Shincheonji Church of Jesus French Branch Criticizes Le Parisien for Distorted Reporting

The Shincheonji Church of Jesus, French Branch, has publicly criticized a recent article by Le Parisien, accusing the publication of distorting the church's image and practices. The article, which labeled the church as a 'problematic evangelical group' based on anonymous former member testimonies, has sparked controversy over media ethics and the portrayal of religious communities.

According to the church, the report failed to adequately represent its official response, including only a minimal portion of a detailed rebuttal provided to the journalist. This omission, the church argues, prevented readers from gaining a balanced understanding of the situation. The church also highlighted the readiness of its members to engage with the media, offering current members' positive experiences as counterpoints to the allegations.

Testimonies from active members, such as Teresa and Axel, were shared to illustrate the voluntary and fulfilling nature of their participation in the church. These accounts contrast sharply with the negative portrayal in the Le Parisien article, which the church claims used provocative language and unverified claims to attract attention.

The church has called for media outlets to adhere to principles of comprehensive and balanced reporting, especially when covering religious groups. It emphasizes the potential harm of biased reporting, which can foster stigma and prejudice against believers, undermining the values of religious freedom and human rights.

For further details on the church's stance and the full context of its response, visit https://www.shincheonji.org. The Shincheonji Church of Jesus remains committed to transparent communication and open dialogue to promote accurate understanding and mutual respect.