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The Unification Church, or the Unificationism, also known as HAS-UWC (Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity) or 'Moonies' (the term deemed now as disrespectful) but originating from the name of the founder Sun Myung Moon, who set up this Christian religious movement in Northern Korea in 1954 has approximately 3 million followers worldwide. Its existence and popularity are a global phenomenon, interesting not only for sociologists of religion but for politicians, philosophers and people of faith. The impact of this movement and the two-way social change remain a rare subject of study and this paper aims to fill the gaps and to discuss contemporary situation in regards to its followers.

The Unification Church, or the Unificationism, also known as HAS-UWC (Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity) or "Moonies" (the term deemed now as disrespectful) but originating from the name of the founder Sun Myung Moon, who set up this Christian religious movement in Northern Korea in 1954 has approximately 3 million followers worldwide. Its existence and popularity are a global phenomenon, interesting not only for sociologists of religion but for politicians, philosophers and people of faith. The impact of this movement and the two-way social change remain a rare subject of study and this paper aims to fill the gaps and to discuss contemporary situation in regards to its followers.

New religious movements (NRMs) tend to exhibit certain characteristics that change with the arrival of second and subsequent generations. The paper explores some of the internally motivated revisions that may be due to demographic changes or disappointed expectations, and some of the changes brought about through the economic, political, technological, legal and cultural influences from the wider society. Although there are always exceptions, unqualified boundaries tend to become more porous and negotiable as the movements accommodate to the outside world and 'denominationalise'. The paper ends with a brief description of some of the more general changes in 'the cult scene' over the past 40 years.

New religious movements (NRMs) tend to exhibit certain characteristics that change with the arrival of second and subsequent generations. The paper explores some of the internally motivated revisions that may be due to demographic changes or disappointed expectations, and some of the changes brought about through the economic, political, technological, legal and cultural influences from the wider society. Although there are always exceptions, unqualified boundaries tend to become more porous and negotiable as the movements accommodate to the outside world and 'denominationalise'. The paper ends with a brief description of some of the more general changes in 'the cult scene' over the past 40 years

Die gesamte Soziologie - so die These der Autorin - befaßt sich in einer bestimmten Weise damit, wie die Freiheit des einzelnen von der Gesellschaft sowohl beschnitten als auch gefördert wird. Sie stellt einige Verfahren vor, die durch empirische Forschung und nicht so sehr durch abstraktes Raisonieren zu einem besseren Verständnis der dialektischen Beziehung zwischen dem Individuum und der Gesellschaft zu gelangen. Im besonderen wird untersucht, ob eine soziale Gruppe die Freiheit eines Individuums aufheben kann, ohne auf körperlichen Zwang zurückzugreifen, wie häufig behauptet wird; und umgekehrt wird gefragt, welche begründeten Hoffnungen und Chancen der einzelne hat, sich von gesellschaftlichen Zwängen zu befreien. Die Autorin kommt mit ihren Ausführungen zu folgendem "dialektischen" Schluß: Bis zu einem Punkt kann eine religiöse Bewegung, die auf Außenstehende wie ein Käfig wirkt, von ihren Mitgliedern als ein Hafen der Freiheit erfahren werden, die aber schnell die "Freiheit für" neue und reichere Erfahrungen außerhalb der neuen Religionen verspüren. (pre)

The capacity of religious movements to influence individual freedom is explored. Analysis of contemporary literature indicates that public citizens & academics alike support the assertion that novel religious movements brainwash their members, thus constraining their individual freedom. Findings from the author's (1984) study of the Unification Church's ability to restrain new members' capacity to choose are reviewed. It is asserted that religious movements either constrain individual liberty or provide liberation for restrained individuals; ie, religious movements provide members the opportunity to escape life situations & develop particular skills. Nevertheless, it is demonstrated that religious organizations can facilitate nervous breakdowns & require that members unconditionally support a unidimensional religious vision. 14 References. J. W. Parker