Church of Almighty God Overview

Group Name: The Church of Almighty God (Eastern Lightning)

Founder: Zhao Weishan

Current Leader: Believed to be Yang Xiangbin (referred to as “Almighty God” or “Lightning Deng”)

Date Founded: 1991

Locations: Physically located in New York by most adherents primarily in China, with followers in other countries due to diaspora and missionary activities.

Characteristics:

• Group endorses non-orthodox theology: Yes, the group teaches that Jesus has returned to Earth as a Chinese woman, Yang Xiangbin, which is contrary to orthodox Christian beliefs.
• The Leader is an infallible authority: Yes, Yang Xiangbin is considered the incarnate Almighty God and her teachings are seen as infallible.
• Leadership seeks control over members’ activities, behaviors, and finances: Yes, there are reports that the group exerts significant control over members’ lives, including their activities, behaviors, and finances.
• Requires unquestioning faith and allegiance to the leader or group: Yes, the group demands total allegiance to Almighty God (Yang Xiangbin) and the church.
• Suppression of Critical Thinking: Yes, critical thinking and questioning of the group’s beliefs or leader are discouraged.
• Intimidation, fear, and shame are used to control members: Yes, there have been reports of the use of intimidation, fear, and shame to maintain control over members.
• Isolates or shuns former members, leading to loss of family connections and support: Yes, former members often report being shunned or isolated from their families and support networks.
• Allegations of financial abuse and lack of transparency: Yes, there are allegations of financial exploitation and a lack of transparency regarding the church’s finances.
• Allegations of sexual misconduct: There are no widely known or substantiated allegations of sexual misconduct within the group.

Narrative:

The Church of Almighty God has been the subject of controversy and concern both within China and internationally, primarily due to its unorthodox theology and the control it exerts over its members. The Church of Almighty God, also known as Eastern Lightning, emerged in China during the early 1990s. Founded by Zhao Weishan, who proclaimed himself to be the reincarnation of Jesus Christ, the group combines elements of Christianity with its own unique doctrines. They believe that Jesus has returned as a Chinese woman named Yang Xiangbin, also known as Lightning Deng, and that she is the Almighty God incarnate. Central to their beliefs is the notion of “God’s end-time work,” which they claim is to cleanse humanity and establish God’s kingdom on Earth. The group has been labeled as a cult by many religious scholars and government authorities due to its secretive nature, manipulation tactics, and reports of violence towards dissenters. Despite efforts by the Chinese government to suppress it, the Church of Almighty God has spread to other countries through its missionary activities and online presence, drawing in followers with promises of salvation and spiritual enlightenment.