Ep 5. World Peace and Unification Sanctuary

In season 1 episode 5 of Cults and Extreme Belief, titled "World Peace and Unification Sanctuary," viewers are introduced to a controversial religious group known as the Unification Church. Led by Korean-born Sun Myung Moon, the Unification Church has been accused of brainwashing and manipulating its members in order to exert control over their lives.

The episode focuses specifically on the Unification Church's subsidiary group, the World Peace and Unification Sanctuary, also known as the Sanctuary Church. This group has been in the news recently for its promotion of gun ownership and its belief that the Second Amendment guarantees the right to own and carry weapons, even in church.

The episode takes viewers inside the world of the Sanctuary Church, as cult expert Elizabeth Vargas and her team interview former members and explore the group's ideology and practices. Some former members speak out about their experiences, describing how they were pressured to donate large sums of money to the church and how they were isolated from friends and family outside of the group.

One former member, a woman named Rachel, describes how she was sent to live in the church's communal dorms for a year, where she was expected to follow strict rules and attend numerous church functions. She explains that she was not allowed to leave the dorm except for certain occasions, and that her phone and internet access were monitored by church leaders.

The episode also explores the Sanctuary Church's belief in the divine nature of its leader, Sean Moon, who succeeded his father as head of the Unification Church. Members are expected to follow Sean Moon's teachings and directives without question, and some former members describe him as a controlling and manipulative figure.

But perhaps the most controversial aspect of the Sanctuary Church's beliefs is its support for gun ownership. The church has held numerous "blessing ceremonies" in which members bring their weapons to be blessed by church leaders. In some cases, members have brought assault rifles or other weapons that are usually prohibited in public spaces.

The episode includes footage of one such ceremony, in which dozens of church members stand in a circle holding various firearms as Sean Moon conducts a prayer. Some former members and critics of the church argue that this practice is dangerous and irresponsible, and that it could potentially lead to violence.

Throughout the episode, Vargas and her team also explore the broader issue of religious extremism and its potential dangers. They interview experts in the field who warn about the dangers of cults and other groups that exert undue influence over their members.

Overall, "World Peace and Unification Sanctuary" offers a fascinating and sometimes disturbing glimpse into the world of the Sanctuary Church and its controversial beliefs. Viewers are left to ponder the question of where to draw the line between religious freedom and public safety, and whether or not groups like the Sanctuary Church should be allowed to exist and operate in society.