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Thousands Marry in Mass Moonie Wedding

40,000 gather for blessing of Sun Myung Moon in Korea

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 14, 2009 8:19 AM CDT
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(Newser) – He is nearly 90 years old, but Sun Myung Moon—cult leader, Washington Times founder, self-proclaimed Messiah—can still draw a crowd. The leader of the Unification Church led a mass wedding for some 40,000 people outside of Seoul today, on the campus of, yes, Sun Moon University. It was the largest of the cult's so-called "blessing ceremonies" in a decade, with some couples renewing previous vows and others entering marriages arranged by Moon himself.

The brides, from the US and Europe as well as Korea and Japan, wore white wedding gowns or Japanese kimonos, while the grooms all sported identical black suits, red ties, and white shawls. One Brazilian woman, whose husband was chosen for her by church leaders, was overcome by the event. "It's the realization of a dream I've had for so long," she said. "Taking part in a mass wedding only adds to the profoundness. I barely have the words to describe what I feel."

Couples from around the world participate in a mass wedding ceremony arranged by the Rev. Sun Myung Moon's Unification Church at Sun Moon University south of Seoul, South Korea today.
Couples from around the world participate in a mass wedding ceremony arranged by the Rev. Sun Myung Moon's Unification Church at Sun Moon University south of Seoul, South Korea today.   (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
The 89-year-old Rev. Sun Myung Moon, the founder of the Unification Church, left, and his wife Sun Kil Choi wave during today's mass wedding ceremony.
The 89-year-old Rev. Sun Myung Moon, the founder of the Unification Church, left, and his wife Sun Kil Choi wave during today's mass wedding ceremony.   (AP Photo/ Lee Jin-man)
Brides in white gowns and Japanese kimonos joined grooms in black suits and red ties Wednesday for the Unification Church's biggest mass wedding in a decade.
Brides in white gowns and Japanese kimonos joined grooms in black suits and red ties Wednesday for the Unification Church's biggest mass wedding in a decade.   (AP Photo/ Lee Jin-man)
Couples from around the world cheer up after the mass wedding ceremony at a Sun Moon University in Asan, south of Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009.
Couples from around the world cheer up after the mass wedding ceremony at a Sun Moon University in Asan, south of Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009.   (AP Photo/ Lee Jin-man)
Couples from around the world participate in a mass wedding ceremony arranged by Rev. Sun Myung Moon's Unification Church at Sun Moon University in Asan, south of Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009.
Couples from around the world participate in a mass wedding ceremony arranged by Rev. Sun Myung Moon's Unification Church at Sun Moon University in Asan, south of Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Oct. 14,...   (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Rev. Sun Myung Moon spreads holy waters during a mass wedding ceremony arranged by his Unification Church at Sun Moon University in Asan, south of Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009.
Rev. Sun Myung Moon spreads holy waters during a mass wedding ceremony arranged by his Unification Church at Sun Moon University in Asan, south of Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009.   (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
From South Korea to South America, the brides wore white for the Unification Church's largest mass wedding in a decade, with some 40,000 people participating in dozens of cities around the world.
From South Korea to South America, the brides wore white for the Unification Church's largest mass wedding in a decade, with some 40,000 people participating in dozens of cities around the world.   (AP Photo/ Lee Jin-man)
Groom Manfred Muller, of Germany, takes a picture of his bride Miwhahanna, from Britain, during today's ceremony.
Groom Manfred Muller, of Germany, takes a picture of his bride Miwhahanna, from Britain, during today's ceremony.   (AP Photo/ Lee Jin-man)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
bewilderbeast
Oct 15, 2009 12:46 PM CDT
Does Slung Myung Well Hung get to test the brides first? I mean, if he's recommending them . . .
bewilderbeast
Oct 15, 2009 12:44 PM CDT
Fascinating how "religious" people will make excuses for lies. "Yeah, brother dear, but our lies are somehow KINDER than their lies . . . (oh, there's the collection plate, dear brother)". At least Moon lines them up to get married. The Very Rev Dubya/Cheney lined them up to go get killed.
JoeQ
Oct 14, 2009 6:24 AM CDT
Imagine the mass wedding night.

Seems like only Monday he handed over control of the church to his sons
Associated Press

And let's not forget how much the Washington Times loved his biography
Wonkette

 
marriage • wedding • arranged marriage • Reverend Sun Myung Moon • cult

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