Former JMS Cult Member Defends Maple Yip After Netizens Call Her "Stupid"

Korean cult JMS recently gained attention worldwide with the release of Netflix‘s documentary In the Name of God: The Holy Betrayal.

Poster of “In the Name of God” | Netflix

In the documentary, Maple Yip bravely shared the details of her experience as a member. According to Maple, she was brainwashed and sexually assaulted by cult leader Jung Myung Seok.

However, while many netizens took her side and praised her for exposing the cult, some accused her of being “stupid” and questioned why she couldn’t see what was really going on.

Interview with former JMS cult member (not pictured) | @100MOSTHongKong

A former JMS cult member recently spoke to Hong Kong media under the alias Sherly. In the interview, she answered detailed questions about the cult. When asked if the top members knew the truth or if they were really brainwashed, Sherly revealed,

Everyone was brainwashed. But if you’re referring to the members at the top, like those at Maple’s level, they were brainwashed but also knew the truth. They were very confused and were victims too.

Outside of Hong Kong, the members at the highest level knew the truth for sure, but they got a lot of money. They were doing it for their own benefit.

– Sherly

Sherly also revealed she didn’t think there were any issues with the cult even when she left. It was only when Maple spoke out that she realized something was wrong. The reporter then posed the question,

Many people watched the Netflix documentary, and some asked, ‘How come the cult members didn’t know? Why were they so stupid?’ Having been a cult member yourself, what are your thoughts?

– Reporter

Sherly explained that the members were consistently brainwashed, and they were fed the idea that everything they had learned was false. When the reporter mentioned some netizens directly accused Maple of being stupid, Sherly defended Maple.

I personally knew Maple. She’s a really sincere and innocent person. I saw people saying she’s stupid, but I don’t understand why they would say that. When you’re brainwashed, you really don’t know it. I hope people can have more compassion because she’s a victim too.

– Sherly