Use of private information, award ceremonies, teachers careers
SCJ Reporting System - Breach of Privacy?
Q
Hey everyone,
As an ex-member, I'd like to share about Shincheonji's watertight reporting system. I'd also like to know your thoughts on whether there is any breach of Privacy Law?
I was involved in Shincheonji for a few years. From what I know, there is a system of reporting from members to leaders, then to general assembly - the hierarchical structure of reporting
I remember whenever we went out to evangelise and meet with recruits, we need to collect information about the them and report to the group leaders. And if the recruits agreed to join the bible studies, we need to report, their full name, date of birth, address, contact details, personality traits, qualification, work, work address, church, church pastors, family information, relationship, length of life of faith, obstacles to listen to the word etc.
Throughout the centre course, as a leaf we report recruit's reaction in each class, and identify any risk factors such as travel plan, cult issues, work/study etc. After that as we are about to be registered into the church, we provided additional information, in terms of, our place of birth, blood type, name of our parents and siblings, our hobbies/interests, past activities etc.
As a member in the church, leaders always ask for my weekly schedule and things happened in my life, even though I felt very uncomfortable to answer. The problem is that, the things I spoke to one leader, somehow are pass to other leaders, I was surprised that other person know, even I never mentioned it. I remember once a leader boasted that she knows everything about me. I was quite shocked and scared.Apparently those leaders at the top have access to our information. I remember when a new instructor came to our church, she know exactly about me, my age, my interests etc, even though it's my first time meeting that person. Not only instructors, but also their department leaders knows about our information.
This made me very worried, as who has the access to my information, how many people can access it? what are they going to do with my information? what happen if it is stolen or lost? who is going to take responsibility? Since I left there, how are they going to treat my information. Because with those information, they can pretty much imposter me, and steal my identity. It's terrible to think about.
I really want to know what you guys think or anything I can do? Thank you so much.
A *Disclaimer: these are the personal opinions of the user and have no legal value*
# Yes, I can tell you that there is a severe breach of privacy with legal ramifications based on documented evidence that I have continued to compile within SCJ. SCJ be warned, each text message that is sent, each picture that is taken, each identity card that is shared, each medical information that is shared, blood type, address, names of all family members, family history and other information that is taken without consent and then shared with others without the person's knowledge or consent is a breach of privacy. This has all occurred in SCJ practices. On the converse, SCJ likes to threaten legal action for those who expose what SCJ considers to be private information such as pictures, addresses, SCJ rented/owned properties and many other things. If SCJ continues to share peoples information without consent, then it should be okay to continue to post SCJ leaders and members names, addresses, property addresses and applicable pictures.
# Hey there. I don’t know if legally something can be done. But it’s definitely an invasion of privacy.
There is a purpose for every information SCJ gets from you.
When I became a leader I was shocked to find out that you can still use wisdom ( lie) on members like you would to a student. Leaders have the duty to monitor their members and report about them ( they discuss you and wether you are a weak or strong believer, wether you are evangelizing, tithing , struggling as a member or coming to service). Leaders will meet with their members frequently to maintain them (as a leaf would a student).
This is usually done in a group with other leaders . That is why you will find that other leaders know about you.
# Unfortunately, there’s really not much you can do, at least legally.
As far as I remember, there’s no recognised cause of action in torts for an invasion of privacy. Statutory regime in state/federal level mainly regulates the way the govt agencies use our personal info, not the private entities.
It is possible to peruse a claim for breach of confidence occasioning distress and/or psychiatric harm. However, it’s unlikely to succeed as consent to at least sharing the personal info within the organisation can be easily implied from your voluntarily provision of your info at the time.
In SCJ certain members got rewarded for being a disciple. Does anybody know what this means?
Q
Question and answer I remember in service they had like an award ceremony and during service they asked certain members to stand up to receive a disciple reward. I never really understood why. I asked and no-one really gave me a real answer. Does anyone know what this mean?
A
There are awards given to members who recruit most people, and also teachers who teach most students.
The funny thing is that, the whole selection process is not open, so no one know if they really deserve the awards. I noticed sometimes, the rewards are given for the purpose of making them work even harder.
Also they are people who give speeches during the service for their extraordinary "achievement".The funny thing here is that, the whole speech must be reviewed by the church leaders, so you only say what they want you to say.
professions of teachers
Q
In my SCJ experience there were at least three people who claimed to have a highly respected job, or have given up a successful career for SCJ. I didn't think they lied about it when I was in SCJ, but because I read somwhere they lie about this too, I am not so sure anymore.
Do you know about SCJ teachers who lied about their careers?
A
When I was there I went through training to be one of the BB teachers and when preparing to meet a potential student it was important to come up with a ‘high concept.’ Basically make up history about yourself with a professional career and experience that you gave up to study theology/get a pHD to elevate your status over the student. In my area a lot of the time it was a huge lie because most of us were young/Uni students but you had to impress the person and manipulate them to think what an amazing opportunity this was to learn from you, how much you were sacrificing your time and how grateful they should be.
