Religious Confrontation

To the Editors of The Crimson:

In the history of a religious community, events in the life of the founder become paradigmatic for succeeding generations. For the early followers of Jesus, martyrdom itself became a prominent form of imitatio Christi. So I, as a doctoral student in comparative religion at harvard Divinity School and a Unification Church member, sat in the courtroom during Rev. Moon's arraignment in Manhattan yesterday, pondering the religious significance of this event.

First, the fact of the arraignment itself, in the context of perceived persecution the charges of tax fraud, the counter-charges of character assassination. Such confrontation easily leads to perceptions a) by "moonies" of the institutions of the wider society as fundamentally hostile and b) by others of moonies as social outcasts, or worse. This kind of clash is rather the rule in the establishment of new religious movements and thus persecution necessarily leads to retreat into a "fortress mentality." In the case of Rev. Moon--just the opposite!

Rev. Moon freely returned to this country to face charges; on first appearing in the courtroom, he strode confidently to shake hands with his accusers and then turned to greet the press and spectators. After the proceedings, he addressed a rally of 2500 Church members and friends outside, stating his respect for America and trust in judicial due process. The attitude expressed by Rev. Moon himself runs counter to the formation of fortress mentality and may instead become a paradigm for working within the system as the future mode of the Unification religious community.

Those who hope that attacks on Rev. Moon will destroy his religious movement are likely to be disappointed. The history of religion shows repeatedly that the fate of the founder may transform the faith of the community, unleashing new vitality (Even the apostasy of Sabbetai Zevi [17th c.] did not squelch his movement).

On the personal side: those who are shocked by the "dancing in the streets" in some countries celebrating the assassination of Anwar Sadat, can imagine the dismay of Unification Church members at the glee which often accompanies the vilification of Rev. Moon. As for the charges themselves, the court must decide upon their merits. I believe he will be found innocent. As for me, I felt indicted with him.

Thomas W. Selover

Harvard Divinity School