In Defense of New Alternative Religions
I have to object to parts of the article on “cults”--which is an unfair label to begin with. The Romans used to call Judaism and Christianity “Oriental cults.” It is doubly unfair when you lump all the new religious movements with the likes of Jim Jones. There are many constructive new religious movements that answer real needs, working to solve the increasing problems of moral and family breakdown that lead to other problems such as drugs and crime.
The Unification Church, of which I have been a member for 16 years, is one of those constructive groups. It is irresponsible to use guilt by association by putting the Rev. Moon’s picture next to a scene from Jonestown.
Media coverage of our church has improved since 1977, and thus it would be sad to see a regression by The Times to modern-day McCarthyism. My children will be attending school soon, and in this day and age it would be tragic to see them persecuted for their family’s religious background.
MARK ALEXANDER
Los Angeles
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
