Shincheonji Church of Jesus Challenges French Media Portrayal, Defends Religious Practice

The Shincheonji Church of Jesus in France has publicly refuted allegations made in a Le Parisien newspaper article, characterizing the report as a one-sided and potentially damaging misrepresentation of their religious community. The church's comprehensive response challenges multiple claims about member treatment, organizational practices, and personal autonomy.

Central to the church's defense is the assertion that the original article, headlined 'They Treated Us Like Animals,' relied heavily on anonymous former member testimonies while minimally representing the organization's perspective. Church representatives claim they submitted extensive written responses to the journalist's inquiries, with less than 1% of their detailed explanation actually included in the published piece.

Current church members provided personal testimonials challenging the negative portrayal. Teresa, a six-year member in Paris, emphasized the voluntary nature of her faith journey, stating she learned about spiritual principles and personal growth. Another member, Axel, described finding life meaning and personal fulfillment through the church, including meeting his wife.

The church systematically addressed specific allegations, including claims about restrictive training programs, data collection, and interpersonal relationships. They denied restricting internet access or family connections, instead suggesting they encourage members to lead exemplary lives within their existing social networks.

Regarding a contentious claim about a forced relationship breakup, the church asserted that the separation was a personal decision unrelated to organizational intervention. Similarly, they explained a photograph purportedly showing disciplinary action was actually an unrelated, consensual image taken before the individual's church membership.

The organization urged media outlets to pursue balanced reporting that includes diverse perspectives, respects religious freedom, and avoids sensationalism. They emphasized their commitment to transparency and open communication, calling for fair representation of religious communities.

This incident highlights broader tensions between religious organizations and media representation, underscoring the challenges of accurately portraying complex faith communities while maintaining journalistic integrity. The church's detailed rebuttal demonstrates the potential consequences of unverified reporting on religious groups' public perception and members' personal experiences.