I am a Chinese American that was born and raised in China. I have been living in the US for the last 20 years, and in recent years, traveling back and forth between the two countries for business. I can't say I am the one that knows everything about both sides, but I want to give my perspective of the ongoing argument about Falun Gong. What I am seeing here is an argument between two sides that are greatly influenced by their own media. In fact, what we think we know about most things in the world are actually what we read from the media. Unfortunitly it doesn't always reflect what really is going on. Geowalker, just like you, I don't like these Falun Gong followers. In my opinion they are flat out foolish to worship someone(Li) who just put together some beautiful but deceiving words then pretend he is a god. BUT, I don't hate them or want to destroy them like you do. These people have the rights to choose what they believe, just like you and I have our rights to believe our view about them. From your post I can see that you obviously don't give a damn about their rights to survive, and since you and the majority of the people surrounding you don't like what they do, you think they deserve whatever treatment they get from the government, no questions asked. I know some of the stuff these followers practice don't make any sense, like relying on the magic power of Fanlun Dafa to treat serious diseases instead of modern medicine. But just like many other stupid things that ordinary people do (for example, playing video games overnight is very damaging your health too), as long as you are not bothering other people, you still have the right to do it, right? You don't get beaten to death just because you are doing stupid things to yourself. This ISN'T the real reason behind the government crackdown of Falun Gong, and I am sure you are smart enough to figure out what the real reason is. The bottom line, Falun Gong is not in the same category like the cult in Japan that launched the Tokyo subway sarin gas attack. They are generally non-violent. Geowalker, your deep hatred toward Falun Gong is a result of the successful use of media by the government. To those who have never even been to China, and your only resource about Falun Gong is from American operated newspaper or web sites, I have to tell you that you are also terribly misled, just like Geowalk is. Like any other religious cults, Falun Gong is about a charming and intelligent leader and bunch of less-intelligent followers, and that's it. Please keep in mind that whatever Li Hongzhi said in public may not necessarily be the same as what he preaches to his followers, and this is such a key point but few in western sociaty ever realize. You, reading in your living rooms at the other end of the globe, thinking you know about Falun Gong in China. The fact is, the Falun Gong members or supporters in the US that you see, are very much different than the real followers in China. I always suggest my friends to go visit China with me whenever they can, and a few of them had just done that. And what they saw surprised them. China is a country of change, at a dazzling speed. It's far from the evil commie empire that some of the media is still portraiting. Also, no country is perfect as far as treating their own problem. I still remember what happened in Waco, TX. Geowalk, regarding your blast to American media and government, I would tell you in general, American media is far more free and open-minded than the Chinese media, although we know all media are biased to different degrees. I now spend half of my time in China and half in the US. I read both sides and I believe I know better than you do on this. Regarding the US government, please keep in mind, the US government's main job is serving US people and their interest, not the world or any other countries's interest. Always keep this in mind my friend. You said you don't like to be pushed around by people from other countries. Yet I found your criticize of other country to be excessive.
isaac000, Thank you for the thoughtful comments on this issue. Your immersion in both cultures provides the best perspective, and your description of this situation has the distinct sound of truth.
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Falun Gong is often portrayed in US media as a peaceful defiance movement against the chinese government. Actually, this movement was supported by the chinese government from the very beginning until the late 90s, when a famous physics professor published an article critical of FLG in an obscure journal. Angry with anyone who dare to criticize them, FLG mounted an offence by surrounding the residence of the chinese leaders, and prayed throughout the night in an effort to influence them. Startled by this, the chinese government began to crack down on FLG. This story was widely reported in Canadian media at the time.
what geowalker accused of falun gong doing sound familiar then I dig up the news from The Aum Supreme Truth (a Japan Cult) could it be that those clever chinese guy switch the name around a little bit, 29 paged http://www.crimelibrary.com/terrorists_spies/terrorists/prophet/1.html ps. see post from isaac000 above, he must have same thought at back of his mind, he post when I was busy searching, internet make thing make more sense