Shincheonji church subsequently exercised its right of reply and challenged such claims. In November 2017, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Shincheonji church, ruling that all allegations broadcast in CBS' documentary were groundless and false. The Supreme Court ruled as follows: "Shincheonji church doesn't force or brainwash its congregation members, or ask them to disown their families"; “is neither an anti-social nor criminal organization"; and “hasn't brainwashed its congregation members, but permits members to decide freely through the teachings of the Word. The religious life of Shincheonji church's congregation members is not forced, and the church has never demanded them to disown their families." Moreover, the Supreme Court ruled that “the majority of instances of divorce, runaways, family conflict, suspension of one’s study etc. occur because of the coercive conversion programmes implemented by coercive conversion pastors under the Heresy Handling Committee of the Christian Council of Korea which violates the will of Shincheonji church's congregation members.”*

In an independent investigative report published by Daily Cheonji newspaper, the children of these parents who campaigned outside Hongik university said: “I talk to my parents every day…It is not because of Shincheonji church that I feel unable to return home, but because of family who want to take me to a coercive conversion pastor who is urging them on. They are so reckless." Indeed, the programme has led to the loss of two lives (neither of which, despite international pressure, have been acknowledged by the Korean government) and over 1200 kidnappings.

The Supreme Court subsequently ordered CBS to pay damages of 8million won (c.£5500), retract their initial broadcast and broadcast a correction report in November 2017. CBS did so, but at 3am in when the vast majority of people were asleep.

One of the main reasons why there has been so much slandering of Shincheonji church by Protestant churches and CBS is the mix of vested interest in traditional Korean churches and Korean politics. which has led to outright abuse of power for one's personal gain. Beyond the surface, there is a spiritual battle taking place which will lead to the downfall of CBS and the traditional churches of Korea that support its false allegations.

*The coercive conversion programme is a heinous programme established and implemented by pastors of the CCK (Christian Council of Korea) that is a widespread phenomenon where pastors of protestant churches enlist the aid of a young person’s parent to kidnap and confine him/her in a secluded place, subjecting them to emotional and psychological abuse until they renounce their religious beliefs. This recently led to the death of 25-year-old Ms. Ji-In Gu and widespread rallies that have made international headline outside Korea. To date, the Korean government has not issued a single statement surrounding the murder of Ms. Ji-In Gu.

Main Article

The Supreme Court Orders CBS to produce a counterargument to “Shincheonji Church is Anti-Nation, Anti-Social and Anti-Religion”…Nevertheless ‘Constant Harassment’ Works”’

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