:a. The Unification Church has a seminary in Barrytown, New York called The Unification Theological Seminary.
:b. It is used as a theological training center, where members are prepared to be leaders and theologians in the church.
:c. Since many people regard Moon as a cult leader, there is a false impression that this seminary is academically weak.
:d. Moon's seminary, however, has not only attracted a respectable faculty (many of whom are not members of his church), but it also has graduated many students (who are members of his church) who have been accepted into doctoral programs at institutions such as Harvard and Yale."</ref><ref name="LeoSandonJr">[http://theologytoday.ptsem.edu/jul1978/v35-2-article3.htm Korean Moon: Waxing or Waning] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216091211/http://theologytoday.ptsem.edu/jul1978/v35-2-article3.htm |date=16 February 2012 }} Leo Sandon Jr. ''Theology Today'', July 1978, "The Unification Church purchased the estate and now administers a growing seminary where approximately 110 Moonies engage in a two-year curriculum which includes biblical studies, church history, philosophy, theology, religious education, and which leads to a Master of Religious Education degree."</ref><ref name="RodneySawatsky">[http://theologytoday.ptsem.edu/apr1978/v35-1-criticscorner3.htm Dialogue with the Moonies] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211184615/http://theologytoday.ptsem.edu/apr1978/v35-1-criticscorner3.htm |date=11 December 2008 }} Rodney Sawatsky, ''Theology Today'', April 1978. "Only a minority of their teachers are Unification devotees; a Jew teaches Old Testament, a Christian instructs in church history and a Presbyterian lectures in theology, and so on. Typical sectarian fears of the outsider are not found among Moonies; truth is one or at least must become one, and understanding can be delivered even by the uninitiated."</ref><ref>[http://www.firstthings.com/article/2008/02/002-where-have-all-the-moonies-gone-45 Where have all the Moonies gone?] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120730213926/http://www.firstthings.com/article/2008/02/002-where-have-all-the-moonies-gone-45 |date=2012-07-30 }} K. Gordon Neufeld, ''First Things'', March 2008, "While I was studying theology, church history, and the Bible—taught by an eclectic faculty that included a rabbi, a Jesuit priest, and a Methodist minister—most of my young coreligionists were standing on street corners in San Francisco, Boston, and Miami urging strangers to attend a vaguely described dinner."</ref><ref>Helm, S. [http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=1163 Divine Principle and the Second Advent] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921143920/http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=1163 |date=2008-09-21 }} ''[[Christian Century]]'' May 11, 1977 "In fact Moon's adherents differ from previous fringe groups in their quite early and expensive pursuit of respectability, as evidenced by the scientific conventions they have sponsored in England and the U.S. and the seminary they have established in Barrytown, New York, whose faculty is composed not of their own group members but rather of respected Christian scholars."</ref>

In 1977, Unification member [[Jonathan Wells (intelligent design advocate)|Jonathan Wells]], who later became well known as the author of the popular [[Intelligent Design]] book ''[[Icons of Evolution]]'', defended Unification theology against what he said were unfair criticisms by the [[National Council of Churches]].<ref>[http://www.tparents.org/Library/Unification/Talks/Antal/Antal_nccc.htm New Hope for Dialogue with National Council of Churches of Christ], Chris Antal, February, 2000</ref> That same year [[Frederick Sontag]], a professor of philosophy at [[Pomona College]] and a minister in the [[United Church of Christ]],<ref name="latimes.com" /> published ''[[Sun Myung Moon and the Unification Church]]'' which gave an overview of the movement and urged Christians to take it more seriously.<ref name="Who is this Pied Piper of Religion" /><ref name="Moon: an objective look at his theology" /><ref>Sontag, Frederick, ''Sun Myung Moon and the Unification Church'', ([[Abingdon Press]], 1977; Korean translation, Pacific Publishing Company, 1981; Japanese translation, Tuttle-Mori Agency, Inc., 1977; German translation, SINUS-Verlag, Krefeld, 1981) {{ISBN|0-687-40622-6}}"</ref>

In the 1980s the Unification Church sent thousands of American ministers from other churches on trips to Japan and South Korea to inform them about Unification teachings. At least one minister was dismissed by his congregation for taking part.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1988/03/25/us/clear-lake-journal-congregation-dismisses-its-minister-over-trip.html Clear Lake Journal; Congregation Dismisses Its Minister Over Trip], ''[[The New York Times]]'', May 25, 1988</ref> In 1994 the church had about 5,000 members in Russia and came under criticism from the [[Russian Orthodox Church]].<ref name="A Less Secular Approach" /> In 1997, the Russian government passed a law requiring the movement and other non-Russian religions to register their congregations and submit to tight controls.<ref>[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080208.wsects08/BNStory/International/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20080208.wsects08 Russian unorthodox] [[The Globe and Mail]] February 8, 2008.</ref>

In 1982, Moon was imprisoned in the United States after being found guilty by a jury of willfully filing false Federal [[income tax]] returns and [[conspiracy (crime)|conspiracy]]. (See: ''[[United States v. Sun Myung Moon]]'') HSA-UWC members launched a public-relations campaign. Booklets, letters and videotapes were mailed to approximately 300,000 Christian leaders in the United States. Many of them signed petitions protesting the government's case.<ref name="ReferenceJ">[http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2001/augustweb-only/8-6-35.0.html The Unification Church Aims a Major Public Relations Effort at Christian Leaders] [[Christianity Today]] April 19, 1985.</ref> The [[American Baptist Church|American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A]], the [[National Council of Churches]], the [[National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus]], and the [[Southern Christian Leadership Conference]] filed briefs in support of Moon.<ref name="ReferenceK">Raspberry, William, "Did Unpopular Moonie Get a Fair Trial?", ''[[The Washington Post]]'', April 19, 1984</ref>

In 1995 the Unification Movement related organization the [[Women's Federation for World Peace]] indirectly contributed $3.5 million to help Baptist [[Liberty University]] which at that time was in financial difficulty. This was reported in the United States news media as an example of closer relationships between the movement and conservative Christian congregations.<ref name="Washington Post-flux">{{cite news |last=Fisher |first=Marc |date=November 23, 1997 |title=A Church in Flux Is Flush With Cash |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/cult/unification/main.htm |access-date=2007-11-14 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}} "Also in 1995, the Women's Federation made another donation that illustrates how Moon supports fellow conservatives. It gave a $3.5 million grant to the [[Christian Heritage Foundation]], which later bought a large portion of Liberty University's debt, rescuing the Rev. Jerry Falwell's Lynchburg, Va., religious school from the brink of bankruptcy."</ref>

=== Islam ===

The ''Divine Principle'' lists the [[Muslim world]] as one of the world's four major divisions (the others being [[East Asia]], [[Hinduism|Hindu]], and [[Christendom]]).<ref>[http://www.unification.net/dp96/dp96-1-3.html#Chap3 Exposition of the Divine Principle 1996 Translation Chapter 3 Eschatology and Human History], accessed September 3, 2010</ref> Unification movement support for [[Islamist]] [[anti-communists]] came to public attention in 1987 when church member [[Lee Shapiro]] was killed in [[Afghanistan]] during the [[Soviet–Afghan War]] while filming a documentary.<ref name="findarticles.com">[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1079/is_n2132_v88/ai_6536321/pg_29 Afghanistan: eight years of Soviet occupation], [[United States Department of State]], March 1988, The campaign to target foreign journalists had more tragic results. Two American filmmakers, Lee Shapiro and Jim Lindelof, were apparently killed by a regime attack while traveling with the mujahidin. In 1986, Lindelof had been named paramedic of the year for his efforts training Afghan medical workers. In response to protests, Kabul stated it could not "guarantee the security of foreign subjects" who enter illegally, whose presence it views as "evidence" of "external interference".</ref><ref name="2 Americans killed in ambush">[http://www.newspaperarchive.com/LandingPage.aspx?type=glp&search=lee%20shapiro%20afghanistan&img=\\na0041\6800035\56050638_clean.html 2 Americans killed in ambush], ''Pacific Stars and Stripes'', October 29, 1987</ref> The resistance group they were traveling with reported that they had been ambushed by military forces of the [[Soviet Union]] or the [[Democratic Republic of Afghanistan|Afghan government]]. However, the details have been questioned, partly because of the poor reputation of the group's leader, [[Gulbuddin Hekmatyar]].<ref>[http://www.csmonitor.com/1987/1028/oed.html Two US journalists reported killed in Afghanistan; details murky], ''[[Christian Science Monitor]]'', October 28, 1987 "Two American journalists are believed dead in northwest Afghanistan, diplomatic and resistance forces say here. Filmmaker Lee Shapiro and his soundman, Jim Lindalos, both of New York, were killed Oct. 11, reportedly in a Soviet or Afghan government ambush, according to United States consular officials. However, the resistance group that accompanied the film team has a poor reputation among most informed observers, and doubts have arisen over whether the two Americans did indeed die in an Afghan government or Soviet attack."</ref><ref>Kaplan, Robert, ''Soldiers of God : With Islamic Warriors in Afghanistan and Pakistan,'' New York : Vintage Departures, 2001, p. 170</ref>

The Muslim advocacy group [[Council on American–Islamic Relations]] listed ''The Washington Times'' among media outlets it said "regularly demonstrates or supports Islamophobic themes."<ref name="deseretnews.com">{{Cite news|last=Winston|first=Kimberly|url=https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865656561/Report-says-list-of-6Islamophobic-groups7-reaches-new-high.html|title=Report says list of 'Islamophobic groups' reaches new high|date=June 20, 2016|work=[[Deseret News]]|access-date=December 25, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418035701/https://www.deseret.com/2016/6/20/20590586/report-says-list-of-islamophobic-groups-reaches-new-high|archive-date=April 18, 2020|agency=[[Religion News Service]]}}</ref> In 1998, the Egyptian newspaper ''[[Al-Ahram]]'' wrote that its editorial policy was "rabidly anti-[[Arab people|Arab]], anti-Muslim and pro-Israel."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Nafie|first=Ibrahim|url=http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/1998/403/op1.htm|title=The same old game|date=November 12–18, 1998|work=[[Al-Ahram]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215193404/http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/1998/403/op1.htm|archive-date=February 15, 2009|issue=403|author-link=Ebrahim Nafae}}</ref> In 1997, the ''[[Washington Report on Middle East Affairs]]'' (which is critical of United States and Israeli policies), praised ''The Washington Times'' and the ''Times''{{'}} sister publication ''[[News World Communications|The Middle East Times]]'' (along with ''[[The Christian Science Monitor]]'' owned by the [[Church of Christ, Scientist]]) for their objective and informative coverage of Islam and the Middle East, while criticizing the ''Times'' generally pro-Israel editorial policy. The ''Report'' suggested that these newspapers, being owned by religious organizations, were less influenced by pro-Israel pressure groups in the United States.<ref name="wrmea.com" />

In 2000 the FFWPU co-sponsored the [[Million Family March]], a rally in [[Washington, D.C.]], to celebrate [[family]] unity and [[Race (classification of human beings)|racial]] and [[Religion|religious]] harmony, along with the [[Nation of Islam]].<ref name="archives.cnn.com" /> [[Louis Farrakhan]], the leader of The Nation of Islam, was the main speaker at the event which was held on 16 October 2000; the fifth anniversary of the [[Million Man March]], which was also organized by Farrakhan.<ref name="ReferenceC" /> Unification Church leader [[Dan Fefferman]] wrote to his colleagues acknowledging that Farrakhan's and Moon's views differed on multiple issues but shared a view of a "God-centered family".<ref name="clarkson" /> In 2007 Rev and Mrs Moon sent greetings to Farrakhan while he was recovering from cancer, saying: "We send love and greetings to Minister Farrakhan and Mother Khadijah."<ref>[http://www.frostillustrated.com/full.php?sid=443&current_edition=2007-01-31 Prayers for Minister Farrakhan health, recovery continue] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711045256/http://www.frostillustrated.com/full.php?sid=443&current_edition=2007-01-31 |date=2011-07-11 }}, ''Frost Illustrated'', January 31, 2007</ref>

In the 1990s and 2000s the Unification Movement made public statements claiming communications with the spirits of religious leaders including [[Muhammad]] and also [[Confucius]], the [[Buddha]], [[Jesus]], and [[Augustine of Hippo|Augustine]], as well as political leaders such as [[Karl Marx]], [[Friedrich Engels]], [[Vladimir Lenin|Lenin]], [[Joseph Stalin]], [[Leon Trotsky]], [[Mao Zedong]] and many more. This was reported to have distanced the movement from Islam as well as from mainstream Christianity.<ref>[http://www.uc-history.us/ Unification Church of America History] by Lloyd Pumphrey</ref> From 2001 to 2009 the Unification movement owned the [[American Life TV Network]] (now known as Youtoo TV),<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117966145.html?categoryid=2522&cs=1|title=American Life TV targets baby boomers|first=John|last=Dempsey|magazine=Variety|date=2007-06-01|access-date=2007-10-09}}</ref> which in 2007 broadcast [[George Clooney]]'s documentary ''[[A Journey to Darfur]]'', which was harshly critical of Islamists in [[Darfur]], the [[Republic of Sudan]].<ref name="variety.com">[https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117966145.html?categoryid=2522&cs=1 American Life TV targets baby boomers: Channel airing Clooney's Darfur docu] [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]], June 1, 2007</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://content.time.com/time/specials/2007/time100/article/0,28804,1595326_1615754_1615880,00.html|title=The 2007 Time 100 |first=Ishmael|last=Beah|magazine=Time|date=3 May 2007|access-date=19 January 2019|via=content.time.com}}</ref><ref>[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/11/ap/entertainment/mainD8MJ771O0.shtml Clooney's Docu on Darfur to Air Monday] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081101030249/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/11/ap/entertainment/mainD8MJ771O0.shtml |date=2008-11-01 }}</ref> It released the film on [[DVD]] in 2008 and announced that proceeds from its sale would be donated to the [[International Rescue Committee]].<ref>[http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Americanlife-Tv-838350.html AmericanLife TV Network (ALN) Donates Proceeds From "A Journey to Darfur" DVD to the International Rescue Committee] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113181149/http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Americanlife-Tv-838350.html |date=2009-01-13 }}</ref> In his 2009 autobiography Moon praised Islam and expressed the hope that there would be more understanding between different religious communities.<ref name="moon-peace" /> In 2011, representatives of the Unification Church took part in an international seminar which was held in [[Taiwan]] by the [[Muslim World League]]. The said purpose of the seminar was to encourage interfaith dialogue and discourage people from resorting to [[terrorism]].<ref>[http://www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=151185&ctNode=445 World Muslim League plans seminar for Taiwan], ''Taiwan Today'', February 16, 2011</ref>

=== Interfaith activities ===

In 2009 the FFWPU held an interfaith event in the [[Congress of the Republic of Peru]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fmp.gob.pe/FMP/Html/2009-09-22/presidente_del_tsmp_es_designado_embajador_para_la_paz.html |title=Fuero Militar Policial |publisher=[[Military Police Court|Fmp.gob.pe]] |access-date=2012-05-23 |archive-date=21 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821142214/http://www.fmp.gob.pe/FMP/Html/2009-09-22/presidente_del_tsmp_es_designado_embajador_para_la_paz.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Former President of the Congress [[Marcial Ayaipoma]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.congreso.gob.pe/fotografia/2005/051214.htm |title=Portal Peruano Sociedad y Parlamento |publisher=Congreso.gob.pe |access-date=2015-11-07}}</ref> and other notable politicians were called "Ambassadors for Peace" of the Unification Church.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.congreso.gob.pe/index_fotoh1.asp?fecha=20070921 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730211043/http://www.congreso.gob.pe/index_fotoh1.asp?fecha=20070921 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 30, 2012 |access-date=May 4, 2012 |title=Centro de Noticias el Heraldo}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Escrito por Imagen Institucional |url=http://www.municportillo.gob.pe/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5889:david-yamashiro-es-nombrado-embajador-para-la-paz&catid=66:notas&Itemid=30 |title=David Yamashiro Es Nombrado Embajador Para La Paz |publisher=Municportillo.gob.pe |access-date=2012-05-23 |archive-date=3 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203031707/http://www.municportillo.gob.pe/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5889:david-yamashiro-es-nombrado-embajador-para-la-paz&catid=66:notas&Itemid=30 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.congreso.gob.pe/index_fotoh1.asp?fecha=20060126 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723051237/http://www.congreso.gob.pe/index_fotoh1.asp?fecha=20060126 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 23, 2012 |access-date=May 4, 2012 |title=Centro de Noticias el Heraldo}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mimdes.gob.pe/files/DIRECCIONES/DGDCP/concentracion/instituciones.htm |title=Espacio de Concertación&nbsp;– Dirección General de Desplazados y Cultura de Paz |publisher=Mimdes.gob.pe |access-date=2012-05-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091220004147/http://www.mimdes.gob.pe/files/DIRECCIONES/DGDCP/concentracion/instituciones.htm |archive-date=2009-12-20 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2010, the church built a large interfaith temple in [[Seoul]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.mk.co.kr/newsRead.php?sc=50500012&cm=%EB%AC%B8%ED%99%94%C2%B7%EB%A0%88%EC%A0%B8&year=2010&no=86380&selFlag=&relatedcode=&wonNo=&sID=505 |title=mk 'ş˝ş ĹëŔĎął źź°čşťşÎąłČ¸ ťő źşŔü, żëťężĄ żĎ°ř |publisher=News.mk.co.kr |date=2010-02-18 |access-date=2012-05-23 |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101201025/http://news.mk.co.kr/newsRead.php?sc=50500012&cm=%EB%AC%B8%ED%99%94%C2%B7%EB%A0%88%EC%A0%B8&year=2010&no=86380&selFlag=&relatedcode=&wonNo=&sID=505 }}</ref> Author [[Deepak Chopra]] was the [[keynote]] at an interfaith event of the Unification Church co-hosted with the [[United Nations]] at the [[Headquarters of the United Nations]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dipity.com/timeline/International-Day-Of-Peace-2009/ |title=International Day Of Peace 2009 Timeline |publisher=Dipity.com |access-date=2012-05-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130903005926/http://www.dipity.com/timeline/International-Day-Of-Peace-2009/ |archive-date=2013-09-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2011, an interfaith event was held in the [[National Assembly of Thailand]], the [[President of the National Assembly of Thailand]] attended the event.<ref name="parliament1">http://web.parliament.go.th/php4/radio/temp/news8688.doc {{dead link|date=November 2015}}</ref> In 2012, the Unification movement affiliated-Universal Peace Federation held an interfaith dialogue in Italy that was cosponsored by United Nations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.torinotoday.it/eventi/incontro-settimana-mondiale-armonia-interreligiosa-torino.html |title=Incontro per la settimana mondiale per l'armonia interreligiosa a Torino il 4 febbraio |publisher=Torinotoday.it |access-date=2012-05-23}}</ref> That year, the Universal Peace Federation held an interfaith program for representatives of 12 various religions and confessions in the hall of the [[United Nations General Assembly]]. The [[President of the United Nations General Assembly]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unmultimedia.org/tv/webcast/2012/02/common-ground-for-the-common-good-on-the-occasion-of-the-world-interfaith-harmony-week.html# |title=United Nations Webcast&nbsp;– "Common ground for the common good" on the occasion of the World Interfaith Harmony Week |publisher=Unmultimedia.org |access-date=2012-05-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514224724/http://www.unmultimedia.org/tv/webcast/2012/02/common-ground-for-the-common-good-on-the-occasion-of-the-world-interfaith-harmony-week.html |archive-date=2013-05-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref> the [[Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2012/dsgsm601.doc.htm |title=Deputy Secretary-General, at Interfaith Harmony Week Event, Says Common Cause in Mutual Respect for Shared Values Is Only Way to Unite Nations, Peoples |publisher=Un.org |date=2012-02-07 |access-date=2012-05-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41168&Cr=al-nasser&Cr1 |title=UN officials underline religions' role in promoting global harmony |publisher=Un.org |date=2012-02-07 |access-date=2012-05-23}}</ref> the [[Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.un.org/en/ga/president/66/Letters/PDF/Your%20Holiness.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728035648/https://www.un.org/en/ga/president/66/Letters/PDF/Your%20Holiness.pdf |archive-date=2018-07-28 |title=Letter to Your Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI |access-date=2012-05-23 |date=2012-01-24}}</ref> and other UN officials spoke.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.un.org/News/dh/pdf/english/2011/01022011.pdf |title=UN launches first World Interfaith Harmony Week |access-date=2019-03-30 |page=9 |work=UN Daily News |date=2011-02-01}}</ref>