Government urges caution against controversial “World Mission Society Church of God” movement in VietnamWith the mounting negative reports concerning activities from the controversial religious movement “World Mission Society Church of God” in the north of Vietnam, the Government’s religion authority has called for alertness and advised not to equate the movement with other legitimate Protestant groups with similar names in the country. According to Thang, several religious leaders in the country have already been vocal in their condemnation of the dubious tactics of the so-called Church of God’s society. “Despite being individual voices from religious leaders, it helps the public understand that the reported activities of this movement are in fact anti-religious. We welcome such statements; however, when voicing protests, we insist that religious leaders and religious groups maintain civility and avoid discrimination and defamation against legitimate religious groups,” Thang said. Vietnamese law does not allow the use of the names of already existing and legal religious organisations to conduct evangelism, however, many people in recent times were led to falsely believe that the “World Mission Society Church of God” movement is by the Government-approved Protestant groups.