Letters to Western News, Canada After "Uncompromising Courage" Exhibit

Falun Gong peaceful

I would like to commend all the people who participated in the "Uncompromising Courage" display to raise awareness of the persecution of Falun Gong in China.

It is important that we openly investigate the truth and make moral decisions based on facts and knowledge, not propaganda and fear.

Falun Gong came out of China and is rooted in ancient Chinese culture. The teaching is based on improving one's moral character by following principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance, combined with gentle, slow moving exercises and meditation.

It was first publicly introduced in China in 1992 and in just seven years grew in popularity to between 70 and 100 million people. Falun Gong is now practiced in over 50 countries all over the world.

In China however, the practice was banned in 1999 and billions of dollars were spent on hate propaganda to defame Falun Gong and turn the public against it through the state-controlled media.

Practitioners face imprisonment, torture, sexual abuse and extortion if they are caught reading the Falun Gong books, practicing the exercises or for any kind of legal appeal, they cannot even say or write the words "Falun Gong is good".

Jane Banks
Victoria, B.C.

http://communications.uwo.ca/western_news/opinion.html?listing_id=16558

I recently visited the "Uncompromising Courage" art exhibit held at the Western University Community Centre. The artwork was beautiful, though at times highly disturbing.

Through the paintings, I was able to appreciate the beauty of the practice of Falun Gong, as well as the courage that its adherents must have to face such brutality inflicted upon them.

I was reminded how thankful I am that I live in a country where I can believe what I choose to without fear of retribution. I will keep my eyes peeled for future exhibitions. Keep up the good work, Western!

Cindy Drukier
Fergus

In response to "Reputation marred by exhibit's cultural intolerance", I am saddened by the writer's choice of words when describing Falun Gong, the outlawed spiritual practice that originated in China.

The writer appears to be arguing for tolerance, but in fact is presenting an intolerant point of view as the correct way to view Falun Gong.

The word cult carries a strong connotation. Like other words that are used to classify people in the way the word cult is used to classify people, it has all the markings of hate speech. To use it casually to describe someone's spirituality is a grave mistake.

As to the author's concern regarding cultural intolerance of Chinese students because of a Falun Gong Art exhibit, I must reassure him. People in Canada are kind and accepting people, and they live in relative harmony. This tolerance extends to everyone. I am certain that the article's author has experienced this harmony and acceptance, as has anyone who has ever visited Canada.

If the author is concerned about another group of people freely expressing their opinions in an artistic way, perhaps it is because the art hits home.

Over 38,000 cases of torture involving Falun Gong practitioners in China have been recorded by Human Rights workers. Hundreds of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners

have been sentenced to forced labor camps, where many have died.

The word cult is again being used to spread hatred and intolerance in order to justify a massive genocide. I can only ask the writer how he can contribute to this ignorant and hateful point of view so easily.

I must reassure myself that it can only be due to the fact that he is not clear on the true situation of Falun Gong in China.

Amy Rooker
United States

http://communications.uwo.ca/western_news/opinion.html?listing_id=16557

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