Falun Gong members are not allowed to practice in China. Viewed as an "evil cult," the movement was banned in 1999. Not only has this spiritual group been censored online and in print, but practitioners have been heavily persecuted. There are even claims of thousands being tortured and even murdered according to Michael Bristow's BBC News article (July 22, 2009), "China says Falun Gong ban 'works'."
This form of religious censorship, enforced by the Chinese government, is an extreme example of censored ideas and beliefs. Why has the persecution of Falun Gong been so intense? What is China trying to protect or preserve by banning this movement? Why should censorship in China matter to the rest of the world?
The History of Falun Gong in China
Falun Gong is a set of principles that are both Buddhist and Taoist in origin, as well as the integration of qigong exercises. Combining spiritual and philosophical ideas and mind-body medicine, Falun Gong is essentially a way of life, a path to follow for physical and spiritual well-being. Founder Li Hongzhi opened this method of living and spiritual practice to the public in 1992.
In 1999 the Falun Gong movement in China led a massive public demonstration that resulted in the official banning of the group. Since then, the government of the People's Republic of China has worked to discredit Falun Gong and to persecute practicing members. There is a China Anti-Cult Association which works to censor Falun Gong by spreading the "evil cult" perception.
Religious censorship is basically part of government policy as only government-licensed printing enterprises can print religious literature and only with the approval of a religious affairs bureau at the provincial level and of the press and publication administration, according to the Congressional Executive Commission on China. In 2005 alone 4.62 million items of Falun Gong and other alleged cult materials were confiscated in China.
Censorship in China in regards to this spiritual-exercise movement has also taken the form of silencing human beings through imprisonment, violence, and even death. In the State Department's 2005 International Religious Freedom Report, it is noted that, "those (Falun Gong practitioners) who refused to recant their beliefs were sometimes subjected to harsh treatment in prisons and reeducation-through-labor camps, and there were credible reports of deaths due to torture and abuse."
Why Was Falun Gong Banned?
Falun Gong was banned in China because the movement posed a perceived threat to the People's Republic of China. In the 1990s, there were as many as 70 million members in China, with 2.1 million members in the Chinese Communist Party. The April 25, 1999 demonstration that resulted in the official banning of Falun Gong was huge — there were between 10,000 and 30,000 people asking for recognition of their constitutional rights for free speech, press, and assembly.
In July, Falun Gong was outlawed in China and an anti-cult law was instated that threatened not only the movement but other religious sects. According to Chinese officials Falun Gong was banned because the group, "carried out illegal activities, promoted superstition, and disrupted social order," reports BBC journalist Michael Bristow.
Awareness of Religious Censorship in China
Falun Gong still does exist today and is in fact a thriving movement in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and even the United States. It continues to be subjected to religious censorship in China — people may practice in secret in their homes but ten years after being banned Falun Gong continues to be against the law in the country.
Why does this matter? Religious freedom is an internationally recognized human right. Being aware that people are persecuted and even imprisoned or abused for their religious beliefs is essential for being an aware and media literate member of the global community. Learning about and supporting the right of others to free speech and information is a way to ensure that these basic human rights are preserved for everyone.
References:
Lum, Thomas, Specialist in Asian Affairs. "China and Falun Gong." (CRS Report for Congress, May, 25, 2006).
Brenna Coleman - Brenna is a freelance writer focusing on natural health and beauty. She has written hundreds of articles, helping readers find ways to ...
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