Panel: SHINCHEONJI, A KOREAN NEW RELIGION IN GLOBAL CONTEXT; EXPANSION, CONTROVERSY, AND PUBLIC PERCEPTION



791.4 - (IN)EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES ON THE RELIGIOUS MARKET - OVERVIEWING SHINCHEONJI'S EUROPEAN PRESENCE

AUTHORS:
Nemes M. (CESNUR - Center for Studies on New Religions, Torino, Italy ~ Torino ~ Italy)
Text:
Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (SCJ), commonly referred to as Shincheonji Church of Jesus or simply Shincheonji, is a Christian millenarian new religious movement founded by the Korean preacher Lee Man-hee. The Church is best known for its novel interpretations of the Book of Revelation and its active proselytizing on university campuses with growing success among conservative Protestants. Shincheonji became the subject of broader social scrutiny when, in 2020, it was accused of spreading COVID-19 by violating public safety regulations in Korea. Ever since, the movement has been targeted by organized anti-cult groups in Korea. Despite these efforts, the movement, which originated in the 1960s religious and spiritual effervescence, continues to grow domestically and, since the 2020s, has also begun conducting foreign missions. My contribution seeks to explore Shincheonji's European presence and, through interviews with committed members, analysis of media coverage, and cross-cultural parallels, aims to provide an overview of the movement's success in embedding itself into the unique European religious market. My paper will focus on their social institutions, particularly the tribe system's early regional success, and will also examine conflicts with organized opposition, drawing parallels with Shincheonji's early years in South Korea.