Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation Akina Cox - Part 1: Unification Church, Mass Weddings, and Unpaid Labor
Jul 30, 2025
Akina Cox, an artist and writer who grew up in the Unification Church, shares her intriguing journey from devoted follower to critical thinker. She vividly recounts her experience of participating in mass weddings and contrasts the lavish lifestyle of Reverend Moon with the unpaid labor of members. As she delves into her childhood, she reflects on the emotional complexities of cult life and its ties to contemporary political issues. Akina also sheds light on how her college years sparked her doubts about the church's teachings and practices.
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Parents' Unification Church Entry
- Akina Cox's parents joined the Unification Church after being picked up hitchhiking and invited to dinner in the 70s.
- They were searching for world peace during a time of distrust towards government due to the Vietnam War.
Post-War Skepticism Enabled Cult Growth
- The post-WWII era created a cohort skeptical of governments, open to alternative belief systems.
- This dynamic allowed groups like the Unification Church to attract many young people in the 70s.
Mother's Deprogramming Escape Story
- Akina's mother was kidnapped by deprogrammers hired by her family but escaped by jumping off a boat.
- The church marriage legally protected members from further deprogramming attempts by family.