Scholars from overseas visiting South Korea... Voice raised in 'Eliminating Coercive Conversion Program'

Scholars of the field of 'religion, human rights'
visiting Korea from overseas,

Voice raised in 'Eliminating Coercive Conversion Program'

Scholars from overseas sent a warning message raising their voices regarding 'Coercive Conversion Program' which shows an act of intolerance and discrimination performed by pre-existing denominations in order to ostracize against the new religions. In the seminar, it was also advised that more voices of the international community such as NGOs of international organizations and international media is necessary in order to take measure and punishment against 'Coercive Conversion Program'.

On 29th, HRWF (Human Rights Without Frontiers) and CESNUR (the Center for Studies on New Religions) hold academic seminar titled 'Intolerance and discrimination against new religious movements: an international problem at Audio-Visual Room of Seoul Women's Family Foundation. In the seminar, future directions to correspond were given examining various controversies and outcome regarding anti-cult movement to brainwashing which was performed by pre-existing denominations against new religion.

◆ Italy, Massimo Itrovigne "Elimination of Coercive Conversion Program"

Massimo Itrovigne representative who is the founder of CESNUR and a sociologist in Italy started to bring a topic of 'Coercive Conversion Program' addressing from foundation to the current situation of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, The Temple of the Tabernacle (Shincheonji church) which is severely being persecuted among new religions. Shincheonji church became a main target of coercive conversion program alongside ostracism‧slender given by pre-existing denominations in South Korea. Massimo already recognized the seriousness of coercive conversion program and in this regard he submitted a report to UN regarding human rights to call for the elimination of coercive conversion program.

According to the total counted by Shincheonji church, damages caused by coercive conversion program so far were 2 deaths, 682 sleeping pills, 861 assaults, 1221 confinement, 1293 forced signature which is forcibly made due to coercive conversion program, 1338 forcibly leave of absence from school and work, 1280 threats and swearing, 43 divorce and 1 family death. Also, the number of victims identified to date is 1507.

◆ The United Kingdom, Eileen Barker "Insisting brainwashing theory is wrong."

Eileen Barker who is emeritus professor of Religious Sociology at London School of Economics, UK presented the results of experiment sample which is researched by herself regarding 'brainwashing' which is mentioned as the material of criticism when pre-existing denominations shun the new religion.

Professor Eileen selected a sample group to verify the theory of brainwashing through a workshop. The specific religion that was accused of brainwashing became the subject of the experiment.

Professor Eileen conducted a workshop on 1,000 people who are interested in religion and analyzed the results. Surprisingly, 90% of the participants at workshop did not become members of this particular religion. Most of these participants left a choice to decide within two years.

As a result of 40-50 years of analysis, 90% of second generations born of first generation of this particular religion have left this religion. Professor Eileen asserted that "The statistical results concluded that the technique of this religion is neither irresistible nor irrevocable. The hypothesis of becoming a member of this religion through brainwashing is wrong.". Hypothesis was set to conduct the research as members of that religion may have had a low level of intellect in the past and had a underprivileged childhood or had a history of maladjustment at school, this hypothesis was concluded to be incorrect.

On the other hand, she analyzed that "I found out that this religion provided what neophytes wanted and hoped. Otherwise, they would have left by themselves."

◆ The United States, Gordon Melton "Anti-cult organization, already dissolved in the United States"

Gordon Melton who is a professor at Baylor University in the United States pointed out prevalence and collapse of anti-cult movement which was prevailed in the United States from 1975 to 1995. The anti-cult movement is a dark history in religion in the United States which engaged in conducting coercive conversion program thinking of other denomination as pseudo and heresy.".

Professor Gordon said "The heresy war which was conducted in the United States from 1975 to 1995 ended with the dissolution of 'Cult Awareness Network (CAN)'. The sister organization of CAN, American Family Foundation (name was changed to International Cult Studies Association) is still operating. After dismantling CAN, most of anti-cult activists in the United States have ended up having only argument in the media."

He estimated that "Coercive conversion program has been disappeared. The matter of heresy is no longer the subject of legal action, but is dealt with in cases involving divorce and child abuse. The power of oppose dissemination and activities of new religion in North America has declined considerably although anti-cult organizations and 'cult' experts will persist for a while.

◆ Lithuania Rosita soryte “Religious Persecution, External factors matter”

Rosita soryte who is the president of 'International Observatory of Religious Liberty of Refugees' and served Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Lithuania) diagnosed that persecution of religion is not only caused by religious causes mentioning the case of Russian Orthodox Church.

He emphasized "If you analyze political, economical and social situation related to religious persecution, you will find out other reasons rather than religious persecution itself in almost every situation.".

He also said "Since the reasons for religious persecution vary from country to country. According to local situation and characteristics, intrigue appear differently justifying suppression, patterns and persecution.".

He gave an example of Russian Orthodox Church pointing out the matter of national security rather than the matter of religion and affirmed "Russia has religion but not freedom of religion."

◆ The United States, Holly Folk “Justifying persecution is false information.”

Professor Holly Folk of Western Washington University, Liberal Studies Department published a study on the theme of groundless criticism against new religions which was titled 'Systematic Disinformation Campaigns'.

The research conducted by Professor Holly was mainly based on a case of a new religion spread in China. For example, the cases include five particular religious believers set fire to their own bodies at the the Tiananmen Square in 2001, 22 children and an adult woman were attacked by Yan outside a school, Xiaobin was kidnapped by Jang and became blind at the scene, murder case at McDonald and the case of family suicide at Shenzhen city.

Professor Holly pointed out a common feature such as ▲ anti-group propaganda ▲ creating fear for the public ▲ legitimate media censorship and information control ▲ control of the media and academic survey and ▲ applying to asylum seeker.

He emphasized on these information saying "Justifying persecution is intentional and disinformation which is supported by country. This is a part of pattern aimed at Western media and scholars. There is great reason to doubt and there is no reason to believe any issue regarding any suspicion.".

◆ Belgium Willy Fautr “Improvement of awareness utilizing international society mechanisms"

Willy Fautr who is a representative of human rights without borders proposed the way how new religions should act upon coercive conversion program taken place. Representative Willy suggested two ways to try in South Korea saying "In Europe, this issue can be solved through the European Court of Human Rights."

"First of all, It is necessary to spread awareness to coercive conversion program actively improving overall public opinion in Korea through the media.."

"The next is to use the United Nations as the mechanisms of international society. Each country must submit a report on human rights to the United Nations. The fact that human rights are violated in South Korea is needed to be reported."

Representative Willy said "If we try in this direction, we can punish those who are involved in coercive conversion program and oppose to punishment so that the change may occur in religion.".

On that day, as a case of damage caused by coercive conversion program, the story of Toru Koto of the Unification Church, Un Byung Hoon and Lim Young Sik of Shincheonji church were introduced.