hincheonji Church of Jesus in France Responds to Le Parisien Report: “Distorted Facts and Provocative Language – Defamation of a Religious Community”

The French branch of Shincheonji Church of Jesus has strongly criticised an article published by Le Parisien on 7 April, accusing the newspaper of presenting a distorted and one-sided portrayal of the church. The church claims that the report has caused significant reputational harm to both the organisation and its members.
According to the church, the article heavily relied on speculative and anecdotal claims from former members, while failing to offer a balanced perspective or reflect the current reality of the faith community. The church stated that its own position was reduced to merely two lines within the report.
The article, titled “Treating Us Like Animals”, described the Shincheonji Church of Jesus as one of France’s “problematic evangelical organisations”, based primarily on the anonymous testimony of a former member. It referenced allegations such as isolation from family, financial pressure, and intensive training sessions. However, the church contends that only two sentences from their official response were included, despite having submitted detailed answers to twelve questions provided by the journalist in advance.
A church representative stated, “We submitted thousands of words in response to the questions sent by the reporter, yet less than 1% of our answers were included in the article. This severely limited our ability to present a fair and balanced viewpoint to readers.” The official also noted that the article was published just four hours after their response was sent, suggesting the piece was premeditated and not the result of open and honest journalistic inquiry.
“If the written response was insufficient, the journalist could have visited the church in person to observe and speak with members currently practising their faith,” the representative continued. “We are always open to transparent and respectful engagement with the media.”
To provide insight into the lived experiences of current members, the church shared testimonies from individuals active in the Paris congregation. Teresa, 29, who has been part of the community for six years, said, “Faith is a personal, voluntary journey. Here, I came to truly understand God and how to live according to His teachings.” Axel, 30, added, “Before joining Shincheonji, I was searching for life’s meaning. My faith gave me clarity and purpose. It brought me joy, a sense of mission, and even introduced me to my wife. My life is deeply fulfilling.”
The church also addressed the article’s provocative headline, “Treating Us Like Animals”, expressing shock and dismay. “No one within the church has ever experienced or witnessed such treatment,” they said. “The phrase was clearly chosen for its shock value, not its truth.”
The church emphasised that it does not tolerate threats or stigmatisation of former members, and that individual freedom – including the decision to leave – is respected within the community. They called for fair reporting standards and urged the media to uphold journalistic integrity when covering matters of faith.
The church also refuted the claim in the article that a woman had ended a romantic relationship “at the request of the church”, firmly stating, “This is not true.” A representative clarified, “The man in question was a fellow believer at the time and, in fact, wished to marry. However, the woman did not feel ready for marriage. Their separation was a mutual decision based on personal faith concerns and honest discussion between them. At no point did the church intervene or pressure either party into a decision.” He went on to emphasise, “Love and marriage are deeply personal matters, rooted in individual autonomy and responsibility. To suggest that the church exerts control over such decisions is simply inaccurate.”
The church further took issue with the inclusion of certain content in the article that, they claim, misrepresents events and includes situations never experienced by the interviewee. One such example involved a photograph of someone’s foot resting on a radiator, used to suggest physical punishment. The church explained that the image had no connection to any such practice and had actually been taken as a joke before the individual had even joined the church. “The person in the photo is still an active and devoted member of the church. He posed playfully for the picture, which was taken by someone else for fun,” they clarified. “He was shocked and embarrassed to see the image used in this context. He has since stated his intention to file an official complaint with the media regarding the unauthorised use of his photo and the false interpretation attached to it.”
The church expressed disappointment that such claims were reported without thorough fact-checking, warning that doing so could mislead readers and contribute to a biased view of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus as an unconventional or harmful organisation.
Addressing the mention of a “training camp” in the article, the church clarified that this was a short-term programme attended voluntarily by missionaries seeking deeper spiritual growth. “It was entirely optional,” a church spokesperson said. “The schedule included morning prayers and scripture meditation. Attendees were free to leave at any time, and there was absolutely no coercion or physical punishment involved. However, we acknowledge that such activities may be misunderstood by those not attending the church, and for this reason, we no longer operate the programme.”
The church also firmly denied allegations related to the collection of personal information, restrictions on internet use, or encouragement to cut ties with family. “None of this is true,” they said. “We only collect the minimum information necessary for pastoral care. We do not restrict internet access or relationships outside the church. In fact, we encourage our members to lead positive, exemplary lives both at home and in society.”
Regarding the use of the name “ECA Academy”, the church explained that it was a temporary name for a Bible education programme in 2019. “At the very start of the programme, we clearly stated that it was affiliated with the Shincheonji Church of Jesus. Participation beyond that point was entirely voluntary.”
In light of the article, the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in France urged the media to uphold key principles, including:
• Providing balanced coverage that reflects a variety of experiences and perspectives
• Giving sufficient space to the church’s official responses and positions
• Fairly representing the real voices and testimonies of active members
• Fostering a media culture that respects religious freedom and the dignity of believers
• Avoiding sensationalist language and headlines that may create prejudice
A church official remarked, “Biased reporting on particular religious groups can foster stigma and discrimination against innocent believers, while also undermining both religious freedom and human rights. Media coverage should be based on accurate information, balance, and mutual respect – not on sensationalism designed to provoke fear or hatred.”
The church concluded by expressing its hope that all media outlets, including Le Parisien, will strive for higher ethical standards and greater balance in their religious reporting. Shincheonji Church of Jesus remains committed to promoting understanding through transparent communication and open dialogue.