Now, to the new religious movement here: Shinchonji, (신천지) or in Chinese, Shin (新) New, Chon (天) Heaven, Ji (地) Earth.
Shinchonji is perhaps poised to become a household name in America, to become what the recently deceased Rev. Moon and his Unification Church meant. Shinchonji is headed by an 81 year old LEE, Man-Hee. He's used some verses from Revelation to announce, like Rev. Moon, that he is either the fulfillment of the book of Revelation, or is the new John of Patmos, and sees/understands the entire final book of the Bible. Here's his picture, the only one on this blog I did not take.
He spoke this past summer in a Times Square church, and in the Crystal Cathedral in California.
Methodology: Shinchonji members infiltrate churches, suggesting/insinuating to the impressionable that their church either (1) does not or cannot teach salvation, or (2) the church leadership is unable or unqualified to teach true salvation. Shinchonji can, and is here to "save the day." Eventually, Shinchonji teachings and members take over the church. All under the guise of "Correct Understanding of the Bible."
It's an amazing, biological model. Invasion of the Church-Snatchers. Think conversion by vampires.
Sunday, Shinchonji held its every-four-year National Olympiad, complete with 100,000 member card-performance team, that makes "The Wave" look like nursery school play.
See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YUWddjIGyQ I uploaded.
The rally had all the feeling, to this observer, of a cult:
long hours doing rehearsed moves and actions, amped-up exercises, songs, and minutely
synchronized group actions. I was reminded of heavy
Unification Church (a.k.a. “Moonies”) activity in the States during the 1980s. There's the look and feel of legitimacy, but something in the back of the brain kept sending out sirens. My “group-think” herd mentality triggers were firing, but obviously, there
was “something” that was feeding these thousands.
Folks from all over Korea were there, as were many
international folks, especially, it seemed, from India/Bangladesh. The stadium
was packed to the top, with brightly colored sections of folks all wearing the
same uniform (UNIFORM is the key word here). Down on the track, occasional
footraces were run, bringing roars from the crowd; there was also a
football/soccer game in progress on the field. Very, very weird.
EVERYONE here knows about it. Now you know. Homework: Go to Google, type in Shinchonji and click on "images".
In fascination,
Marc
Apparently, critical thinking or a cynical mind bent is not a characteristic of the average Korean believer.
ReplyDeleteIt's very interesting to me that in difficult times, there is more reliance on organized religion to cope with the ambiguity and perceived capriciousness of life. It doesn't seem to sit well with people to be confronted by their powerlessness. It also appears to me that the more intense the powerless feeling, the more ardent the passion for an answer in religion. This is as it should be for coping, but I fear the same backlash to other non-believers as the AlQaeda. I remember well the Moonies when I was in Korea.
ReplyDeleteJim, great analysis! Thank you for joining me in this. Marc
DeleteMarc. first of all thank you for all the time and effort you are putting into this blog. I haven't been to Korea and I appreciate all that you are sharing with us. Second, this particular post gives me great pause. I had not heard of the Shinchonji movement and I find it very troubling. Thank you for opening my eyes to something which such potential for consequences I am unlikely to support.
ReplyDeleteMeeting ..Shinchonji really great
ReplyDelete