09/01/2023
'Lying for God': Former members say Shincheonji cult should lose charity status
By Melanie Earley
Dec 18 2022
Former members of a Korean cult operating in Aotearoa say they were told to âlie for Godâ, and want the group stripped of its charitable status. Melanie Earley reports.
John* and Audrey* describe Shincheonji as âinsidious and deviousâ.
The couple spent two and a half years at the Auckland branch of the Korean religious group, and say they now recognise they were âtrapped in a cultâ.
Theyâre among a number of former members spoken to by Stuff who are concerned to hear Shincheonji is now a registered charity â and they want Charities Services to investigate.
Meanwhile, former members allege they were actively encouraged to obscure the groupâs activities by âlying for Godâ.
Shincheonji explained
Shincheonji disputes being called a cult, and says its practices are âmisunderstoodâ.
The group was founded in 1984 by Lee Man Hee, 91, in South Korea. Itâs known for infiltrating churches and university groups using deceptive recruitment techniques, and has an established presence in New Zealand.
In July, according to the Charities Registerâ, Shincheonji Church of Jesus, under the name Rakau O Te Ora Trust, became a registered charity.
In its charitable purpose outline, it states its purpose is âto advance within New Zealand and Samoa the Christian religion as practised by the body of Christian persons known as the Shincheonji Church of Jesus Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimonyâ.
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertise with Stuff
Shincheonji explained
Shincheonji disputes being called a cult, and says its practices are âmisunderstoodâ.
The group was founded in 1984 by Lee Man Hee, 91, in South Korea. Itâs known for infiltrating churches and university groups using deceptive recruitment techniques, and has an established presence in New Zealand.
In July, according to the Charities Registerâ, Shincheonji Church of Jesus, under the name Rakau O Te Ora Trust, became a registered charity.
In its charitable purpose outline, it states its purpose is âto advance within New Zealand and Samoa the Christian religion as practised by the body of Christian persons known as the Shincheonji Church of Jesus Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimonyâ.
Ex-members of Shincheonji do not believe the group should be a registered charity.
PHIL JOHNSON/STUFF
Ex-members of Shincheonji do not believe the group should be a registered charity.
John says the group has practised âshameless deception and manipulationâ over the years.
âThey should absolutely have this status removed in our view. Contrary to what they say, the group is absolutely a cult.â
A Shincheonji spokeswoman says becoming a registered charity was a ânormal stepâ for an organisation as it grew.
âWe want to increase transparency around Shincheonji, weâre very passionate about volunteer work and spreading the word of God.â
The spokeswoman agreed to a meeting with Stuff, but insisted that her name not be used for this report.
According to Charities Services, one of the benefits of being a registered charity is being eligible for exemptions from income tax on all or some of your income, as well as being entitled to other tax benefits.
f former members spoken to by Stuff who are concerned to hear Shincheonji is now a registered charity â and they want Charities Services to investigate.
READ MORE:
* 'Brainwashed': How Shincheonji 'cult' aggressively recruits new members
* Religious cult Shincheonji attempting to recruit members at Auckland church
* Coronavirus: Cult blamed for spread in Korea also active in NZ
Meanwhile, former members allege they were actively encouraged to obscure the groupâs activities by âlying for Godâ.
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertise with Stuff
Shincheonji explained
Shincheonji disputes being called a cult, and says its practices are âmisunderstoodâ.
The group was founded in 1984 by Lee Man Hee, 91, in South Korea. Itâs known for infiltrating churches and university groups using deceptive recruitment techniques, and has an established presence in New Zealand.
In July, according to the Charities Registerâ, Shincheonji Church of Jesus, under the name Rakau O Te Ora Trust, became a registered charity.
In its charitable purpose outline, it states its purpose is âto advance within New Zealand and Samoa the Christian religion as practised by the body of Christian persons known as the Shincheonji Church of Jesus Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimonyâ.
Ex-members of Shincheonji do not believe the group should be a registered charity.
PHIL JOHNSON/STUFF
Ex-members of Shincheonji do not believe the group should be a registered charity.
John says the group has practised âshameless deception and manipulationâ over the years.
âThey should absolutely have this status removed in our view. Contrary to what they say, the group is absolutely a cult.â
A Shincheonji spokeswoman says becoming a registered charity was a ânormal stepâ for an organisation as it grew.
âWe want to increase transparency around Shincheonji, weâre very passionate about volunteer work and spreading the word of God.â
The spokeswoman agreed to a meeting with Stuff, but insisted that her name not be used for this report.
According to Charities Services, one of the benefits of being a registered charity is being eligible for exemptions from income tax on all or some of your income, as well as being entitled to other tax benefits.
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertise with Stuff
MORE FROM
MELANIE EARLEY âą AUCKLAND REPORTER
[email protected]
A Charities Services spokesperson says charities may be removed from the register by request, or under the decision of the independent Charities Registration Board.
âThe board has the authority to deregister a charity that no longer meets the requirements for registration, has acted in a way that is considered to be serious wrongdoing, or has significantly and persistently failed to comply with the Charities Act.â
âLying for Godâ
Elise*, a South African woman and ex-member of Shincheonji, also known as Mount Zion, says she was sent to New Zealand to âheal the nationâ and was taught lying for Godâs purpose was okay.
Shincheonjiâs spokeswoman acknowledges that members arenât always upfront, but says thatâs due to persecution against them.
âWe want to explain about the church as soon as we can, but itâs tricky due to the misconceptions of us, which is why we donât immediately disclose to people we are Shincheonji.â
Elise joined the group in 2014 with her family in South Africa. She says she wasnât convinced by it all at first but was always an âoverachieverâ, and soon found herself sent to New Zealand.
âAs I became more involved I became more convinced in the doctrine and because I had worked a corporate job, they quickly advanced me.
âI was excited because being given the opportunity to teach and lead overseas was seen as a sign of God trusting you. It was a step closer to becoming a priest in Godâs new nation.â
Despite her excitement, Elise says it was difficult having to give up her âwhole lifeâ in South Africa.
âEven though Shincheonji pretends theyâre giving you a choice there isnât one really, youâre sent wherever they decide.â
Elise says she grew up in a wealthy family and had been an investment banker before joining Shincheonji and was accustomed to âliving comfortablyâ.
âI knew working overseas would be hard, but I believed I suffered for Godâs purpose like the martyrs did in the past, and Iâd be rewarded for it.â
Elise entered New Zealand on a visitorâs visa but after a year it couldnât be extended further, and she needed a job to stay.
âI was employed by a trust set up by the church as a youth development coordinator. They tailored the job in a way that only I had the qualification for it.
âIt included financial skills that werenât usually required in such a position, and they had the church in South Africa write a letter stating I fulfilled the same role, there when I didnât.â
Elise says her salary would be paid into her account and on certain dates she would have to withdraw it in parts and pay it back to Shincheonji.
âI was struggling financially as Iâd used up all my savings doing work for the church within the first year.
âThey didnât help me for the first couple of years but did give me a place to stay â there were times when other members had to buy me bread just to be able to eat.â
Although Elise was technically employed full time, she says she had to get a part-time job as a cleaner to make money.
âThe owner of the house paid me in cash and the money I earned went back to the church to pay the tax amount I had to pay because of my âjobâ with them.â
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertise with Stuff
Shincheonji explained
Shincheonji disputes being called a cult, and says its practices are âmisunderstoodâ.
The group was founded in 1984 by Lee Man Hee, 91, in South Korea. Itâs known for infiltrating churches and university groups using deceptive recruitment techniques, and has an established presence in New Zealand.
In July, according to the Charities Registerâ, Shincheonji Church of Jesus, under the name Rakau O Te Ora Trust, became a registered charity.
In its charitable purpose outline, it states its purpose is âto advance within New Zealand and Samoa the Christian religion as practised by the body of Christian persons known as the Shincheonji Church of Jesus Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimonyâ.
Ex-members of Shincheonji do not believe the group should be a registered charity.
PHIL JOHNSON/STUFF
Ex-members of Shincheonji do not believe the group should be a registered charity.
John says the group has practised âshameless deception and manipulationâ over the years.
âThey should absolutely have this status removed in our view. Contrary to what they say, the group is absolutely a cult.â
A Shincheonji spokeswoman says becoming a registered charity was a ânormal stepâ for an organisation as it grew.
âWe want to increase transparency around Shincheonji, weâre very passionate about volunteer work and spreading the word of God.â
The spokeswoman agreed to a meeting with Stuff, but insisted that her name not be used for this report.
According to Charities Services, one of the benefits of being a registered charity is being eligible for exemptions from income tax on all or some of your income, as well as being entitled to other tax benefits.
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertise with Stuff
MORE FROM
MELANIE EARLEY âą AUCKLAND REPORTER
[email protected]
A Charities Services spokesperson says charities may be removed from the register by request, or under the decision of the independent Charities Registration Board.
âThe board has the authority to deregister a charity that no longer meets the requirements for registration, has acted in a way that is considered to be serious wrongdoing, or has significantly and persistently failed to comply with the Charities Act.â
âLying for Godâ
Elise*, a South African woman and ex-member of Shincheonji, also known as Mount Zion, says she was sent to New Zealand to âheal the nationâ and was taught lying for Godâs purpose was okay.
Shincheonjiâs spokeswoman acknowledges that members arenât always upfront, but says thatâs due to persecution against them.
âWe want to explain about the church as soon as we can, but itâs tricky due to the misconceptions of us, which is why we donât immediately disclose to people we are Shincheonji.â
Elise joined the group in 2014 with her family in South Africa. She says she wasnât convinced by it all at first but was always an âoverachieverâ, and soon found herself sent to New Zealand.
Shincheonji's youth group "We are One" set a new Guinness World Record for blood donations in South Korea in 2022.
SHINCHEONJI NZ/SUPPLIED
Shincheonji's youth group "We are One" set a new Guinness World Record for blood donations in South Korea in 2022.
âAs I became more involved I became more convinced in the doctrine and because I had worked a corporate job, they quickly advanced me.
âI was excited because being given the opportunity to teach and lead overseas was seen as a sign of God trusting you. It was a step closer to becoming a priest in Godâs new nation.â
Despite her excitement, Elise says it was difficult having to give up her âwhole lifeâ in South Africa.
âEven though Shincheonji pretends theyâre giving you a choice there isnât one really, youâre sent wherever they decide.â
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertise with Stuff
Elise says she grew up in a wealthy family and had been an investment banker before joining Shincheonji and was accustomed to âliving comfortablyâ.
âI knew working overseas would be hard, but I believed I suffered for Godâs purpose like the martyrs did in the past, and Iâd be rewarded for it.â
People in South Korea hold a press conference demanding the arrest of Shincheonjiâs leader. (File photo)
HONG KI-WON/AP
People in South Korea hold a press conference demanding the arrest of Shincheonjiâs leader. (File photo)
Elise entered New Zealand on a visitorâs visa but after a year it couldnât be extended further, and she needed a job to stay.
âI was employed by a trust set up by the church as a youth development coordinator. They tailored the job in a way that only I had the qualification for it.
âIt included financial skills that werenât usually required in such a position, and they had the church in South Africa write a letter stating I fulfilled the same role, there when I didnât.â
Elise says her salary would be paid into her account and on certain dates she would have to withdraw it in parts and pay it back to Shincheonji.
âI was struggling financially as Iâd used up all my savings doing work for the church within the first year.
âThey didnât help me for the first couple of years but did give me a place to stay â there were times when other members had to buy me bread just to be able to eat.â
Although Elise was technically employed full time, she says she had to get a part-time job as a cleaner to make money.
âThe owner of the house paid me in cash and the money I earned went back to the church to pay the tax amount I had to pay because of my âjobâ with them.â
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertise with Stuff
Bank statements show Elise transferred money regularly to the account of a higher-up member after getting paid.
SUPPLIED
Bank statements show Elise transferred money regularly to the account of a higher-up member after getting paid.
The Shincheonji spokeswoman says members do pay tithes which directly contribute to organising promotions and bible classes for the group, but are not forced to give up their salaries.
âItâs nothing forced â if you look at the bigger picture, like any organisation or workplace, when someone leaves they may feel hurt and want to talk about it, but not everyone feels that way.â
When it comes to members being asked to get cash-paid part-time jobs, the spokeswoman says she hasnât heard of anything like that happening.
âItâs all up to the individual what they give and how much they work.â
There were several overseas members sent to New Zealand, Elise says, and they shared a house paid for by another member.
âWe slept on the floor because the house was too crowded, thereâd be four people sharing one room.â
Those living in the house would get around three to four hours of sleep a night, Elise says, and there wasnât access to proper nutritional food.
Elise, like many other members, spent her days âevangelisingâ, trying to get as many people as possible to bible classes.
This was done through social media as well as approaching people on the street or at other churches.
Members spent months gaining the trust of these new recruits before revealing they were part of Shincheonji.
âWe would work 15 to 16 hours a day with no breaks. Most workers are sleep-deprived and hungry, which makes it even more difficult to think for yourself.â
Jasmine*, who spent five years as part of Shincheonji, giving up her job, savings and friends, says she was tasked with creating âfakeâ job ads and descriptions for Elise and others to get a visa.
âThey paid the money into another bank account under these members' names so it looked like they were paying them, but they [the employees] never kept their salary.â
Jasmine and Elise shared a room for a while in Wellington, with two other members, Jasmine says.
âIt was very common in Shincheonji to share rooms with multiple people, sometimes people would also sleep in the lounge or other places, wherever thereâs space.
âI think we had about eight people living in a three-bedroom house in Karori when I was there.â
What Elise describes âmost definitelyâ falls into the category of exploitation, says Christina Stringer, associate professor at Auckland Universityâs Centre for Research on Modern Slavery.
âThis is yet another example of the serious exploitation of temporary migrant workers in New Zealand.
âShe has been subject to wage theft and working excessive hours, and thereâs also deception of Immigration NZ.â
Elise says she takes responsibility for the choices she made, but wants people to understand what itâs like to be pressured by a religious group to move to a new country.
âOver time you start believing that the lying and deception is okay since itâs for the greater good,â she says.
âIt becomes difficult to even distinguish between whatâs true and whatâs not.â
*Names have been changed to protect identities.
Source: https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/130706361/lying-for-god-former-members-say-shincheonji-cult-should-lose-charity-status
Posted in:
