Quote Originally Posted by Staurm
I think there is a marked difference between scientology and falun gong though. Falun gong followers seem free (in spirit and mind anyway), perfectly harmless, pacifist, yet horrendously persecuted. Whereas scientologists -from what I can gather from a very limited knowledge of what really its about- on the other hand strike me as being a most oppressive and patriarchal organisation.
That is certainly the image that Falun Gong wants you to see. And certainly the image that our anti-China media like to portray. But many cult experts disagree, as do most Chinese.

My Mother-In-Law, a Chinese citizen who still lives in China, got mixed up with the Falun Gong. She got pretty screwed up metally/emotionally, gave away a pretty large portion of the families saving to the Falun Gong, and had serious helth problems after being advised by the Falun Gong to stop taking her medications and let whatever it is they believe in take over. 5 years ago she would have sworn up and down that the Falun Gong was the greatest thing around but now she's happily spit on them if given the chance.

Li Hongzhi, the leader of the Falun Gong, lives a pretty lush life in New York with several houses there and in New Jersey. So, let's see...filthy rich leader, followed by folks who give up their lifes savings and ignore conventional wisdon like taking their medication because it is against their beliefs teachings. Hmmm, something smells a bit cultish to me.