Wellington man who left 'manipulative' Shincheonji cult issues warning to others

Tommy Livingston
Stuff
September 27, 2019

A warning has been issued over a "deceptive" cult operating in Wellington.

A Wellington man who was part of an apocalyptic cult is warning others about their deceptive recruitment tactics and dangerous teachings.  

The man, who Stuff has chosen not to name, was involved with Shincheonji - also known as the "New Heaven and New Earth" church - until a few weeks ago. 

Concerns were raised last month after it was revealed Shincheonji had been recruiting people in the capital. 

The South-Korean linked group is known for infiltrating churches and university groups using deceptive recruitment techniques.

They teach a distorted Christian theology heavily focused around the end of the world and have been criticised for brainwashing people and breaking apart families. 

Founder of the group Lee Man-Hee professes to be Christ's messenger, and is referred to as "God's advocate" by followers. 

The Wellington man - who is in his early 20s -  joined the group after being invited to a Bible study by a friend earlier this year.

The group, made up of half a dozen people, met regularly at a house in Karori. The majority of members were young professionals. 

The leaders of the group initially seemed normal, and were offering the Bible study to people who wanted to grow in their faith, he said. 

The man believed he was one of a number of people new to the group, and formed friendships with the leaders and other members. 

"Sometimes we just hung out. They seemed like normal, friendly people." 

However, over time the teachings became increasingly twisted and secretive. 

Pastor Nick Field has said there is "no shame" in people admitting they have been caught up in the Shincheonji cult.

None of the leaders had social media accounts or gave away any personal information - including their last names. 

Members were told "to get rid of our own thoughts" before studies and to not tell anyone else about what they were doing. 

They were also encouraged to distance themselves from people not part of the group. 

"We were told not to do outside research because mixing teachings from elsewhere would poison our minds." 

The teaching increasingly focused on the group having exclusive knowledge of the Bible and the true revelation of its meaning. 

This included Lee Man-Hee a prophet appointed by God.
Eventually the leaders revealed they were Shincheonji. Some of the people claiming to be new members of the Bible study were already Shincheonji members, planted to help with the recruitment process, the man said. 

The group revealed they infiltrated churches to "harvest" people and teach them the "truth" about the Bible. 

One of the symbols associated with Shincheonji, also known as the "New Heaven and New Earth" church.

"I was sickened to my stomach at how blatantly manipulative their practices were." 

The man is now wanting to warn others about the group.

"These people seem to know the Bible extremely well. You need to think critically about what they are trying to teach you and be alert.

"If you are involved and want to get out - don't be ashamed."
Senior church leaders throughout Wellington met earlier this month to discuss how to respond to the cult. 

Pastor Nick Field of The Street Church said it seemed Shincheonji had been active in Wellington since last year.
Much of their activity had been based out of the house in Karori and had only fully come to light recently, he said. 

"I have never come across a cult which seems to be as highly organised, systematic and effective in what they are doing," Field said. 

Upwards of 12 members of the The Street congregation had been caught up in the cult, while many more had been approached.  

Those people involved had similar experiences to the man spoken to by Stuff. 

"I am proud of these people who have stepped out of this group and talked to us. There is no shame. There is no embarrassment." 

Leader of Blueprint Church Reverend Scottie Reeve agreed it was important people felt they could leave the group and not be ridiculed. 

He had been in contact with people who were part of Shincheonji, and was offering assistance to anyone who wanted it. 

"We want to be a safe and non-judgement space for people to come and experience faith that is honest, genuine and biblical.

"There is no shame being tricked by someone who is out to trick you." 

When Stuff visited the Karori address a woman said she did not know about Shincheonji. 

Emeritus professor of religious history Peter Lineham previously told Stuff Shincheonji - which he labelled "dangerous" and "deceptive" - could be defined as a cult due to its recruiting techniques.

Shincheonji, which is also known as Shincheonji Church of Jesus the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, or SCJ, has been operating since the 1980s, he said. 

Recruits were told over time that the communities they belonged to were demonic and that had led to people cutting off family members and friends, Lineham said.  

"The essential problem with this group is that they are not honest about who they are," Lineham said.  

"Everybody has the perfect right to believe and follow what they want, but it is a reasonable expectation that groups will be upfront so people are able to make a rational decision when joining."

https://www.stu

ff.co.nz/national/116078477/wellington-man-who-left-manipulative-shincheonji-cult-issues-warning-to-others

Exclusive: Churches warned of 'deceptive cult' linked to South Korea infiltrating congregations

The Telegraph
Harry Farley & John Bingham
10 DECEMBER 2016

Hundreds of British churches, including some of the UK’s largest congregations, have been warned against possible infiltration by a group accused of being a “cult” promoting “control and deception”.

The Church of England has issued a formal alert to almost 500 parishes in London about the activities of the group known as Parachristo.

The organisation, a registered charity, runs Bible study courses at an anonymous industrial unit under a Botox clinic and a personal training company in London Docklands.

But it is understood to be linked to a controversial South Korean group known as Shinchonji (SCJ) – or the “New Heaven and New Earth” church (NHNE) – whose founder Man-Hee Lee is referred to as God’s “advocate”.

It is claimed that some of those who become involved gradually withdraw from friends and family and actively lie about their real lives.

Some are said to have also given up their jobs or university courses. Many have made trips to Korea and Switzerland.

Members of the group, which has links around the world, are alleged to have visited large evangelical congregations in London inviting worshippers to special study groups.

One British man is said to have gone to work with the group full time, sleeping in bunks while telling family and friends he was busy pursuing a high-flying career in the City.

Among churches openly warning parishioners is Holy Trinity Brompton, one of the UK’s biggest congregations, known as the home of the Alpha Course, the short introduction to Christianity which has been used by at least 15 million people.

HTB, as it is commonly known, counts about 4,000 in the pews on a Sunday as well as having “planted” 35 other congregations.

It is regarded as effectively the spiritual home of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, who was a longstanding member before his own ministry.

Parachristo was formally registered with the Charity Commission this summer as a religious organisation operating “throughout England” for the benefit of “mankind”.

Its official aims are stated as advancing Christianity by running Bible classes to “strengthen the commitment of members of the religion” and “enlighten” others.

The group lists a business unit near Canary Wharf in east London as its headquarters, while offering a telephone number which does not operate and a website address which has been “suspended”.

Those who attend its three-month course are not told initially about links with SCJ but the group strongly denies that this is deceptive.

In a message to all clergy in London last month, the Diocese of London’s safeguarding team said there had been complaints about the group, adding “it has been alleged that they have links to a cult”.

A statement from the diocese added: “This group has no connection whatsoever with the Diocese of London and has no authority to promote itself among our churches.

“However, a number of concerns have been raised by parishes about the group’s activities and so a call for vigilance has been issued to all churches in the diocese.”

The Rev Nicky Gumbel, vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton, issued a stark warning to members of his congregation in an email last month calling Parachristo a “cult which has been recruiting from HTB and other churches”.

He added: “We are now in contact with several other churches who have experience of this deceptive and potentially dangerous cult and are aware of others in the UK and around the world.”

The Rev John Peters, rector of St Mary’s London, another prominent evangelical Anglican congregation, posted a warning on his church’s website also openly referring to Parachristo as a “cult” whose members attend other churches to make friends to “hang out” with.

“After the friendship is established they might invite you to a Bible study in Canary Wharf,” he added.

“Over time they begin to advocate beliefs that amount to control and deception.

“A number of members of London churches have been pulled into this cult and gradually they are encouraged to cut all ties with friends and family.”

Approached repeatedly by The Sunday Telegraph about the allegations, the directors of Parachristo replied through their lawyer with a detailed response to a list of questions.

It confirmed that Parachristo shared “the same teaching” as the NHNE church and SCJ.

It added: “Parachristo was set up by members of NHNE church to teach God’s revealed word through the Bible to people.”

While the group does not “instruct” students to attend other churches to invite people on courses, it says they are “free to attend any church they wish … and invite their friends to a Bible study if they wish”.

Asked about people giving up jobs and courses, the statement said: “Our client does not advocate or encourage deception, secrets or lies. This is one of the most common misunderstandings about our client.”

Regarding the use of the word “cult” to refer to Parachristo, it said: “The mission of Parachristo is to spread the word of God.

“Our client feels incredibly disappointed that HTB, which we must assume has the same ultimate aim, has embarked on what appears to be a coordinated campaign against it by using such an emotive and baseless slur.”

The group was also asked at what point the link with SCJ was made clear. It replied that it did not wish to “direct students to … false allegations” about SCJ but that students were informed of the link if they asked.

Pressed on two specific cases involving people telling family elaborate lies to cover up their involvement, Parachristo replied: “Our client’s members’ personal choices are personal to them and our client will not comment upon personal matters regarding members’ private lives.”



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/12/10/exclusive-churches-warned-deceptive-cult-linked-south-korea/