Court sentences 10 years in prison
A religious figure in his 70s who received billions of won in donations promising to cure incurable diseases and relieve bad luck was sentenced to heavy punishment in the first trial. It was revealed that this religious person deceived believers suffering from diseases by claiming that he had been given special spiritual abilities by God.
Judge Kim Seo-young of the 6th Criminal Division of Jeonju District Court announced on the 20th that she sentenced A (71, female), a religious figure, who was indicted on fraud charges, to 10 years in prison.
Jeonju District Court Building
Mr. A was indicted on charges of hosting prayer meetings for eight years from 2014 to 2022 and receiving a total of 1.672 billion won from 14 believers who attended them by deceiving them by promising that he would cure diseases and relieve bad luck.
In the past, Mr. A was baptized at a cathedral and while working as a member of the Catholic Church, he hosted a prayer meeting and told the attendees that he was a “special spiritual being in contact with heaven” and that “if I make an offering for atonement, God will heal me and I will get better quickly.” It was found that he deceived himself by saying, “Good things will happen.” It is known that the attendees are mainly those who have themselves or their families suffering from serious illnesses that are difficult to cure with modern medical techniques, or who are in desperate situations due to financial difficulties.
He told them, “If you sin, you will be hurt and something bad will happen, so you must atone. “Otherwise, something bad will happen to our descendants,” he said, demanding payment. He also said, “A believer who was suffering from terminal stomach and uterine cancer was completely cured by the power of God. It was also revealed that she deceived believers with absurd statements such as “I can conceive a child just by touching my stomach.” It was confirmed that he stole a total of 1.672 billion won through this method over 10,000 times.
Even after appearing in court for this case, Mr. A said, “I did not promise believers the results (efficacy) of their prayers. He vehemently denied the charges, saying, “The believers voluntarily donated cash in response to the consolation they received, and I discouraged them from giving money in return.”
The court did not accept this claim based on the recording of Mr. A’s voice and the consistent statements of the victims.
The court said, “The defendant has no evidence to suggest that he received revelation from God or possessed supernatural abilities, and he himself stated that he had no special abilities. It is acknowledged that the victims believed in the special abilities claimed by the defendant and made donations,” adding, “Therefore, the defendant’s “The act is simply an act of clearly deceiving the victims and cannot be considered to fall into the category of religious or superstitious acts permitted by social norms,” he pointed out.
He continued, “He committed the crime by taking advantage of the difficult circumstances and religious beliefs of the victims suffering from diseases, etc., and his method was also very vicious. As a result, the victims would have suffered not only property damage but also considerable mental pain, but the defendant “The guilt is heavy because they deny the facts and do not reflect on their mistakes and take no action to recover from the damage,” the ruling ruled.
When his crime was revealed to the outside world, the Catholic Diocese of Jeonju excommunicated him through a decree issued in the name of the diocese in April last year.
Jeonju = Reporter Kim Dong-wook [email protected]
[ⓒ 세계일보 & Segye.com, 무단전재 및 재배포 금지]
**Given the case mentioned involves promises of miraculous cures, what ethical considerations should be taken into account when balancing freedom of religious practice with protecting individuals from potentially harmful treatments?**
## World Today News Interview:
**Guests:**
* **Dr. Emily Carter:** Sociologist specializing in religious cults and disillusionment.
* **Attorney John Lee:** Expert in fraud and financial exploitation cases.
**Host:** Welcome to World Today News, where we delve into the stories making headlines. Today, we’re discussing the case of a religious figure sentenced to 10 years in prison for defrauding believers by promising miraculous cures. We’re joined by Dr. Emily Carter and Attorney John Lee to shed light on this complex issue.
**Section 1: Vulnerability and Exploitation**
* **Host:** Dr. Carter, this case highlights the vulnerability of individuals seeking comfort and hope, particularly those facing illness or financial hardship.
What factors make people susceptible to believing in these promises, and what are the psychological dynamics at play?
* **Dr. Carter:** Thank you. It’s heartbreaking because despair can make individuals more susceptible to manipulation. Desperation for a miracle cure or a solution to their problems can cloud judgment, leaving them open to exploitation.
The promise of divine intervention or special spiritual abilities can feel incredibly compelling, especially when conventional options seem to have failed.
* **Host:** Attorney Lee, legally speaking, what are the key elements required to prove fraud in cases like this?
* **Attorney Lee:** To establish fraud, we need to demonstrate intent to deceive for financial gain. The prosecution must show that the defendant knowingly made false promises and took advantage of the victims’ trust. The article mentions recordings and victim testimonies, which would be crucial evidence in demonstrating this
Intent.
**Section 2: The Line Between Faith and Fraud**
* **Host:** This case raises questions about the blurry line between religious practices and criminal activity.
Dr. Carter, how do we differentiate between legitimate religious expression and manipulative practices that exploit faith?
* **Dr. Carter:** This is indeed a sensitive area. Genuine
spiritual leaders focus on providing support, guidance, and communal strength. They don’t make guarantees of supernatural cures or demand excessive financial contributions.
The key difference lies in the intent and power dynamics at play.
* **Host:** Attorney Lee, from a legal perspective, how can society balance freedom of religion with the need to protect vulnerable individuals from predatory practices?
* **Attorney Lee:** This is a delicate balance. Laws protect religious freedom, but they also prohibit taking advantage of people’s faith for personal gain.
The courts must carefully weigh
the evidence to determine if the actions cross the line into criminal activity. It’s crucial to scrutinize cases like this to ensure equitable justice and protect individuals from exploitation.
**Section 3: Lessons Learned and Future Prevention**
* **Host:** Dr. Carter, what can be done to prevent similar cases of religious
exploitation from happening in the future?
* **Dr. Carter:** Education and awareness are crucial. We need to empower individuals with critical thinking skills to recognize potentially manipulative tactics.
Promoting open discussions about faith and skepticism can also help dismantle the stigma associated with seeking help when facing exploitation within religious contexts.
* **Host:** Attorney Lee, what steps can law enforcement and legal systems take to effectively address these complex cases?
* **Attorney Lee:** Lawmakers and law enforcement need to be vigilant in identifying and prosecuting these
crimes.
Specialized units
trained in recognizing exploitative religious practices can be valuable. Additionally, protecting whistleblowers and victims who come forward with evidence is essential for holding perpetrators accountable.
**Host:** Thank you, Dr. Carter and Attorney Lee, for illuminating this complex issue. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of critical thinking, protecting vulnerable individuals, and upholding justice.
