What is Falun Gong and why is China cracking down on it?

There is one thing I know for sure about a cult. If someone knocks you on the door, telling you he knows the workings of universe, he has a meditation measure to make you illnessfree, and upon following his personal moral teachings and instructions you can go to heaven, then he's trying to start a cult and dupe you into it.

 

You know what, I thought about the same thing about Hayestreet starting a new thread on Falun Gong. Hayestreet, what's your stance on Falun Gong? Quit hiding behind internet articles and watch posters arguing with some articles.

 

Since China is under communism(I don't think so but that's another story) and dictatorship, despite having 80 million illiterate people it's impossible for China to have cults, and even if China does have cults, the government shouldn't do anything about it as it'll be repression to religions.

 

A very good question:

First of all, contrary to Falun Gong's claim of having 70-100 millions Chinese members- as they say is the result of Chinese government survey, the official estimation of the Chinese government on Falun Gong members in China is about 10 millions.

Still, 10 millions member in about 10 years is amazing. Apart from the illiterate population of 80 million Chinese- who are susceptible to fall for supernatural beliefs and suedoscience- the downfall of communism ideology has also something to do with it. People in China no longer believe in communism, which many of them based their whole lives on before. There is a void of faith in people's mind now. After the shattering of the utopia dream, they need some beliefs to base their personal lives on, some go to legalized religions- which were oppressed under bona fide communism but now free to believe in as the downfall of communism in China, such as Buddhism and Christianity - while some resort to cults. This explains why Falun Gong members have illiterate people and also well educated people. Some cult leaders and members in all other countries are also well educated people with barren souls, for what it's worth.

Falun Gong is a powerful cult as it doesn't only bring "self perceived" spiritual benefits, but also the alleged meditation "benefits" to it members, this is an edge it has over organized religions. In fact, almost any kind of meditation can be said good for people's peace of mind through releasing stress, so do Falun Gong's meditation, but Falun Gong has placed way too much weight on such meditation into making it a way to heaven and cure-all means, and consequently turns it into a superstition and mind controlling tool.

Just my two cents.

 

Panda. thanks for the reply on possible reasons for the rapid spread of Falu Gong.

You know similar dynamics can explain the increase in fundamentalism in advanced countries like the US. During times of hard economic times for instance I believe you see a rise in attendance at these churchs.

You also said:

I'm not so sure of the distinction. Many of the more fundamentalist Christian sects don't also claim they can heal illnesses. Some of the more established ones have been in court fights in which they try to prevent their minor kids from getting medical attention in hospitals.

Not too long ago one of the Chruchs near the Heights part of Houston was in the news as it was being sued by some ex-parishioners. This particular family had given nearly all their money to the church for among things "holy water" from Jerusalem or somesuch holy place. Disgruntled employees of the church testified that it was their job to fill up the holy water fount from the water faucet in the back room.

The church's slogan was "Pare de Sufrir" which means end suffering. I saw some of their tv ads or services on Spanish TV in Houston. They were full of people throwing away their crutches and testifiying to having been cured of serious illness through the holy water or prayers at this 'Christian Church.

 

Glynch:

Here's my two cents:

You have to credit Li for the rapid spread of Falun Gong, although the numbers are inflated. Li had an organization in place for Falun Gong, not much religious, but financially, or political later on. He recruits persons to open Falun Gong classes, sells his bogus books, names them "masters" and shares profit with them. Then he asks his students to open classes and he can enjoy a share. (yes, it's about money, again!) That's one of the reason he has some hard followers. Of course, a large population of uneducated rural Chinese who tend to believe in supernatural gimmicks helps his course. The high unemployment in certain areas also motivates some people to join his organization as a way of making a living. Money making illegal rings are very easily spread nowadays in China. There was a case where a 50%-return-guaranteed-money scandel swept Jiansu province in just two months.

Of course you don't see much of this is reported in the US. Falun gong repainted itself towards a "religion" after it gets the interests of some foreign political forces.

A little more than a hundred years ago, such jokes like "south sea" incident can overtake US financial market. Nowadays, organizations like Falun Gong has little success in US, but can be quite big in China. That's part of the reason laws and practices evolve over time....

sidenote: appearantly Chinese government believes in making "right" decisions for its citizens more than the US government. That's not necessary communist. Actually, China has a long history of "fatherly state" and collective decision making. On the crackdown part, may I add that one can practice whatever at home, it's the public teaching of Falun Gong and demonstration of it that Gov bans.

 

Michecon, that is interesting info. I believe chain letters and pyramid schemes are banned in this country.

As an aside, does anyone know why chain letters are supposedly illegal?

 

To answer my own question regarding chain letters chain e-mail and pyramid schemes.

Seepyramid schemes

What an interesting angle. Was Falun Gong really an illegal pyramid scheme?

Can a pyramid scheme turn into a religion? Can a religion use the techniques of illegal pyramid schemes for recruitment and raising money to pay church officials?

 

Hi guys,

 

Sorry,

don't know what happed. Anyway, Here is what I think. I think FLG is a very dangerous religion for a country like China.

For what I understand, FLG started out with Chinese government's support. There was a dearth of belief after the collapse of communism. China was interested in religion/belief based on ancient China. FLG, being based on Chi-Gong, is one (along with many other like it) that China encourged as a way so Chinese won't be dominated by western religions.

I think FLG is just like most other Chi-Gong practices that popped out like wild flowers. In terms of claims of super-natural abilities, that is pretty common for other Chi-Gong practices also.

What is different is that FLG seems to channel all its devotion to its founder, Mr. Li. Also, Mr. Li seems to be a power hungry person.

I believe it all started in TianJing (sp?) when a reporter write a story about some family breakup because of FLG. It causes thousands of FLG followers to demonstrate in front of the newspaper for a few weeks. Intimidated, the newspaper fired the reporter and wrote an apology.

But it got other reporters attention, along with other anectodal evidences of family breakup or sickness without medicine, other newspapers starts to print stories also.

FLG can no longer to demonstrate so many newspapers in so many cities, and I suspect that Mr. Li believe it is the central government that is behind all this, they decided to go after the government.

So one day, about 10 thousand FLKers peacefully demonstrated in front of central government. Completely caught by surprise (just my opinion), the priemier of China received the leaders of the demonstration (from FLG) and promised to look into this on their behave. FLK demonstrators dispersed happily.

What follows is the official crackdown on FLK and the rest is history.

My opinion is FLK is a not so nice religion in a country like USA, but can devastate fabric of families in a country like China. I agree with the ban on FLK, but I also think that Chinese government's approach leaves a lot to be desired.

p.s., I absolutely believed in Chi-Gong.

 

I don't think FLK is a pyramid scheme. I don't think Mr. Li seeks out to be a filthy rich. Their money (from what I understand) comes from mostly preceeds of book/tape sales. He is probably living nicely in the USA. But he is not going to be another Bill Gate selling books. However, he may be interested in China's politics (just my guess).

By the way, regards to pyramid scheme, I used to have a casual friend who was interested in going into AmWay in China after he retired. I told him that he will make a lot of money but he will also cause a lot of family/friendship breakdown in China. He never talk to me again.

 

pyramid scheme or not, its up to interpretation. I don't think Li has the pyramid scheme ( which usually involve empty promises, and getting the money from lower ladders to cempensate for upper ladders) in mind when he set out to do thing. Nevertheless he did install those "station leaders" and get money from classes and book/tape sales (BTW, with all false claims he amkes in selling these, that's enough to ban FLG already) . I believe he set to for financial reasons (he was unemployed at the time), but soon find controlling others are quite easy through his BS. There lies the difference between other Qigong practice and his "religion".

Thanks for anecdotal about the start of the FLG downfall. One minor correction though, Qi (Chi) Gong in itself is not a religion. I've practiced Chi Gong before. Many known scientists in Chinese Science Academy are students of Qigong.

 

What is chi gong. Just a meditation , tai chi type of thing?

 

Chi Gong is to refer to the general breathe practice to enhance your health and possiblly enhance your strength etc. The breathe practice of Tai Chi is one form of chigong. Of course Tai chi is not only breathe practice but also moves.

 

Chi-Gong (Qi-Gong is probably the correct spelling) is exactly what Michecon said. I just want to add something.

I never practice Qi-Gong before. But I have several first hand accounts. When my ex and I lived in LA, there was a Qi-Gong master from China looking for students. My ex and I went for the first session (on my ex's request). I never went after the first session since I don't want to pay. Another reason is that I used to believe all Qi-Gong are fake. My ex neither believe nor not believe, ie, she kept an open mind.

After the second session, when she came back, she told me she felt Qi in her body. It is unheard of since we were always taught that one won't experience it until many years of practice.

Anyway, that night she practiced meditation, within half a hour, she was sweaty all over. It was a sight to behold. Hard to imaging one could just sit there and be completely soaked in sweat within 30 minutes. Of course, another reason it was a sight is because my ex had a great body.

She practiced every night for about couple of weeks. But eventually, she lose interests and that is the end of that.

Another first hand account is from my father in law. He being practicing Qi-Gong for about 30 years. Every time he visited me, he always wanted to teach me. He can also feel the Qi in his body. But that is after about 10 years of meditation before he can even felt the existence of it. My mother in law practice it too.

My parents in law and my ex never lie to me, nor do they know each other. The way they describe how the Qi flows in their body is very similar also. That is why I absolutely believe in Qi-Gong. But in terms of exactly how will Qi-Gong help you, I have absolutely no idea.

Hope it is of use to you.