The risk of it resurfacing is resurfacing.

Báo Thanh Hóa•29/05/2023

After a period of quiet, when it seemed that the "Church of God the Mother" (HTCĐCTM) had ceased to exist, the organization's activities have recently shown signs of resurgence with more sophisticated tactics and schemes, posing complex security and order issues and causing many negative consequences for participants and the families of those who blindly believe in and follow it.

HTCĐCTM is showing signs of resuming operations (archive photo).

The Church of God the Mother, officially and fully known as the " World Evangelical Mission Church of God," was founded in 1964 in South Korea by Ahn Sahng Hong (1918-1985). It uses scriptures like other Protestant organizations. However, in addition to using the scriptures of other Protestant organizations, the Church of God the Mother interprets and practices certain doctrines differently from most other Protestant organizations. Because of this, the Church of God the Mother is not recognized by the Protestant community. Even in South Korea, in 2012, the National Council of Religious Churches of Korea declared the Church of God the Mother a polytheistic and "blasphemous" sect; the Holy See in Rome has issued numerous documents condemning the errors in its interpretation of the Bible, considering it a "heresy."

In Vietnam, the Cao Dai religion (Catholicism) was introduced in 2001 through the entry of South Koreans and the "We Love You Foundation." Through various means, the Catholic religion quickly spread throughout many localities in the country. Currently, this religious sect is not officially recognized in Vietnam; its doctrines and activities are considered heretical, exhibiting superstition and exploiting its teachings for personal gain, contrary to the traditional culture and customs of the Vietnamese people.

In 2017 and 2018, the Thanh Hoa Provincial Police successfully combated and dismantled numerous religious activities, arresting and prosecuting many individuals involved in illegal proselytizing activities related to the HTCĐCTM religion, and seizing many related documents.

In Thanh Hoa, the "Catholicism of the Catholic Church" (HTCĐCTM) first appeared in 2015, operating under various guises such as online sales, electrical equipment and household goods businesses, water purifier sales, and charity work. Its purpose was to entice and recruit people in difficult circumstances, those with unfortunate family situations, and those facing hardship, primarily women, the elderly, and students. Following its discovery, the Thanh Hoa Provincial Police advised the Party Committee, local authorities, and the Provincial Religious Affairs Committee to direct relevant departments, organizations, and schools to intensify propaganda and warnings about the consequences, harms, and methods of the "Catholicism of the Catholic Church" so that the public would be aware, vigilant, and avoid listening to, believing in, or participating in this organization. The police force alone has discovered, combated, and dismantled dozens of illegal religious activity points of the "Catholicism of the Catholic Church"; arresting and prosecuting many related ringleaders.

Just when it seemed the activities of the "HTCĐCTM" (a derogatory term for drug-related crimes) had been suppressed, signs of a resurgence have recently emerged, employing increasingly sophisticated methods to attract members and evade authorities. According to statistics and investigations by relevant agencies, there are currently approximately 500 ringleaders, key figures, and victims across the province who have been lured and enticed into joining the group. A significant concentration of these individuals is in Thanh Hoa City. Of particular concern is that the ringleaders and key figures within the "HTCĐCTM" are still employing various sophisticated tactics to evade control by authorities and continue recruiting members.

Although the methods and tactics may differ, the consequences and repercussions caused by the "Civil Society of Vietnam" remain unchanged, and may even be more dangerous and complex. Many families with relatives involved in this organization have been blindly destroying ancestral altars and shrines, neglecting their ancestors; abandoning their husbands and children, neglecting their work and studies, and using their money to support the organization, causing division and conflict within their families and clans… Given the signs of renewed activity, if no measures are taken to combat and prevent it, and if people do not voluntarily raise their awareness of prevention, the risk of an outbreak and widespread spread in the area is unavoidable.

Dinh Hop

Lesson 2. Many tactics used to attract members.

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