When this group first approaches a new victim, many tactics
are used to coerce the victim into a meeting. With me, they
used a "front" called the "International Cultural
Exchange (ICE)". I went to the meeting and it seemed really
unplanned and unorganized. Then all of a sudden, it turned into
a Bible study. There were only 4 other girls, myself, and the
handsome Bible study teacher. He seemed to know the Bible like
no one else and said that this study was a little different
than all the rest. How was it different? Because it really got
you familiar with the Bible and gave you a deeper understanding
of God and a closer relationship to Him. I was very impressed
and was very "taken" by the stunning man. He seemed
to glow.
He got all of our numbers at the end of the class and said
that he would call us. He seemed to really be focused on me...almost
flirting with me. Since I was new to New York City and knew
few people, I welcomed the opportunity to have a handsome man
teach me about the Bible. I was already a Christian, but had
long felt that I should know the Bible better. At that moment,
I felt that God had sent him to me.
He contacted me a few weeks later and we got together for
our first Bible study. He explained that there were "30
principles" that we would go through and that is how the
Bible studies are designed. I thought, "Fine, that will
be 30 times to be with him!" The Bible studies all lasted
very long (about 4 hours on average). This guy, Scott, was investing
so much time into me. It seemed like I was the most important
thing in the world to him.
We met every week for a few months and then I helped recruit
a traveling German guy into the Bible studies. He loved them
and 6 years later he is still a member. We both began going
to the church. You cannot go to the church until you have completed
all "30 Principles" of which I only completed seven.
They were really in a hurry to get me into the group.
Every Sunday, we would watch Sung Sang Nimh / Jung Myung Seok
on video from Korea. He would deliver the Sunday Message and
it would last about 5 hours. I really loved my newfound place
in "God's History" and I was really proud of myself.
But really I was in love with the guy who brought me, Scott.
Eventually, that wore off and I realized that it is not allowed
within "Providence". There was so much manipulation
that went on within the walls of the church, I just don't know
where to begin.
First of all, the 30 Principles make you believe that JMS
is the "Second coming of Christ.....the new Jesus".
They will never outright say it with their own mouths, you must
first admit it on your own. They slowly encourage you to lessen
your contact with outsiders (family and friends) and rely only
on the group. The group is your family and the only ones who
are truly saved.
I began to notice that when people prayed they prayed to "Jesus,
Holy Spirit, God and ssn (sung sang nimh)." I was really
uncomfortable with this, because I just had a really bad feeling
about it. I never prayed the way they did.
I eventually fell in love with a good friend of mine outside
of the group. He was a very strong Christian and the group really
hated us being together so much. They even had a member follow
me to see what I was up to.
Right from the beginning, the members were encouraging me
to go to Korea to meet JMS. I never wanted to go. I was afraid
for some reason. It was weird. I mean here is a man that I am
worshipping as JESUS, but I had a really bad feeling about meeting
him.
One year after I was in the group, we all went to California
to meet JMS. was one of the few who hadn't met him. All of the
American "MS" (that is what the members are called)
were there. This was in '96 and there were about 250 of us there.
Everybody was really brainwashed. I could see that they were
and I could even see that I was. It was a strange feeling. I
felt like I was going to die. It was a very strong fear that
I couldn't shake.
I was pushed to the front for pictures and to be near JMS.
They really loved me because I have blonde hair, green eyes
and fair skin. They told me that JMS would really love me. I
found myself embarassed that I found that to be a compliment....the
same feeling I had when I learned of Hitler in the 6th grade.
Imagine, I was already comparing this man to Hitler.
JMS requested to see me in his hotel room, but I wasn't told
in that way. It was more like, "We are going to have a
meeting...come to room ___!" I went and then realized that
this was my private counseling with JMS. I became very afraid.
I prayed so hard the whole time I was in the room that God would
protect me. It was just JMS, a female translator and me. JMS
came and sat right next to me on the bed and was staring into
my eyes like he was going to put me into a trance. I kept praying
silently when, all of a sudden, he fell asleep. The translator
was shocked but tried to hide it and she told me to "Pray
to him silently....." No way.
JMS counseled with members about marriage. I was clueless
as to what was going on, but later I found out that a member
must have evangelized at least 3 people, read the Bible 3 times
and had a private counseling with JMS. I have heard allegations
of rape from others. I am told that he has about 20 girls that
live with him and take care of him. They are his slaves in many
ways. He makes them wear expensive clothes and lots of makeup.
There are over 40,000 members in Korea alone and there are
several others all over the rest of the world!
I am glad to get out of the group and am happily married,
but I worry for all those still in.
