My Experience with A Korean Religious Cult

Featuring my friend, mentor, and fellow nerd — Doc Ayomide: psychiatrist, writer, geek, and TEDx speaker

Cults, in a sense, are just group abuse. Imagine somebody abusing a domestic abuse partner or a child, for instance. A cult is basically that but on a community level. And one of the key things abusers do, anyone who has known anything about abuse, knows this, it’s exclusion! — Doc Ayomide

The Japanese rule took a toll on the Koreans, and in their search for hope, they turned to religion, one of which was Christianity. Over the years since the fifties, several organizations have risen, proclaiming the Christan faith in a manner that does not conform with the Bible. These organizations are collectively called fringe churches.

They brainwash and indoctrinate their members, teaching them to ignore worldly things such as their education or career. Instead, they spend their time recruiting new members and propagating the message of the cult. The leaders who are seen as a representation of God in a messianic way have such powerful influence over the followers. With the Hallyu wave, which has caused Korean culture and entertainment to gain global recognition, the reach of these cult organizations has increased as well. To discuss this alarming issue is my guest and mentor, Ayomide Adebayo, aka Doc Ayomide.