The practice of kidnapping, confining, and “de-converting” members of “cults” has been banned in all democratic countries—except Korea, where some victims died.
South Korea
A Religious Liberty Crisis in Korea. 2. The Korean Anti-Cult Movement
The opposition to “cults” in the country is mostly a fundamentalist Protestant affair focused on preventing “sheep stealing” and competition.
A Religious Liberty Crisis in Korea. 1. “Vicious Raids on Churches”
Churches raided, internationally famous religious leaders mistreated, and religion-based political mobilizations prohibited. What exactly is happening in South Korea?
The Cult of Consensus: Japan’s Anti-Cultists’ Chinese and Western Connections
“Cult” opponents in Japan started networking with China and the American and European anti-cult movement well before the assassination of Shinzo Abe.
Providence Church: Netflix, Usque Tandem? An International Appeal
The leader of the religious movement has been convicted of sexual abuse. However, Netflix also targets innocent, ordinary members, exposing them to discrimination.
South Korea, “God-Man” Huh Kyung-young in Jail: What I Learned When I Interviewed Him
His antics easily expose him to accusations of fraud. Charges of embezzlement of funds and “quasi-coercive sexual assault” are more problematic.
A Candid Look at Shincheonji. 4. Life in Shincheonji
The only religion one joins not through baptism but by passing an exam had to spend decades in confronting a furious opposition.
A Candid Look at Shincheonji. 3. An Original Reading of the Bible
The role of Chairman Lee as the “promised pastor” is at the heart of the movement’s millenarian theology.
A Candid Look at Shincheonji. 2. The Making of a Church
Chairman Lee gathered some 300,000 followers and launched impressive international peace education campaigns. Accusations of having spread COVID-19 were recognized by the courts as false.
A Candid Look at Shincheonji. 1. The Story of Chairman Lee
Sensational accounts of the Korean new religious movement have been published in several countries. The reality is both different and much more interesting.