Factcheck on Shincheonji Church Regarding Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) -2

Factcheck on Shincheonji Church of Jesus Regarding the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) 

Regarding members refusing tests and entering virus treatment centers

 

  Daegu branch’s surveying showed that it is scarce for its members to refuse being admitted to virus treatment centers. The 534 members Daegu City labeled as those refusing to enter the centers were parents who tested positive but had to wait for the screening results of their children. If not, they would be leaving their children all alone at home. Hence, they were merely trying to reschedule the admittance because they had no choice, not that they wanted to refuse being quarantined in the treatment centers. The church has recommended that when children also test positive, they should enter the centers together with the parents, and if the children’s result comes out negative, the church will assist parents in finding a place for the children to be taken care of so that the parents would be able to enter the centers as swiftly as possible.

 

  The branch also notified the whole congregation of the guidelines that going to treatment centers is not an option, but mandatory. Also, there seems to be no member refusing the COVID-19 test as far as the branch is aware. We ask for your understanding in this matter as it is not that members are being uncooperative with public health authorities, but they are currently making changes to accommodate the request of the public health authorities.

 

  On 7 March, special notice from Chairman was sent to the whole congregation on the followings: those who exhibit symptoms must be screened; people working in the medical field, nursing homes, and other facilities where many people gather should be tested even if they don’t show any symptoms; and even if there is no symptom, all members are recommended to be tested. In particular, the message explicitly mentions that “members who didn’t get screened will not be able to attend church services even after COVID-19 situation stabilizes,” taking the strictest measure a religious body can make for cooperation with measures against the virus.

 

  In the case of the Thaddeus Tribe, announcements were made to the congregation via an official notice on 8 March, which included the followings: those target of self-quarantine must not leave their locations of quarantine; even those who don’t display any symptoms must undergo COVID-19 screening with no exception (when there is no notice, make the call to schedule the testing); those who were recommended to be transferred to virus treatment centers or hospitals must keep the schedule and be admitted in time; and people should limit going outside as much as possible even if quarantine period ends.

 

  The tribe also made known that especially those who go against the instructions of Daegu City, other local governments, and public health authorities, intentionally avoids phone calls, or leaves quarantined locations will be prohibited from attending church services even after the public health crisis stabilizes. It has also told the members that in all cases, cooperating with the public health authorities is the top priority, and if not, there will be stern measures from the church.

 

  Although Shincheonji has been fully cooperating with the requests of the public health authorities, it is indeed difficult to control all aspects of life of the entire congregation exceeding 210,000. Some members cannot be reached since they had stopped attending the church, those overseas, and those who avoid the calls of the church, among others. These have led to misunderstandings, but surely, it is not that Shincheonji is not being cooperative. 

 

  As of 8 March, an absolute majority surpassing 90% of the members are faithfully adhering to the instructions of the government. As public health authorities have declared, the church was never intentionally uncooperative. We have already notified all congregants that if they don’t cooperate with the authorities, they will be prohibited from attending church services. As you can see from the tough measure, we will stay committed to pouring in our utmost efforts to curb the virus spreading.

 

Concerning news on Shincheonji not providing to authorities the churches Chairman directly manages

 

  It was aired on a Christian media outlet that there are 63 churches Mr. Lee, the chairman of Shincheonji, directly manages, and that Shincheonji omitted 25 of them when turning over the list of buildings to the public health authorities.

 

  However, Shincheonji has provided information on all 1,903 real estate properties including churches, mission centers, mission churches, education halls, meeting rooms, homes, dorms, land, storages, and properties owned or leased by individuals (as of the end of January 2020).

 

  The 63 church list an insider is told to have provided is from December 2018, from which 26 locations are not used as they have moved to a new location or closed it down. The rest of the buildings have all been submitted to the public health authorities.

 

Regarding news that said congregants of Shincheonji are bonding together with the willingness to face death for Chairman

 

  This is a groundless rumor. Currently, members of Shincheonji have stopped all services and meetings to stem the spreading of COVID-19, and are committed to undergo the virus testing, self-quarantine, and managing personal hygiene. We ask people who convey speculative myths that harm and denigrate the members, to stop as the congregation is fully devoted to life, health, and safety, not death.

 

📌COVID-19 Response of Shincheonji Church of Jesus
http://enblog.shincheonji.kr/p/coivd19-response.html

 

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