One in Every Four Korean Churches Experiences Damage from Heretical Groups
2014-02-14 22:47
The results of a survey show that one out of every four churches in Korea experiences damage due to heretical groups. The most harmful group for churches and their members was revealed to be Shincheonji (New Heaven and Earth).
The PCK Hapdong General Assembly’s Survey and Research Committee Against Heretical and Pseudo Groups (Heresy Committee, Chair: Rev. Park Ho-geun) surveyed 632 pastors of its denomination in 16 cities and provinces throughout the nation from March to November last year. They analyzed the survey and announced the results on February 13.
To the question “Has your church ever experienced damage from a heretical group?”, 25.9% of respondents answered “Yes.” Among the types of damage, “luring away church members” was the most frequent answer (80.8%), followed by “confusion in the church” (15.0%) and “division of the church” (4.1%). The most frequent types of damage to church members (or their families) was “runaway” (22.7%), followed by “broken family” (15.5%), “divorce (7.3%)” and “domestic violence” (1.8%).
The heretical group that has infiltrated most often into churches is Shincheonji (34.6%), followed by Guweonpa (5.5%), Tongilgyo (4.0%), Ansanghong Jeunginhoe (3.7%), and Jehovah’s Witnesses (3.1%).
For prevention methods, respondents answered “prevention education” (21.1%), followed by “measures for pastors” (19.1%), and “professional counseling seminar for pastors” (13.4%). “Printed information” such as Kukmin Daily’s “How to Handle Shincheonji” was highly favored as well. (17.6%)
Among 16 cities and provinces, Gwangju is the one most severely damaged by heretical groups, according to 48.8% of Gwangju respondents. Gwangju respondents also reported the most damage from Shincheonji (66.6%). PCK Hapdong General Assembly’s Heresy Committee chair Rev. Park Ho-geun gave his analysis: “It is because Gwangju is one of Shincheonji’s target regions.”
The Hapdong General Assembly will utilize the survey results in preparing policies against heretical groups. The denomination also plans to publish an annotated Book of Revelation this coming April, collect and publish information on damage cases, and open a course on heretical groups at Chongshin University, the denomination’s seminary.
Rev. Park explained, “This survey’s results show that the churches apparently lack follow-up skills such as counseling for the victims. Churches especially lack support measures for those who return to the church after escaping from heretical groups. We will begin preparing such support for them.”
Reporter Jaechan Park (jeep@kmib.co.kr), Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)
Click here for the original article in Korean
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