In the sanctuary of world peace and unification, only well-equipped militias can realize the kingdom of God on earth. This small Pennsylvania church prides itself on the disturbing connection between God and guns. In the wake of the Parkland massacre and other related horrors, the church has come under intense scrutiny as a potentially harmful fringe cult. The filmmakers behind The Iron Kingdom delve into the group’s leaders and followers to learn the truth behind their unusual worldview.
These self-proclaimed “judges of the wicked” have only recently taken up arms as a form of religious expression. In December 2017, Pastor Sean Moon, the head of the group, became enlightened. He suggested that references to iron rods in the Bible should be taken literally. The congregation has since used the AR-15 for blessing ceremonies and has dipped every sign and sign of the church in the gun paraphernalia.
Moon movement originated in Korea. It was there that his father founded the church’s first cult decades earlier, and it quickly became the target of FBI investigations and public cult clamor.
The filmmakers spoke to several members of the Moon community, each documenting authenticity. They laugh at the idea of being brainwashed. They see a dangerous world—a world in which moral standards are in a dangerous state of decay—and they see their endorsement of the Second Amendment as merely a logical extension of their beliefs. Loving your neighbors means protecting them at all costs.
Moon himself clearly has the hallmarks of an eccentric performer. He wears camouflage uniforms he bought on eBay and a crown made of semiautomatic shell casings, but he speaks in a much softer, more measured tone when it comes to his church mission. He applauded the Church’s involvement in the political storm of the day and defended himself against the accusations he now faces from critics on the left.
The inner workings of the church create an unusual and often surreal environment. Ultimately, Iron Kingdom questions Moon’s motives for suddenly embracing fierce gun interests in the wake of a recent spate of high-profile mass shootings. Are his beliefs sincere, or is he being made into an arsonist that will draw more attention to his flock?
