Ex-WMSCOG Member Testimonials: What Former Members Say About Leaving

Comprehensive collection of testimonials from former World Mission Society Church of God members. Learn what helped them leave, what they wish their families knew, and advice for families with loved ones still in WMSCOG.

This is a comprehensive collection of testimonials, quotes, and experiences from former World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG) members. These voices provide invaluable insight into what helps people leave, what barriers they face, and what families can do to support their loved ones.

Looking for actionable strategies? See our evidence-based guide for families with practical steps you can take today.

Content warning: Some testimonials describe emotional manipulation, arranged marriages, and psychological harm.

On Maintaining Relationships

Why Family Connection Matters

"Let them know you will be there for them regardless and mean it. It is very important for them to realize many things on their own, and not to get bombarded with 'I told you so' when they begin to open up."

— Ex-member, 10+ years in WMSCOG (r/WMSCOG)

"keeping a connection with them is the most likely thing to give them an out when they are ready. And they have to be ready on their own time... They may never realize the full extent of how much you helped them or how hard you tried. But they will know and that's OK. Their freedom is more important than taking credit."

— Ex-member sharing advice to families (r/WMSCOG)

"If they ever say anything remotely negative about it, that is a sensitive point of no return that you may never get again if not played right. If you go into attack mode, they will regret it and never open up again. Instead, let them talk without any judgmental input or 'I told you so' from you. Just be there, and it may take over a period of time to get anywhere."

— Ex-member advice to families (r/Shincheonji)

Why Arguing Doesn't Work

The Backfire Effect

"Confrontation with logic never works. Any sign of disagreement triggers getting their guard up... They can never be told what to think no matter how logical. Any realization has to be their own realization."

— Ex-WMSCOG member (r/WMSCOG)

"the more you try to make them leave, the more they would distance you, even though you show all the evidences and facts. Only those who are willing to wake up by themselves are able to make a move, you can't wake someone who is pretending to sleep up."

— Ex-member, 13 years in WMSCOG (r/WMSCOG)

"I have been working so hard, by providing tangible evidence, providing logical and critical reasoning and all those stuff, until today not a single one of people I know leave the cult. In reality, no one wants to admit they are wrong."

— Ex-member reflecting on failed attempts to help others leave (r/Shincheonji)

How WMSCOG Programs Members to Resist

"The WMSCOG taught new members to dismiss resistance with statements like 'satan will use those closest to you to try to stop you from coming to the truth,' and this approach completely dismantled the member's prior support system and replaced it with the organization."

— Analysis from former member testimonials (ExaminingtheWMSCOG.com)

This is part of WMSCOG's systematic thought control tactics that make intervention difficult.

"Anyone that tries to get a member to doubt or leave the WMSCOG is being used by Satan to take the member away from God."

— WMSCOG teaching that makes family intervention difficult (ExaminingtheWMSCOG.com)

"Sadly most of the members have already injected 'spiritual vaccine', anything that against their belief or make them stumble will be automatically blocked and filtered by it, so it doesn't really useful..."

— Ex-member describing mental barriers (r/Shincheonji)

Fear After Leaving

Phobia Indoctrination Effects

WMSCOG uses phobia indoctrination to instill intense fear about leaving. Here's how ex-members describe it:

"I hear a lot of ex-members talk about the time after they left, how they were afraid every time they drove. Like they might be in a deadly accident due to the fear mongering. When I left I was so over the BS that I didn't have that, but I was afraid of anything happening negative whatsoever only because they would be like, 'you see what happens when you leave.' Even if it was catching the flu or breaking a bone."

— Ex-member describing post-exit fear (r/WMSCOG)

"Many hindrances are blocking the way of leaving, like self ego, fear, relationships with the members, it is not only due to 'faith', in fact, there are many members who knew this belief is bullshit but stay in church for these reasons."

— Ex-member, 13 years in WMSCOG (r/WMSCOG)

Losing Social Networks

The #1 Barrier to Leaving

"After I left and started to question the church publicly, all members blocked and avoided me. I was a devoted member for more than 10 years in church so all the friends I had were church members, so yes, I lost all my friends."

— Ex-member, 13 years in WMSCOG (r/WMSCOG)

"After leaving, it is not easy at the beginning, since you had been there for such a long time, almost all your friends and people who are close to you are from the church, leaving church means you have lost that entire social network."

— Ex-member describing post-exit challenges (ExaminingtheWMSCOG.com)

What Helped Them Begin Seeing the Flaws

When asked "What was the one singular reason you were able to begin seeing the flaws?" ex-members reported:

Pressure and Manipulation

"I can feel the pressure, I can't stand the bad or unusual decision they demanded. Confusion. Literally confusion."

— Ex-member (r/WMSCOG)

"tired of them emotionally manipulating me into doing things I don't want to do"

— Current member planning exit (ExaminingtheWMSCOG forums)

"frequent feelings of being in the dark" regarding teachings

— Member expressing doubts (ExaminingtheWMSCOG forums)

Extreme Reactions from Family Members

"When I was around 14, I told my mom one Saturday that I didn't really feel like going that night. What came next was a screaming, crying hysterical mess from her as she guilt tripped the fuck out of me about it. She acted as if she found out her entire family died and I was the one that killed them. Ever since then, I grew more and more weary and exhausted about the church."

— Ex-member describing a turning point (r/WMSCOG)

Behavioral Hypocrisy and Harsh Treatment

"When they told me that god is real AND ALIVE on earth right now during my first sermon that they taught me. I was suspicious. And whenever I asked a question. Like when I asked: 'if god can see the future. Why couldn't he see when satan was gonna betray him?' I asked this question to a deacon and he rebuked me. I wanted to punch him straight in his face when he scolded me"

— Ex-member describing early red flags (r/WMSCOG)

"I was taken to the church by my mom at age six. I often felt upset and distressed at the extreme differences between when they were being nice and when they were 'rebuking'. Once, my older sister found information about the church online, and being young children- we told the deacon- who said she had sinned against mother and needed a sermon. That was the first time I felt uncomfortable, thinking: why would she need a whole sermon just for that?"

— Ex-member who joined as a child (r/WMSCOG)

Sexism and LGBTQ+ Issues

"Additionally, I'm pansexual. Being gay of course was extremely looked down on, my mom even taking all of us aside and going on a rant about how it was 'unnatural'. This had always bothered me because I KNEW that being gay was how you were born. Why would god make us that way and then not allow it? Besides, most of my friends were gay and are the kindest people I had ever met."

— Ex-member who left after questioning anti-gay teachings (r/WMSCOG)

"It was during lockdown that the cracks really began to show, when- after watching a YouTube video about cults I wondered as a joke- 'what if this was actually a cult?' Of course I laughed it off, but suddenly the more I thought about it the more sense it made. When my dad got custody of us we didn't have a church close enough to us. We continued with the online service when one day I distinctly remember general pastor saying something incredibly sexist. I was so taken aback- wondering how mother allowed this sermon, then realized- if this was a cult this would be no problem."

— Ex-member describing their exit process (r/WMSCOG)

Doctrinal Inconsistencies

"The errors in Daniel prophecies, like the claim of AD538 being the year of destruction of Ostrogoth, and the false claim of the exact 10 barbarian kingdoms which cannot be verified in the history."

— Ex-member (r/WMSCOG)

"The claim that Noah's flood literally happened fully worldwide, as described, exactly within about 4,500 years ago. (a very literal account with no chance for localized 'world' meaning, parable, etc.)"

— Ex-member citing doctrinal issues (r/WMSCOG)

"They taught last judgement and second coming but completely denys christ actual second coming after the 7th trumpet is blown loool"

— Ex-member on contradictions (r/WMSCOG)

Independent Research

"I did a Google search on the WMSCOG and found a website claiming it was a cult, reading information about contradictions in WMSCOG doctrine, questionable practices, and former members' stories about how they had been hurt."

— Ex-member who left after independent research (ExaminingtheWMSCOG.com)

"discovering Christians worshipped on Sunday before Constantine" caused one member's "rock-solid" studies to crumble

— Historical research that contradicted WMSCOG claims (ExaminingtheWMSCOG.com)

Distance from the Church

"Being physically away during lockdown or moving away helped create mental space"

— Multiple ex-members (r/WMSCOG)

"Us vs Them" Mentality

"And the constant, negative 'us vs them', 'everything outside of zion is the devil' mindset. Without any other denominations or 'outside world' to talk bad about, they have practically no identity at all"

— Ex-member on toxic culture (r/WMSCOG)

Long-Term Member Stories

Shakira Thomas - 14 Years in WMSCOG

Shakira Thomas joined WMSCOG at age 14 and left at age 28. She has written two books about her experience:

"What started out like a dream come true gradually turned into a nightmare... I was stripped of my time, freedom and individuality."

— From "Church or Cult?: My experience in the World Mission Society Church of God"

Her books explore "joining the church at fourteen and the brainwashing, manipulation and emotional abuse" before leaving at twenty-eight. The sequel discusses making sense of real life "after spending 14 years believing the world was going to end and that a Korean man and woman are god."

Book reviews describe:

  • "A very well written, important account of a truly harrowing cult"
  • "It will make you angry, it will make you cry."

Shakira was interviewed on the "Playing in Traffic" podcast about "the process of writing her book and how it advanced her healing process."

Teresa - 8 Years, Arranged Marriage

Teresa was a member for 8 years before speaking out 5 years after leaving. Her testimony includes:

  • Dropping out of college
  • Entering an arranged marriage
  • Moving to Mexico to help establish another WMSCOG location
  • Making a "fake" video for the church denying that WMSCOG encourages abortions

Ron Ramos - 12-Year Missionary

Ron Ramos served as a missionary for 12 years before leaving in 2011. He later discussed his experience with cult expert Steve Hassan.

Former Deaconess Toni

Featured on The Cult Vault Podcast Episode #169, Toni discusses:

  • "her experiences in converting to this South Korean Christian Sect"
  • "rapid integration into the high-demands of the movement"
  • "subsequent burn-out and divorce from WMSCOG"

Part 2 includes "an interview with Toni's sister Lindsey who speaks to her experiences watching her sister fall into this religious group."

Advice for Families

What Works

"Best thing for you to consider is what was their personal beliefs before they joined. Usually this will tell you the easiest thing to get back to. For me, I was agnostic before, so trying to use Bible verses to refute wmscog would have been pointless. One good way is to just ask them if they had to pick the top 3 reasons why they like being at wmscog. This will tell you if they are there for the comraderie, the Biblical focus, the sense of structure, etc."

— Ex-member advice (r/WMSCOG)

"They are trained to notice any attempts to influence or sway their beliefs. Mostly because they learn to do this to people they try to recruit, so game recognizes game. Don't try to push an idea on them. Just state your opinion as yours and let it be. They may appreciate you respecting their ability to have their own opinions, something they don't get from wmscog leadership."

— Ex-member on approach (r/WMSCOG)

On Using Old Hobbies

"Old hobbies is a good idea. And yes, It's not about saying some magic phrase and suddenly they completely wake up, it is more of a 'moving the needle a little'."

— Ex-member confirming strategy works (r/WMSCOG)

Indirect Approach

"WMSChURCHOFGOD members are very willing to hear how bad LDS, JW, SCJ etc are, but they usually keep it doctrinal within the group. Get them to see info that is about the culty behavior on that group. Don't tell them that is the point, just let it be, 'look how messed up those JWs are in this video.'"

— Ex-member on planting seeds (r/Shincheonji)

What Doesn't Work

"Access to the cult member can be a big problem as most have already had arguments with spouses or family, thus the topic is avoided."

— Cult intervention research (ICSA)

Why Members Stay Despite Doubts

Understanding common hindrances to leaving helps families empathize with the internal struggle their loved ones face:

"In reality, no one wants to admit they are wrong. They want to stay under their wishful delusion by believing that they didn't ruin their life by joining a cult, and they are going to heaven to love forever those kind of bullshit...."

— Ex-member on cognitive dissonance (r/Shincheonji)

"A member's sense of identity is very intertwined with the group. Validate their identities outside of the group. Gently reinforce that they are more than a former member of a group"

— Advice for supporting exit (r/Shincheonji)

"The group tells members that their family will react in a very bad way, and that they need to be strong in the face of the 'devil coming in the form of their family' to keep them from church."

— WMSCOG tactic to prevent family influence (ExaminingtheWMSCOG.com)

Impact on Personal Relationships

Marriages and Relationships

"My boyfriend dumped me and was married off to a member of the WMSCOG one month later. A pastor arranged for him to marry a Korean member from the church."

— Former member testimony

"There are a lot of women in those groups that are in relationships they don't really want to be in, with Korean individuals often paired with American individuals."

— Pattern in arranged marriages (ExaminingtheWMSCOG.com)

"involvement turned spouses against them, with one member becoming less attentive and affectionate, eventually stating he no longer wanted to be together after just one year of marriage"

— Impact on existing marriages (ExaminingtheWMSCOG.com)

Recovery and Healing

Post-Exit Struggles

The journey doesn't end when someone leaves. Learn more about healing and recovery after WMSCOG.

"realizing everything thing you thought was true was a lie ended up sending me into a terrible depression- even going so far to make an attempt. It's seriously important to have places like this where ex-members can go to find ppl like them."

— Ex-member on mental health impact (r/WMSCOG)

"getting out is not the end of their struggle. They will often be left with less trust in themselves. That leaves them open to filling that void with another extreme. Maybe politics, other denominations, conspiracy thdories, activist movements."

— Ex-member on post-cult vulnerability (r/Shincheonji)

What Helps Recovery

"I had to learn that the hard way... Their freedom is more important than taking credit. I had to learn that the hard way."

— Ex-member on letting go of needing recognition (r/Shincheonji)

"contributing here is very helpful for healing, for you and others. The community here can help keep us in check too if we become too negative or bitter."

— On the value of ex-member communities (r/WMSCOG)

The Reality of Leaving

"you can do nothing to help them except from waiting silently, the more you try to make them leave, the more they would distant you, even though you show all the evidences and facts. Only those who are willing to wake up by thrmselves are able to make a move, you can't wake someone who is pretending to sleep up."

— Ex-member on the limits of intervention (r/WMSCOG)

"It is likely to eventually happen for them to leave. Usually it is the cult over-leveraging that helps them leave, not their loved ones (unfortunately). But the other side of that coin is that they also need to have connections outside to be able to make that leap. They may never realize the full extent of how much you helped them or how hard you tried. But they will know and that's OK."

— Ex-member perspective on family role (r/Shincheonji)

Additional Resources

Ex-Member Communities:

Books by Former Members:

Podcasts:

Related Resources

For Families:

For Current Members:

For Ex-Members:

These testimonials represent experiences shared publicly by former WMSCOG members in online communities, books, podcasts, and websites. They are compiled here for educational purposes to help families understand the challenges their loved ones face.

Need Support? Email research@highcontrolgroups.com