Just a week after the Florida school shooting where 17 people died, hundreds of people bought AR-15 rifles to the building of the World Peace and Unification Sanctuary to renew wedding vows in a 'Perfection Level' blessing.
The Unification Sanctuary group was founded on claims that the current pastor's father, Rev Sun Myung Moon, had an encounter with Jesus at the age of 15. They now refer to Rev Moon as 'True Father'.
This event was pre-planned and featured members wearing crowns with bullets in, women in white and men in suits who told reporters that rifles were "just a form of protection" and that is was a "loving" and "peaceful" ceremony.
Advertising the event on their website, the group wrote: "Blessed couples are requested to bring the accouterments of the nation of Cheon Il Guk, crowns representing the sovereignty of Kings and Queens, and a "rod of iron," designated by the Second King as an AR15 semiautomatic rifle or equivalents such as an AK semiautomatic rifle, representing both the intent and the ability to defend one's family, community and "nation of Cheon Il Guk."
Guests are also informed though that if they cannot "purchase and legally transport such a "rod of iron" because of laws barring the purchase of such weapons, or other reasons, couples are invited to purchase a $700 gift certificate from a gun store, as evidence of their intent to purchase a "rod of iron" in the future."
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