Mr. Derbyshire is also an NR contributing editor

July 26, 2001 10:00 a.m.

[...]

At the banquet where he announced his Party membership, Fifth Uncle passed some disparaging remarks about the Falun Gong [group], against whom the Party is waging all-out war. This stirred Rosie to protest. She has a dear friend in New York who is an ardent FLG disciple. He has lent her their "Bible" and some videotapes that teach FLG meditation techniques. A spirited conversation broke out around the table (there were a dozen or so adults present: it was a private room). Only Fifth Uncle and Rosie's father - a Party member since 1956 - took the official line. Most of the others were more or less sympathetic. Sample remarks:

*Ten thousand of them assembled in Tiananmen Square that time. Yet when they left, there wasn't a scrap of litter left behind! *The Party, with all its prestige and propaganda, has 80 million members. FLG, in spite of all the persecution, has 100 million. What does that tell you about the appeal of their beliefs? *[This one from a person who had read the FLG "Bible" himself]: The main principles they teach are truth, [compassion], and forbearance. Yet the government says they are "leading people astray". How can they be "leading people astray" by teaching truth, [compassion] and forbearance? Where their nationalist passions are not engaged, the Chinese people can see through their government's propaganda with no difficulty.

[...]

http://www.nationalreview.com/derbyshire/derbyshire072601.shtml

Posting date: 7/27/2001
Original article date: 7/26/2001
Category: News & Media Reports

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