The Falun Gong

[SoonerCoug]

Has anyone followed news stories about the Falun Gong?

It's some kind of new religion in China, as I understand it. I think it was founded quite recently, but already has 100 million members. They are heavily persecuted and vilified by the Chinese government. I first became acquainted with the Falun Gong during the 2002 Olympics, when thousands of Falun Gong were protesting in Salt Lake City. Since then, I have seen them in DC and elsewhere. They are universally despised by my Chinese coworkers.

Now, there are rumors that imprisoned, healthy Falun Gong in China are being killed and having their organs harvested to be given to patients.

Since 1999, the Chinese government has effectively waged a propaganda campaign to vilify the entire group (100 million people) by advertising and/or distorting the actions of a few of them.

The leader of the Falun Gong has taken refuge in America, and most Chinese people are furious that America is "harboring" him.

Most Chinese people who left China after 1999 hate Falun Gong the way you might expect Nazis to hate Jews. I kid you not. This is some scary stuff, IMO.

[SoonerCoug]

[MikeWaters]

Why should genocide get in the way of us being in the Olympics? Seriously. Just wear a parka if you are worried about blood splatters on your clothes.

[SoonerCoug]

The general response I usually get from Chinese people is that "The Falun Gong believe that some people are GODS! (SATANS)! I HATE THEM. THEY ARE HORRIBLE. THEY DON'T GO TO HOSPITALS WHEN THEY ARE SICK. THEY SHOULD ALL BE IN PRISON."

Then I explain to them how we handle Jehovah's Witnesses who don't want blood transfusions (respect their choice and let them die even if the blood transfusion will save them). And I explain how we respect an individual's choice on personal matters as long as they don't cause harm to others.

In my experience, most Chinese people do not understand the concept of respecting an individual's personal choice. They believe that a government can and must go to ANY length (including dishonesty and murder) to ensure the existence of a "stable" society where people submit their will to the will of their noble leaders.

[SeattleUte]

Originally Posted by SoonerCoug

Has anyone followed news stories about the Falun Gong?

It's some kind of new religion in China, as I understand it. I think it was founded quite recently, but already has 100 million members. They are heavily persecuted and vilified by the Chinese government. I first became acquainted with the Falun Gong during the 2002 Olympics, when thousands of Falun Gong were protesting in Salt Lake City. Since then, I have seen them in DC and elsewhere. They are universally despised by my Chinese coworkers.

Now, there are rumors that imprisoned, healthy Falun Gong in China are being killed and having their organs harvested to be given to patients.

Since 1999, the Chinese government has effectively waged a propaganda campaign to vilify the entire group (100 million people) by advertising and/or distorting the actions of a few of them.

The leader of the Falun Gong has taken refuge in America, and most Chinese people are furious that America is "harboring" him.

Most Chinese people who left China after 1999 hate Falun Gong the way you might expect Nazis to hate Jews. I kid you not. This is some scary stuff, IMO.

Facinating. I will read about it. Thanks.

Now the leader needs to do his sacred duty and get himself back to China and killed by the Chinese to seal the long term vitality of his religion and his own immortality.

[MikeWaters]

I've talked to chinese who say "democracy is great for you, but won't work in china. communism and dictatoriship best for china."

We had a chinese kid move into our high school. he was a real piece of work. he said he participated in the demonstrations. he was the most rebel Asian I have ever met. He became a mini-gang leader (I think it was a nerd gang of some kind). I wonder what happened to him.

[SoonerCoug]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

I've talked to chinese who say "democracy is great for you, but won't work in china. communism and dictatoriship best for china."

Many Chinese believe that their population is too large to be managed by our form of democracy. Is it possible they're right on this point? I guess not, but I wonder if there is anything to this argument at all.

[SeattleUte]

Originally Posted by SoonerCoug

Many Chinese believe that their population is too large to be managed by our form of democracy. Is it possible they're right on this point? I guess not, but I wonder if there is anything to this argument at all.

I wouldn't be happy living in Communist China. Last Saturday night our neighbors had a meeting at their house with parents at the co-op where their kids are educated. I counted seven hybrids, two of them festooned with Obama stickers. I felt a wave of revultion, that terrible self-loathing. Then I thought, this is your community, where you have chosen to drive stakes. That night I was reading in Josephus and felt oppressed by the poor Jews' obligations to community, the obligatory funerals and weddings that bankrupted them, the donations to the temple, the work there, etc. Maybe there's something wrong with me. Maybe it's the community that's the thing not the content. But I wouldn't be happy in a collective, and there's no helping that, I fear.

[TripletDaddy]

they have a pretty visible presence here in Los Angeles. Not sure, but they may be like scientologists, in that they have chosen to HQ here in SoCal.

They have been handing out pamphlets in downtown LA for years. The pamphlets speak of the abuse and human rights violations taking place in China.

Just last month, the FG had a big parade downtown to raise more awareness of the persecution.

http://en.epochtimes.com/news/8-2-24/66565.html

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

I wouldn't be happy living in Communist China. Last Saturday night our neighbors had a meeting at their house with parents at the co-op where their kids are educated. I counted seven hybrids, two of them festooned with Obama stickers. I felt a wave of revultion, that terrible self-loathing. Then I thought, this is your community, where you have chosen to drive stakes. That night I was reading in Josephus and felt oppressed by the poor Jews' obligations to community, the obligatory funerals and weddings that bankrupted them, the donations to the temple, the work there, etc. Maybe there's something wrong with me. Maybe it's the community that's the thing not the content. But I wouldn't be happy in a collective, and there's no helping that, I fear.

SU feeling like he is not part of the community, feeling revulsion towards it.

Never would have thunk it.