Vietnam’s Government Committee for Religious Affairs has warned the public of cult-like activities linked to a religious society known as the ‘Church of God,’ which has raised concerns recently due to its peculiar teachings and methods of attracting followers.

Members of the faith group, which is not officially recognized in Vietnam as a religion, have been approaching people in public areas and at university campuses to preach about their faith and convincing others to become believers if they want to be ‘saved.'

Followers are taught to destroy family altars, disregard their worldly life and donate money to ‘the Church’ to be wholly devoted to ‘God.'

Stories of university students and married adults giving up their education, rejecting family members and working to become full-time devotees have been brought under Vietnamese media attention in recent days, raising concerns among the public.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Vu Chien Thang, head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, called on members of the public to be wary of “negative” and “morally devious” activities concerned with the ‘Church of God.'

While stressing that the Vietnamese government upholds religious freedom, Thang said activities that infringe upon public order and safety and harm the well-being of others are strictly prohibited.

The official reminded that the so-called ‘Church of God’ must not be mistaken with other recognized Christian groups in Vietnam that are operating legally.

A gathering of ‘Church of God’ followers in Vietnam is seen in this photo provided by police.

In Vietnam, religions and religious groups are required to register with the government to be recognized and legally operate.

The Church of God, also known as the World Mission Society Church of God, is a Christian new religious movement that began in South Korea in 1964.

Its founder, South Korean Ahn Sahng-hong, is believed to be ‘the Second Coming of Jesus Christ’ by Church followers. His alleged wife, Jang Gil-ja, is said to be God the Mother.

However, Thang said government officials were still working to verify whether recent activities of ‘Church of God’ believers in Vietnam were linked to the religious society’s headquarters in South Korea.

It could be the case that some individuals in Vietnam who are not connected to the Church have been exploiting the faith for their own benefits, he explained.

The Government Committee for Religious Affairs said it had worked with local governments to collect evidence of the group’s activities in Vietnam while raising public awareness of the issue.

Earlier, the Ministry of Education and Training had issued a letter to schools and universities in Vietnam warning students against becoming followers of the ‘Church of God,’ following reported preaching activities at campuses.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!