More than 100 pastors gathered in Jeonju, Jeonbuk Province, to raise concerns about the activities of certain heresy-detector organisations and practices involving coercive conversion. The pastors affirmed their commitment to ministry that respects religious freedom, human dignity, and human rights.

The second session was held under the theme “Exposing the Grand Deception of Korean Christian Heresy Detectors.” The programme included presentations  involving forced conversion, and the reading of a joint resolution.

In his presentation, Rev. Choi Woo-seong argued that some heresy detectors have spread what he described as distorted information about particular religious groups and have encouraged families to pursue coercive conversion. He stated that such practices can infringe upon religious freedom and personal dignity and may contribute to family conflict and, in some cases, violence.

Rev. Choi referred to a June 2022 incident in Jeongeup as an example. In that case, a man murdered his former wife and sister-in-law and seriously injured his brother-in-law. According to Rev. Choi, the perpetrator cited the victims’ religious activities when explaining the motive for the crime, leading some to characterise the incident primarily as a religious conflict.

Rev. Choi argued that the broader environment surrounding the stigmatisation of certain religious groups can create circumstances in which perpetrators attempt to shift responsibility for their actions onto a victim’s religious beliefs.

He further alleged that some individuals involved in heresy-related counseling approach families under the guise of providing "counselling", heighten their concerns about a family member’s religious affiliation, and subsequently encourage or assist in acts such as kidnapping, confinement, or assault. These claims were presented as concerns requiring greater scrutiny and accountability within the Christian community.

Rev. Choi also introduced Dr. Hwang Kyu-hak’s book, The Great Deception of the Korean Church by Heresy Detectors, which examines the activities of certain heresy-detector organisations.

Rev. Choi warned that stigmatisation and discrimination against members of particular religious groups can develop into broader patterns of misinformation and hate speech and, ultimately, create an environment in which physical violence is more readily justified.

He called on pastors and church members to take the lead in opposing coercive conversion.

“The church, which should protect and love its neighbours, must not become a breeding ground for hate crimes or a channel for perpetrators to make excuses,” he said.

Rev. Kang Seong-ho shared his own experience of referring a church member to a conversion-counselling agency in Gwangju after concluding that the individual had fallen into heresy. The member subsequently received approximately three months of counselling at the agency.

Looking back, Rev. Kang acknowledged that he had labelled the church member as a heretic without having sufficiently examined the distinction between heresy, truth, and falsehood for himself.

After several associate pastors, elders, senior deaconesses, and deacons left his church, Rev. Kang said he began researching the subject independently. He watched YouTube lectures by Shincheonji instructors and studied the material himself in an effort to compare the group’s actual teachings with what he had previously heard from outside sources.

He also recalled visiting the church member whom he had previously referred for conversion counselling and personally apologising, saying, “I am sorry.”

Rev. Kang said he now emphasises Bible study and ongoing education within his congregation, explaining that he studies the Bible with church members approximately four times a week.

“I believe that for the church to exist, it must continue to study and nurture with the truth and the Word until the end; only then will the church be sustained, the congregation expand, and great glory be given to the Lord,” Rev. Kang said.

At the conclusion of the assembly, the participants read the “Resolution to Defend Truth and Religious Freedom” and pledged to pursue ministry that respects religious freedom and human rights.

The resolution calls for responsible ministry based on the Bible and verifiable facts, while rejecting distorted information, misinformation, and incitement. The participants also expressed their opposition to coercive conversion practices involving coercion, confinement, violence, or the administration of drugs, and affirmed their commitment to protecting the human rights and religious freedom of all individuals.

The pastors further resolved to reject language that promotes hatred and division and instead pursue a ministry centred on love, reconciliation, and the restoration of wounded families and communities.

They emphasised that no person’s dignity, freedom of conscience, or religious liberty should be violated in the name of the church.

Through the resolution, the participants reaffirmed their commitment to a Christian ministry that seeks to protect human dignity, respect freedom of conscience, and promote reconciliation rather than coercion and division.

Source: vo.la/y6abUgr