The Shincheonji Church of Jesus in France has publicly challenged a recent newspaper article published by Le Parisien, alleging serious misrepresentation of the religious organization's practices and perspectives. The church claims the April 7 article, which features a former member's account, presents a fundamentally unbalanced narrative.
The church's representatives assert that while they provided a comprehensive written response to the journalist's 12 preliminary questions, the published article included merely two sentences of their detailed explanation. This selective reporting, according to the church, represents less than 1% of their full response and significantly limits readers' ability to understand the complete context.
Particularly controversial was the article's headline, 'They Treated Us Like Animals,' which the church describes as sensationalist and deeply offensive. Church representatives emphasized that no members have experienced or reported such treatment, and the headline was designed solely to attract attention.
The church also challenged the article's visual representation, specifically addressing a photograph depicting a member with feet on a radiator. Church officials explained that the image was taken before the individual joined the organization and was simply a casual, humorous moment, not a form of punishment as the article suggested.
Beyond the specific article, the Shincheonji Church raised broader concerns about media ethics and religious representation. They argued that biased reporting can lead to stigmatization and potentially infringe on religious freedom and human rights, calling for more balanced and respectful media coverage of faith communities.
