Shincheonji vs The BITE Model

Pink_Samwise_Gamgee (EX-Shincheonji Member)
Shincheonji vs The BITE Model

The Oxford Dictionary definition of a cult does no justice in educating us about cults. They define a cult as “A small group of people who have extreme religious beliefs and who are not part of any established religion.” An SCJ blog makes note of this in defending why they are not a cult, stating they cannot be a cult as they “follow the teachings of the bible,” plus they have over 300,000 followers worldwide. It is helpful to analyze if a group is a cult based on the view of social science focusing on the recruitment methods and practices.

A cult is an organized group whose purpose is to dominate its members through psychological manipulation and pressure strategies. To some extent, any religious group can be argued to be a cult, so it is important to look at the practices of the group and understand that they exist on a spectrum. Stephen Hassan, a psychologist and ex-member of the Unification Church (Moonies), developed the BITE model to explain the specific methods cults use to influence people. BITE stands for Behaviour, Information, Thought, and Emotional. We will examine Shincheonji and its tactics using this model, focusing on aspects of SCJ’s activities that fit into different areas of control.

Note that many strategies vary by region, so personal experiences may differ. It is also important to note that SCJ “harvesters” changed their tactics following COVID-19 in 2020 and became more open and less deceptive.

Behaviour Control

Behaviour control involves controlling an individual’s physical environment, imposing rigid rules, instilling dependence, requiring obedience, and using rewards and punishments. Examples include:

• The group dictates where, how, and with whom a member lives and associates or isolates. Although not required to live with other SCJ members, it is encouraged to make obedience easier.

• The group controls types of clothing and hairstyles. In SCJ, members are required to wear black and white formal clothes for church service. Men must be clean shaven, hair should not be dyed an unnatural color, and only plain nail polish and simple jewelry are acceptable.

• Late-night meetings and high evangelism goals often lead to manipulation and sleep deprivation, with members told that the promised pastor only sleeps four hours per night.

• Financial exploitation occurs when members with good jobs are encouraged to give large amounts of money. Tithing is required, and those who don’t tithe are recorded.

• Leisure, entertainment, and vacation time are restricted. Time spent on non-group activities is seen as sinful, leaving little time for hobbies.

• Significant time is devoted to group indoctrination and rituals, including extensive training, meetings, and evangelism events.

• Major decisions about relationships, career changes, and holidays require leadership approval.

• Every member must report thoughts, feelings, and activities to their assigned leader or maintainer.

• Rewards and punishments are used to modify behaviors. Successful members are praised or promoted, while those who underperform are rebuked.

• The group discourages individualism and promotes group-thinking through constant consultation and rigid rules on dating, social interactions, and more.

Information Control

Information control involves deception, propaganda, and restricting access to critical outside information. Key points include:

• Critical information, such as doctrinal changes or the leader’s past affiliations, is deliberately withheld.

• Propaganda is used to inflate numbers and successes, such as exaggerated graduation figures.

• The group systematically lies to ensure obedience, often through secretive reporting.

• Members are discouraged from accessing non-cult sources like the internet, TV, books, or external media. For instance, the pledge states, “I will not believe any slanderous words, curses, or persecution from the Internet.”

• Information is compartmentalized between insiders and outsiders, with only leadership having full access.

• A buddy system encourages spying on members and reporting deviant thoughts or behaviors.

• Private confessions or reflections are often shared with leadership as a form of control.

Thought Control

Thought control involves enforcing an “us versus them” mentality and limiting acceptable thoughts. It includes:

• Requiring members to internalize the group’s doctrine as absolute truth, often framed as a strict dichotomy between good and evil.

• Using loaded language and clichés to suppress critical thinking.

• Encouraging only positive thoughts and sharing uplifting ideas while dismissing doubts as “rocks” to be broken.

• Labeling alternative belief systems as illegitimate or evil, with non-SCJ commentaries being disparaged as “vomit” or “mud.”

Emotional Control

Emotional control makes members feel special or chosen while using manipulation techniques such as:

• Narrowing the range of acceptable emotions, where doubts are dismissed as devilish.

• Blaming members for any personal or group problems, denying any responsibility to the leadership.

• Promoting guilt and unworthiness through ideas like identity guilt and social or historical guilt.

• Instilling fears about independent thinking, the outside world, or the consequences of leaving the group. Members are warned that leaving will result in eternal damnation, shunning, or becoming an antichrist.

• Alternating between love bombing new members and harsh rebukes for those in leadership.

Comments

Pink_Samwise_Gamgee
I should have given more credit to the work that helped with this. Most of the information was sourced from an article, then edited into my own words with my own anecdotes. Thanks Jane and Dr Steven! SCJ Skeptic’s video covers a lot of the same things and provides some other helpful information. Great stuff! Here is a video summary of the BITE model if reading is not really your thing.

No-Mention369
Thank you! This is an excellent explanation.

Fast_Foundation1429
Amazing work ♥️ Thank you for sharing and creating awareness against this CULT 🙏