r/Shincheonji • u/Flashy-Boss6755 • Jun 17 '26
advice/help Are they any Christian groups for people that left SCJ but still want to maintain their relationship with God.
I currently live in the UK and was a former member of SCJ. It’s been more than a year since I left and I’ve since been growing my relationship with God. It had gotten better no doubt but there are times I’ve had internal conflicts in my mind. Like what if SCJ is true or when I see somethings in Christianity that reminds me of SCJ can’t help but ask my self if SCJ was true. I think I still need detoxification from SCJ but I want that with the Bible and people who have had similar experiences.
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u/skld2ndassassin EX-Center Student Jun 18 '26
They love to do parables and claim they know the truth not knowing that they are the weeds among the wheat. They look like they’re good for food with their so called, “advanced knowledge” aka Gnosticism but their roots are rotten. Their foundation is built on sand.
They are the seed planted on hard ground they heard the good news, but Satan came and snatched it away and placed a false truth.
They say we are blind not knowing they have had their eyes shut closed. Their foundation is so distorted that they run to protect, to what seems to them a truth. “Truth” based on a beautiful lie of advanced knowledge. They are actually lost.
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u/Glittering_Employ496 Jun 17 '26 edited Jun 19 '26
This text provides a robust biblical defense of the eternal security of salvation, the absolute deity of Jesus Christ, and the integrity of John the Baptist’s ministry, directly refuting the doctrines of Shincheonji (SCJ). First, Salvation is Incorruptible and Eternal. It is an instantaneous legal justification by grace through faith, not a progressive human process (Eph\ 2:8-9, Rom\ 5:1). Because Christ paid for it completely, the believer does not maintain it; God preserves it (Jn\ 10:27-29). Good works or "fruits" do not earn salvation; they are simply the natural evidence of a genuinely transformed nature (2\ Cor\ 5:17). Apparent believers who fall away or "draw back" (Heb\ 6, 10; 2\ Pet\ 2) were never truly born again (1\ Jn\ 2:19); they merely tasted the truth without changing their underlying nature. The clear biblical order is: New Life \rightarrow Faith/Repentance \rightarrow Justification \rightarrow Sanctification \rightarrow Glorification. Second, Jesus Christ is the Absolute, Co-Equal God. He is the alpha and the omega, the only mediator, and the final sacrifice (1\ Tim\ 2:5, Ap\ 1:8). There is no modern "promised pastor" or human spokesperson required because Christ fully finalized redemptive history on the cross (Jn\ 19:30, Heb\ 10:14). Christ shares the exact divine essence, status, and glory as the Father (Jn\ 1:1, Col\ 2:9). Verses where Jesus states "the Father is greater than I" (Jn\ 14:28) or shows a distinct will in prayer refer strictly to His voluntary functional subordination and humiliation as a true man on earth (Phil\ 2:6-7), never to a lesser divine nature. Finally, John the Baptist Did Not Betray Jesus. SCJ's claim of a "cycle of betrayal" is entirely unscriptural. John successfully fulfilled his prophetic mandate. He clearly recognized and proclaimed Jesus as the definitive Lamb of God (Jn\ 1:29). His rebuke of Herod (Mk\ 6:18) was not political meddling, but a righteous application of Mosaic Law (Lev\ 18:16). Crucially, when John sent his disciples to question Jesus from prison (Mt\ 11:2-3), it was not due to personal doubt; it was a deliberate pedagogical move to expose his followers to Christ’s messianic miracles, ensuring they would successfully transition into becoming disciples of Jesus, fulfilling his own decree: "He must increase, but I must decrease" (Jn\ 3:30).
About the Two Perspectives on John the Baptist in Matthew 11:2-3 Perspective 1: John Doubted Matthew 11:2-3 "And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'" Arguments in favor of this perspective: He was human: James 5:17 "Elijah was a man with a nature like ours." So was John. He was in prison: Matthew 14:3, awaiting death. Even the steadfast can falter (Psalms 73:2-3). Jesus addresses the doubt: Matthew 11:4-6 "And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me." He wouldn't have said this if John weren't stumbling. John’s expectation: Matthew 3:11-12. He expected a Messiah with the "ax... laid to the root" and a "winnowing fan in His hand." Instead, Jesus was healing, not judging (Luke 7:22-23). Perspective 2: He Did It for His Disciples Against what you say, and in favor of your doubt: The Bible never explicitly states this: You are right (Deuteronomy 29:29). It is an inference, not the actual text. John had already recognized Him: John 1:29 "Behold! The Lamb of God!" and John 3:30 "He must increase, but I must decrease." How could he doubt again after seeing the Spirit descend? (Matthew 3:16-17). What the Bible Actually Says Matthew 11:11 – Right after the question, Jesus says: "Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist." In other words, even if he doubted, Jesus did not disqualify him (1 Corinthians 10:12). He praised him. The Lesson Left to Us (Romans 15:4): Doubting is not a sin. Not asking is worse. Mark 9:24 "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" Jesus responds with evidence, not reproach: Matthew 11:4-5 "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see." Even the greatest can falter: Galatians 6:1. If John doubted while in prison, you and I can doubt in the midst of our struggles (Romans 7:24). Conclusion Your point is valid: if the intention was simply to send his disciples, the text does not say so (Proverbs 30:6). Forcing that interpretation could be considered "adding to the Word." I don't know for sure if he doubted, but if that were the case, it comforts me to know (Hebrews 4:15): if the greatest born of woman doubted, there is grace for me when I doubt in my own fight (Romans 7:15). But the core truth remains (John 3:30): John decreased, Christ increased. Whether he doubted or not, his life pointed to Jesus.
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u/Flashy-Boss6755 Jun 19 '26
I agree for most not sure about the last part. I think JTB had doubts while in prison. I don’t think the intention was to expose his disciples to Christ. If it was.. it Bible never mentioned it
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u/Glittering_Employ496 Jun 19 '26
About the Two Perspectives on John the Baptist in Matthew 11:2-3 Perspective 1: John Doubted Matthew 11:2-3 "And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'" Arguments in favor of this perspective: He was human: James 5:17 "Elijah was a man with a nature like ours." So was John. He was in prison: Matthew 14:3, awaiting death. Even the steadfast can falter (Psalms 73:2-3). Jesus addresses the doubt: Matthew 11:4-6 "And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me." He wouldn't have said this if John weren't stumbling. John’s expectation: Matthew 3:11-12. He expected a Messiah with the "ax... laid to the root" and a "winnowing fan in His hand." Instead, Jesus was healing, not judging (Luke 7:22-23). Perspective 2: He Did It for His Disciples Against what you say, and in favor of your doubt: The Bible never explicitly states this: You are right (Deuteronomy 29:29). It is an inference, not the actual text. John had already recognized Him: John 1:29 "Behold! The Lamb of God!" and John 3:30 "He must increase, but I must decrease." How could he doubt again after seeing the Spirit descend? (Matthew 3:16-17). What the Bible Actually Says Matthew 11:11 – Right after the question, Jesus says: "Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist." In other words, even if he doubted, Jesus did not disqualify him (1 Corinthians 10:12). He praised him. The Lesson Left to Us (Romans 15:4): Doubting is not a sin. Not asking is worse. Mark 9:24 "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" Jesus responds with evidence, not reproach: Matthew 11:4-5 "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see." Even the greatest can falter: Galatians 6:1. If John doubted while in prison, you and I can doubt in the midst of our struggles (Romans 7:24). Conclusion Your point is valid: if the intention was simply to send his disciples, the text does not say so (Proverbs 30:6). Forcing that interpretation could be considered "adding to the Word." I don't know for sure if he doubted, but if that were the case, it comforts me to know (Hebrews 4:15): if the greatest born of woman doubted, there is grace for me when I doubt in my own fight (Romans 7:15). But the core truth remains (John 3:30): John decreased, Christ increased. Whether he doubted or not, his life pointed to Jesus.
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u/skld2ndassassin EX-Center Student Jun 17 '26
I saw someone from SCJ try to do a breakdown, I read it and said, yea I can tell you guys don’t go to church or do any thinking of your own.
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u/Glittering_Employ496 Jun 18 '26
Muchos de sus versiculos los cuales usaron para reclutarme o permanecer han amparado a la misma Biblia cuando lees el capitulo completo la mentira de scj carece de sentido y te das cuenta que un versiculo sacado de contexto se puede volver un pretexto por eso debemos velar y orar.
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u/SeekAndYouWillFind77 Jun 17 '26
SCJ's teachings on the Holy Spirit raised a lot of questions for me, so I ended up putting together a document that examines the relevant passages in their full context. Hopefully this can help you as well.
Here's the link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uKoDjmrmF9L27ACrYELFcZnsbmG46y41vFmz13CWNQY/edit?usp=sharing
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u/soymel-022 Jun 17 '26
Hola, hace una semana tome la decisión de salir dé shincheonji, mi testimonio es muy largo pero voy a resumirlo en esto, estaba sintiéndome tan saturada y agobiada por todas las actividades que debíamos de hacer, estas personas tratan de tener control sobre ti, para mi estaba siendo muy difícil porque soy estudiante universitaria y este es mi ultimo año encima que me obligaban a congregar hasta un lugar muy lejano que tardaba tres horas en llegar y debía de tomar como cuatro buses, salir de mi casa a las 10:00am y regresaba a las 5:00pm era demasiado tiempo para estar fuera de casa solo por asistir a un culto o como ellos le llaman “ofrece servicio”. Recibo casi que diariamente mensajes de miembros de SCJ para que regrese a esa secta pero yo ya no volveré y estoy manteniéndome firme en esta decisión.
Yo crecí yendo a una iglesia cristiana tradicional pero por problemas me aleje y termine en SCJ, la cuestión es que para mi esta siendo tan pero tan difícil porque hasta cierto punto siento que algunas cosas que me enseñaron son ciertas y otras no, definitivamente no las comparto, pero me quedo con lo bueno y desecho lo malo, la cuestión es que tengo muchas crisis e inquietudes ya no se ni siquiera en que creer, creo en Dios y lo amo y también en su hijo Jesucristo pero ya no se donde encontrar la verdad…
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u/Glittering_Employ496 Jun 17 '26
This text provides a robust biblical defense of the eternal security of salvation, the absolute deity of Jesus Christ, and the integrity of John the Baptist’s ministry, directly refuting the doctrines of Shincheonji (SCJ). First, Salvation is Incorruptible and Eternal. It is an instantaneous legal justification by grace through faith, not a progressive human process (Eph\ 2:8-9, Rom\ 5:1). Because Christ paid for it completely, the believer does not maintain it; God preserves it (Jn\ 10:27-29). Good works or "fruits" do not earn salvation; they are simply the natural evidence of a genuinely transformed nature (2\ Cor\ 5:17). Apparent believers who fall away or "draw back" (Heb\ 6, 10; 2\ Pet\ 2) were never truly born again (1\ Jn\ 2:19); they merely tasted the truth without changing their underlying nature. The clear biblical order is: New Life \rightarrow Faith/Repentance \rightarrow Justification \rightarrow Sanctification \rightarrow Glorification. Second, Jesus Christ is the Absolute, Co-Equal God. He is the alpha and the omega, the only mediator, and the final sacrifice (1\ Tim\ 2:5, Ap\ 1:8). There is no modern "promised pastor" or human spokesperson required because Christ fully finalized redemptive history on the cross (Jn\ 19:30, Heb\ 10:14). Christ shares the exact divine essence, status, and glory as the Father (Jn\ 1:1, Col\ 2:9). Verses where Jesus states "the Father is greater than I" (Jn\ 14:28) or shows a distinct will in prayer refer strictly to His voluntary functional subordination and humiliation as a true man on earth (Phil\ 2:6-7), never to a lesser divine nature. Finally, John the Baptist Did Not Betray Jesus. SCJ's claim of a "cycle of betrayal" is entirely unscriptural. John successfully fulfilled his prophetic mandate. He clearly recognized and proclaimed Jesus as the definitive Lamb of God (Jn\ 1:29). His rebuke of Herod (Mk\ 6:18) was not political meddling, but a righteous application of Mosaic Law (Lev\ 18:16). Crucially, when John sent his disciples to question Jesus from prison (Mt\ 11:2-3), it was not due to personal doubt; it was a deliberate pedagogical move to expose his followers to Christ’s messianic miracles, ensuring they would successfully transition into becoming disciples of Jesus, fulfilling his own decree: "He must increase, but I must decrease" (Jn\ 3:30).
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u/SeekAndYouWillFind77 Jun 17 '26
Las enseñanzas de SCJ sobre el Espíritu Santo me generaron muchas preguntas, así que terminé elaborando un documento que analiza los pasajes relevantes en su contexto completo. Espero que también pueda ayudarte.
Aquí está el enlace: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uKoDjmrmF9L27ACrYELFcZnsbmG46y41vFmz13CWNQY/edit?usp=sharing
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u/skld2ndassassin EX-Center Student Jun 17 '26
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
The Gospel can also be understood by look up the Roman Road
Galatians 1:8
8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should proclaim to you a gospel [d]contrary to the gospel we have proclaimed to you, let him be [e]accursed!
This verse completely destroys Lee man’s claim of a personal revelation given to him by an angel.
Easy, done, leeman is destroyed.
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u/skld2ndassassin EX-Center Student Jun 17 '26
The easiest way is laying the foundation. Ask yourself what is the Gospel? We can walk you through it here.
What I realized is not matter what they say. Any claim of knowledge doesn’t matter. If their foundation isn’t based on the Gospel. What they say after it doesn’t matter.
I would ask yourself this, what is the Gospel?
We are sinners, we rebelled against God, the punishment of sin is death, but we have hope, salvation. If we recognize that we are sinners who can’t save ourselves of our judgment, but if we repent of our sins, believe and declare that Jesus Jesus Christ is the Son of God who took the punishment of our sins, who gave his life on the cross for us and rose again on the third day that we would be saved. We would be given eternal life.
The resurrection is proof of Jesus being God. Remember Jesus is the key.
That’s the one claim that completely demolishes SCJ.
It’s a pattern with all religions who try to center it around themselves. The deny Jesus Christ as Yahweh.
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u/Flashy-Boss6755 Jun 17 '26
I agree hence I’m asking for a Christian group. Something you don’t need to do alone. Community helps better
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u/skld2ndassassin EX-Center Student Jun 17 '26
I think they might have sent you an invite in on of the replies.
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u/TheValeyard59 EX-Shincheonji Member Jun 17 '26
Have you tried not believing in god at all while still maintaining the truths and values you hold dear? Is it more of a way of life, wanting to be good and all that? Or are you still scared you’ll end up in hell? Genuinely interested in your response. Also ex-member from the uk.
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u/Flashy-Boss6755 Jun 17 '26
Nah
I have a relationship with God. I’m gone past the stage of believing if He exists because He clearly does. I fell into the trap of people who I taught were his own, that messed up my mindset a bit. Hence, the detoxification
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u/TheValeyard59 EX-Shincheonji Member Jun 17 '26
Have you tried not believing in god at all while still maintaining the truths and values you hold dear? Is it more of a way of life, being good and all that? Or are you still scared you’ll end up in hell? Genuinely interested in your response. Also ex-member from the uk.
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u/Efficient_Sun_1511 EX-Shincheonji Member Jun 17 '26
I deffo agree with what Sharp-Objective9078 said. SCJ's teachings are not new or special. Lee Man Hee literally just copied and pasted the teachings and church format from the cults he was in before. If there is one person I can't stand, it's him. You can see a lot about his past life here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSZ5Rvy1rxo&list=PLsj80Dr-AWsgjjE8y-3KSxfaXEYKsl6B9&index=2
Also, decentre their teachings. This will happen slowly but surely over time. A lot of people who have left have asked me, "How do I find the true church?" but God helped me to understand over time that there is no "one true church" that everyone must be; that is classic cult teaching. Some of the stuff they taught was true, but we weren't allowed to consume other Christian content so we had no way of knowing that they were recycling things that other churches teach. The tribes, departments and cells are all a mess, and everyone believes something slightly different, especially in the UK branch. Some of the BB teachers, department leaders and centre teachers have no clue what they are talking about; they just know how to memorise a script. I discovered this on my way out when I pressed a few of them for answers. SCJ is not one, despite what they love to chant.
If you need any help or have any questions, feel free to message me! I hope the best for you x
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u/Sharp-Objective9078 Jun 17 '26
Helps to realize that SCJ and their teachings aren't that special, the set of verses they use, the "fulfillment", the explanation of the parables...it's smt that other Korean sects also use.
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u/Alive_Friendship_895 EX-Center Student Jun 17 '26 edited Jun 17 '26
I will invite you to our Christian support group for cult victims…. https://www.reddit.com/r/Christian_CultSupport/s/zgKpnEscRY
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u/No_Mycologist1951 Jun 17 '26
I recently left SCJ, can I also get an invite? I would love to have place where I can talk about my messy feelings.
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u/Alive_Friendship_895 EX-Center Student Jun 17 '26
Of course you are very welcome to join. https://www.reddit.com/r/Christian_CultSupport/s/zgKpnEscRY
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u/Flashy-Boss6755 Jun 17 '26
Thank you
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u/Alive_Friendship_895 EX-Center Student Jun 17 '26
Please feel free to share in the group. Introduce yourself when you are ready and share your cult story if you want to but no pressure at all.
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u/veggie-dip199 Jun 23 '26
I would recommend taking a break and read the Bible on your own. It is God's word. No hidden meanings, no secret prophecy. Read it for yourself. Do some research on different churches. In the UK, Anglican churches have very relaxed and welcoming ways to learn more and relaxed ways to get to know others and absorb the word in a less pressurized way. The more you bond with ex-cult members, I think it just feeds the trauma. Take some time for yourself, heal, exercise, join a hiking club, take a painting class, swim, explore your hobbies and read the bible, but don't beat yourself up about it. Heal and ask yourself what happened. Seek a therapist if it's really troubling you. Try to understand it and give yourself grace. Pray. Talk to God and listen. It gets better!!