Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 2, No. 2, 2003, Page 206
Reflections on Falun Gong and the Chinese Government
Michael D. Langone, Ph.D.
Editor, Cultic Studies Review
Abstract
The Chinese government has been harshly criticized for its treatment of Falun
Gong members. The government and some western family members of Falun
Gong practitioners say that Falun Gong has harmed thousands of citizens and
poses a threat to public order. Passion is so high on both sides of this
controversy that an objective evaluation is difficult to make. This paper
approaches the controversy by asking questions directed at the Falun Gong
organization and the Chinese government in the hope that the answers might
contribute to a productive dialogue.
The articles by Rosedale (2003a), Rahn (2003), and Luo (2003) and the comment with
reply by Robbins (2003) and Rosedale (2003b), respectively, underscore how difficult it is to
arrive at a balanced and informed perspective on the conflict between the Chinese
government and the Falun Gong movement. This difficulty was further underlined by two
sessions at AFF‘s June 2003 conference, one in which a Falun Gong member and two critics
presented and one in which a spirited discussion, involving panelists and audience members
(including about half-dozen Falun Gong members) continued nearly two hours beyond the
allotted 90 minutes.
Falun Gong members are passionate in their criticisms of the Chinese government and have
compiled impressive documentation of abuses. Yet many individuals in China, and some
family members of Falun Gong members in the U.S., are equally passionate in their
condemnation of Falun Gong, and they also point to documented abuses, medical neglect in
particular.
The high level of passion in this area makes it difficult to assess the controversy objectively.
Doing so requires a deep appreciation of Chinese culture and accurate, reliable information
about what is really going on in China. Few of us possess the former and quite possibly
none of us knows all the vital facts concerning the contemporary scene vis a vis Falun Gong.
It seems to me, then, that we should approach the subject in a spirit of dialogue, rather
than ideology or cultural egocentrism. We certainly can have and should share opinions.
However, let us not hang on to our views so firmly that they become incorrigible. With this
caveat in mind, I wish in this paper to share my reflections on the following questions:
1. What prejudices can interfere with our attempts to seek a balanced and informed
perspective on the conflict?
2. To what extent has Falun Gong harmed Chinese individuals, families, and society?
3. How much of a threat does Falun Gong pose to the stability of the Chinese
government and how should the government respond?
Cleaning the Lens of Our Prejudices
I here use the term ―prejudice‖ in the sense of ―any preconceived opinion or feeling, either
favorable or unfavorable‖ (Random House Webster‘s Unabridged Dictionary, Second Edition,
2001). Several kinds of prejudices can distort our thinking on the conflict between China
and Falun Gong.
China is a Gulag
Many people perceive China to be such a heavy-handed totalitarian state that to live in
China is tantamount to living in a gulag. This view fosters a presumption of deception
Reflections on Falun Gong and the Chinese Government
Michael D. Langone, Ph.D.
Editor, Cultic Studies Review
Abstract
The Chinese government has been harshly criticized for its treatment of Falun
Gong members. The government and some western family members of Falun
Gong practitioners say that Falun Gong has harmed thousands of citizens and
poses a threat to public order. Passion is so high on both sides of this
controversy that an objective evaluation is difficult to make. This paper
approaches the controversy by asking questions directed at the Falun Gong
organization and the Chinese government in the hope that the answers might
contribute to a productive dialogue.
The articles by Rosedale (2003a), Rahn (2003), and Luo (2003) and the comment with
reply by Robbins (2003) and Rosedale (2003b), respectively, underscore how difficult it is to
arrive at a balanced and informed perspective on the conflict between the Chinese
government and the Falun Gong movement. This difficulty was further underlined by two
sessions at AFF‘s June 2003 conference, one in which a Falun Gong member and two critics
presented and one in which a spirited discussion, involving panelists and audience members
(including about half-dozen Falun Gong members) continued nearly two hours beyond the
allotted 90 minutes.
Falun Gong members are passionate in their criticisms of the Chinese government and have
compiled impressive documentation of abuses. Yet many individuals in China, and some
family members of Falun Gong members in the U.S., are equally passionate in their
condemnation of Falun Gong, and they also point to documented abuses, medical neglect in
particular.
The high level of passion in this area makes it difficult to assess the controversy objectively.
Doing so requires a deep appreciation of Chinese culture and accurate, reliable information
about what is really going on in China. Few of us possess the former and quite possibly
none of us knows all the vital facts concerning the contemporary scene vis a vis Falun Gong.
It seems to me, then, that we should approach the subject in a spirit of dialogue, rather
than ideology or cultural egocentrism. We certainly can have and should share opinions.
However, let us not hang on to our views so firmly that they become incorrigible. With this
caveat in mind, I wish in this paper to share my reflections on the following questions:
1. What prejudices can interfere with our attempts to seek a balanced and informed
perspective on the conflict?
2. To what extent has Falun Gong harmed Chinese individuals, families, and society?
3. How much of a threat does Falun Gong pose to the stability of the Chinese
government and how should the government respond?
Cleaning the Lens of Our Prejudices
I here use the term ―prejudice‖ in the sense of ―any preconceived opinion or feeling, either
favorable or unfavorable‖ (Random House Webster‘s Unabridged Dictionary, Second Edition,
2001). Several kinds of prejudices can distort our thinking on the conflict between China
and Falun Gong.
China is a Gulag
Many people perceive China to be such a heavy-handed totalitarian state that to live in
China is tantamount to living in a gulag. This view fosters a presumption of deception
