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The Church of God, which is considered a cult by the Korean Church, has expanded to 175 countries and is focusing on overseas evangelization. However, it is difficult for local churches to grasp the specific damage situation and they are in urgent need of measures.

Victimization Worst in U.S., with Many Forced to Divorce, Have Abortions

Winner of the U.S. Presidential Award and the Queen Elizabeth II Volunteer Award, the Church of God is a cult as defined by the Church of South Korea. The group is characterized by its image as a social service organization and its proselytizing efforts abroad, particularly in the linguistically accessible Korean diaspora. According to data recently released on its official website, the organization claims to have more than three million members in 175 countries, but cult experts believe the actual number is much lower.

The Church of God considers its founder, Ahnsahnghong Ahnsahng, who died in 1985, to be the second coming of Christ and its second leader, Jang Gil-ja, to be "Heavenly Mother," meaning that the church deifies its leaders and emphasizes them as the most important figures in the salvation of this age.

According to one ex-Church of God member, the organization "teaches tithing as a 'condition of salvation' and encourages people to give their property to the church because it will no longer be needed when the end comes.“

"The Church of God instilled fear with its apocalypticism and encouraged people to give away their property," he said, adding that it promoted divorce because "the spouse who stops them is the devil.“

The United States is the country with the most known victims abroad. This is due to the large Korean diaspora and the freedom to practice religion. Especially in the United States, there have been shocking cases of church members being forced to have abortions.

"There were a number of issues, for example, where members were forced to have abortions, or where we were finding out about damage to property.“

A missionary in Nepal recently read about the Church of God's attempts to force abortions and offerings in his community.