The second generation of the Unification Church, a New Religious Movement of the late twentieth century, must decide whether to be members under different circumstances than those facing the first generation. As Dr. James Grace studied in his 1985 book, Sex and Marriage in the Unification Movement: A Sociological Study,…
The second generation of the Unification Church, a New Religious Movement of the late twentieth century, must decide whether to be members under different circumstances than those facing the first generation. As Dr. James Grace studied in his 1985 book, Sex and Marriage in the Unification Movement: A Sociological Study, the Church's practice of arranged marriage directly contributed to the first generation's participation. I interview six "second gen" and their parents about their relationship to the Church and its marriage practices. By comparing the second gen interviews to Dr. Grace's results, I discover that the same centripetal factors that encouraged first generation participation can both encourage and discourage involvement among the second generation. Though a small sample, the six second gens' personal histories also suggest new trends in the evolving Church, like a rebellion against the stringent expectations of sexual and romantic abstinence and the continuing appeal of arranged marriage for atheist or less involved members. For such a small and fledgling movement the retention of members is essential to perpetuation, as is inheritance by the second generation of the Church's leadership. Understanding how the second generation may be retained or repelled allows us to understand the ways that the Unification Church is still a critique and rejection of American religion and romantic culture.
The ASU School of Dance presents Fall Graduate Concert, October 29, with works by MFA students Rebecca Blair Hillerby, Micaela Church, Emily Newman, Karryn Allen, Rebecca A. Ferrell, Ashlee Ramsey, John Leonard, and Randi L. Frost, performed at the Dance Studio Theatre.
The ASU School of Dance presents Emerging Artists I, October 8-10, with works by dance MFA candidates Randi L. Frost, Emily Spranger, and Omilade Davis, performed at the Dance Lab, FAC 122.
The ASU School of Dance presents Graduate Choreography Show, November 16-17, with works by dance graduate students, performed at the Margaret Gisolo Dance Studio.
The ASU School of Dance presents Grad Project Presentations, March 30-31, with works by dance graduate students, performed at the Margaret Gisolo Dance Studio.