Charity Status of 'Apocalyptic' Christian Group Shincheonji Under Scrutiny

A Christian fringe group known for its apocalyptic beliefs and aggressive recruitment tactics remains a registered charity in Australia, despite an eight-month investigation into its charity status.

Shincheonji, a South Korean-based group, has maintained its charitable status with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), which regulates charities in Australia. The group's charitable purpose, as registered with the ACNC, is "advancing religion".

An ACNC spokesperson said they could not speak publicly about the investigation, nor could they confirm if the investigation was ongoing or had concluded. "Anyone can raise a concern about a charity with the ACNC, and we take all concerns seriously," the spokesperson said.

The group, which claims to have churches in more than 100 countries and a congregation of over 300,000 members, has been accused of using invasive and highly organized tactics to recruit new members. These tactics are motivated by the belief that by recruiting, members are doing God's work.

Maria Esguerra, director of cult survivor support group The Olive Leaf Network, expressed concern about the group's continued charity status. "From what we understand, [Shincheonji] has shifted toward hybrid recruitment strategies across social media, Discord, campus clubs, and dating apps," she said. "Despite rising awareness on university campuses, these adaptive tactics continue to target university students, international students, and young adults."

Esguerra described Shincheonji's retention of their charity status as pointing to a "regulatory gap in public protection and oversight". "Charity registration signals public trust and credibility; maintaining it provides an unearned badge of legitimacy that obscures risks to vulnerable individuals and families," she said.

Dariyn Girton, a former member of Shincheonji's Melbourne branch, said she was pressured to give money beyond her means and sell her possessions to keep up with payments so she could make it into the "Kingdom of Heaven". "This organisation has done so much damage to unsuspecting victims across the world and on our own doorstep, with spiritual and financial abuse being just the tip of the iceberg," she said.

Girton expressed her disheartened feelings about the group still operating as a charity: "As a former member and supporter of deregistering and disbanding of Shincheonji, I would like to see more action being taken and the consequences swiftly brought upon on this harmful organisation."

Assistant Minister for Charities Andrew Leigh declined to comment on the investigation.