Shincheonji “New Heaven and New Earth”
cult infiltrating churches Churches warned of ‘deceptive cult’
linked to South Korea infiltrating congregations Hundreds of
British churches, including some of the UK’s largest
congregations, have been warned against possible
infiltration by a group accused of being a “cult”
promoting “control and deception”.
The Church of England has issued a formal alert to
almost 500 parishes in London about the activities of
the group known as Parachristo. The organisation,
a registered charity, runs Bible study courses at
an anonymous industrial unit under a Botox clinic and
a personal training company in London Docklands.
But it is understood to be linked to a controversial
South Korean group known as Shinchonji (SCJ) – or
the “New Heaven and New Earth” church (NHNE) –
whose founder Man-Hee Lee is
referred to as God’s “advocate”.
It is claimed that some of those who become involved gradually
withdraw from friends and family and actively lie about their
real lives […] A companion article, titled The Korean religious
leader on a collision course with the Church of England notes:
Organisers insist Parachristo exists solely to help
“understand the Bible more deeply”.
[…] Former attendees of Parachristo study groups have
claimed that existing members effectively pose as new students.
Shinchonji teaching documents seen by The Telegraph
instructs these “maintainers” to “arouse curiosity” of
newcomers and “try to be close to each other until
the student relies on you fully”.
They are told to “take notes of the conversation with
the student” and report back to the group leader.
Shincheonji — Cult of Christianity According to the SCJ,
their leader – Manhee Lee – is the Messiah or
the spokesperson of the Messiah (“Promised Pastor”).
Lee Man-Hee claims that Jesus appeared before him
as a “bright heavenly figure.” Some see him as God’s
“promised pastor” who holds the key to avoid
impending judgement. Followers believe that
Lee Man-Hee is the second coming of Jesus Christ.
Reportedly the church teaches that Lee Man-Hee is
the angel referred to in Revelation 22:16:
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you[a] this testimony for
the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David,
and the bright Morning Star.”
The church also believes that Revelation 7:2 refers to
South Korea (East) and to Lee Man-Hee (angel):
Then I saw another angel coming up from the east,
having the seal of the living God.
According to the group’s promotional literature
Lee Man-Hee is the only person who can testify
to the mysteries of the Book of Revelation —
which he claims already
has been fulfilled.
He is said to teach that the world has already ended,
and that we are currently living in the afterlife.
Shincheonji denies the biblical teaching that people are
saved by faith in Jesus Christ — and not by works.
The church denies the doctrine of the Trinity.
Shincheonji’s teachings contradict essential doctrines of
the Christian faith, thus identifying the group as, theologically,
a cult of Christianity. Sociologically Shincheonji has
many cult-like characteristics as well.
Front Groups; Alternative Spellings Note the different
spellings of the name of the group: Officially it is
Shincheonji, Church of Jesus, the Temple of the
Tabernacle of the Testimony (SCJ).
Commonly referred to as Shincheonji, but the name is
sometimes spelled without the ‘e’ — Shinchonji.
Likewise, the name of the cult’s leader is Lee Man-Hee,
which is sometimes written as Man-Hee Lee or Manhee Lee.
Lee Man-Hee founded Shinchonji in 1984.
Other names related to this movement:
Mannam Volunteer Association/Mannam International
Youth Coalition (MIYC),
International Peace Youth Group (IPYG)/Heavenly Culture,
World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), Temple of
the Tabernacle of the Testimony (SCJ).
World Peace… and Deception Like similar cults,
Shincheonji claims it promotes world peace —
but its deceptive nature tends to backfire, like it did
when the cult organized the World Alliance of
Religions Peace Summit (WARP).
Wikipedia: From 17-19 September 2014
Shincheonji organised their SCJ 6th National Olympiad.
It is the major event for SCJ which they hold
every four years, and it coincides with Lee’s birthday.
[3] On this occasion, they also invited many international
guests who all believed they were attending a secular
“World Peace Summit”.
As the two events took place simultaneously and
in the same venue, it led to significant confusion and
embarrassment for international guests who had been misled.
Here’s one blogger’s experience at a similar event:
“We thought we were going to a world peace festival…
turned out to be a religious cult sort of thing.”
cult infiltrating churches Churches warned of ‘deceptive cult’
linked to South Korea infiltrating congregations Hundreds of
British churches, including some of the UK’s largest
congregations, have been warned against possible
infiltration by a group accused of being a “cult”
promoting “control and deception”.
The Church of England has issued a formal alert to
almost 500 parishes in London about the activities of
the group known as Parachristo. The organisation,
a registered charity, runs Bible study courses at
an anonymous industrial unit under a Botox clinic and
a personal training company in London Docklands.
But it is understood to be linked to a controversial
South Korean group known as Shinchonji (SCJ) – or
the “New Heaven and New Earth” church (NHNE) –
whose founder Man-Hee Lee is
referred to as God’s “advocate”.
It is claimed that some of those who become involved gradually
withdraw from friends and family and actively lie about their
real lives […] A companion article, titled The Korean religious
leader on a collision course with the Church of England notes:
Organisers insist Parachristo exists solely to help
“understand the Bible more deeply”.
[…] Former attendees of Parachristo study groups have
claimed that existing members effectively pose as new students.
Shinchonji teaching documents seen by The Telegraph
instructs these “maintainers” to “arouse curiosity” of
newcomers and “try to be close to each other until
the student relies on you fully”.
They are told to “take notes of the conversation with
the student” and report back to the group leader.
Shincheonji — Cult of Christianity According to the SCJ,
their leader – Manhee Lee – is the Messiah or
the spokesperson of the Messiah (“Promised Pastor”).
Lee Man-Hee claims that Jesus appeared before him
as a “bright heavenly figure.” Some see him as God’s
“promised pastor” who holds the key to avoid
impending judgement. Followers believe that
Lee Man-Hee is the second coming of Jesus Christ.
Reportedly the church teaches that Lee Man-Hee is
the angel referred to in Revelation 22:16:
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you[a] this testimony for
the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David,
and the bright Morning Star.”
The church also believes that Revelation 7:2 refers to
South Korea (East) and to Lee Man-Hee (angel):
Then I saw another angel coming up from the east,
having the seal of the living God.
According to the group’s promotional literature
Lee Man-Hee is the only person who can testify
to the mysteries of the Book of Revelation —
which he claims already
has been fulfilled.
He is said to teach that the world has already ended,
and that we are currently living in the afterlife.
Shincheonji denies the biblical teaching that people are
saved by faith in Jesus Christ — and not by works.
The church denies the doctrine of the Trinity.
Shincheonji’s teachings contradict essential doctrines of
the Christian faith, thus identifying the group as, theologically,
a cult of Christianity. Sociologically Shincheonji has
many cult-like characteristics as well.
Front Groups; Alternative Spellings Note the different
spellings of the name of the group: Officially it is
Shincheonji, Church of Jesus, the Temple of the
Tabernacle of the Testimony (SCJ).
Commonly referred to as Shincheonji, but the name is
sometimes spelled without the ‘e’ — Shinchonji.
Likewise, the name of the cult’s leader is Lee Man-Hee,
which is sometimes written as Man-Hee Lee or Manhee Lee.
Lee Man-Hee founded Shinchonji in 1984.
Other names related to this movement:
Mannam Volunteer Association/Mannam International
Youth Coalition (MIYC),
International Peace Youth Group (IPYG)/Heavenly Culture,
World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), Temple of
the Tabernacle of the Testimony (SCJ).
World Peace… and Deception Like similar cults,
Shincheonji claims it promotes world peace —
but its deceptive nature tends to backfire, like it did
when the cult organized the World Alliance of
Religions Peace Summit (WARP).
Wikipedia: From 17-19 September 2014
Shincheonji organised their SCJ 6th National Olympiad.
It is the major event for SCJ which they hold
every four years, and it coincides with Lee’s birthday.
[3] On this occasion, they also invited many international
guests who all believed they were attending a secular
“World Peace Summit”.
As the two events took place simultaneously and
in the same venue, it led to significant confusion and
embarrassment for international guests who had been misled.
Here’s one blogger’s experience at a similar event:
“We thought we were going to a world peace festival…
turned out to be a religious cult sort of thing.”
