The Shincheonji Church of Jesus in France has strongly contested a recent Le Parisien newspaper article that portrayed the religious organization as a problematic evangelical group, arguing that the report was unbalanced and damaging to their reputation.
Church representatives claim the April 7 article, titled "They Treated Us Like Animals," relied heavily on unverified testimonies from anonymous former members while minimally representing the church's perspective. Despite submitting a comprehensive written response to 12 journalist queries, only two sentences were reportedly included in the final publication.
The church countered the allegations by presenting testimonies from current members who described positive experiences. Teresa, a six-year church attendee in Paris, stated, "Faith is something voluntary. Here, I've learned about God and how to live as a person of light."
Key claims disputed by the church include allegations of mandatory training camps, internet restrictions, family isolation, and inappropriate relationship interventions. Church representatives emphasized that their programs are voluntary, members maintain personal autonomy, and they do not collect extensive personal data.
The organization urged media outlets to practice balanced reporting, respect religious freedom, and provide fair representation of religious communities. They stressed the importance of inclusive journalism that reflects diverse perspectives and avoids sensationalism.
This dispute highlights ongoing challenges religious organizations face in media representation and the complex dynamics of reporting on faith communities.
