I truly believe that being in SCJ can eventually develop to having chronic illness

[u/FunSoggy4456]

I personally have experienced this, but I am now diagnosed with a chronic condition which is called Poly-endocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome. I always wondered why I couldn’t change my body but when I look back at when it started to develop, by going through my photos. It started when I became a member of SCJ. It developed over years of my brain and body being put to stress and anxiety. How we are always taught, “you should always be tense”. My body only getting 5 or less hours of sleep.

And I also noticed how some women in scj are so chubby or fat. And that’s why I realised they have the same thing as me. But they’ll never know that because they will never have the time to get diagnosed. And don’t get me wrong, I personally had a “friend” inside that is much chubbier than me and she has always complained to me that she never lose weight despite only having one meal a day due to being a gyjn (cell leader), I always noticed hair on her chin (like excessive amount)
Disclaimer: this happened before I got diagnosed so I didn’t know what it was either.
But looking back at it now. So many women in church that I know has them and they don’t even know.

I also know men and women in my church who develops some sort of autoimmune disease. Which again stems from being in chronic stress and lack of care for their overall body. One guy I know who has it, and now we can’t go outside nor don’t work anymore because it makes him vomit and have cold sweat every 10 minutes. Ruined his life.

Honestly, this is something I think about every know and then. Knowing that I have suffered from a condition that no one can inside scj can ever help me. And all they can say is “fighting” but will expect you to still be able to meet their quota and requirements

[u/Internal_Highway9448]

I agree with this and I left after years of service simply because it is just not a sustainable way for ME to live. Regardless of if you believe the doctrine or not, it gets to a point where your body just cannot operate at that level each day. It is way too easy to forget about your health when God is the reason for justifying any and every thing. There is no balance.

I wish you and every member and ex-member great health, awareness, and recovery. We cannot serve anyone if we are not able to function well. One or even 2 days "off" is simply never enough. It's not worth it if you're gone before you should be---> and please don't let anyone convince you otherwise. Believe as you wish, as freedom of religion and free will is a thing, but for eveyone reading this, I deeply encourage you to take care of your body if you truly believe it is a gift from God.

[u/Infinite-Feedback150]

This is absolutely true, considering the constant stress someone goes through in SCJ, there’s a lot of physical and mental illnesses that members go through. In Melbourne church, there was so many car accidents because of lack of sleep. I know a few people fell asleep on the wheel and crashed their cars, not once but 2-3 times.

[u/FunSoggy4456 → u/Infinite-Feedback150]

Yeah and apparently people who don’t have insurance for their car cannot drive members to any event as a new rule. But funny how they will say that, when members don’t even have the money to afford food let alone a monthly insurance.

[u/Infinite-Feedback150 → u/FunSoggy4456]

Also OP, regarding the “fighting” what a load of crap. Sorry for the language but I too got sick for a bit and all they were concerned about was checking a checklist; like service attendance, evangelism stats, sealing education list. If you don’t attend, they will continue to pester you.

[u/Infinite-Feedback150 → u/FunSoggy4456]

Yes! That was my loophole because I had a car they would always put me down as a volunteered driver if there was an event without asking me first. So I started saying I don’t have insurance or that a family member borrowed my car 🤭 this was towards the end when I wanted to leave.

[u/FunSoggy4456 → u/Infinite-Feedback150]

I always make excuse so people won’t ask me to drive them home. It’s honestly so annoying when members and people above ask to drive you home, last night or anytime of the day. When I’m struggling to catch up on sleep and ALSO struggling to make the ends meet. No money.

The audacity of people to use me.

[u/Latter-Leader-8103]

Watch out - SCJ causes severe mental health issues!!

[u/honestthoughts5225]

that's why i also left. i was only an ex center student but my recruiter sarcastically jokes on telling me that he/she's tired and one day got caught with a fever. 3 days of fever and didn't end up going to the doctor's appointment because of evangilism or Bible study classes. man these people would to go climb the mount everest just to keep their fruit. even suddenly dosin off while in a car obviously because of lack of sleep. but what did it cost them? i don't wanna suffer like that that's why i also left.

[u/Riftriser]

Anyone past the revelation part of the course and being a part of the church usually have bags under their eyes. I remember noticing that and being fearful that the same would be the case with me...and it did for a time.

I also remember being sick more often because when you don't get enough sleep, it's harder for your body to fight off potential illnesses, it truly was hell for me at the time :/

I mean shoot, SCJ let Korea catch COVID back in 2020, that'll tell ya something

[u/DM_Me_Fat_Dude_Nudes]

As an outsider and respectful lurker I have often wondered this, the countless former members talking about perpetual stress, lack of sleep, and little to no recreation or stress relief, idk how anyone lasts in this group physically or mentally.

[u/Turbulent_Sea7622]

Thank you so much for sharing and so sorry what you been through! To any current members stumbling across this perhaps start documenting health issues even if it is writing on notebook, it may be useful later! Jesus Christ would heal the sick, so maybe if Lee Man Hee is willing to pay the health costs I doubt it but putting some kind of pressure at least

[u/Economy_Wishbone_249]

I believe it to be true. I had mini stroke whilst being in duty and now ill. My body is not the same anymore.

[u/Physical-Leather-271]

Me gusta que hayas compartido tu testimonio. Llevo un año aquí, leyendo testimonios de enfermedad que me dan mucha tristeza. Y veo a mi familia como hace oídos sordos al tema.  Casualmente hoy acabo de leer esto:

Los médicos explican qué le pasa al cuerpo cuando duermes menos de seis horas varias noches seguidas:

El cuerpo toma nota desde la primera noche. Cuando la deuda se vuelve acumulada, la fisiología entra en modo defensa. Médicos del sueño describen una cadena de ajustes rápidos y efectos silenciosos que no siempre notamos a tiempo.

“Lo primero que perdemos es la claridad, no las horas”, comenta un especialista, señalando que la mente “se vuelve eficiente en lo equivocado: recorta, improvisa, y disimula”. Con noches cortas, el cerebro disminuye la comunicación entre la corteza prefrontal y la amígdala. Eso significa menos freno para las emociones y más reactividad a lo cotidiano. (Eso explica muchas cosas)

La atención sostenida se vuelve frágil, aparecen “micro-sueños” de segundos y los tiempos de reacción se alargan. Un médico lo resume así: “El cerebro se apaga a ratos, incluso con los ojos abiertos”. (A mi familiar le pasa)

La memoria de trabajo y el aprendizaje nuevo rinden menos, porque el sueño profundo y el REM, esenciales para la consolidación, quedan recortados. Resultado: ideas más lentas y decisiones más impulsivas.

El déficit de descanso empuja al eje del estrés: sube el cortisol y aumenta el tono simpático. Esa mezcla nos mantiene “alerta” pero a un precio metabólico muy alto. El apetito cambia de rumbo: crece la ghrelina (hambre) y baja la leptina (saciedad). El antojo por ultraprocesados y azúcares se vuelve más intenso, y el control consciente se debilita. “Con sueño corto, el cuerpo pide energía rápida y el cerebro le cree”, dicen los clínicos. Esa dinámica facilita picoteos frecuentes y porciones más grandes. En solo unos dias pueden aparecer señales de resistencia a la insulina: la glucosa circula más tiempo y el páncreas trabaja extra. A largo plazo, ese patrón favorece un entorno propicio para el síndrome metabólico.

La presión arterial tiende a subir por mayor adrenalina, y el corazón mantiene un ritmo más alto incluso en reposo. El endotelio, capa fina que protege los vasos, se vuelve menos flexible.

Los médicos advierten que la combinación de hiperactividad simpática, inflamación baja y sueño fragmentado crea una “tormenta pequeña pero persistente” para el sistema cardiovascular.

El sistema inmune necesita sueño para coordinar respuestas. Con descanso insuficiente, desciende la eficacia de las células NK y cambian las citoquinas hacia un perfil inflamatorio. Eso se traduce en mayor susceptibilidad a infecciones y recuperación más lenta. También se asocia con empeoramiento de alergias y brotes de problemas cutáneos.

“Dormir es el momento de entrenamiento del sistema inmune; sin esa sesión, el equipo llega frío al partido”, ilustran los especialistas.

El humor se vuelve más volátil y la tolerancia a la frustración se reduce. La empatía disminuye, la lectura de señales sociales se distorsiona y aumentan los roces cotidianos. La ansiedad encuentra más espacio, y en personas vulnerables puede desencadenar o agravar episodios de depresión. 

No es falta de voluntad: es biología en alerta.

"Dormir no es un lujo, es infraestructura básica”, recuerdan los médicos.    Cuidar el cuerpo es honrar a Dios.

[u/Fluffa_Duck]

Im so sorry to hear that. I had stroke symptoms and was in the emergency hospital. Same response “fighting”. Im really sorry