PrAtlas - STATEMENT: Shincheonji on Religious Freedom Controversy

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The government has targeted Shincheonji, labeling it a "social harm" while mobilizing state power to retaliate. Such violate Article 20 of the Korean Constitution, which guarantees religious freedom and the separation of church and state.

CANBERRA, Australia - PrAtlas -- The Shincheonji Church of Jesus expresses profound concern over this unilateral, political interference and urges the government to uphold fair, constitutional principles of governance.

On 12 January, President Lee Jae-Myung stated during a meeting with religious leaders that "societal harm [caused by a specific religion] has been neglected for too long, resulting in great damage." This was followed on 13 January by Prime Minister Kim Min-Seok, who utilized terms like "cult" and "heresy" to order a joint investigation and eradication.

These statements effectively draw a conclusion before any formal investigation has begun.

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While a government-mandated joint investigation is underway, the administration is dismantling constitutional boundaries by declaring the group a "cult" and a "harm" as a foregone conclusion. The criteria for "orthodoxy" or "heresy" must never be based on political proximity or secularity, but solely in Holy Scripture.

As such, Shincheonji has repeatedly proposed a transparent solution: let us resolve these theological disputes through an open, public Bible examination, grounded in the Holy Scripture rather than emotion or political pressure. To date, there has been no fair response to this invitation.

Shincheonji has never claimed infallibility. If there are genuine doctrinal or social errors, we ask that they be specifically identified. We are committed to correcting any faults. The Bible's teachings guide our actions as we strive to become upright believers respected in our communities. From voluntary service during national disasters to record-breaking blood drives, we have sought to be a vital part of society. Despite this, the government continues to labels us as "harmful" without presenting a single instance of verified damage. Furthermore, false accusations repeatedly resulted in acquittals or findings of no suspicion.

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The government must move away from scapegoating and toward unity that serves all the people they represent. Attempts to use religious establishments to evade political risks, or to weaponize majority opinion to suppress a minority religion, serve neither national development nor democracy.

Shincheonji Church of Jesus will stand firm in truth and within the framework of law and order, and will not be silenced, affirming its constitutional right to religious freedom. We call upon the government to cease emotional branding, base judgments on facts and law, and return to its fundamental duty of serving all people equally.

The members of Shincheonji Church of Jesus have always been sincere people of the Republic of Korea. They have shown it through their actions. As people of faith who believe in God and Jesus, and as people of this nation, the church members will continue to live up to who they are as they always have.