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International Business Times
09-07-2025
- International Business Times
Shincheonji Church Challenges Media Portrayal Amid Allegations of Bias and Misrepresentation
The Shincheonji Church of Jesus in France has publicly criticized a recent newspaper article, which misrepresented its practices and harmed its reputation. In a detailed statement, the religious group accused the unnamed local publication of publishing a one-sided narrative that relied heavily on anonymous former members' accounts while minimizing the church's responses. The contentious article, titled "They Treated Us Like Animals," described the church as a "problematic evangelical group" and included allegations of strict training camps, isolation from personal relationships, and financial demands. Shincheonji leaders rejected these claims as "completely false," asserting that the piece omitted nearly all of their submitted rebuttal. A representative noted that the church had provided a multi-thousand-character response to 12 pre-submitted questions from the journalist, yet only two sentences were published. "This represents less than 1% of our full explanation," the spokesperson said, calling the omission a barrier to balanced public understanding. Current members also defended the church's practices. Teresa, 29, a Paris-based attendee for six years, described her experience as voluntary and enriching. "Through this church, I came to truly understand God and learned how to act as a light in the world," she said. Axel, 30, echoed her sentiments, stating his faith helped him find life's purpose and build meaningful relationships, including meeting his wife within the congregation. The church specifically refuted claims of controlling members' personal lives. Regarding an allegation that a woman was pressured to end a relationship, leaders clarified that both individuals were congregants exploring marriage, but the separation resulted from personal readiness discussions, not church intervention. "Romantic decisions are based on individual autonomy," the statement emphasized. Similarly, accusations of data collection and internet restrictions were dismissed as baseless, with the church affirming it only collects minimal information for spiritual guidance and encourages members to maintain family and community ties. The article's headline drew particular ire. "No one has ever been treated in such a way," the church said, calling the phrase "They Treated Us Like Animals" sensationalist and damaging. Leaders stressed their policy against stigmatizing former members, noting a "culture of respecting personal choice" even after departure. This dispute highlights broader tensions between religious groups and media representation. Shincheonji's call for "fair media practices" highlights concerns that unbalanced reporting risks fostering prejudice and eroding religious freedoms. Media ethics experts often note that coverage of minority faiths can disproportionately amplify negative anecdotes, overshadowing the lived experiences of active members. While accountability for religious institutions remains critical, the case raises questions about how outlets balance investigative rigor with equitable representation, a challenge intensified by the rise of polarized narratives in modern journalism. The church has urged the media to avoid "sensational, hate-inducing narratives" and instead foster dialogue grounded in mutual respect. As debates over religious tolerance and press responsibility continue, the incident serves as a reminder of journalism's power to shape public perception and the consequences when trust in that power falters.
News18
08-07-2025
- Business
- News18
Asia's Most Atheist Nation? Why South Koreans Are Turning Away From Religion
South Korea, known for tech giants and luxury cars, is becoming one of the world's most irreligious societies, with nearly 60% unaffiliated due to modernisation and disillusionment In the heart of Asia, a country known for its global tech giants, luxury car brands, and record-breaking internet speeds is quietly leading another revolution, i.e. a mass departure from religion. South Korea, one of the most economically advanced nations, is emerging as one of the world's most irreligious societies, with nearly 60% of its population now unaffiliated with any religion, according to data available up to 2024. This dramatic shift didn't happen overnight. Decades of modernisation, disillusionment with religious institutions, and a generational change in values have slowly but firmly eroded the influence of organised religion in South Korean society. South Korea's religious landscape has undergone a seismic transformation. Once a society deeply shaped by Buddhism and later Christianity, the country has seen a steady decline in religious affiliation. Today, only about 31% of South Koreans identify as Christians, with Protestants making up 20% and Catholics 11%, while around 17% practice Buddhism. The rest, a clear majority, declare no religious ties whatsoever. What sets South Korea apart is not just the percentage of non-believers, but the voluntary and conscious nature of their choice. Religious disinterest isn't a product of government repression, as in North Korea, where all forms of open worship are effectively banned. Instead, it reflects a broad societal shift driven by complex cultural, political, and economic factors. The roots of South Korea's religious decline lie in its meteoric economic rise. Over the past five decades, the country has transformed from a war-torn economy to a high-tech powerhouse. That rapid industrialisation brought with it sweeping urbanisation, weakening the grip of traditional institutions, including religious ones. In modern South Korea, the youth are hyper-focused on education, careers, and navigating one of the most competitive societies in the world. Long working hours, high academic pressure, and a digital-first lifestyle have made religious rituals feel outdated and impractical. Many young South Koreans now identify as 'spiritual but not religious," open to metaphysical ideas but skeptical of organised religion. Adding to the disillusionment is the credibility crisis facing South Korea's religious leaders. Scandals involving high-profile churches, especially among Protestant megachurches, have shaken public trust. Accusations of tax evasion, embezzlement, and even sexual abuse have emerged repeatedly in recent decades. One major turning point was the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020, when the secretive Shincheonji Church of Jesus was linked to a massive coronavirus cluster. The group was accused of withholding information from authorities, fuelling nationwide outrage and further deepening public suspicion toward religious organisations. Buddhism, too, has struggled to maintain relevance. Though historically significant, the number of its followers has been shrinking since the early 2000s, and the rise of commercialised 'temple tourism" has further diluted its spiritual core in the public eye. Religion's role in politics has also contributed to its waning influence. During the 1980s and 1990s, after South Korea transitioned to democracy, several Christian leaders gained prominence, including Protestant Kim Young-sam and Catholic Kim Dae-jung. Large churches began aligning with political parties, funding campaigns and lobbying for influence. However, this entanglement backfired. Instead of gaining power, religious institutions lost credibility. Their perceived interference in governance and their own internal scandals turned voters away. Attempts by political parties to build religious vote banks were met with resistance by a population increasingly wary of mixing faith with statecraft. Now, South Korean democracy is marked by a clear separation between religion and politics, a separation that citizens seem determined to preserve. South Korea's secular surge is unique in Asia, where most countries still have strong religious traditions. Even neighbouring Japan, which is often viewed as secular, still retains large pockets of religious and spiritual practices blended into daily life. North Korea, by contrast, enforces atheism through authoritarian rule, punishing religious activity with harsh penalties. Yet, South Korea's atheism is not imposed; it's chosen. Much like nations such as Sweden or the Netherlands, where religion has gradually faded into the cultural background, South Korea is moving toward a similar future. First Published: July 08, 2025, 20:49 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Korea Herald
26-06-2025
- Korea Herald
Escort convoy and court perks: Shincheonji founder faces new criticism
Lee Man-hee escorted by private convoy to control traffic, attends court-mandated education tailored solely for him, local report says Lee Man-hee, the 93-year-old founder and leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, is facing criticism after a local TV station revealed that he used personal security staff to control traffic and allegedly received preferential treatment during court-ordered education sessions. According to an exclusive report by JTBC on Thursday, Lee organized a private convoy unit known as the 'Volunteer Traffic Department,' enlisting male Shincheonji members with strong driving skills to escort his vehicle using motorcycles. The exact period during which this operation took place was not disclosed. The convoy members, despite having no legal authority, blocked civilian vehicles from passing. On one occasion, they stopped an oncoming car to allow Lee's car to make a U-turn. The motorcycles were equipped with red and blue sirens, causing ordinary citizens to believe high-ranking government officials were passing by, a Shincheonji insider told JTBC. Under Article 39 of the country's Road Traffic Act, only emergency vehicles, including police cars and ambulances, are permitted to use sirens. Violators may face a fine of up to 3 million won ($2,211). The report said Lee, after experiencing police escort services during a visit to the Philippines in 2016, decided to form his own private convoy team here. His attempts to receive special treatment continued even during mandatory education sessions imposed by the court for convicted offenders, JTBC reported. In August 2022, the controversial head of the messianic religious sect was handed a three-year prison term, suspended for five years, after being convicted of embezzlement and obstruction of business. He was found to have misappropriated over 5 billion won in church funds while building Shincheonji's training center, known as "Palace of Peace," in 2014, and to have held religious events in public venues without approval from local governments between 2015 and 2019. The court found him not guilty of conspiring with church officials to downplay the number of members and worship locations reported to health authorities during February 2020, when COVID-19 spread rapidly among the church's followers. At the time, the court ordered him to complete 80 hours of "legal compliance education," which typically requires offenders to gather in a classroom at the Legal Compliance Support Center, operated by the Crime Prevention Policy Bureau under the Ministry of Justice. There, offenders attend lectures by legal experts, take online courses or engage in group discussions, officials said. However, Lee allegedly received all 16 sessions of the education one-on-one in a separate room, with each session conducted not by a professional instructor but by a staff member at the Legal Compliance Support Center. He even had a foldable bed set up in the room, the insider said. Regarding allegations of special treatment for Lee during the sessions, the Justice Ministry told JTBC that he had health issues and that there were concerns someone with a personal connection to him might attempt to harm him during the program.
Malaysian Reserve
19-05-2025
- General
- Malaysian Reserve
Seismic Shift in Korean Churches? Pastors Flock to Verify Shincheonji's Teachings
ANAHEIM, Calif., May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A major Bible seminar hosted by Chairman Man Hee Lee of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony drew over 500 pastors on May 17 at the Shincheonji Peace Training Center in Cheongpyeong, Gyeonggi Province. Originally planned for 200 participants, the seminar had to move outdoors to accommodate the unexpected turnout. Titled 'Bible Seminar on the Fulfillment of Revelation,' the event reflected growing interest in Shincheonji's teachings among pastors, even those who had previously regarded the group as heretical. At the seminar, Chairman Lee testified to the prophecies and fulfillment of all 22 chapters of Revelation. He shared how he came to faith without formal theological training and why he now preaches the fulfillment of Revelation as witnessed firsthand. 'Everyone wants to go to heaven and gain eternal life, but Revelation warns that altering the text leads to curses and prevents entry into heaven (Revelation 22:18–19). Shouldn't this be addressed?' Lee emphasized, 'What I intend to convey is the reality of the prophecies recorded from Revelation chapter 1 to 22—what I have seen and now testify to.' 'Let's put aside pride and think objectively. Be honest with yourself. More than anything, be confident that you are worthy of entering heaven,' Lee added. 'Is belonging to a traditional denomination what makes one orthodox? Jesus didn't belong to any denomination of his time. We must know the Bible clearly. If anything I've said is wrong, please point it out.' Many pastors were reportedly shocked by Lee's ability to explain the entire Book of Revelation without opening a Bible, despite lacking formal theological education. One pastor who had previously considered Shincheonji a cult said, 'Now that I've examined it for myself, I realize it isn't. If the teachings align with the Bible, we must acknowledge them.' He added, 'We must not repeat the mistake of rejecting God's work, as people did during Jesus' first coming.' As more pastors seek direct verification of Shincheonji's teachings, a shift in perception appears to be spreading across the religious community. According to Shincheonji, 858 Korean churches have signed MOUs for scriptural exchange, and 100 have adopted the Shincheonji name. Chairman Lee concluded, ' Jesus ' promises have always been fulfilled, and Revelation will be no different. Let's become one in the Bible and one family under God.' Shincheonji expects that the rest of 2025 will see an even greater wave of follow-up education and religious change across Korea. Contact: Scott Alwin 626-230-5039 395416@
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Seismic Shift in Korean Churches? Pastors Flock to Verify Shincheonji's Teachings
ANAHEIM, Calif., May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A major Bible seminar hosted by Chairman Man Hee Lee of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony drew over 500 pastors on May 17 at the Shincheonji Peace Training Center in Cheongpyeong, Gyeonggi Province. Originally planned for 200 participants, the seminar had to move outdoors to accommodate the unexpected turnout. Titled "Bible Seminar on the Fulfillment of Revelation," the event reflected growing interest in Shincheonji's teachings among pastors, even those who had previously regarded the group as heretical. At the seminar, Chairman Lee testified to the prophecies and fulfillment of all 22 chapters of Revelation. He shared how he came to faith without formal theological training and why he now preaches the fulfillment of Revelation as witnessed firsthand. "Everyone wants to go to heaven and gain eternal life, but Revelation warns that altering the text leads to curses and prevents entry into heaven (Revelation 22:18–19). Shouldn't this be addressed?" Lee emphasized, "What I intend to convey is the reality of the prophecies recorded from Revelation chapter 1 to 22—what I have seen and now testify to." "Let's put aside pride and think objectively. Be honest with yourself. More than anything, be confident that you are worthy of entering heaven," Lee added. "Is belonging to a traditional denomination what makes one orthodox? Jesus didn't belong to any denomination of his time. We must know the Bible clearly. If anything I've said is wrong, please point it out." Many pastors were reportedly shocked by Lee's ability to explain the entire Book of Revelation without opening a Bible, despite lacking formal theological education. One pastor who had previously considered Shincheonji a cult said, "Now that I've examined it for myself, I realize it isn't. If the teachings align with the Bible, we must acknowledge them." He added, "We must not repeat the mistake of rejecting God's work, as people did during Jesus' first coming." As more pastors seek direct verification of Shincheonji's teachings, a shift in perception appears to be spreading across the religious community. According to Shincheonji, 858 Korean churches have signed MOUs for scriptural exchange, and 100 have adopted the Shincheonji name. Chairman Lee concluded, " Jesus ' promises have always been fulfilled, and Revelation will be no different. Let's become one in the Bible and one family under God." Shincheonji expects that the rest of 2025 will see an even greater wave of follow-up education and religious change across Korea. Contact: Scott Alwin 626-230-5039 395416@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Shincheonji Church of Jesus
