Falun Gong - Healthy Resistance Movement or Dangerous Cult ?

[Michael Hardner]

The Independent

A good summary of the pros and cons of this movement that came out of China in the 1990s.

They have been persecuted by the Chinese government, who apparently fear that their peaceful protests could one day overthrow the government, but on the other hand they have the markings of a cult. They have backwards views on social issues, and encourage poor health practices and are not above misinformation in furthering their cause.

So are they good or bad ? The easy answer is that they're bad, but should be allowed to spread their incorrect ideas just as Scientology, The Heritage Front and 9/11 conspiracists do.

[Riverwind]

on the other hand they have the markings of a cult. They have backwards views on social issues, and encourage poor health practices and are not above misinformation in furthering their cause.

The same description can be applied to most fundementalist Christians. I also suspect the Mennonites were a cult in their time but eventually grew into a respectable religion.

The Falun Gong followers may be a bit loony but at this time they are the only movement prepared to take on the Communist Party which is why they the Communist party is so ardent about stomping them out. Long term world stability depends on free speech being allowed in the China - for that reason, the rest of the world should speak out against the suppression of the Falun Gong's right to speak even if we don't think much of the religion itself.

[Michael Hardner]

The same description can be applied to most fundementalist Christians. I also suspect the Mennonites were a cult in their time but eventually grew into a respectable religion.

Except for the health practices part, you're mostly right. Fundamentalist Christians, though, tend to be organized in a less-centralized fashion so you don't have a concentrated threat in the same way.

The Falun Gong followers may be a bit loony but at this time they are the only movement prepared to take on the Communist Party which is why they the Communist party is so ardent about stomping them out. Long term world stability depends on free speech being allowed in the China - for that reason, the rest of the world should speak out against the suppression of the Falun Gong's right to speak even if we don't think much of the religion itself.

I agree, as long as we use their movement as an example of China's suppression of free speech. Pro-democracy groups deserve more attention.

[theloniusfleabag]

Dear Mr. Hardner,

I agree, as long as we use their movement as an example of China's suppression of free speech. Pro-democracy groups deserve more attention.

I whole heartedly agree, but the pro-democracy fight must come from somewhere else, for it never will be a religious group's primary mantra. They are fighting for freedom, but not neccesarily democracy. The argued imperfection of democracy (from the libertarian standpoint) is that even in a democracy, the majority will could still have them outlawed.

As for the "Faloonies" being cult-like, I have to agree. Most organized religions veer away from 'true faith' in their one or many Gods, the minute they regiment daily life into arbitrary rules of what to eat, how to breathe, and where to sit and stand.

They all do it, though, to greater or lesser degrees.