1) In Which Scroozle Almost Gets Suckered Into Attending a ‘Cult’ Activity
2) Mannam- A Follow-Up Investigation
3) Mannam Part 3- The Unintended Trilogy
4) 2012 Shinchonji Olympiad
5) Is Shinchonji Actually Using Mannam to Promote Itself?
6) Mannam- The Statement and the Apology
7) Mannam, Shinchonji, and the World Peace Initiative (WPI)- Thoughts Around the Web
8) The Curious Case of the Disappearing Article
9) Shinchonji Sincheonji Shinchunji 신천지
10) The Book of Shinchonji
11) 24 Questions asked by Samsung’s Lee Byung-chul, Answered by Shinchonji’s Lee Man Hee, and rebutted by Crimson North’s Scroozle
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Five months back, I wrote a series of exposé pieces on the volunteer group Mannam, and its ties to the religious fringe group Shinchonji. At the time, I was focused primarily on Mannam, and didn’t afford Shinchonji any real scrutiny. Since most of my dealings were with the Mannam arm, and I believe people are free to join whatever religious groups of their wont, I ignored SCJ for the most part.
Live and let live.
Since then, various members of Sincheonji have come forward with information on the inner workings of the organizations. Many of them have had doubts, and the series of blog posts that erupted around August and September of 2012 pushed things over the edge. For many, the doubts they had were validated by my (and other sites’) findings.
Over the past few months, I have sifted through email correspondences and Facebook postings. What follows will be pertinent information as given to me via these correspondences.
What is SCJ?
Shinchonji is the most common Romanization of the name, although properly transliterated it would be Sincheonji. It’s the name of the church founded by Lee Manhee, and its primary teachings center around the Book of Revelation.
It’s a controversial church in Korea, due to its deceptive nature and the tactics it uses to lure in new converts. Other Christian churches in Korea sometimes carry warnings at the doors trying to prevent covert SCJ churchgoers from taking their flock.
The church also operates “front” churches, meaning they look and operate as ordinary churches but act to funnel people into the main SCJ fold after a while. Churches operating overseas also follow this route, and often have different names. Unfortunately for them, the name “Shinchonji” has brought enough bad press upon their heads. They need to keep the connection secret, otherwise they would have difficulty setting up shop.
Scroozle’s word to the wise: If you’re not in Korea, but the church you attend was founded by a Korean, you might want to investigate. The country has a tendency to produce a bunch of cult-like religious churches, whose founders promise clear readings of the Bible and some secret truth. I’m not saying every pastor of Korean ethnicity is trying to deceive you, but if your church has a very short history and it was founded by a Korean, you might want to look into it.
Do People in SCJ Know About the Connection to Mannam?
Yes. Mannam is a tool used by the SCJ heads. Here’s an email that was sent out to their various churches when Lee Manhee made his trip to Africa, late in 2012 (the initials SSN refer to Lee Manhee, as it’s a Korean transliterated title).
Scroozle’s word to the wise: Hey, guys (Mannam). You do know that you’re forbidden from participating in religious activities, right? I know the SCJ mass games was akin to a coming out ceremony for you, but you seriously need to update your websites if SCJ is going to send out emails like the ones above, or the letter below. Peace, dudes.
What’s the Purpose of the Tool?
I speculated that Mannam’s purpose was to gather as many foreigners as possible for photo ops and use their internationality to rope in more people. That aspect has certainly been put to good use these past few months (see above email, and below).
However, Mannam serves another purpose for SCJ. One former member of the church explained its primary function is to keep its members perpetually tired, so they don’t question the futility of their actions. SCJ church members are often cash-strapped and overworked, so the constant demands from Mannam do not give them time to reflect on their actions.
Scroozle’s word to the wise: Creating an organization to keep their people in a constant state of exhaustion is almost too cartoonish to be taken seriously. I know it’s standard brainwashing 101, but still. I never expected it to be successful in the 21st century world, let alone with 100,000+ people. I guess it just goes to show real life can be stranger than fiction.
Do People in Mannam Know About the SCJ Connection?
There are two Mannams. One is Mannam, and it’s primarily made up of Koreans and SCJ members (hence the “claim” it’s Korea’s largest volunteer group with 100,000+ members). The other is Mannam International, which is sometimes headed by the foreign SCJ brigade, but is largely filled by unsuspecting foreigners.
The latter organization is the one that holds the cooking classes, the soccer games, the language classes, the running clubs, etc. Most of the participants don’t have any inclinations towards SCJ whatsoever, and might be surprised by the connections. However, those in charge and organizing the events are usually in the know. They’ll deny it, because that’s their SOP.
Scroozle’s word to the wise: if they threaten you with legal action when you wish to come forward with information concerning the connection, then they’re probably part of SCJ. Threatening legal action is what these fringe religious groups do in an attempt to control all information about them. Rational people would just laugh off the accusation.
Is SCJ a Happy Homogenous Group?
Apparently not. Parents are often at odds with children who convert, and vice versa. There are also power struggles as people jockey for leadership positions. I’ve been informed these can come to a head whenever Lee Manhee is off on a world tour.
With Lee Manhee’s health deteriorating, questions of succession will pop up. With their proclivity to go the North Korea route, they just might make him immortal like Kim Il Sung. Whether that will prevent the church from splintering into dozens of separate of entities remains to be seen. There have been breakoffs before, and that brought about fingerprint scanning devices to their buildings, so as to prevent ex-members from gaining access.
Is SCJ a Threat?
Their biggest crime is probably being serial liars. Nearly all the Mannam leaders denying connections to SCJ five months ago, were themselves members of the church (later confirmed through correspondences with ex-members). If being part of SCJ carries such stigma, one wonders why they continue with the deception that gives them such a bad rep. By my estimation, it would be better to come clean and own up to it.
SCJ isn’t a suicidal cult, nor does it have confirmed cases of rampant sexual abuse. It does like to "accept" money from its followers and it "helps" those who are lost and seeking purpose. Its Bible studies promise to give such meaning, if one is willing to devote all their time to it, and cut off family members who disagree. Yet, if that’s what you want from your religion, then by all means sign up.
Just know what you’re getting into.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1) In Which Scroozle Almost Gets Suckered Into Attending a ‘Cult’ Activity
2) Mannam- A Follow-Up Investigation
3) Mannam Part 3- The Unintended Trilogy
4) 2012 Shinchonji Olympiad
5) Is Shinchonji Actually Using Mannam to Promote Itself?
6) Mannam- The Statement and the Apology
7) Mannam, Shinchonji, and the World Peace Initiative (WPI)- Thoughts Around the Web
8) The Curious Case of the Disappearing Article
9) Shinchonji Sincheonji Shinchunji 신천지
10) The Book of Shinchonji
11) 24 Questions asked by Samsung’s Lee Byung-chul, Answered by Shinchonji’s Lee Man Hee, and rebutted by Crimson North’s Scroozle
2) Mannam- A Follow-Up Investigation
3) Mannam Part 3- The Unintended Trilogy
4) 2012 Shinchonji Olympiad
5) Is Shinchonji Actually Using Mannam to Promote Itself?
6) Mannam- The Statement and the Apology
7) Mannam, Shinchonji, and the World Peace Initiative (WPI)- Thoughts Around the Web
8) The Curious Case of the Disappearing Article
9) Shinchonji Sincheonji Shinchunji 신천지
10) The Book of Shinchonji
11) 24 Questions asked by Samsung’s Lee Byung-chul, Answered by Shinchonji’s Lee Man Hee, and rebutted by Crimson North’s Scroozle
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Five months back, I wrote a series of exposé pieces on the volunteer group Mannam, and its ties to the religious fringe group Shinchonji. At the time, I was focused primarily on Mannam, and didn’t afford Shinchonji any real scrutiny. Since most of my dealings were with the Mannam arm, and I believe people are free to join whatever religious groups of their wont, I ignored SCJ for the most part.
Live and let live.
Since then, various members of Sincheonji have come forward with information on the inner workings of the organizations. Many of them have had doubts, and the series of blog posts that erupted around August and September of 2012 pushed things over the edge. For many, the doubts they had were validated by my (and other sites’) findings.
Over the past few months, I have sifted through email correspondences and Facebook postings. What follows will be pertinent information as given to me via these correspondences.
What is SCJ?
Shinchonji is the most common Romanization of the name, although properly transliterated it would be Sincheonji. It’s the name of the church founded by Lee Manhee, and its primary teachings center around the Book of Revelation.
It’s a controversial church in Korea, due to its deceptive nature and the tactics it uses to lure in new converts. Other Christian churches in Korea sometimes carry warnings at the doors trying to prevent covert SCJ churchgoers from taking their flock.
The church also operates “front” churches, meaning they look and operate as ordinary churches but act to funnel people into the main SCJ fold after a while. Churches operating overseas also follow this route, and often have different names. Unfortunately for them, the name “Shinchonji” has brought enough bad press upon their heads. They need to keep the connection secret, otherwise they would have difficulty setting up shop.
Scroozle’s word to the wise: If you’re not in Korea, but the church you attend was founded by a Korean, you might want to investigate. The country has a tendency to produce a bunch of cult-like religious churches, whose founders promise clear readings of the Bible and some secret truth. I’m not saying every pastor of Korean ethnicity is trying to deceive you, but if your church has a very short history and it was founded by a Korean, you might want to look into it.
Do People in SCJ Know About the Connection to Mannam?
Yes. Mannam is a tool used by the SCJ heads. Here’s an email that was sent out to their various churches when Lee Manhee made his trip to Africa, late in 2012 (the initials SSN refer to Lee Manhee, as it’s a Korean transliterated title).
Dear ChurchesNow, we all know the rigmarole Mannam went through months ago trying to convince the internet they weren’t connected to SCJ, or controlled by SCJ (despite Lee Manhee being in charge of both). The fact they decided to carry on with the denial says more about them than I ever need to write.
it is now going summer and i feel like going to beach^^ ( Not now)
Wonderful nature of South Africa make us humble before God's throne. we have more opportunity to understand the principle of nature that is God divine. with 23 days left towards SSN visits, we are moving more and more fast.
I hope we all pray so hard to accomplish God's will.
The purpose of SSN vist
1. To let all mankind know that Shinchunji is the only the place that can receive salvation and The avocate, who is Chairman of Shinchunji, is the only one that can lead us to heaven.
2. To make everybody recognize Only Shinchunji can show heavenly culture. Mt11:27
Let us do not lose our focus on the purpose of SSN visit here.
In terms of the event, First priority of event should be Open bible seminar
we should put our energy and all the efforts on OBS first and the others are rest.
if we can make it perfect and beatiful then there is no argue. if we can bring many pastors,members and medias, then SSN should be pleased.
Mannam and WPI is just instrument to take an eyes from Media and Keyperson.
Eventhough the size of event that we will do in Capetown would be small, important thing is let Press and Media should know about the SSN.
Person who going to meet is more important.
The Keyword is SSN
and SSN 's purpose is to let mankind know Revelation and fulfilment so that no one can excuse i did't hear the words.
The work we are doing now is not measurable thinking of ourselves. it is already beyond capacity ourselves.
However this is how God works. if we do just things that we can do, man will say " i did this Job"
but with numerous prayers and seeking God's wisdom desperately, if we did something that beyond our ability, we will say " God did this Job"
Obviously one of that ways will be judged but one of the ways will be admired.
God always ask us to overcome!! but if we do things that just we can do. How we can say " Father i did overcome like you, Jesus and SSN" in front of God's throne. we should manage ourselves and find a way to cope with all the matters with God's divine nature.
please constantly hang on God's purpose up until finished.
Then How we can seek God's wisdom?
Just prayer? NO!
If i myself am God's instrument, Others too are God's instruments.
Therefore we should trust 100 % eachother.
if one do not believe that God will use not only myself but also the others, the one willnot listen to eachother.
we will not do work by oneself but seek God' wisdom from each other.
(Heb3:15, Heb4:1~2 , Nu22:30~33)
That is the way that SSN do too.
SSN entrust duty to us
Surely the cock of the walk and the self-righteous isn't God's instrument.
Let us be true believers and True Belivers will acheive.
More importantly SSN belives in you.
Let us overcome!! amen
Have good day
thank you
Love ****
Scroozle’s word to the wise: Hey, guys (Mannam). You do know that you’re forbidden from participating in religious activities, right? I know the SCJ mass games was akin to a coming out ceremony for you, but you seriously need to update your websites if SCJ is going to send out emails like the ones above, or the letter below. Peace, dudes.
What’s the Purpose of the Tool?
I speculated that Mannam’s purpose was to gather as many foreigners as possible for photo ops and use their internationality to rope in more people. That aspect has certainly been put to good use these past few months (see above email, and below).
However, Mannam serves another purpose for SCJ. One former member of the church explained its primary function is to keep its members perpetually tired, so they don’t question the futility of their actions. SCJ church members are often cash-strapped and overworked, so the constant demands from Mannam do not give them time to reflect on their actions.
Scroozle’s word to the wise: Creating an organization to keep their people in a constant state of exhaustion is almost too cartoonish to be taken seriously. I know it’s standard brainwashing 101, but still. I never expected it to be successful in the 21st century world, let alone with 100,000+ people. I guess it just goes to show real life can be stranger than fiction.
Do People in Mannam Know About the SCJ Connection?
There are two Mannams. One is Mannam, and it’s primarily made up of Koreans and SCJ members (hence the “claim” it’s Korea’s largest volunteer group with 100,000+ members). The other is Mannam International, which is sometimes headed by the foreign SCJ brigade, but is largely filled by unsuspecting foreigners.
The latter organization is the one that holds the cooking classes, the soccer games, the language classes, the running clubs, etc. Most of the participants don’t have any inclinations towards SCJ whatsoever, and might be surprised by the connections. However, those in charge and organizing the events are usually in the know. They’ll deny it, because that’s their SOP.
Scroozle’s word to the wise: if they threaten you with legal action when you wish to come forward with information concerning the connection, then they’re probably part of SCJ. Threatening legal action is what these fringe religious groups do in an attempt to control all information about them. Rational people would just laugh off the accusation.
Is SCJ a Happy Homogenous Group?
Apparently not. Parents are often at odds with children who convert, and vice versa. There are also power struggles as people jockey for leadership positions. I’ve been informed these can come to a head whenever Lee Manhee is off on a world tour.
With Lee Manhee’s health deteriorating, questions of succession will pop up. With their proclivity to go the North Korea route, they just might make him immortal like Kim Il Sung. Whether that will prevent the church from splintering into dozens of separate of entities remains to be seen. There have been breakoffs before, and that brought about fingerprint scanning devices to their buildings, so as to prevent ex-members from gaining access.
Is SCJ a Threat?
Their biggest crime is probably being serial liars. Nearly all the Mannam leaders denying connections to SCJ five months ago, were themselves members of the church (later confirmed through correspondences with ex-members). If being part of SCJ carries such stigma, one wonders why they continue with the deception that gives them such a bad rep. By my estimation, it would be better to come clean and own up to it.
SCJ isn’t a suicidal cult, nor does it have confirmed cases of rampant sexual abuse. It does like to "accept" money from its followers and it "helps" those who are lost and seeking purpose. Its Bible studies promise to give such meaning, if one is willing to devote all their time to it, and cut off family members who disagree. Yet, if that’s what you want from your religion, then by all means sign up.
Just know what you’re getting into.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1) In Which Scroozle Almost Gets Suckered Into Attending a ‘Cult’ Activity
2) Mannam- A Follow-Up Investigation
3) Mannam Part 3- The Unintended Trilogy
4) 2012 Shinchonji Olympiad
5) Is Shinchonji Actually Using Mannam to Promote Itself?
6) Mannam- The Statement and the Apology
7) Mannam, Shinchonji, and the World Peace Initiative (WPI)- Thoughts Around the Web
8) The Curious Case of the Disappearing Article
9) Shinchonji Sincheonji Shinchunji 신천지
10) The Book of Shinchonji
11) 24 Questions asked by Samsung’s Lee Byung-chul, Answered by Shinchonji’s Lee Man Hee, and rebutted by Crimson North’s Scroozle
interesting..
ReplyDeleteHi, I assume that the first letter has been translated from Korean...can you post the source? Helpful if I come across anybody who thinks you pulled that out of your ass :) A screenshot of the original email, including all the email addresses and so on, would be ideal.
ReplyDeleteM
No, that's the original e-mail text. It may have initially been written in Korean, but it was sent out to SCJ members in support of Mannam Chairman Lee Man-hee's Africa tour. http://thestorehousepe.tumblr.com/post/37711708503/warning-about-a-cult-from-korea-called-shinchonji
ReplyDeleteHi! I can't believe that you people who call yourself Christian actually go around calling others cults! Are yol that bored or is it a case of the "devil finds work for idle hands" that you spend so much time trying to degrade and publicly shame another person belief and church. It's funny because this is not even done to other religions. So here is my question, what do yol have to offer and what teachings do yol have besides prosperity? Sometimes I think that yol are no different to Pharisees who called Jesus a cult and demon possessed!
ReplyDeleteMaybe if people actually knew the word of God, this would not happen! Does not the bible say "do not judge" and not to look down on others! What are yol doing to try to save those in SCJ or what ever you call it? Why do we shun them yet Jesus said to love even our enemies! We must ask ourselves is our behavior not hypocritical and opposite to what God wants? How are you any different to them when all you do is throw insults all over the web, I have never see or heard doing such things! So I guess if they are a cult then we all must be too! Seems like God's people are just as corrupt as in the day of Noah after all did not Jesus say when he returns it would be exactly like that and would He find faith on the earth? So if you think that you are standing be careful that you do not fall!
ReplyDeleteI'm an atheist, and you're an SCJ plant.
ReplyDeletehttp://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/dzackary/3_zpsbfbf8bb1.png
C'mon...you can't use the same email address and IP address as "Guns", Rockacoco. That's just being lazy.
ReplyDeletePoker face said: "Does not the bible say "do not judge" and not to look down on others!"
ReplyDeleteThen said: "Seems like God's
people are just as corrupt as in the day of Noah after all did not Jesus
say when he returns it would be exactly like that and would He find
faith on the earth?"
And previously said, under the alias "Guns": "Sometimes I think that yol are no different to Pharisees who called Jesus a cult and demon possessed!"
So, some judgement is okay?