After the Korean War, and before the beginnings of democratisation, churches in Korea were evaluated as exemplary in promoting a spirit of giving and volunteerism, acting as a driving force for social change that positively impacted the lives of many people. 

However, the reality since then is that churches no longer lead by example. On the contrary, churches have sought to promote their own agenda by colluding with the government and sowing seeds of division, which is far from the national sentiment.

Various recent acts of embezzlement and sexual crimes committed by some pastors have signalled the end of an era when the church once cared for the frailty of the world, and has been replaced by the world's concern towards the church. Although a movement of repentance and rejuvenation is being carried out on a local church level, it is insufficient in purifying the corrupt religious system.

More importantly, the reality is that the standard of religious knowledge among churchgoers is rising. There are very few people who are convicted by the message ,'Unbelief in Jesus Leads to Hell; Belief in Jesus Leads to Heaven', that defines 666 (previously understood to be a barcode) as a VeriChip and that, upon receiving it, you will be punished. Such beliefs are mocked and looked down on with pity.

The same goes for inside the church. Pastors who took steps to spread sweet messages of comfort out of fear that their church members would leave, are worried that this will no longer work.

Compared to the older generation, the younger generation, who have enjoyed an affluent life and education, receive the latest news through various media outlets and do not blindly accept pastors' words. Questions are now being raised by young church members.

With the beginnings of 'non-face-to-face culture' due to COVID-19, the practise of one's religious life is also shifting to the online platform. As religious activity shifted from offline to online, the Church, which has maintained success on the foundation of 'community', has encountered difficulties. On the online platform, only the 'sermon (word)' can be evaluated and examined, so COVID-19 has made us look back on the foundations of religious life.

In fact, many church members are currently listening to sermons from other churches - and not the church they currently attend - through YouTube in order to listen to 'good word'.

On the 14th of last month, more than 1,000 pastors participated in an online Bible Seminar directly led by Chairman Man-hee Lee of Shincheonji Church of Jesus. What if it was an offline seminar? There is a high possibility that he would have refused because of the attention it would have received. This is because news about participating in a seminar hosted by Shincheonji Church of Jesus would cause stigmatisation and isolation within the religious world.

In a virtual seminar, it is not possible to engage directly with other participants, and so only the message of the one delivering the sermon can be heard. It is similar to watching YouTube. Such conditions have become a factor that enables pastors to comfortably attend a seminar.

So, how should we interpret the attendance of about 1,000 pastors at this seminar by Shincheonji Church of Jesus? Regarding this, a Shincheonji Church of Jesus official said, “The non-face-to-face culture caused by COVID-19 has made us look back on the essence of religion that the religious community has been missing. I believe that my own convictions about Christianity are being confirmed through this environment." He continued, “We are living in an era when one can no longer definitively say, ‘Do not listen to the word from Shincheonji.' We are creating an environment for people to decide for themselves.”