Do NOT send your info or testimony to exshincheonji.com
Hello all:
I stumbled upon this "exSCJ" page. I was curious to read what ex members had to say here but, is it just me or isn't it obvious that this site was made by SCJ? If I could sum up the gist of the posts they're basically saying: "nothing was wrong with SCJ or their teachings, they were good people, everything was fine with the doctrine but I prioritized things other than the Bible and had to leave".
Please take a look for yourself here: https://www.exshincheonji.com/
I honestly wouldn’t care about this site if it was left at just defending SCJ like https://thepersecuted.org/ But I have my issues because:
- They’re pretending to be ex SCJ members.
- They have a section where you can send them your testimony. (You need to send them your full name, email, and message privately so they can read it before).
- They encourage people to "reach out" if you need advice from someone. (Same as #2, to reach out for advice you have to send them full name, email, and message privately).
They're really taking this "concept" to "build trust" to a whole other level. I mean . . . Making it seem like you're there to support those who are really hurt after leaving SCJ? This is worrisome.
When I left SCJ I was so distraught and so depressed and I was paranoid that even this subreddit was SCJ members in disguise.
It appalls me to see how willing those behind this site are to abuse a vulnerable person’s trust again.
For anyone who is considering posting their testimony, please do so on a public forum (youtube, social media, a blog, web page [ex. wordpress, Adobe, even just a pdf you share around], even Reddit).
You can make an anonymous account for any of these.
Do it in a way where you can edit your post and post it how you like, so you have total control over what and how you tell your story.
For anyone looking for counseling please reach out to a therapist (uni students, your school may have counseling services available) please look here for resources on cult specialists: https://cultrecovery101.com/ also feel free to research on your own.
Do not be discouraged by expenses; these kinds of therapists understand that many times people don’t have the finances and are willing to discuss payment plans.
Do not be embarrassed either, what happened to you is valid and it is not “that you misunderstood” or that “you’re thinking with your own thoughts”.
On another note, this site (the exshincheonji.com) provides interesting insight on how SCJ rationalizes what they do.
I found the section about unethical recruitment interesting, especially the mention of Hitler and eggs.
It doesn't discuss what SCJ does, but rather just gives some amusing examples of other things.
I also find it interesting how they offer one line definitions of terms, such as indoctrination, but then SCJ doctrine uses multiple meanings (spiritual, figurative, physical) for terms and phrases . . .?
Also, the passive aggressiveness is definitely present here: "Yes, verses are used a lot in Schincheonji.
Verses that you've probably never even heard of and won't hear about in other churches." (Located in the section titled "In Shincheonji, verses are taken out of context in dizzying ways to decieve").
It seems that SCJ does not view themselves at the same level as others. It’s very interesting from a psychological and sociological point of view.
I'd like to know anyone else's thoughts about this site.
I've taken some screenshots of this site (please take some yourself as well) and I will post them here if the site gets taken down--throwback to the whole biblestudyforall fiasco, anyone?
Please stay safe everyone!
Read the comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/Shincheonji/comments/is5q6s/do_not_send_your_info_or_testimony_to_people_on/
