u/cultalarm

I'm so tired of seeing people say that South Korea is violating human rights and trying to stop religious freedom by locking up Lee Man-Hee. I've seen current members argue that Lee Man-Hee is being persecuted.

However, the truth is that Lee Man-Hee, himself, was responsible for taking away the human rights of his own members. Yes, when Lee Man-Hee and Shinchoenji leadership forced Shincheonji members in Korea to vote for a specific party, he was denying those members the freedom that every democracy is supposed to uphold. Democracy cannot exist when people are forced to vote a specific way by some outside force.

The government is supposed to protect its citizens and their human rights, including their right to vote. That right is just as important as the right to religious freedom. I think any member who talks about religious freedoms when it comes to Lee Man-Hee's arrest but fails to talk about voting rights is being completely disingenuous.

If you're a current member, what are your thoughts?

Would love to hear if anyone happened to be living in Japan and was recruited into any cults. Living in Korea as a foreigner, I see it happen here all the time. Korea is known for its vicious cults, and I know Japan is often cited as having many cults, as well, so I'm curious to hear any stories.

If you were in a cult and consixered yourself to be PIMO (physically in, mentally out), was there anything that pulled you back in to be PIMI? As in, was there a time when you were done with the belief system but then you were re-indoctrinated? If so, what caused it? Was it guilt? Giving in to family demands to continue attending services? Did they present some evidence that fully satisfied your doubts?

Thank you!

What's something that you witnessed in-person that was very eerie, creepy, or chilling that isn't related to anything paranormal, religious, etc? I'm asking about something that came about from ordinary, real, and easily explainable circumstances, yet still gave you goosebumps when you witnessed it?

Hello, I'm a American professor living in South Korea. If you know anything about South Korea, you'll know that the cults here are vicious... They constantly harass my students on campus and trick them into exchanging contact information, joining their events, and eventually funnel the students into the cult.

I'm putting together a large project to help inform students on my campus that I plan on using as a pilot program... With success, I'm hoping to expand it to other campuses in my city.

My goal with this project educate students about the specific Korean cults that target them, but in order to do that, I think that it's important to first give them a general understanding of cults, then build off of there. I know that there's not a lot of explicit overlap with Korean cults that people in this sub would know.

I'm hoping to get in contact with an ex-INC or two who might be willing to do a short interview about INC beliefs and their personal interpretation of what a cult is, and if they are comfortable enough, then maybe we can do a second, extended interview that could include any amount of their story that they think would help to bring awareness about the dangers of Iglesia Ni Cristo/cult groups.

My private messages are open to anyone who would like to lend their voice, but if you know anyone who you think might like to lend their voice, please do let me know in the comments.

Thank you so much!

Hello, I'm a American professor living in South Korea. If you know anything about South Korea, you'll know that the cults here are vicious... They constantly harass my students on campus and trick them into exchanging contact information, joining their events, and eventually funnel the students into the cult.

I'm putting together a large project to help inform students on my campus that I plan on using as a pilot program... With success, I'm hoping to expand it to other campuses in my city.

My goal with this project educate students about the specific Korean cults that target them, but in order to do that, I think that it's important to first give them a general understanding of cults, then build off of there. I know that there's not a lot of explicit overlap with Korean cults that people in this sub would know. (Even though I've seen many JW with street carts in Korea!)

I'm hoping to get in contact with an ex-JW or two who might be willing to do a short interview about JW beliefs and their personal interpretation of what a cult is, and if they are comfortable enough, then maybe we can do a second, extended interview that could include any amount of their story that they think would help to bring awareness about the dangers of the Watch Tower/cult groups.

My private messages are open to anyone who would like to lend their voice, but if you know anyone who you think might like to lend their voice, please do let me know in the comments.

Thank you so much!

Hello, I'm a American professor living in South Korea. If you know anything about South Korea, you'll know that the cults here are vicious... They constantly harass my students on campus and trick them into exchanging contact information, joining their events, and eventually funnel the students into the cult.

I'm putting together a large project to help inform students on my campus that I plan on using as a pilot program... With success, I'm hoping to expand it to other campuses in my city.

My goal with this project educate students about the specific Korean cults that target them, but in order to do that, I think that it's important to first give them a general understanding of cults, then build off of there. I know that there's not a lot of explicit overlap with Korean cults that people in this sub would know. (Even though I've seen several Mormon missionaries over here in Koea!)

I'm hoping to get in contact with an ex-Mormon or two who might be willing to do a short interview about what Mormonism is and their personal interpretation of what a cult is, and if they are comfortable enough, then maybe we can do a second, extended interview that could include any amount of their story that they think would help to bring awareness about the dangers of Mormonism/cult groups.

My private messages are open to anyone who would like to lend their voice, but if you know anyone who you think might like to lend their voice, please do let me know in the comments.

Thank you so much!

Hello, I'm a American professor living in South Korea. If you know anything about South Korea, you'll know that the cults here are vicious... They constantly harass my students on campus and trick them into exchanging contact information, joining their events, and eventually funnel the students into the cult.

I'm putting together a large project to help inform students on my campus that I plan on using as a pilot program... With success, I'm hoping to expand it to other campuses in my city.

My hope is to educate students about the specific Korean cults that target them, but my intention is to create a baseline understanding of what cults are and how their structure and beliefs can vary.

I'm hoping to get in contact with an ex-Scientologist or two who might be willing to do a short interview about what Scientology is and what a cult is, and if they are comfortable enough, then even an extended interview that could include any amount of their story that they think would help to bring awareness about the dangers of Scientology.

My private messages are open to anyone who would like to lend their voice, but if you know anyone who you think might like to lend their voice, please do let me know in the comments.

Thank you so much!

I live in Korea and the SCJ members here are notorious for trying to recruit people under false pretenses. Members walk around university campuses or downtown, randomly trying to grab the attention of people by asking them to do a survey about AI, talking about joining an art club, asking about students in need of financial aid, etc. Unsuspecting people who engage in these conversations and often get funneled into a Bible study after they've been vetted, etc.

So, my question is... Were any of you recruited this way? What was the excuse that they used to start talking to you?

Hello, I apologize for using what is essentially a blank account. Despite the name and question, I hope that my post will be allowed to remain up by the moderation team.

I am trying to connect with people who have left the Thelema movement. My inbox will be publicly available for anyone to message about their experiences. Specifically, I am curious why people might leave the movement.

As you know, some people may remain religious after leaving organized structures, so this question is not specifically directed at people who are disgruntled towards Thelema and the philosophy behind it, but I don't mind hearing from people who have left.

Whether it's lack of interests, finding a new organization or beliefs, I am curious to hear about people's journey through and out of Thelemic groups/organizations.

More specifically, I am hoping to hear from people who have left OTO (Ordo Templi Orientis), as this is the group that I have most experience with.

Personally, I am not a follower of Thelemic beliefs and my knowledge of it is quite elementary. I am not making this post as any kind of accusation or prejudice, just a call for more information and education. Please feel free to also express your opinions in the comments, as well, but let's remain respectful.

Thank you!