Editing Shincheonji Church of Jesus (section)

==Doctrine==
The group is [[Apocalypticism|apocalyptic]]<ref name="PRI-2017-07-11">{{cite news |url=https://www.pri.org/stories/2017-07-11/apocalyptic-korean-christian-group-goes-different-names-critics-say-its-just-cult |access-date=2024-01-17 |title=This apocalyptic Korean Christian group goes by different names. Critics say it is just a cult. |publisher=Public Radio International |date=July 11, 2017 |first=Matthew |last=Bell |work=[[The World (radio program)|The World]]}}</ref> and [[Messianism|messianic]] in character,<ref name=Doomsday>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/south-korean-coronavirus-spike-linked-to-doomsday-sect-with-messianic-leader/2020/02/21/cd3e1220-54c2-11ea-9e47-59804be1dcfb_story.html|author=Min Joo Kim|title=South Korean coronavirus spike linked to doomsday sect with messianic leader|newspaper=Washington Post|date=February 21, 2020}}</ref> and has been described as a [[doomsday cult]].<ref name=Doomsday/>

The group's founder and leader is variously referred to by church followers as "Chairman Lee (이 총회장)"; "the Chairman (회장)"; "the Promised Pastor (약속의 목자)"; "the One who Overcomes (이긴자)"; or "the Advocate (대언자)."<ref name="PRI-2017-07-11"/> Adherents believe Lee is the [[Second Coming|successor to Jesus Christ]],<ref name=Takeover>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11817352|title=Churches on alert of "dangerous cult" Shincheonji on takeover mission|first=Lincoln |last=Tan|date=April 4, 2017|work=New Zealand Herald}}</ref> and as having the unique ability to interpret the [[Book of Revelation]].<ref name="NYT"/> The group also believes in the [[Great Tribulation|times of fulfillment of New Testament prophecies]], the most pious 144,000 adherents of the church will enjoy salvation and [[Eternal life (Christianity)|eternal life]]<ref name=AFPSeoul>{{cite web |url= https://finance.yahoo.com/news/seoul-city-seeks-murder-charges-against-sect-founder-025259454.html |title= Seoul city seeks murder charges against sect founder over virus| author=<!--Not stated--> |date= 2 March 2020 |website= [[Yahoo!]] |publisher= [[Agence France-Presse]] |access-date= 4 March 2020 |quote= }}</ref><ref name=NPRMegachurch>{{cite web|first=Anthony|last=Kuhn|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/03/02/811133716/megachurch-in-south-korea-accused-of-spreading-coronavirus|title=Megachurch In South Korea Accused Of Spreading Coronavirus|date=March 2, 2020|work=Morning Edition|publisher=NPR}}</ref> as promised in [[Revelation 7]]. However, as senior leaders and executives within the denomination continue dying, doubts are growing regarding the doctrine of physical immortality.<ref>{{cite news|last=Park|first=In Jae|title=신인합일 육체영생 주장 신천지, 전직 지파장 부고(訃告) 소식 공개돼 충격|trans-title=Shincheonji, Advocating Physical Immortality through "Unity of God and Man," Shocked by Former Tribe Leader's Obituary|language=ko|url=https://www.amennews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=30030|access-date=11 November 2024|newspaper=Amen News|date=10 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Park|first=In Jae|title="영생은 장수하는 것이다" 신천지, 육체영생 교리 대놓고 변개|trans-title="Eternal Life Means Longevity": Shincheonji Openly Alters Doctrine of Physical Eternal Life|language=ko|url=https://www.amennews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=30114|access-date=4 December 2024|newspaper=Amen News|date=3 December 2024}}</ref>

The group is known for its aggressive and deceptive [[proselytizing]] practices.{{clarify inline|reason=In what way are its practices "aggressive and deceptive"?|date=February 2026}} Due to its poor image in mainstream South Korean society, Shincheonji leaders have at times instructed their followers to lie about their membership, something the group has stated to not be official policy.<ref name=Shadowy>{{cite web |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/21/world/asia/south-korea-coronavirus-shincheonji.html|title=Shadowy Church Is at Center of Coronavirus Outbreak in South Korea|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=February 21, 2020|first=Choe|last=Sang-Hun}}</ref> In 2022, the court ruled the practise of "Shincheonji Deceptive Evangelism" illegal, defined as members of Shincheonji secretly teaching their doctrines while hiding their affiliation.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lee|first=Jae Rim|title="신천지 모략전도는 위법"…탈퇴 신도 위자료 500만원 승소|trans-title="Shincheonji Deceptive Evangelism is Illegal"…Former Member Wins 5 Million Won in Damages|url=https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20220314096800063|access-date=2 August 2024|newspaper=Yonhap News|date=14 March 2022}}</ref> The group is regarded as [[Heresy|heretical]] by mainstream Christian denominations.<ref name=Shadowy/>