Shincheonji Church of Jesus, French Branch, Directly Refutes Le Parisien Report: “Distortion of Facts and Sensationalism, Defamation of a Faith Community”

On April 9, the French branch of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus officially stated that the French daily Le Parisien had severely damaged the reputation of the church and its members by publishing a distorted article about the church on April 7. The church criticized the article for excessively highlighting the one-sided claims of a former member while scarcely reflecting the actual practices of the faith community, deeming the piece biased.

The controversial article, titled “They Treated Us Like Animals,” categorized Shincheonji as one of France’s “problematic evangelical groups,” based on the personal testimony of an anonymous former member. The article mentioned things like training camps, social disconnection, and financial demands, yet, according to the church, only two sentences were included from the church’s official response.

A church representative stated, “We submitted a written response totaling thousands of characters in good faith to 12 questions sent in advance by the journalist, yet only two sentences were reflected in the article. That accounts for less than 1% of the entire response, severely limiting readers’ opportunity to see a balanced perspective.” The representative added, “Considering the article was published just four hours after we submitted our responses, it appears the piece was already a premeditated smear campaign.”

The church continued, “If written responses were insufficient, the journalist could have visited the church in person to witness our faith practices and hear directly from current members. We are always open to transparent communication with the media.”

To reflect real experiences, the church released testimonies from current members. Teresa (29), who has attended the Paris church for six years, said, “Faith is a voluntary act. Here, I’ve come to truly know God and learn how to live as a person of light in this world.” Another member, Axel (30), stated, “Before coming to Shincheonji, I was searching for the meaning of life. Through my faith here, I came to understand God’s will, and I love doing His work. While fulfilling my mission, I’ve been able to travel—which I love—and I even met my wife at church. I’m truly living a fulfilling life.”

Regarding the article’s title, “They Treated Us Like Animals,” the church responded, “We were shocked and bewildered by this expression. No one has ever been treated in such a way or felt that way. It was a sensationalized title used purely to attract attention.” The church emphasized that it does not tolerate threats or stigmatization against former members and maintains a culture of respecting personal choices even after departure.

The article also claimed that a woman ended her relationship with her boyfriend due to church pressure. The church refuted this, saying, “That is not true. The man in question was also a church member at the time and actually wanted to get married. However, the woman expressed she wasn’t ready for marriage. The breakup was a personal decision based on their discussions and individual concerns about faith. The church neither influenced nor forced their decision.” The church added, “Romantic relationships and marriage are personal matters based on individual responsibility and freedom. Linking them to church control is simply inaccurate.”

The church also pointed out that parts of the interview included content unrelated to the actual experiences of the interviewee. “The article described a photo of someone with their feet on a radiator as an example of corporal punishment. However, the photo has no relation to punishment and was taken before the person even joined the church.” The church explained, “The man in the photo is still an active believer. He was simply showing he could pose that way, and someone took the photo in jest. Upon seeing the article, he was shocked and plans to file an official complaint with the newspaper for using his photo without consent and misrepresenting its context.”

The church stated, “It is deeply regrettable that the media quoted and reported such statements without verification, as it fosters a biased perception of Shincheonji as an irrational organization.”

Regarding the “training camp” mentioned in the article, the church clarified, “This was a short-term program for those seeking spiritual growth, joined entirely voluntarily by certain mission workers.” The schedule included morning prayer and Bible reflection, and participants could leave at any time. “There was no physical punishment or coercion involved. Still, we recognize the potential for public misunderstanding and have since discontinued the program.”

As for allegations about collecting personal data, restricting internet use, or encouraging disconnection from family, the church stated, “These claims are completely unfounded. We only collect minimal information for pastoral purposes. We have never restricted internet access or external relationships. On the contrary, we encourage members to lead exemplary lives within their families and society.”

Regarding the use of the name “ECA Academy,” the church explained, “This was a temporary name used for a Bible education program in 2019. At the beginning of the course, we clearly informed participants that it was affiliated with Shincheonji Church of Jesus, and joining the church afterwards was entirely up to each individual.”

In response to the report, Shincheonji Church of Jesus in France called on the media to uphold the following principles:

• Inclusive reporting that reflects diverse perspectives and experiences

• Sufficient coverage of the church’s official position and responses

• Fair opportunities to represent the real voices and experiences of current members

• Establishing a reporting culture that respects religious freedom and the dignity of believers

• Avoiding sensationalist headlines and expressions that fuel prejudice

A church representative said, “Biased reporting on particular religious communities imposes stigma and prejudice on innocent believers and ultimately undermines religious freedom and human rights. The media must go beyond provocative narratives and present balanced information that includes diverse voices with mutual respect.”

The church concluded, “We hope Le Parisien and all other media will uphold higher ethical standards and balance in religious reporting. Shincheonji Church of Jesus will continue to strive for better understanding through transparent communication and open dialogue.”