Shincheonji Church of Jesus in France Condemns Le Parisien Article for Misrepresentation

The Shincheonji Church of Jesus in France has publicly condemned an article published by the French daily Le Parisien, accusing it of misrepresenting the church and its members. The article, which appeared on April 7, was based on the testimony of an anonymous former member and labeled the church as one of the 'problematic evangelical groups' in France. Church officials argue that the report excessively highlighted unilateral claims without adequately reflecting the church's actual practices or beliefs.

According to a church representative, the publication included only two sentences from a detailed, written response provided to the journalist, which totaled several thousand characters in answer to 12 questions. This selective quoting, the church claims, denied readers a balanced perspective and was part of a pre-planned attack, given the article's publication just four hours after their response was submitted.

In an effort to counter the narrative presented by Le Parisien, the church has released testimonies from current members who describe their positive experiences. These include Teresa, a 29-year-old member from Paris, who spoke of her voluntary faith journey and the personal growth she has experienced. Axel, another member, shared how his search for life's meaning led him to the church, where he found fulfillment and even met his wife.

The church has also addressed specific claims made in the article, such as the portrayal of a training camp as coercive. They clarified that the program was voluntary, focused on spiritual growth, and could be left at any time, though it has since been discontinued to avoid misunderstandings. Allegations of data collection, internet restriction, and family isolation were firmly denied, with the church stating it encourages members to lead exemplary lives within their communities.

Furthermore, the church criticized the article's use of a photo misrepresented as showing punishment, explaining it was a joke among members and used without consent. They also refuted claims of influencing personal relationships, emphasizing respect for individual autonomy in matters such as dating and marriage.

The Shincheonji Church in France has called on the media to adhere to principles of inclusive reporting, fair representation of official responses, and respect for religious freedom. They stress the importance of avoiding sensational language and prejudicial headlines that can stigmatize religious communities and violate human rights. The church remains committed to transparent communication to foster a proper understanding of its beliefs and practices.