On July 5^th, 8 am (local time) we gathered at the Nonghang Pattiya School in Kuchinarai, Kalasin in Thailand. Although it is holiday morning, the school is in a festive mood. Traditional music is echoing in the open air hallway, and the dance group dressed in traditional clothes was dancing on the stage in the front of the ornately decorated hall. During the performances, which lasted for about an hour, more than 500 villagers dressed up in traditional clothes, from children holding their parents’ hands to elderly couples, packed into the hall.

They have come to attend the Blessing Ceremony of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (former Unification Church, hereafter Family Federation). The “Blessing Ceremony” is a rite of passage to become a member of the Family Federation and a sort of marriage ceremony. From a religious perspective, it is like “Baptism.” The President of Family Federation Thailand Rev. Kamol Thananopavarn (43) said, “You must become a ‘Blessed Family’ through the Blessing Ceremony in order to become a member of the Family Federation, but even if you do not become a member, anyone can attend the Blessing Ceremony because it is open to all as a part of our interreligious movement.”

Although it was an event hosted by a religious group, the local government bore the entire budget. Rev. Kamol explained, “The government of Thailand gives us active support because they understand the genuineness of the Family Federation’s ‘Save the Family Movement.’” He also said, “This is the third Blessing Ceremony held in the Kalasin province consisting of 12 counties; however, we are planning to hold Blessing Ceremonies in all 12 counties by the end of the year.”... [See the original story]