SPREADING THE DISEASE
SECRETLY RECRUITING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF FOLLOWERS WORLDWIDE, AN UNDERGROUND RELIGIOUS GROUP HAS BEEN EXPOSED AS ITS BIZARRE DOCTRINES LEAD TO COVID-19 DEATHS
The secret South Korean sect linked to COVID-19.
As coronavirus-induced panic persists around the globe, an unlikely religious group has been linked to one of the largest outbreaks of the disease outside mainland China. Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a South Korean religious community, has been connected to more than half of the country’s coronavirus cases, which had surpassed 7000 at time of printing.
Shincheonji, which means ‘new heaven and earth’ in Korean, is widely viewed in South Korea as a cult, and has flown relatively under the radar outside of the country. But the group made headlines recently for allegedly hindering local health authorities’ attempts to contain COVID-19, due to their refusal to adhere to South Korean leaders’ calls for citizens to avoid shaking hands and to wear masks in an attempt to prevent the spread of the virus.
Worshippers have been told by their leader, Lee Man-hee, to continue to attend gatherings even when ill, and have been forbidden from wearing facial coverings such as masks. These actions have reportedly assisted in the spread of COVID-19; as has the alleged refusal of Shincheonji members to hand over the names of other church-goers who might be able to help authorities limit the extent of the outbreak.
Last week, the controversial church’s leader – who claims to be the second coming of Jesus Christ – spoke at a rare press conference, apologising for his role in the spread of the virus. “We did our best but weren’t able to contain it fully,” the 88-yearold said, as audience members shouted “cult” and called for the sect to disband.
Man-hee now faces possible homicide charges in connection with the country’s COVID-19 deaths – 46 in total, and rising.
But with factions all over the world, former members have revealed that Australia has its own Shincheonji headquarters – though it is important to note that there are no reports of Australian cases of the virus being linked to the group, and no reason to think there’s a link between local COVID-19 deaths and the sect.
The branches, located in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, have been secretly operating for years, allegedly targeting overseas students and isolated individuals. Just last year, controversial leader Man-hee travelled to Australia to welcome new indoctrinates – and damn all non-believers.
Speaking with The Age and Sydney Morning Herald newspapers, former members Han Lee, Mars Capone and a woman identified as only ‘Lydia’ detailed their experiences with the cult-like group, amid claims Australia has hundreds, if not thousands of devotees.
From Bible-study groups that would run for up to five hours most nights of the week, to having church members bombard them with questions if they missed a class, the trio faced an intense months-long indoctrination, without ever realising exactly what they were being readied for. The newcomers said they found themselves
feeling isolated, with student Lee describing members infiltrating his life, separating him from his friends and family, and filling his mind with the group’s teachings. “Suddenly you don’t have time for your other friends,” he revealed.“Mum couldn’t reach me because I didn’t pick up her calls in the Bible classes,” added Lydia. “My teachers said that we students now knew the truth, but maybe our parents didn’t and could try to pull us away.”
The ex-believers also claimed that people from within the church’s ranks would watch new recruits, following them, monitoring behaviour and highlighting the teachings.
And when they tried to leave? These ‘keepers’ would show up at their homes. “[The girl who recruited me] looked for me after I quit,” shared Lydia. “She knew where I lived so she came to my place.”
Recruiting new people is, Capone added, “their number one thing … New members are called new fruits; basically you are like a farmer going around and picking them.”
Pastor Shin Hyun-wook, who has dedicated the past decade helping former members assimilate back into society, says: “it’s like detoxifying an addict”.
“She knew where I lived” –FORMER SHINCHEONJI MEMBER LYDIA