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Hak Ja Han

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 75.5.12.91 (talk) at 18:57, 17 October 2010 (→‎Early life and family: It doesn't matter; typically, in ~ANY~ society children take their father's surnames. It is a custom in China and Korea to refer to the woman as "Mrs. __"). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Template:Korean name

Hak Ja Han
Hak Ja Han
Korean name
Hangul
한학자
Hanja
Revised RomanizationHan Hak-ja
McCune–ReischauerHan Hakcha

Hak Ja Han (Korean: 한학자, Hanja: 韓鶴子) or Hakja Han Moon (born January 6, 1943[1] in Korea) is an influential figure in the Unification Church and organizations affiliated with it.[2][3] She is the wife of the movement's founder, Sun Myung Moon.[4] The couple are viewed by Unification Church members as the "new messiahs".[5] They are referred to as the "True Parents"; she is called the "True Mother" and regarded as the "Perfect Woman". She is his designated successor as the leader of the Unification Movement.[1][6] A daughter of one of Sun Myung Moon's followers, Han married Moon in April 1960. They have 13 children and 20 grandchildren.

In 1992 she established the Unification Church affiliated-organization Women's Federation for World Peace, and traveled the world speaking on its behalf.[7][8][9] She traveled to 20 cities in the United States in 1993 promoting the organization, as well as to 12 countries. Han traveled the world in 1996 speaking on behalf of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, the current official name for the Unification Church. Han gave the closing address at the organization's Inaugural World Convention in Washington, D.C., called the "Founder's Address", where she said that the "True Parents" had arrived on Earth to complete the work of Jesus. In books on religion, authors George D. Chryssides, Massimo Introvigne, James R. Lewis and Jesper Aagaard Petersen write that Han's influence within the Unification Church has steadily increased.

Early life and family

Han, the daughter of a Korean woman who later became a follower of Sun Myung Moon, was born on January 6, 1943.[1] In April 1960 as a high school student at the age of 17, Han, by then a member of the Unification Church (which was officially founded in 1954),[10] married Moon who was then 40 years old.[11][12] In the American media Han is sometimes referred to as "Mrs. Moon";[13][14] Hak Ja Han is either Moon's second,[15] third,[16] or fourth wife.[17]

According to religious scholar Christopher Partridge, Han and Moon are together believed to be the "new messiahs" by Unification Church members.[5] Within Unification Church theology, the Moons are regarded as the "True Parents" of humanity and are addressed by its followers as the "True Father" and "True Mother".[18] Their wedding established what Unification Church members refer to as the "True Family".[11][19] Church members have also referred to Han as "the Bride of Christ",[20] and the "Perfect Woman".[21] She is seen within the movement as the "Mother of humankind, the final chosen of God".[22] Moon and Han are also seen as the "exemplars of the God-centered existence" by Unification Church members.[23]

Han has 13 children,[18] and as of 1993 had 20 grandchildren.[24] Han's estranged daughter-in-law, Nansook Hong, published an autobiography in 1998, titled In the Shadow of the Moons: My Life in the Reverend Sun Myung Moon's Family.[25] Hong told of a lack of closeness in the family, and sometimes a lack of good judgement, such as when Han would hand her son large amounts of cash in spite of his cocaine addiction.[25] She stated that she was abused by her husband but that Moon and Han did not intervene to stop the abuse,[26][27] and blamed her instead.[28]

On July 19, 2008, Han along with her husband and 14 others, including several of their children and grandchildren, were slightly injured when a church owned Sikorsky S-92 helicopter crashed during an emergency landing and burst into flames in Gapyeong.[29][30] Han and all 15 others were treated at the nearby church-affiliated Cheongshim Hospital.[31] Experts from the United States National Transportation Safety Board, the United States Federal Aviation Administration, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, and General Electric assisted the South Korean government in its investigation of the crash.[32][33]

Unification Church activities

In 1962, Moon and Han together founded the Little Angels, a girls Korean folk ballet company meant to promote a positive perception of South Korea.[34] In 1984, Han spoke at a Unification Church sponsored academic conference in Washington, D.C. to a crowd of 240 which included professors from Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, University of Michigan and the Sorbonne in Paris.[35]

In 1993 U.S. Senator Trent Lott supported the bill "True Parents Day" in the U.S. Senate and in 1995 U.S. President Bill Clinton signed a bill into law called "Parents Day"; children are to honor their parents on this day.[36] This was supported by United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who said: "Replacing Mother's Day and Father's Day with a Parents' Day should be considered, as an observance more consistent with a policy of minimizing traditional sex-based differences in parental roles."[37] The Unification Church celebrates Parents' Day as one of their five major Holy Days.[38]

In 1993, U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch introduced Han to a crowd at Capitol Hill; she stated at the event that she and Moon are "the first True Parents".[36] Moon was in the audience watching her speech, along with members of the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives.[36] Han has also joined together with Moon in pairing up couples who had never met one another, based merely upon looking at their photos, for the mass marriages that the Unification Church is known for.[39] In 1997 Han copresided with her husband over a marriage affirmation ceremony for 28,000 couples, some married and some newly engaged, in New York City.[40] During the ceremony Han and Moon sprinkle holy water on the couples.[41]

Women's Federation for World Peace

In 1992 Han established the Unification Church-affiliated organization Women's Federation for World Peace,[7][8][9] and traveled the world speaking at conventions on its behalf.[42] The organization's purpose is to encourage women to work more actively in promoting peace in their communities and greater society,[9] and it includes 143 member countries.[8] According to the publication Unification News, Han organized a Unification Church conference held in Tokyo in 1993, which was the first anniversary of the Women's Federation for World Peace.[43] The keynote speaker was former U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle's wife Marilyn Tucker Quayle, and in a speech at the event Han spoke positively of Mrs. Quayle's humanitarian work.[43] Sociologist William Sims Bainbridge cites the "lavish conventions" of Han while traveling in 1992 to speaking engagements on behalf of the organization, as examples of how "with money the appearance of ever greater success could be achieved", in spite of the fact that "Church-related public events had often fallen short of expectations".[42]

She traveled to 20 cities in the United States in 1993 promoting Women's Federation for World Peace,[44] as well as to 12 countries.[9] At a stop in Salt Lake City, Utah she told attendants: "If a family is not centered on God's ideal of love, there will be conflict among the members of that family. Without God's love as an absolute center, such a family will ultimately break down. A nation of such families will also decline."[44] Her 1993 speeches in the United States focused on increasing violence in the U.S., and the degradation of the family unit.[45]

In July 1993 Oklahoma Governor David Walters signed a proclamation honoring Han, but was unaware she was the wife of Moon.[46] In August 1993 a citation honoring Han by then-Massachusetts Representative Mark Roosevelt became controversial; his campaign manager in his bid for Governor released a statement saying it was a "complete mistake", acknowledging he had actually signed the citation on Rooselvelts behalf: "It was an error in judgment on my part. Mark has never had any personal interaction or involvement with Mrs. Moon or any organization she is associated with."[46]

Han hired former United States president George H. W. Bush to deliver several speeches for the Women's Federation for World Peace in several cities in Japan in 1995 for an undisclosed fee (suggested by The New York Times to have been "in the millions").[47] Tokyo lawyer Hiroshi Yamaguchi sent a letter to Bush criticizing his decision to speak at the event, and wrote: "The Women's Federation for World Peace is a widely known front organization of the Unification Church."[48] Bush's spokeswoman Jane Becker stated "We were satisfied that there was not a connection with the Unification Church, and based on the information we were given we felt comfortable speaking to this group."[49]

50,000 people attended Bush's speech in Tokyo.[50] The thesis of the talks were "family values".[47] In the half-hour speech, Bush said "what really counts is faith, family and friends".[51] Han spoke after Bush's speech and praised Moon, crediting him for the decline of communism and saying that he must "save" America from "the destruction of the family and moral decay".[51][52] The event drew protests from Japanese people who were wary of unorthodox religious groups.[53]

Family Federation for World Peace

In 1996 Han went on a world tour, speaking on behalf of the Family Federation for World Peace,[54][55] the current name of the Unification Movement (also called Family Federal for World Peace and Unification).[56][57] Her speeches included cities across the United States, as well as countries including Korea, Japan, Italy, and 16 other countries in South America and Central America.[55] In July 1996 she spoke at the Family Federation for World Peace's Inaugural World Convention at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. – other speakers included Bill Cosby as entertainer and Gerald Ford as keynote speaker.[58] According to The Washington Post, Han's closing address was the "climax of the proceedings", and was called the "Founder's Address".[58][59] A significant portion of the non-Korean guests left the event during Han's speech.[59] The Washington Post reported that Han's speech was long and that she spoke in "English thickly muffled by a Korean accent".[59] Han stated that the "True Parents" had arrived on the planet to perfect incomplete work of Jesus.[59]

Gerald Ford's chief of staff said "He didn't know" about the connections to the Unification Church: "There was no indication that Reverend Moon was involved. President Ford saw the previous speakers on the list they sent us."[58] Bill Cosby stated he learned of the organization's affiliation with Moon from a reporter for The Washington Post the Friday before the event: "When I look down the list and see Gerald Ford, you say, well, gee whiz, that's fine, so you go ahead and sign up ... My decision was, call these people and tell them I'm giving the money back ... Then their lawyers got on the phone."[58] Attorneys for the organization told Cosby they would not release him from his obligation to entertain at the event.[58] Cosby did perform, but stated "I would not do this organization again," Cosby said. "Not because they are evil, but because there are some families that are hurt by this."[58]

Coronation ceremony

Main article: Sun Myung Moon coronation

In 2004, Moon and Han were crowned "King and Queen of Peace" in a ceremony held in a United States federal office building in Washington D. C.[60][61][62] More than 12 United States lawmakers were in attendance.[60][61][62] The event met with widespread media criticism as a violation of the principle of separation of church and state in the United States.[60][61][62]

Increasing influence

In 1992 Moon increased Han's position of authority within the Unification Church, and announced: "True Mother was elevated to True Father's level horizontally."[4] Hak Ja Han has been Moon's successor designate as leader of the Unification Church since 1993.[1][6] Massimo Introvigne of the Center for Studies on New Religions writes in The Unification Church (2000): "The issue of succession is now of fundamental importance. The Reverend Moon will be eighty years old (by Korean age calculations, he turned eighty in 1999) in 2000. Mrs. Moon is fifty-seven years old. Since 1992 she has taken a more visible role, particularly in three world speaking tours in 1992, 1993, and 1999. Mrs. Moon has also spoken on Capitol Hill, at the United Nations, and in other parliaments around the world. Her relative youth and the respect with which she is held by the membership may be a point of stability for the Unification movement."[63][10] George D. Chryssides writes in Exploring New Religions (2001) that Han's importance with the church continues to grow.[64] Authors James R. Lewis and Jesper Aagaard Petersen write in Controversial New Religions (2005) that she "has exercised increasing influence in the Unification Church".[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Lewis, James R. (2005). Controversial New Religions. Oxford University Press US. pp. 43–44, 48–49. ISBN 9780195156829. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ Miller, Timothy (1995). America's alternative religions. SUNY Press. p. 223. ISBN 0791423972.
  3. ^ Lewis, James R (2005). Cults: a reference handbook. ABC-CLIO. p. 171. ISBN 1851096183.
  4. ^ a b Fisher, Marc (November 24, 1997). "Stymied in U.S., Moon's Church Sounds a Retreat". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. p. A1. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ a b Partridge, Christopher Hugh (2005). Introduction to world religions. Fortress Press. p. 442. ISBN 0800637143.
  6. ^ a b Edwards, Linda (2001). A Brief Guide to Beliefs: Ideas, Theologies, Mysteries, and Movements. Westminster John Knox Press. p. 402. ISBN 0664222595.
  7. ^ a b Cuda, Amanda (December 28, 2004). "Event works for understanding through friendships". Connecticut Post. p. Section: Womanwise.
  8. ^ a b c Peterson, Thair (March 21, 1998). "Bridging the Interracial Gap". Long Beach Press-Telegram. p. A3.
  9. ^ a b c d Staff (June 19, 1993). "Moon's wife to speak in Lawrence". The Kansas City Star. The Kansas City Star Co. p. E10.
  10. ^ a b Introvigne, Massimo (2000). The Unification Church (Studies in Contemporary Religions, 2). Signature Books. pp. 11, 33–34. ISBN 1560851457.
  11. ^ a b Cowan, Douglas E. (2007). Cults and New Religions: A Brief History (Blackwell Brief Histories of Religion). Blackwell Pub. pp. 96, 103. ISBN 1405161272. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ Staff (April 26, 2008). "Life and times". The Guardian. Guardian Newspapers Ltd.
  13. ^ Pollack, Andrew (September 15, 1995). "Bushes speak at Tokyo rally of group linked to Moon church". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2009-03-23. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  14. ^ Nahm, Andrew C (1988). Korea: Tradition and Transformation — A History of the Korean People. Elizabeth, NJ: Hollym International. pp. 33–34. ISBN 0930878566.
  15. ^ See sources:
    Losch, Richard R. (2002). The Many Faces of Faith: A Guide to World Religions and Christian Traditions. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. p. 63. ISBN 0802805213.
    Alexander, Delroy (November 5, 2006). "Rev. Moon and the black clergy - Taking down the cross (and taking trips) part of an unlikely alliance with local pastors". Chicago Tribune. Chicago Tribune Company. p. 1. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ See sources:
    Staff (April 26, 2008). "Life and times". The Guardian. Guardian Newspapers Ltd.
    Cook, James I. (1985). The Church speaks: papers of the Commission on Theology, Reformed Church in America, 1959-1984. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. p. 161. ISBN 9780802801654. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
    Krasnow, Iris (May 26, 1984). "Sun Myung Moon followers see no dark side even if their leader is jailed". United Press International. p. Section: Washington News, BC cycle.
    United Press International staff (May 14, 1984). "Personality Spotlight; Rev. Sun Myung Moon: Controversial religious leader". United Press International. p. Section: Domestic News, BC cycle.
    Ankerberg, John (1999). Encyclopedia of cults and new religions: Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism, Mind Sciences, Baha'i, Zen, Unitarianism. Harvest House Publishers. p. 486. ISBN 0736900748. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ See sources:
    Larson, Bob (2004). Larson's Book of World Religions and Alternative Spirituality. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. p. 503, 506. ISBN 9780842364171.
    Bloesch, Donald G. (2005). The Holy Spirit: Works & Gifts. InterVarsity Press. p. 166. ISBN 0830827552.
    Melton, J. Gordon (1978). The Encyclopedia of American Religions. McGrath Pub. Co. p. 226.
    Goldsmith, Steven (September 18, 1995). "Former Moon Disciple Charges Mind-Control: Church Admits It Made 'Mistakes'". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. p. A6. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
    Rifkin, Ira (Religion News Service) (August 3, 1996). "Moon's meeting includes religious conservatives". St. Petersburg Times. pp. 5, 9B.
  18. ^ a b Wallis, David (2004). Killed: Great Journalism Too Hot To Print. Nation Books. p. 151. ISBN 1560255811.
  19. ^ Bowie, Fiona (1997). The Coming Deliverer: Millennial Themes in World Religions. University of Wales Press. p. 210. ISBN 0708313388. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ Allitt, Patrick (2005). Religion in America Since 1945: A History. Columbia University Press. p. 146. ISBN 0231121555.
  21. ^ Keller, Rosemary Skinner (2006). Encyclopedia of Women and Religion in North America. Indiana University Press. p. 789. ISBN 0253346878. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ Larson, Bob (2004). Larson's Book of World Religions and Alternative Spirituality. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. p. 503, 506. ISBN 9780842364171.
  23. ^ Staff (September 29, 2005). "Visiting Rev. Moon promotes spiritual 'U.N.'". Seattle Post Intelligencer. Retrieved 2009-04-21.
  24. ^ Briggs, Ed (August 1, 1993). "Mrs Moon and Perfect Parents - Church Leader Talks of New Era and Love". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Richmond Newspapers, Inc. p. B7.
  25. ^ a b Hong, Nansook (1998). In the Shadow of the Moons: My Life in the Reverend Sun Myung Moon's Family. Little, Brown. pp. 6, 103. ISBN 0-316-34816-3.
  26. ^ Morphew, Clark (October 4, 1998). "Former Moon Family Member Chronicles Abuse, Corruption In Book". St. Paul Pioneer Press. p. 3G.
  27. ^ Morphew, Clark (October 10, 1998). "Daughter-in-law flees abuse by Moon family". Columbia Daily Tribune.
  28. ^ Wallace, Mike (1998-09-20). "Interview with Nansook Hong". 60 Minutes. CBS News.
  29. ^ iht.com/articles, Unification Church founder Sun Myung Moon released from hospital after helicopter crash
  30. ^ Account of crash by the Moons' youngest son
  31. ^ Unification Church founder Sun Myung Moon, 15 others injured in helicopter crash Herald Tribune, July 19, 2008
  32. ^ kfvs12.com, Unification Church founder released from hospital
  33. ^ NTSB Sends Team To Investigate Korean S-92A Downing Aero-News Network, July 21, 2008
  34. ^ Sewell, Rhonda B. (February 28, 2003). "Korean Culture Takes the Stage". The Blade. p. D11. The colors, sounds, and heritage of South Korea will come alive tonight as the Little Angels, an all-girls Korean folk ballet company, performs in the Ritz Theatre in Tiffin. ... The company was founded in 1962 by the Rev. Sun Myung Moon and his wife, Hak Ja Han, as a way to project a positive image of the country...
  35. ^ Isifoff, Michael (September 17, 1984). "Church Spends Millions On Its Image". Washington Post. Retrieved 2009-11-20.
  36. ^ a b c Mobile Register staff (July 30, 2000). "Parents Day shows links of Moon's church to GOP". Mobile Register. p. A9.
  37. ^ "Pages from Ginsburg #133" (PDF). Ethics and Public Policy Center.
  38. ^ Holy Days and Holidays, Chung Hwan Kwak
  39. ^ Staff (August 14, 2006). "Moonies show way to peace, says Tapsell". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 2009-04-21.
  40. ^ 28,000 Couples Gather for Rev. Moon Rites, New York Times, November 30, 1997
  41. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/641588.stm, BBC, February 13, 2000
  42. ^ a b Bainbridge, William Sims (1997). The Sociology of Religious Movements. Routledge. pp. 203–205. ISBN 0415912024.
  43. ^ a b Shupe, Anson D. (1998). Religion, mobilization, and social action. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 211, 213. ISBN 0275956253. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  44. ^ a b Bonham, Nicole A. (June 5, 1993). "Moon's Wife Urges Utah Women To Unite Family Against Corruption". The Deseret News. Deseret News Publishing Company. p. A8.
  45. ^ Graham, Jennifer (July 16, 1993). "Rev. Moon's Wife to Speak: Activist Will Stump for World Peace Saturday at Fairgrounds". The State. p. 2B.
  46. ^ a b Fehrnstrom, Eric (August 13, 1993). "Moon burns Dem pol Citation for cult leader's wife rapped". Boston Herald. p. 5.
  47. ^ a b Bouza, Tony. The Decline And Fall Of The American Empire: Corruption, Decadence, And The American Dream. p. 187. ISBN 0306454076.
  48. ^ Pollack, Andrew (The New York Times) (September 4, 1995). "Moonie Link Casts Pall on Bush Trip: Some Japanese View Coming Visit as Giving Legitimacy to Church". Rocky Mountain News. p. 43A.
  49. ^ Sullivan, Kevin (September 6, 1995). "Moon Group Paying Bush For Speeches - Foes of Church Criticize Japan Tour". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. p. A25. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  50. ^ Goldsmith, Steven (September 19, 1995). "Moon Brings Message of Family Love - Touring Evangelist Sees Cure For World Problems". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. p. B1.
  51. ^ a b Sullivan, Kevin (September 15, 1995). "Bush Stresses Family In Tokyo Speech - Former President Addresses Followers of Unification Church Leader's Wife". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. p. A27.
  52. ^ Staff (September 17, 1995). "SEPT. 10-16; Mr. Bush's Asian Tour". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-04-21.
  53. ^ Staff (September 19, 1995). "Moon Brings Message of Family Love - Touring Evangelist Sees Cure For World Problems". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  54. ^ Maynard, Steve (October 19, 1996). "Wife of Rev. Sun Myung Moon to Speak". The News Tribune. p. B2.
  55. ^ a b Lattin, Don (October 31, 1996). "Rev. Moon Tries to Go Mainstream - Conferences draw blacks, GOP leaders". San Francisco Chronicle. The Chronicle Publishing Co. p. A1.
  56. ^ Chryssides, George D. (2006). A reader in new religious movements. Continuum International Publishing Group. p. 20. ISBN 0826461689. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  57. ^ Gallagher, Eugene V. (2006). Introduction to New and Alternative Religions in America. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 43. ISBN 0275987124. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  58. ^ a b c d e f Fisher, Marc (July 30, 1996). "Celebrities Pulled Into Moon's Orbit - Speakers Unaware of Conclave's Cult Link". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. p. E1.
  59. ^ a b c d Fisher, Marc (August 1, 1996). "Bill Cosby, Scowling At The Moons - Unsmiling Comic Performs At Church-Related Forum". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. p. C1.
  60. ^ a b c Babington, Charles (2004). "The Rev. Moon Honored at Hill Reception - Lawmakers Say They Were Misled". The Washington Post. pp. A01. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  61. ^ a b c "Lawmakers Say They Were Duped Into Role At Moon Coronation". Americans United for Separation of Church and State. July/Aug 2004. Retrieved 2009-04-21. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  62. ^ a b c Staff (June 25, 2006). "Pollies parade for Moon the Messiah". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2009-04-21.
  63. ^ Massimo Introvigne, From the Unification Church to the Unification Movement, 1994–1999: Five Years of Dramatic Changes (1999) Center for Studies on New Religions.
  64. ^ Chryssides, George D. (2001). Exploring New Religions. Continuum International Publishing Group. p. 134. ISBN 0826459595.
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