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當然也可以給社會各界和警察看
FALUNGONG: EVIL CULT----GERMAN NEWSPAPER DIE WELT
Online interview with Professor Paul Gregory, translated from Germany
Oriental Studies, Karlsruher University, German.
The president of Sino-German Partnership.
ABSTRACT
Oliver Pesmer of Die Welt:
Is Falungong now an organization, a religious movement or a dangerous Cult?
Paul Gregory:
It represents views that are logically inconsistent. Its principles about nature contradict our empirical knowledge. Falungong pretends to refer to the Indian Kharama teachings. However, it has a dangerous component: the patients and the unfortunate people are victims of their own misdeeds in earlier incarnations (existence). I would talk about it as a cult, because the movement is an absurd one. It is grotesque and irrational. Their exclusive claim to truth and the Golden Wheel give it Cultic-type markings.
INTERVIEW OF DIE WELT
China is trying to create a respectable impression in front of the international societies. A real egoism is being obtained by this country on its way to a justified state status, despite continuing critics of its violation of human rights, according to Paul Gregory, professor of Oriental Studies, Karlsruher University of German.
China』s government maintain quite a different ideology and was violated commonly recognized human rights norm. Organizations such as International Amnesty have repeatedly noticed these kinds of problems. Contenders for hosting 2008 Olympic Games also expressed significant arguments in this regard. The mentioned topic pertains to a religious movement of Falungong. Not long ago human activists mentioned 15 fatal cases of female falunists in one of China』s correction institutions.
O. Pesmer: Chinese human rights activists noticed that one of the correction centers of China 15 female falunists died, and Falungong spokesperson believed that happened under government pressure imposed on them. But Chinese officials maintained that was because of falunists』 own suicide. Which source would be more reliable?
P. Gregory: I am sceptical about either of them, as well as about that of human rights activists, which might be influenced by some sources such as American interesting circles. However, it is worth paying more attention to sources of international amnesty and observers of human rights groups. United State, on the other hand, is following some double standard. They pointed out the violation of human rights in China but not in Saudi Arabia and other countries.
O. Pesmer: What arguments were in favour of the possibility of suicide of falunists and what were in favour of forced death related to Chinese government?
P. Gregory: Falungong did not suggest its members commit suicide. However, self-immolation cases of some falunists that happened after few months earlier were publicly reported, following by an intensive propagandist campaign of the Chinese government pointed on Falugong and its leader. Attention to the death of falunists in correction institutions was not in favour of the group of Falungong. At the same time, it was highly impossible that all 15 fatal cases happened from the government pressure too.
P. Pesmer: Consequently, you believe it was impossible that death happened totally under the pressure of the government, don』t you?
P. Gregory: Not at all. But the coordinated attempt of re-educating falunists by the government seems to be difficult and of political stupid too. If China is trying to present a good impression on the world arena and to show its openness to independent observers for debating on human right issues.
O. Pesmer: Why does the Chinese government try to re-educate falunists in those institutions?
P. Gregory: Almost all Sino-Asian societies, especially those influenced by Confucian teachings, practice the education system of optimism that is unknown for westerners. Re-education in correction institutions are different from what we imagine: light physical work, teaching, reading, required self-criticism to such an extent we would call offence of personality, isolation that we would call imprisonment, and work in labour camps. Forced duties in site are permissible too.
O. Pesmer: Why would Falungong be dangerous for China』s government?
P. Gregory: Falungong, especially its leader Li Hongzhi, insists that their dogmas are more important than any regulations of the state and the leading party. Put it simpler, Falungong obeys an exclusive orientation of above state, not above all, superiority of its own doctrine. From a Sino-Asian viewpoint, it would deserve a superior leading party and the entire social-political structure. That is why the rally of ten thousand falunists in Beijing in 1999 caused the banning of Falungong by the Chinese government.
O. Pesmer: How does Falugong perform on the political arena?
P. Gregory: The People』s Republic has destroyed the principle of religious freedom. This action was of political nature. Falugong attempted to propose Li Hongzhi to be a winner of the Nobel Prize. This was their political effort. From the viewpoint of China』s government, the fact that Li is living in United States has a political connection as well.
O. Pesmer: What would you say about the organization of Falungong and what its disciples believe in?
P. Gregory: Falunists released brochures in German universities during the campaigning for winning the Nobel Prize of Peace. Falunists spoke about their leader in June at meetings in Koln and Frankfurt when the speaker of our societies criticized this spiritual movement. Falunists disseminated teachings and declarations of Li Hongzhi on many internet sites, made agitation, released brochures and flyers. True falunists were those who had been accepted into the circle of the master Li Hongzhi. This happened probably without the personal appearance of Li Hongzhi himself, which was said to be an above natural superior spirit. He had also announced his ability to install 「ruling wheels」 into the lower abdomens of his followers.
O. Pesmer: Is Falungong now an organization, a religious or a dangerous cult?
P. Gregory: It represents views that are logically inconsistent. Its principles about nature contradict our empirical knowledge. Falungong pretends to refer to the Indian Kharma teachings. However, it has a dangerous component: the patients and the unfortunate people are said to be victims of their own misdeeds in their previous existence. I would talk about Flungong as a cult, because the movement is absurd, grotesque and irrational. Its claim to exclusive e truth and fanaticism from its closeness that is typical of cults.
O. Pesmer: You believe that Falungong isolates itself from the public but why do you also name it a mass movement amounted to 40 million disciples now within merely one country as China?
P. Gregory: It seems to some people that Falungong might give them the possibility of making higher self-evaluation. As well, its Qigong or gymnastic-like exercise based on ancient therapeutic cultivation is believed to be able to offer them more potential of life. Since master Li requires his disciples maintain the popular form of Taoism so this movement is also frequently echoed in China for pursuing longer life and supernatural power.
O. Pesmer: Does Falungong』s inappropriate education or opposition toward progress cause this?
P. Gregory: I see the vast majority of falunists in China are from lower educated group and in an unsuccessful financial situation. This is a result of developing capitalism in its early stage accompanied by unemployment and lack of enough permanent work, as well as the increasing gap between the rich and the poor. All these led to loss of social guaranties and traditional family value. Besides, many of them are victims of an ideological vacuum after the dominating Maoism, although there are also intelligent and successful people among falunists.
O. Pesmer: How some educated people may believe Falungong?
P. Gregory: Even intelligent believers of Catholicism, Muslimism or Judaism may try to seek alternative destinations. It seems to them that written materials should not be understood wearily. They know how were the texts written and examine them with certain logical consistencies as necessary categories of truth. There are divided forms of belief and different interpretations as ways to find possibilities of joining as organization for different people who have 2000 years tradition in Buddhist temples.
O. Pesmer: To what extend the members of ruling elite have got involved in this movement?
P. Gregory: As I have learnt, some cadres have been sent to camps. China insists there is no reason to magnify the influence of Falungong. But this is not convincing enough since the government is thoroughly talking on Falungong. I think Falungong increasingly reports its existence. Actually, Chinese elite has never got involved before in any religious movements or ideological streams in a massive way, even though some emperors and high-ranked state officials were under influences.
O. Pesmer: How do you predict the perspective of this spiritual movement?
P. Gregory: I believe Falungong will not play a significant role in China either in the near future or in the long run. Politicians and police are able to control this movement although in a way that is not commented positively.
O. Pesmer: Does a country has its right to host the 2008 Olympic Game if it violates human rights?
P. Gregory: It i s difficult to state. Chinese people have never had such a high level. According to independent organizations, China』s situation of human rights is improving. In order not to put this country into a social-political catastrophe, it is necessary to have its annual growth of economy for 7 to 9 percent. China does not occupy the last position of egoism, along the way of progress, justification and humanism. The 2008 Olympiad would play a role of catalyst. |
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