'This is a powder keg': AR-15-loving church aligning itself with the far right as it grows

According to a report from Business Insider, the Rod of Iron ministry that worships the AR-15 and is decidedly pro-Donald Trump, is increasingly aligning itself with far-right figures as evidenced by a recent "Freedom Festival" that it sponsored in Greeley, Pennsylvania.

As reported by Business Insider's Alia Shoiab, 42-year-old Pastor Sean Moon who heads the ministry that also goes by the name "The World Peace and Unification Sanctuary Church," gave a speech to the rally attendees who also were treated to taped messages from former NRA spokesperson Dana Loesch as well as ex-White House advisor Steve Bannon who is being investigated for his part in the Jan 6th Capitol insurrection.

Writing, "The founder of the far-right group Patriot Prayer Joey Gibson was billed as MC for the event's music festival and awards ceremony," Shoiab added, "The speeches primarily revolved around popular right-wing talking points; false claims about the 2020 election was rigged, anti-vaxx commentary, fervent warnings about a nefarious deep state plotting to take away American liberties."

Noting that Sean Moon's father was the famous Reverend Sun Myung Moon, founder of the Unification Church who hobnobbed with Republican presidents including Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, Shoiab reports that the younger Moon has spent time with Don Trump Jr. and also attended the "Stop the Steal " rally that preceded the Capitol riot, adding that "this year, former President Donald Trump spoke at an event in praise of the church on the anniversary of 9/11."

According to former Unification Church member Steven Hassan, he sees a growing threat as the younger Moon's church grows and builds alliances.

"This is a powder keg. When you combine fanatics with people who own a gun factory, I'm very worried," he told Business Insider.

"I was trained in my mind as a Moonie leader to die on command and kill on command," he continued. "Moon himself told us that democracy was Satanic, that a theocracy had to be put in place. We were told we need to infiltrate the government."

"They apparently are training for armed conflict in the streets. It's very concerning," he added.