Family Packet

Why your loved one may shut down when you talk about Shincheonji

Written by Chris Vishoot · Fact checked by Bible Vaccine Center Editorial Team

Before we begin, I want you to imagine a situation.

Imagine this

Imagine you have an atheist friend who strongly dislikes Christianity.

Every time you spend time together, this friend tries to convince you that Christianity is false.

They constantly bring up contradictions in the Bible, show you videos criticizing Christianity, and tell you that your religion is a cult.

Whenever you try to explain what you believe, they interrupt you, tell you why you’re wrong, or ask another question designed to prove that Christianity doesn’t make sense.

Eventually, you realize that every conversation with this friend is going to turn into an argument about your faith.

Would you look forward to spending time with this person?

Would you feel comfortable sharing your beliefs with them?

Or would you start avoiding conversations about religion because you already know where they’re going?

You might even begin distancing yourself from this friend altogether.

Tap to see the connection

Now, imagine that same friend starts asking you questions about Christianity.

Even if some of those questions are reasonable, wouldn’t you be suspicious of their intentions?

You might wonder, “Are they genuinely interested in understanding what I believe, or are they just trying to prove me wrong again?”

This is how your loved one in Shincheonji may feel when you repeatedly confront them about their beliefs.

And there is an additional challenge.

Shincheonji teaches its members to expect persecution and opposition from people outside the organization. Members may be taught to interpret criticism from family and friends as Satan attempting to interfere with their faith.

So when you repeatedly argue with your loved one, show them articles exposing Shincheonji, or try to catch them in contradictions, you may unintentionally reinforce what they have already been taught to expect.

Instead of thinking, “Maybe my family has a point,” they may think, “Shincheonji warned me this would happen.”

Have you noticed this?

Social withdrawal from family and friends
Secrecy about activities and whereabouts
Sudden personality or behavioral changes
Constantly busy with religious activities
Us-versus-them mentality

Nothing here is saved.

This is why our first goal is not to disprove Shincheonji.

Our first goal is to reach a point where your loved one actually wants to talk with you.

We want to change the expectation that every conversation will become an argument.

Before we can begin asking thoughtful questions about Shincheonji, your loved one needs to feel comfortable having an ordinary conversation with you.

And that begins with understanding why they might be reluctant to talk to you in the first place.