The Kaohsiung attack, which left one seriously injured, occurred after warnings at the UN about the effects of media hate speech targeting the movement.
by Massimo Introvigne
The violent attack on March 8 against two members of the Christian Gospel Mission (CGM), also known as Providence, in Kaohsiung’s Hunei District, Taiwan, raises concerns that go beyond a single criminal incident. Police reports indicate that two CGM devotees, Li (39) and Yang (41), a pastor, had arranged a visit with a man surnamed Lin.
Lin had harassed the missionary group multiple times. However, he was the one who scheduled a meeting with the two CGM members at a laundromat.
Upon meeting, before they could even exchange words, Lin launched an attack. He pulled out a bottle of irritant liquid that he had prepared beforehand and sprayed it into their eyes. When the two were confused and their vision was blurred, he pulled out a hammer from his waistband and started hitting them. Yang’s eyes were injured from the spray, while Li’s head was smashed open, and blood splattered on the wall next to him.
Li’s white shirt was soaked with blood. He was assaulted until he collapsed to the ground. Lin picked up a flowerpot as if to smash him to kill him.
Fortunately, the police arrived at the scene and immediately apprehended him as the perpetrator caught in the act. Following an interrogation, the case was sent to the Qiaotou District Prosecutor’s Office for further investigation on charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault.
I happen to know one of the victims, Li, a physics PhD and university professor. He is a kind, educated, soft-spoken man, and I am sure he did nothing to provoke Lin’s anger.
CGM, founded in South Korea in 1978 by Jung Myung Seok, has grown into a global movement with a noteworthy presence in Taiwan, especially among university students. Jung’s convictions in 2008 and 2023 on charges of sexual abuse are publicly known, though many CGM members believe he was wrongfully accused. Regardless of differing opinions on these cases, the main issue is the treatment of ordinary members who are not accused of any wrongdoing. Since the Netflix documentary “In the Name of God” was released in 2023 and its sequel in 2025, CGM has faced intense public scrutiny. Taiwanese scholars have documented instances of harassment and discrimination against CGM-affiliated students and young teachers, particularly women, in educational settings.
These concerns have now reached the international human rights stage. At the current 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, the NGO CAP-LC submitted a written statement warning that stigmatizing minority religions can escalate into physical violence. The statement highlighted that inflammatory media portrayals and hostile public discourse often create an environment where vulnerable individuals may feel justified in acting aggressively toward members of targeted groups. The attack in Kaohsiung occurred only days after this warning was issued.
In cases of violence against members of groups labeled as “cults,” it is common for observers to suggest that the perpetrator had mental health issues. While mental illness can be a factor in some violent incidents, using this explanation alone can overlook broader social dynamics. Individuals with fragile psychological profiles are often the most susceptible to sensationalized narratives. When a religious minority is repeatedly shown as dangerous or deceptive, those predisposed to fear or suspicion may see such portrayals as justification for preemptive or retaliatory action. This does not excuse individuals for violent acts, but it underscores the role of public discourse in shaping perceptions and, in some cases, provoking harmful behavior.
The Kaohsiung incident demonstrates how stigmatization can lead to real-world harm. CGM members in Taiwan have reported increased hostility in recent years, ranging from verbal harassment to institutional discrimination. When a religious minority is framed as suspicious, even without evidence implicating ordinary members, the social environment becomes more accepting of aggression. The attack on Li and Yang seems to fit this pattern. While the legal process will determine the assailant’s guilt, the broader context suggests that the climate of suspicion surrounding CGM, particularly through Netflix’s documentaries, may have enabled such violence.
This incident raises concerns about freedom of religion, media responsibility, and the need for careful public discourse. Members of minority faiths have the right to practice their beliefs peacefully without fear of harassment or violence. Sensationalized portrayals of religious minorities can have unintended consequences, especially when they reach feeble individuals who might interpret them as calls to action. Discussions about controversial religious movements should separate allegations against leaders from the rights of ordinary members. Authorities and civil society organizations may need to monitor and address rising hostility toward minority religious groups to prevent further incidents.
Ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their religious beliefs, can live without fear is crucial for maintaining social unity and upholding fundamental human rights.
Massimo Introvigne (born June 14, 1955 in Rome) is an Italian sociologist of religions. He is the founder and managing director of the Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR), an international network of scholars who study new religious movements. Introvigne is the author of some 70 books and more than 100 articles in the field of sociology of religion. He was the main author of the Enciclopedia delle religioni in Italia (Encyclopedia of Religions in Italy). He is a member of the editorial board for the Interdisciplinary Journal of Research on Religion and of the executive board of University of California Press’ Nova Religio. From January 5 to December 31, 2011, he has served as the “Representative on combating racism, xenophobia and discrimination, with a special focus on discrimination against Christians and members of other religions” of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). From 2012 to 2015 he served as chairperson of the Observatory of Religious Liberty, instituted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to monitor problems of religious liberty on a worldwide scale.
