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Anderson, in fact, is fronting for a dangerous cult

The Mesa Tribune/August 23, 1998
By Rick Ross

Mark Anderson recently responded to articles published about him in The Tribune by claiming he is being attacked "as a member of a minority religion." It seems "minority religion" is his euphemism for a more common description associated with Rev. Sun Myung Moon's Unification Church-a "destructive cult."

Mr. Anderson avoided the real questions raised by The Tribune's articles. That is, to what extent does Rev. Moon influence his legislative agenda? Rev. Moon leaves little doubt what he expects, stating: "Therefore, as individuals and families you have to absolutely follow True Parents (Mr. and Mrs. Moon). Your opinion cannot stand against True Parents."1 "You must understand what I have in mind and take my commands as strict orders."2 "Let's say there are 500 sons and daughters like you in each state. Then we could control the government.... The time will come, without my seeking it, that my words will almost sense as law. If I ask a certain thing, it will be - done. If I don't want something, it will not be done."3 "The true sovereign is not the American president nor the English king, but the Lord of the Second Advent (that is, Rev. Moon)"4 "... Americans must listen to me and follow me."5

Mr. Anderson's legislative record suggests that he has obediently followed Rev. Moon's commands. He admits heading the American Constitution Committee for Arizona-essentially a Unification Church entity- and has supported one legislative measure after another clearly initiated and/or recommended by the Unification Church.

He also appears to be the spiritual leader of the Arizona Unification Church. This is in sharp contrast to John F. Kennedy and Senators Robert and Edward Kennedy, who clearly functioned at times contrary to the Catholic church. Likewise, Congressman Ed Pastor, cited by The Tribune, has acted independent of Catholic doctrine. Can Mark Anderson make that same claim regarding his actions in relationship to Rev. Moon's church?

Mr. Anderson claims The Tribune offers "a venue for religious bigots." He seems to imply that raising questions about his conduct must be either religious persecution or "bigotry'" Actually, the Unification Church seems to teach its followers to be "bigots." Rev. Moon has stated, "The three races; yellow, black, and white. Orientals can contribute in the spiritual aspect, white people can contribute in the analytic scientific area, while black people can contribute in the physical area."6

Essentially, Mr. Moon believes that the Korean race is superior and that Asians are more spiritual than Caucasians or blacks.

I find it personally offensive as a Jew that Mark Anderson would compare his "minority religion" to the Jewish people. The Supreme Rabbinical Court of America determined that Rev. Moon was "preaching and indoctrinating Jewish youth into believing that they and their parents, like all Jews, have the blood of Satan and murderers in their veins." He has also stated that the Holocaust was God's judgment upon the Jews.

Christians should know that Rev. Moon says: "Christianity and all other religions must recommend the Unification Church as the true solution."7 "My teachings are the keys to enter the Kingdom of Heaven--to open the door you need to obtain the key from me. If you try any other means to get into the Kingdom of Heaven it does not work."8 "Kneel down in humility before the throne of our True Parents."9

Mark Anderson cites the persecution of the Mormon Church. Mormons should know that Rev. Moon has said: "My earnest hope and desire is that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be among the first religious bodies to come before True Parents offering unconditional love and attendance to Reverend and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon. I am privileged to share the new Gospel with all Mormons. Now that True Parents have indemnified the failure of American Christianity to receive them as the Lord of the Second Advent, I humbly ask God to guide each Mormon in their life of faith that all may come to experience the precious unconditional true love of True Parents. Just as Joseph Smith and Brigham Young courageously pioneered a new foundation for the Lord of the Second Advent here in America, I believe that God has prepared great men and women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who will make the way straight for their brethren to come into the loving embrace of True Parents."10

Rep. Anderson claims that "Parents Day" (clearly an initiative that was originated by Rev. Moon and largely coordinated and promoted by his followers seemingly to honor "True Parents") is an ecumenical effort. But those who become involved with such programs should be aware of Rev. Moon's real ecumenical standards. He has said: "If religion becomes unified, the nation and everything else can be unified. Unknown to everyone, in this sense, God prepared the Unification Church to replace everything."11 "Is there any religious leader in the United States who can surpass me?"12 "Am I foolish and insignificant or am I great? I gave all the individuals in the world cause to kneel down in front of me."13

Mark Anderson should dispel any misunderstandings about his legislative agenda, personal autonomy and credibility by clearly denouncing the bigoted, ethnocentric, demeaning, triumphalist and undemocratic pronouncements of Rev. Moon. Then, like the Kennedy fair and Congressman Pastor, he could disabuse anyone of the notion that he is not autonomous and-"can't be trusted to sent all the people of (his) district."14

Rick Ross is a consultant, lecturer and intervention specialist.

  1. Sun Myung Moon, Today's World, August 1996, p. 9
  2. Sun Myung Moon, "Who Are the Parents of Heaven and Earth and the Unified World?", Today's World, Nov/Dec 1994, p. 9
  3. Sun Myung Moon, Master Speaks March 24, 1974
  4. Rev. Moon, "Returning to the Home Country," Unification News, November, 1993, p.3
  5. Sun Myung Moon, "Who Are the Parents of Heaven and Earth and the Unified World?", Today's World, Nov/Dec 1994, p. 7
  6. Sun Myung Moon, Master Speaks, 7/29/74
  7. Sun Myung Moon, Today's World, January, 1995, p.18
  8. Sun Myung Moon, Today's World, May/June 1994, p.12
  9. Purportedly by the spirit of Heung Jin Nim Moon, The Victory of Love, NY, NY: The Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity, 1992, p.65
  10. Sun Myung Moon, "The True Family and I"--United States Speaking Tour Speech, September-October, 1995 : "A New Revelation for Mormons At Christ's Second Advent"
  11. Sun Myung Moon, Today's World, March 1995, p.5
  12. Sun Myung Moon, Today's World, Nov./Dec. 1994, p.18
  13. Rev. Moon, Today's World, March 1995 p.6
  14. Mark Anderson, The Mesa Tribune, Friday, August, 1998 -- "Religious tolerance essential to America"

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