opinion_
Be skeptical
of Moon's church
The Rev. Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church has return
ed to Eugene, the place where their first American church was
founded 24 years ago. Some may say they've returned to the
scene of the crime.
It's not surprising that the Unification Church's first base of
operations in this country was Eugene. The cultural hodge
podge that makes up Eugene is more than able to accommodate
an element like the Unification Church — at least for a time. The
church left Eugene in 1977 after experiencing financial
difficulties.
The Unification Church is back in Eugene as part of a three
year campaign to spread Moon's message — which is to create a
world free of violence, war and hatred.
Who can imagine that?
People and groups don't argue with that message — they
argue with the methods of the church.
The Unification Church sees half the world as controlled by
an atheistic Marxist state. Moon feels that eventually there will
be a confrontation between the Marxists and the Christians.
Moon, according to his followers, sees this as an absolutely
urgent time for America.
Moon's alarmist philosophy and the Unification Church's
vigorous stance against communism is particularly effective in
these times of escalating tensions between communistic and
democratic nations. People see the democratic world as becom
ing weak and crumbling before the juggernaut of communism.
Needless to say, international political tensions cause peo
ple extreme personal anxiety. The tensions make many people
susceptible to any philosophy or religion that promises an ease
from their anxieties.
We have to commend the Unification Church for keeping its
campaign very low-key. They have a videomobile parked in the
campus area. They have set up booths on the downtown mall
and near the University Bookstore. Their intentions are to in
form interested people of Moon's Christian teachings.
It seems that they've just opened the door, but not dragged
people in.
In spite of this unzealous approach the Unification Church
inspires fear in members of this community. An example of this
is a half page ad in the Emerald last week. The ad, placed by the
Office of Student Affairs, cautioned students to "Learn to be a
Questioner.” The ad made no mention of the Unification
Church, but it was obviously a response to its reappearance in
Eugene.
Controversy surrounds the Unification Church and its
methods of recruiting members. The Emerald on Tuesday
published accounts of parents whose children were reportedly
"brain washed" by the Unification Church. We know of no
criminal charges brought against the Unification Church in
response to the alleged "brain washing."
This doesn't mean the accounts of "brain washing" are un
founded. Everyone has read such accounts in both reputable
and disreputable media.
There are numerous reports of parents resorting to
"deprogramming" in order to free their sons and daughters
from the Unification Church.
The church officials say its members are "kidnapped and
violently programmed," while parents say their children are
"brainwashed." A lay-person doesn't really know what to
believe.
There is a consitutional guarantee in this country allowing
individuals to worship whatever faith in whatever fashion they
so choose. In this sense we support the Unification Church — if
only their right to exist.
We recognize the fundamental differences between the
Unification Church and a group like Maranatha, yet wonder why
the Maranatha preachers that harangue students nearly everday
receive much less disapprobation from the University and
community.
Through the ages human beings have endowed everything
from fire to particular people with supranormal, perhaps divine,
properties. People have worshipped weather, animals and all
manner of brightly colored rocks. There's no evidence to sug
gest people have any desire to change.
The Emerald encourages students to be skeptical regarding
the Unification Church. We would encourage the same
skepticism with any other religious or political group. However,
as long as the Unification Church conducts its mission here in
Eugene without any physical force or psychological coercion,
they can park their videomobiles any place they wish.
I
letters policy
The Emerald will attempt to print ail letters containing (air com
ment on topics of interest to the University community.
letters to the editor must be limited to 250 words, typed, signed
and the identification of the writer must be verified when the letter is
turned in. The Emerald reserves the right to edit any letter for length
style or content. '
"Your Turn" is an Emerald opinion feature submitted by
members of the university community "Your Turn" columns must be
limited to 500 words and typed
Letters to the editor and "Your Turn" columns should be turned
into the Emerald office. Suite MO EMU,
I
^ V\
THE IWO-tmAR miSfflNTlNMAL PUGHT
letters
Impeach him
Pres. Ronald Reagan is deceiv
ing the American people. He is
not telling them openly what his
intentions are.
He has declared war in Lebanon
by firing on one side to protect
the other.
He knows that Lebanon's
government has an agreement
with Israel, and that this precludes
any agreement with Syria and
makes war imminent.
He has vilified the Soviet Union
over the Korean airliner incident
in a manner to incite American
hostility toward the Soviets — in
viting retaliation.
He has made some Central
American countries allies of Israel,
thereby promoting war between
those nations, and calls this
"fighting communists.”
Reagan, by his actions, has put
the American people in second
place — for a "higher” goal.
Reagan must be impeached.
Belly Joachim
Convention
Since 1964, the University has
held a simulation of the presiden
tial nominating convention during
presidential election years. This
event has proved to be very rewar
ding and educational, both for the
organizers, the participants, and
for the observers. Since its foun
ding in 1969, the* Political Science
Student Union has played an ac
tive role in the organization and
execution of this event.
Many students have expressed
an interest in holding a simulation
of the Democratic Party's 1984
nominating convention. This
would be an event of major pro
portions, as the organizational
and logistical problems inherent
in this sort of event are enormous.
Yet. while many have expressed
an interest in participating, atten
dance at PSSU meetings to
discuss the event has been
disappointing.
If we are to hold the mock con
vention, we must start planning
now. The PSSU will be meeting
this Thursday at 7 p.m. in EMU
Century Room A. The major pur
pose of this meeting is to find out
how much interest there really is
in holding the convention. Those
who have participated in mock
Senate the past two years know
how much planning needs to go
into such a simulation, yet the
mock convention is vastly larger
than the mock senate course.
I therefore encourage all who
are interested in holding the mock
convention to attend this week's
PSSU meeting. If you can't make it
to the meeting, call the PSSU at
686-4890. If we don't get started on
this soon, we may not get started
at all.
Tom Birkland
director, PSSU
emerald
The Oregon Daily Emerald is published Monday through Fri
day ewepi during exam week and vacations. by the Oregon Daily
V7«fd PuN,'h,n8 Co ■ **,h* Uniw«»V oF Oregon. Eugene. O*.
The Emerald operates independently ol the University with
olhcei on the third Moor ol the Erb Memorial Union and is a
member ol the Associated Press.
Mews and Editorial
Otxplar Advertising and lusiness
Cbsisitied Advertising
Production
Cirodation
Mk-SSIt
Mb-3712
MMM3
UMU1
U4-SSI1
Editor
Managing Editor
News Editor
Assistant News Editor
Editorial Page Editor
Photo Editor
Sports Editor
Sidelines Editor
Entertainment Editor
Assistant Entertainment Editor
Night Editor
Associate Editors
Higher Education
Departments and Schools
Student Government
features
Politics
Community
General Staff
Advertising Manager
Classified Advertising
Production Manager
Controller
Debbie Howlet!
Sandy lohnstone
Frank Shaw
Brenda Thornton
Cort Fernald
Dave Kao
Doug Levy
lohn Healy
Angela Allen Morgan
Kim Carlson
Brooks Dareff
Doug Nash
Melissa Martin
Jim Moore
loan Eterman
Brooks Dareff
Michele Matassa
Darlene Gore
Sally CM jar
Victoria Koch
lean Ownbey