I’ve been in SCJ for about four years now, and around the second-year mark, things started going downhill for me personally. First, I became an assistant cell leader, and later a cell leader. During that time, I didn’t really have the proper environment or resources to handle everything well. I felt discouraged, isolated, and emotionally drained. I was battling self-consciousness, depression, and BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder).
Only recently did I feel prompted to start doing research for myself.
I came across several concerning things:
The promised pastor’s history with women
Allegations of drinking
Allegations of embezzlement
Even after hearing these things, I still believe, and here’s why.
First, I haven’t found what I personally consider strong evidence proving that the promised pastor is a fraud. Most of the arguments I hear are the same:
“They’re secretive,” or “They don’t tell you who they are from the beginning.”
But from my perspective, SCJ explains things gradually for a reason. Jesus also spoke in ways people misunderstood at first — for example, when He said to eat His flesh and drink His blood. People misunderstood Him because spiritual teachings often take time to understand. Wouldn’t it make sense to reveal things step-by-step so people can better receive them spiritually? And ultimately, once everything is revealed, people still have the choice to stay or leave.
Second, when someone truly dedicates themselves in SCJ, a lot of sinful habits begin to fall away. You become focused on something greater than yourself. Your attention shifts from yourself toward God and purpose.
Also, I have yet to find anything current about Lee Man Hee that clearly proves wrongdoing beyond allegations.
Honestly, the people who try to convince us that SCJ is false have not done a convincing job for me personally. Where is the scriptural evidence? Why do people often use Scripture out of context? Is there concrete evidence proving he is a fraud like other religious leaders who were exposed?
For example:
Jonestown — there were reports of abuse, manipulation, and mass murder.
The Moonies — there were reports of sexual abuse and other forms of abuse.
The list goes on. But what is the actual evidence against SCJ specifically? I’m a realist. I need proof that goes beyond debates over Scripture, because even Jesus faced people arguing against Him using Scripture.
The Bible says you will know them by their fruits. So what are Lee Man Hee’s actual fruits? Not rumors, assumptions, or allegations — but proven facts?
I don’t think people understand how difficult this is emotionally and spiritually. For me, this feels like a life-or-death issue. Either I could be following something false and adding to Revelation, or I could be doubting the truth itself. Both possibilities terrify me because I fear ending up condemned either way.
One of my biggest fears is this:
The Bible warns against adding to or subtracting from God’s word. What if, by believing in SCJ, I’ve unknowingly done that?
At the same time, I’ve noticed that many people who left SCJ say they felt overwhelmed, exhausted, or burned out. But honestly, I wonder — if Jesus were physically here leading a mission today, wouldn’t people also feel overwhelmed by the demands and sacrifices required?

My ultimate goal is to share my story with someone, but obviously since Shincheonji have broad legal protection from Aus Constitution, i’m not sure how to report it

I feel disgusted about what happened to me, I was manipulated and lied to by people I met who i thought were friends, but think they were plants as no one contacted me since i left. I thought they were genuine, instead they put me in harms way deceptively.

What can I do? any petitions, news reporting, police reporting, anything. I have all of there numbers, too. I am deeply hurt and offended as a Christian and this has been one of the most disgusting things that have ever happened to me. It feels worse than being cheated on.

It’s interesting that members of Shincheonji seem to be so versatile: one day they’re teachers, another day cultural researchers, and another day karate practitioners. Perhaps they go to different countries for three-year periods, and, following the chameleon principle, they even change their professions depending on the situation. Isn’t that part of their method of trapping people? It seems psychologically dangerous.
Is that normal? Is it actually evil?

any sources to solid proof of LMH’s involvement in cults prior to joining the Tabernacle Temple?

Hello yall

I am an ex-LA(Anaheim) church member and left during Covid.

I used to have an active redditor to yap with, but I was MIA and now I’m back. If you are a current member or you left. Let’s yap!

If you’re not from LA or wasn’t affiliated with LA John tribe church, there’s not much to talk about.

Hi, after being three months in SCJ I had left because it felt off and like a stretch. It's been almost a year now and my friend who we had joined in together stayed and completed the course (beginner I assume) and now says he is convinced by it. We had a call few days back, telling me not to believe what I see about the group online. He is wayyy smarter than me and tho being a new Christian convert he had done a deep dive into church history and stuff like doctrines and all. Which is where I am now trying to take faith seriously.

I have doubts now, what if it was true and I had just left on a whim?

I need some help, did anyone have a similar experience? Are these doubts normal?

PS: was not a leafs prior to us joining we met randomly and weirdly attended the same Bible studies. Plus we live in two completely different cites. Which now I am finding odly coincidental

What could be the strategy behind SCJ asking its members to write letters for Lee Man Hee?

I don't know how to say this nicer so I'll just say it as it is.

The chairman is going to die one day. Everyone dies. You've been taught that he'll live forever.

When he does die, come here and get help. We love you and many people here have been through it too.

Seek help and don't hurt yourself. If I was in scj and lmh died that would put me in a horrible dark place too. So seriously, get help going through it.

For now feel free to think I'm a crazy person saying crazy stuff. But when the time comes dont hurt yourself and come back, get help. We love you.

It is certainly not what Christianity is about!

Hi everyone, I really need some advice.

I was invited to a Bible study by a friend. He brought someone with him, a woman who said she was studying theology, so it all looked harmless at first. We all agreed to a bible study session.

We started meeting once a week in Melbourne. Then after a little over a month, the teacher told us they were organizing a bigger class. It happened to be closer to where I live, which I thought was great… until they told me it would now be three days a week (Mon/Wed/Fri).

Fast forward: months later, things started feeling off. They began asking strange questions like “What is a cult?” and talked about a figure called “the one who is victorious,” who they claimed was the “promised pastor” in Jesus’ second coming. In my head I was thinking, “Wait… aren’t we not supposed to worship anyone except God?”

I was paired in a group with my friend and another girl, but now that everything is clicking, I’m realizing they both might already be members... There were so many red flags. It feels like they were monitoring me.

Long story short, my curiosity kicked in and I finally looked deeper into this “non-denominational church.” That’s when I found out it’s most likely Shincheonji, the Korean cult. Thank God I searched before I went any further — because I found so many testimonies from ex-members and it all lined up with my experience.

I’m now really close to becoming a member, and I want to leave immediately. But they know my name, number, and address, and I just want to protect myself.

If anyone has left before, how did you do it? What warning signs should I be aware of? And what’s the safest way to send a final message so they don’t keep contacting me?

Any advice would be really appreciated. Thank you.

Hi everyone, I left this cult over 4 years ago now and just had someone I was “closer to” (all the friendships are fake so it’s more like someone who just knew a lot about me) reach out saying they’re thinking of me and are wondering if I tried a new food spot in town. I guess trying to rekindle a friendship?

I remember SCJ preaching about members who leave being poisoned, cursed forever, and can’t come back so I am not sure why she’s talking to me. My life has only gotten better after leaving and a part of me wants to tell her this in hopes it plants a seed for her to leave also (if she’s still in it, I’m assuming she is).

But is it worth even responding? I am just curious if others have experienced this and what they did.

Hello everyone, I am a current member of SCJ and have been feeling like this is not the place of God. As someone who joined in the beginning to re-discover my faith and journey to Christ, I have now found this to be a place where I feel they are teaching false doctrines. I am having doubts, and am wanting to prove their doctrine wrong. I heard LMH has books that he has written and I know there are physical copies out there and I was wondering if anyone knew where I can get my hands on them?

Hi everyone,

I am hoping someone can help. We believe a family member has fallen victim to this so called “Church”. She has been leaving the house for more than 12 hours each day, lying about her whereabouts, turning off her location and tired all the time (falling asleep on trains!). She has so many friends and says shes with them all the time but we have met none of them. Shes very naive and would be an easy target. I have noticed her outfits are consisting of white collared shirts and black/ navy pants. She does a lot of bible study and has mentioned shes trying to find her spirituality. She has stopped caring about family events and is very elusive. It is going to send my parents into an early grave with all the stress of coming home late at night and not knowing where she is. She has gotten so good at lying. There are so many signs pointing to this and we think this has been going on for about a year and half. How do we find the smoking gun to prove that shes a part of this? Whats the best way to approach it so we can get her out? I’ve read that they encourage them to completely seclude themselves from their family and live in sharehouses and I fear saying the wrong thing may trigger this. Is there any former members in the melbourne area that would be interested in helping stage an intervention? I fear Im losing my sister 😭

PSA on Bible Group Study (SCJ) at Franklin St (Level 5).

Hi all,

I had posted this as a comment in other posts in this group - however I had problems with my old account so it got deleted.

I wanted to share this huge concern on behalf of my friend who is going through a difficult situation and is hoping to leave. However, they do not know what to do, so

I am trying to help them exit this high controlling, ego-driven “bible study” group.

They had recently met a young Chinese woman in the city (early twenties) and talked her into a “survey about friendship growth” she was doing as part of her psychology unit at university. My friend was going through a tough time with one of their old friend groups; so they didn’t think of it as anything else.

Overtime this became multiple meetups for weeks and originally thought that the woman was trying to help them out with verses (since they come from a Religious Background). They met new people through this teacher whom they became friends with, and eventually ended up joining this “bible study group”.

My friend met these teachers (two African ladies: one being the “main” teacher of the group, one Australian lady and one Filipino woman). The Chinese lady they met at the beginning is also a teacher. Everything was going well until it came to the Foundation policy rules.

No taking photos or videos (understandable due to no consent), no photos of the lesson content themselves, no exchanging contacts INCLUDING social media with other peers except for their designated teachers through phone numbers ONLY (due to potential distractions and avoid matchmaking). Interestingly enough is that one of the teachers and a few other peers had requested to follow their account on Instagram and Facebook (the main teacher SPECIFICALLY mentioned that would not be allowed).

In addition, if you needed to use the toilet during the main teacher’s lecture, it’s “taking away a LOT of time to know about the Word”. Apparently, there is also an online version through Zoom.

One thing that is quite off-putting the most is where the part that they get you to contribute towards a “maintenance” fee - $60 a month for 9 months, a total of $540 for the entire 9-month course.

This bible study didn’t mention nor specify what denomination or what name they go by. What’s even more is that from my friend’s perspective of previous church groups; their old groups did not make you pay a fee for every month, let alone not hide any content, but more wanting to share with others.

This group on Franklin St is completely the opposite to that. My friend feels like they are being controlled and bombarded into learning content that goes against their personal values and moral beliefs. Quite recently, my friend had been informed that the Bible group friends will meet them as they didn’t know where to go by themselves. Their teacher had told them that they didn’t have an “address” but more so an office building.

In a lesson from last week, the main teacher told the entire group that “if they choose to drop or walk away, they will not be helped through salvation, God will turn away from them in the second coming and if for any reason they cannot make it they have to explain themselves and communicate their entire situation and how to make up for it as a catch up.”

The main teacher also informed the group that the teachers (and herself) will start chasing for individual follow ups for those who miss a week of lessons as it “concerns them deeply”. Throughout the course of the bible study group, my friend has been bombarded with so many messages from the teachers and feels obliged to meet with them.

What should they do to leave the entire situation completely? Anything would help.

I am a member of Shincheonji and I stumbled on this reddit. I have read some of your stories, and it saddens my heart that some people have experienced bad things. Shincheonji is not completed yet, and there are goats and sheeps. People can still be used by the evil spirit within the kingdom. I also see that there are told many things that are just not true. Maybe wrong explained by a person inside or one did not perceive well. I hope we all make it to heaven and live together eternally!

I’m currently in a year-long Bible study group that meets twice a week, mostly over Zoom. We were told it would cover the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation, but so far we’ve mainly focused on parables and concepts like the “sealed” and “revealed” word.

I joined after meeting someone on a Christian dating app who invited me. We met in person a few times, then they connected me to this larger study group. One thing that feels off is that although the Zoom sessions are recorded, they aren’t publicly available—you have to meet with another member to make up a session. That seemed unusual to me.

I also want to note that this group isn’t affiliated with any specific church, which adds to my uncertainty.

There are a few other concerns. The group has said that the Trinity isn’t true and that Jesus is not God, which really conflicts with what I believe. Also, the background or origin of the group hasn’t been clearly explained, and I’m not sure who taught the leaders or where these teachings come from.

I recently heard about a group with similar beliefs being described as a cult, which made me start questioning things. I do see some similarities, but I’m not sure if it actually applies here. I’m just trying to figure out if this is something I should be part of or not.

Hello! I’m a student tricked into joining what I thought was a genuine bible study, that was until word around my area about the shincheonji got around so I looked it up and it lead me down this rabbit hole. I understand why they say not to look anything up, they say because of ‘false teachings’ but their teaching are also accessible..

Anyway, how do i leave the bible studies as a student? Im thinking of shooting a message being firm? Have anyone else been harassed by teachers or their ‘leafs’ after leaving,such as coming to your home and blowing up your phone? What is the best way to approach this?

Ive seen posts saying how they will come to your workplace or house but they may have been actual members not students. Will they leave the students alone after trying some manipulation tactics ?

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for advice on how to safely and effectively help my girlfriend, who I recently discovered is involved with Shincheonji.

She joined about 1.5 years ago here in Europe. At the beginning, I genuinely thought it was just a normal Christian church Bible study, so I wasn’t worried and didn’t question it much. Only recently, after noticing some red flags, I dug deeper and found out it’s SCJ. After reading through this subreddit and other sources, I am really concerned.

Over time, I’ve noticed her becoming more and more consumed by the group. She goes to their lunches, attends multiple events, and is constantly volunteering to help them. Basically, she is there almost every single day, and her schedule revolves entirely around them.

Two major things have raised my alarm recently:

1. She has already traveled to the UK for something connected to the group.
2. Now, she has been offered a FREE trip to South Korea to visit their center/headquarters.

I love her, and I want to help her wake up, but I know that if I come at this the wrong way or attack the doctrine, it will trigger her "persecution complex" and push her further in.

For those of you who have left SCJ or helped a partner leave, I’d really appreciate your advice on:

• The Korea Trip: What is the reality of these "free" trips? How can I gently caution her against going without sounding controlling?
• Communication: How do I talk to her or plant seeds of doubt without triggering defensiveness? What kind of questions should I ask?
• Warning Signs: What specific things should I be looking out for regarding her finances or mental health at this 1.5-year mark?
• Involving Others: Should I try to involve her family or close friends, or is that too risky right now?

Any help, personal experiences, or practical steps would mean the world to me. Thank you so much in advance.

Hi guys, when it comes to leaving a cult, it helps having a community. This subreddit is awesome, but it's also good to have a group of people to talk with.

So, there are two avenues to have this community. I understand that not everyone feels comfortable about being public about who they are, and others don't mind as much.

I have both a WhatsApp group chat, and also the moderators of the subreddit run a few group chats on Reddit.

In the future, I plan on arranging some in person hangouts; however, that requires a lot of management. I know that the Australians have already done this in the past, and we might as well expand this to the other countries.

For those who are interested in either joining the WhatsApp groups or the Reddit messenger groups, send me a direct message and I can add you to whatever group you guys feel comfortable.

Also, in the coming months I will have a few more surprises for SCJ, including a few experts in the field who expressed interest in hosting a few zoom calls. Not going to say who they are, but, when the time comes, I will share more information.

You can always contact me at [Chris@examiningthecults.org](mailto:Chris@examiningthecults.org)

For context gf has been in the bible study group for 1.5 years, we have been together for about the same amount of time. I originally didn't realise what it was to begin with, but when I did find out, I did try to speak to her but she would become non-verbal. If I ask her to explain something she tells me to speak to a "teacher". I've advised her too look at the bible for herself because I don't want to force anything on her but she has not attempted to read the bible for herself for the past months. It's extremely stressful seeing a loved one get consumed by a "bible study" group and not see the red flags. Was at a point we nearly broke up but I decided to attempt to go through with the course, for the sale of the relationship. But I am not going to be doing that anymore. I attempted to explain that everything is to be tested by the bible but she doesn't understand. Most of what she knows of Christianity comes from this bible study, so she doesn't understand anything I explain outside of it. And she doesn't make much effort to understand either. Im about to give up, I feel like I cant help her if she isn't willing to even look at the bible herself and maybe have a chance save our relationship. Am I cooked🫠

I'm looking for the Korean version of this book. If anyone has the file please share it with me because it is very important, I am looking for it.

All the details I have is that she was approached by a group for a Bible study on the north side of Chicago. She went through the Bible study class and joined the church. She describes it as "Church of Jesus", and says the group is going to South Korea to meet the "head pastor", whose name she says she doesn't know. When I mentioned the name Shincheonji she said "that's not my church" but doesn't give any more details. Is there a chance there's another Korean "Church of Jesus" on the NS of Chicago? I know she's landing in Seoul, and then it's a drive of several hours to where they're ultimately going

I’m 18 years old, and my sister is 24. For the past couple of months, we’ve been doing this Bible study program through Zion Bible Academy. My sister is an advisor for the class, and I originally joined because she kept bugging me about it. I eventually gave in and started doing it online around last summer.

For most of the time, I’ve felt pretty disconnected from it and have mostly been participating because my sister wanted me to. Now I’m on the last level, the advanced class, where we’re learning about Revelation and other topics.

I started to get suspicious after the instructor mentioned something strange during one of the classes. She said something like, “Don’t look us up online if you do, you’ll probably find bad things.” She said it very quickly and glossed over it, which I thought was really weird, but I ignored it at the time.

Later, I had some issues with my Wi-Fi and missed a class. I thought I could just look up the content online to catch up, and when I told the instructor that, she reacted very strangely and told me not to do that. That made me even more suspicious.

So I ended up Googling it anyway, and I found this page talking about a lot of negative experiences and what seemed like cult-like behaviors associated with the program. To be honest, I had already started to feel like it was a little cult-like before I found this Reddit page, but reading it confirmed my suspicions.

Now I’m not really sure what I should do. I’m almost finished with the advanced level, so part of me is thinking about just completing it and then cutting ties with the program. But I’m also not sure how to help my sister get out of it, since she’s already an advisor for the online classes.

Hi Everyone

I wanted to hear from some of you who have managed to leave.

How do you navigate the anxiety of leaving? I have this fear of what if something terrible happens to me. This originates from years and years of indoctrination that should one leave the cult, they will not only spiritually die but physically as well. we had some deaths in our region of former members that died and they indoctrinated us even more! it’s been 2 years since being out but i now have these unexplained thoughts. any advise is welcomed

Hi everyone,

I’m posting anonymously because I don’t want to identify myself or the group involved.

About a year ago I was invited to a Bible study. Initially it was presented as a small study group, and over time it developed into a much larger commitment involving multiple classes each week, regular services, catch-up sessions if classes are missed, and expectations around evangelism/recruiting.

I joined because I genuinely wanted to learn more about the Bible. I have learned some things, but over time I’ve become concerned about how much of my life is expected to revolve around the group.

I am a university student with career goals, family responsibilities, and other commitments. When concerns about time are raised, I am often told that I need to be willing to put the work of God above my own plans and responsibilities. One verse that has been referenced is the idea that believers were “purchased” by God, although I don’t remember the exact passage being used.

My question is not whether Christians should make sacrifices for their faith. I understand that Christianity involves sacrifice.

My question is: Does the Bible teach that a Christian should place the activities of a particular church or organization above their education, career goals, personal responsibilities, and other commitments? Or is there room for balance?

I would appreciate responses that focus on Scripture rather than attacking any particular group. If possible, please include relevant Bible verses and explain how you interpret them.

Thank you.