Coercive Conversion

Editor:

In light of the United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week, residents of New York City have gathered to support religious freedom. This was spurred by an event that took place on 27 January in Gwanghwamun Square, South Korea. The event was a rally coordinated by the Global Citizens’ Human Rights Coalition and boasted 300,000 participants. According to Cheonji News, advocates called for the Christian Council of Korea (CCK) to be held accountable for their unconstitutional actions and to ultimately disband.

The CCK has been accused of financial corruption and implementing coercive conversion programs which violate religious freedom. The CCK was especially charged with protecting its position of dominance by producing false news in response to growth of churches not registered with the CCK and accusing them of being cults and engaging in defamation such as slander and libel.

On February 2 over 100 advocates rallied together at Queensbridge Park in New York City to join the cause and denounce the actions of the CCK. The event consisted of student groups, religious advocacy agencies and peace-supporting non-profits. It was hosted by Peace December and Human Rights Association for Victims of Coercive Conversion (HAC). Although Queens is known as the most diverse city on Earth, with other 800 languages spoken, the people who ventured into temperatures below freezing revealed their solidarity and interfaith harmony.

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