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SCMP Reporter

The group allegedly promotes hydrogen peroxide as a cure and enlists teenagers

Almost 40 mainstream Christian churches have urged followers of the controversial Church of Zion to stop drinking hydrogen peroxide, while urging the public to be aware of the differences between conventional religions and radical sects.

The churches' call came after it emerged that the sect now had a membership of 2,000, including teenagers, mostly recruited in Yuen Long and Tin Shui Wai.

While the Church of Zion insists that it has not given drinks containing chemicals to its members, its followers are said to have been encouraged to drink hydrogen peroxide to strengthen their health.

In a joint statement issued yesterday, 21 Christian churches in Tin Shui Wai and 17 in Yuen Long expressed their concerns over the sect, saying it  breached the orthodox understanding of the Bible.

'Radical sects are particularly alarming as they ...  turn to mind control to encourage members to refuse exchanges and interaction with other people,' said Wu Chi-wai, executive director of the Hong Kong Church Renewal Movement.

The churches also expressed concern that teenage members were 'in danger of future potential anti-social and self-destructive behaviour' as the sect urged its followers 'to live by the sect rather than by the Bible'.

'We are very worried that the sect will have a negative influence on their personal development,' Mr Wu said.

But the Church of Zion said on its website that 'we have never claimed that hydrogen peroxide is holy water' and 'we have never used hydrogen peroxide as a tool for spreading the Gospel'.

According to Yuen Long District Council member Chow Wing-kan, the Church of Zion has about 2,000 followers,  of whom 70 per cent  were recruited in Tin Shui Wai, and many were teenagers.

Mr Chow, who has talked to 50 students who had been approached by the sect and some of its ex-followers, said Tin Shui Wai and Yuen Long had become the new recruiting base for the church, which was targeting new mainland immigrants and teenagers.

During recent weekends, church followers have been seen handing out  pamphlets and preaching in different parts of Tin Shui Wai.

Schools and parents have expressed concern since reports about the church's activities were published in  newspapers.

Last month, school principals in Tin Shui Wai notified police about the sect's alleged operations, but officers  could not launch a formal investigation as there had been no complaints  of illegal activities.

'No information shows that the church hands out drinks containing the chemical [hydrogen peroxide] or encourage its members to drink it,' a Yuen Long officer said.

'At this stage, all we can do is monitor its activities.'

The mainstream church groups will organise a talk about the sect with parents on February 7. They have also sent letters to all primary and secondary schools in Tin Shui Wai offering to give talks to students and teachers if necessary.

Mr Chow said he was investigating allegations that teachers who were members of the sect were recruiting students.

He said he had received e-mails claiming that six female followers  had suffered miscarriages after drinking hydrogen peroxide.

He said he would gather more information before making a report to police.



Christians  warn over Church of Zion sect