[compile Tian Mengxin]
The documentary “In the Name of God: Betrayal of Faith” is surprising. Why are there so many cults in South Korea, a country with a strong economy and a large exporter of film and television culture? How did this society, which experts estimate has 2 million cult members, get to this point?
There are 8 episodes in this documentary, and it mentions how the leaders of Korea’s JMS, Five Oceans, Baby Garden, and Manmin Central Church brainwashed believers, and carried out heinous sexual assaults or abetted suicide, infanticide, etc. What they have in common is that they all gather believers in the name of God, make them let go of their defenses through speech skills, and even sincerely believe that their actions are serving the faith.
The common method of the leaders is to call themselves “Messiah” (the meaning of the savior). The believers must go through the redemption of the leader to enter heaven, which requires them to make all devotion and sacrifices. Believers who feel that something is wrong also find it difficult to appeal because of the public opinion and violence of the church. At present, heretical religions are still a frequent visitor to South Korea’s crime news, and several well-incriminated leaders are still at large.
Although Jerikyo and others have become the main focus of attention because of the documentary, Tark Ji Il, a professor at Pusan Presbyterian University and an expert on Korean cults, told The Diplomat that there may be hundreds of cults in South Korea. Michael Breen, a reporter who published the book “The Koreans”, also mentioned that in the early 1960s, there were already 70 Koreans who claimed to be the Messiah and had followers.
This makes people wonder, now that South Korea is enjoying the fruits of economic take-off and continues to leap forward, and the Hallyu culture is more popular all over the world. In a country that looks beautiful and rich on the surface, why are cults so prevalent here?
A turbulent history, a chaotic heart
The definition of “cult” is controversial, and contemporary historians avoid making value judgments regarding religion, but Timothy Lee, an expert on Korean evangelicals at Brite Theological Seminary in Texas, offers three indicators: freedom to join and leave the group, Transparency in leadership, and how the group sees the wider society – cults typically take a more exclusive and condemning approach to society.
However, there are several fringe church organizations in South Korea that involve fraud, coercion, and even rape and murder, which undoubtedly saves experts from worrying regarding definitions, and they are genuine cults.
These heretical religions thrived during traumatic periods of modern Korean history, as can be seen in the Japanese colonial period from 1910 to 1945, the Korean War from 1950 to 1953, and the military dictatorship and authoritarianism in the 1970s and 1980s. A rising wave of new religions.
Deep-rooted obedience culture, advocating the social atmosphere of competition
However, why have cults not faded away in Korean society following the country’s turmoil ended, and why are they still getting worse?
Expert Li pointed out that this is also related to social culture. “Compared to Westerners, Koreans tend to be less individualistic and more group-oriented, tending to join organizations that often take on some form of family,” “If the leaders of the organization initiate a kind of “Society disdains religious appeals” and gathers followers and insists on exclusivity, then there is the beginning of a cult.”
Nationalism is also a good tool to summon collective consciousness. Currently, many emerging religious groups in South Korea are “messian,” meaning charismatic leaders who claim god-like status and are highly Korean-centric, espousing a vision of “Koreans” as gods A form of spiritual nationalism for voters. According to Tark Ji Il’s research, many Koreans believe that the new savior will be Korean and that the kingdom of God will be established in Korea.
The value of “seniority” valued by Korean society has also contributed to the “greatness” of cult leaders. “You put those older Koreans in suits, and it’s hard for younger Koreans to question that, especially when a new member is brought into a religious setting with a lot of members,” Daly said.
In addition, when South Korea finally got out of the three periods of suffering in history, it does not mean that the suffering has ended. The rapid economic growth of modern South Korea has produced a highly competitive and status-centered culture, which has given rise to the popularity of some cults that claim to help their followers on the road to material prosperity.
According to the pastor’s observation, the mental state of these people who joined the cult was similar to that of drug addiction. He believes that the best way to treat these people is to find a supportive community for these people and to promote the sense of common good in society. Otherwise, this group of people who think they are misfits in society will only be more tightly bound to the cult because of external attacks.
According to estimates by Park Hyung-tak, director of the Korea Institute of Christian Heresy, there are now regarding 2 million people in the country who are followers of cults. When people watch the tragic film and television works caused by cults, they may wish to reflect on what kind of society is easy to breed heresy.
(Source: The Diplomat, The Economist, Korea Herald, SCMP)
【Extended reading】
Are you in a company or a cult?The Economist: 6 Indicators to Review
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