A Korean religious sect labeled a cult by former members is attempting to expand its influence in Australia by targeting young people in cafes, on dating apps, and on university campuses. The recruitment drive has led universities to issue warnings to students about the Shincheonji church, as members pose as students and use campus facilities to lure people to Bible study without revealing links to the group.
Former members describe the group as a cult. Training videos and documents, seen by the Guardian, expose its recruitment methods in Australia
The Australian branch of Shincheonji did not respond to questions from Guardian Australia, but international chapters have previously denied that the church is a cult. On its global website, the church describes itself as “a temple of God … The Lord of Shincheonji is Jesus Christ who was slain”.target universities, churches of other denominations and busy city locations where they approach people on their own, or people wearing religious symbols.
During this phase potential recruits are invited to gatherings, often on university campuses, that are not advertised as Shincheonji events. Dozens of posts on online forums include claims by people who say they went to such events but were surprised when they turned into Bible study sessions. During the events recruiters casually mention Bible study, even pulling out a Bible and inviting the potential recruits to a Bible study session at one of their churches, former members said.
“I would want to find out their childhood traumas as quickly as possible,” Thomas, who left the church in January after an intervention by his parents, says. This is why recruiters must provide regular reports to the church about their recruits, including any resistance to the church’s teachings, along with any interests, hobbies and information about their lives that can be used to retain them, Thomas says.
Cult Shincheonji Recruitment Australia Doomsday
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