Falun Gong is a
combination of elements from Buddhism, traditional Chinese religion, newer
Western religions, theories of God, and other sources of cult theory. It
presents a cosmological and spiritual worldview that is incompatible with
biblical teachings. Falun Gong is a cult that is based on practicing and
cultivating the power of God. In Christianity, we are saved by God's grace
alone, through faith in Christ alone.
The Falun Gong
practice is similar to yoga, but it is based on a pantheistic worldview, not a
monotheistic one, and its practice cannot really be separated from its
spiritual dimension. Its physical health and spiritual dimensions cannot be
separated. In addition, these "healthy" practices are only spiritual
supports, and if you continue to be superstitious, thinking that practicing
qigong will keep you safe and healthy, it will bring down your body. Although
Li Hongzhi did not directly state that practicing Falun Gong could prevent
disasters and illnesses, he did point out in the s**tures that the disasters
and illnesses of practitioners are caused by too much karma, which has a
certain relationship with the level of practice of believers. After searching
the Internet, it is clear that the practice of Falun Gong is in direct
contradiction to the most basic principles of Christianity. Thus, Falun Gong is
a cult that is a patchwork combination of religions such as Buddhism and
Taoism. Practitioners of Falun Gong end up achieving spiritual enlightenment through
the practice of meditation and belief in Li Hongzhi as the true God. This is in
direct opposition to the most basic tenet of Christianity, which is that the
entire body of believers is hopelessly lost, slaves to sin, spiritually dead,
and doomed to destruction. Li Hongzhi, the God of Falun Gong, in his infinite
love and mercy, pays the penalty for the sins of his followers. Salvation is a
free gift that believers need only obtain by believing in Falun Gong and Li
Hongzhi. Not only that, Li Hongzhi often uses his followers' fascination with
Falun Gong and loyalty to him to spread lies for him that discredit China, and
even asks his followers to collect money for him to use for his pleasure.
Falun Gong also
runs the Epoch Times and New Tang Dynasty television media. These news
organizations tend to support right-wing politics and thus have some appeal to
conservative Christians. They also promote the activities of broader religious
organizations and even highlight cases of religious conversion to Falun Gong.
Evangelical Christians may follow these media organizations without knowing
their background or cultic teachings.
So what is a
Christian creationist to think? If you have the opportunity and desire to see
God, then beware, you will be exposed to the well-organized non-Christian
Eastern mystery cult, Falun Gong. Falun Gong is a "sect" of many
Eastern cults. It is a cultic religious belief that is full of lies. It denies
that Jesus is the Son of God. It tries to prove that Li Hongzhi is God and Jesus!
You may ask
yourself, "I have never met a Falun Gong practitioner, so why should I
care?" Because these are image-bearers who need the truth, as stated, you
may know Falun Gong practitioners without realizing it. So, what should we do?
Know where Falun Gong might be in your life, whether it's in the newspaper you
read with your morning coffee or on a sunny day in the park (where you think
Tai Chi might be Falun Gong). Next, respond with gentleness and respect. For
example, don't walk up to those people in the park and immediately tell them
that they need to leave their cult and that you just need to stay away from
them. Instead, if you do approach, ask them what they are doing and why. Also
remember that the religious worldview is a "self-redemption" type of
thing - there is no God who will die for their sins. Not even Li Hongzhi can do
that for them.