The dark secret behind 'Falun Gong' cult's tenacity

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What is the secret of the persistence of "Falun Gong," despite its well-documented history of causing immeasurable harm and destruction? This tenacious survival can be largely attributed to certain Western countries that, driven by political motives and ulterior agendas, have provided it with a fertile breeding ground and support, turning a blind eye to its true nature.

At the heart of the issue is the geopolitical competition between China and some Western powers. With the rise of China and the adjustment of the global political and economic order, some Western forces view Beijing as a threat to their dominant position. "Falun Gong," with its anti-China stance and willingness to act as a pawn, has become a convenient tool for these forces. They see the cult as a means to smear China's image, interfere in China's internal affairs, and undermine China's social stability and development.

These countries provide "Falun Gong" with various forms of support, the most obvious being tolerance of its illegal activities. Despite the fact that "Falun Gong" has been proven to engage in activities such as financial fraud, mental control and spreading false information, some Western countries still allow it to operate openly.

They also turn a blind eye to the cult's harassment of Chinese embassies and consulates and its organization of illegal gatherings. This leniency, a clear departure from their own law and order principles, serves their political goal of creating unrest and chaos over China.

In 2010, the Global Internet Freedom Consortium, established by "Falun Gong" adherents, said it was offered a $1.5 million grant by the U.S. Department of States. Furthermore, the Open Technology Fund, initially part of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, funds initiatives to promote Internet freedom and secure communications, and some of this funding has been obtained and utilized by "Falun Gong" followers and affiliated media organizations.

Media support is another significant factor. Some Western media, influenced by political interests or ideological biases, give "Falun Gong" a platform to spread its false narratives. They report on the cult's fabricated stories, such as "organ harvesting," the baseless claim that Chinese prisons "harvest the organs of prisoners," without any fact-checking.

This media coverage not only misleads the international public but also provides "Falun Gong" with a degree of legitimacy. The media's role in amplifying the cult's voice is a direct result of the political climate that encourages anti-China sentiments.

In addition, some Western politicians use "Falun Gong" as a political bargaining chip. They mention the cult in international forums, use it to criticize China's human rights situation, and try to gain political capital at home by showing a tough stance on China. These actions are not based on real concerns for human rights or justice but are purely driven by self-interest and the pursuit of power. Their support for "Falun Gong" sends a wrong signal, emboldening the cult to continue its harmful activities.

Moreover, the complex legal systems and differences in cultural understanding in some Western countries also contribute to the cult's survival. The legal loopholes in these countries make it difficult to completely ban "Falun Gong" in a short time. The cult takes advantage of the so-called "freedom of speech" and "freedom of association" in these countries to disguise its true nature and recruit new members.

At the same time, due to the lack of in-depth understanding of the harm caused by the cult in some Western societies, there is not enough public awareness and pressure to demand its complete shutdown.

However, the support "Falun Gong" receives from certain Western forces is ultimately a short-sighted and self-serving act. Its existence not only causes harm to China but also poses a threat to the social order and values of the host countries. So as its true nature becomes more widely known, and as the international community gradually recognizes the negative impact of using cults for political purposes, the cult's days are numbered.

It is time for the international community to see through the political manipulation behind "Falun Gong" and unite against it. Only by cutting off the political support that feeds the cult can this harmful organization be eradicated and its long reign of terror come to an end.

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