This article is an electronic version of an article originally published in Cultic Studies Journal, 2000, Volume 17, pages 166-186. Please keep in mind that the pagination of this electronic reprint differs from that of the bound volume. This fact could affect how you enter bibliographic information in papers that you may write.

The Falun Gong: Beyond the Headlines

Patsy Rahn

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to look beyond the headlines of the past year and to give an objective analysis of the Falun Gong. I will provide an evaluation of the Western press coverage of the Falun Gong, an evaluation of the potentially problematic areas of the Falun Gong as a teaching and an organization, and an evaluation of the Chinese government’s concerns. In my conclusion, I suggest that there needs to be more independent verification of information coming out of China and a broader coverage of the topic. Regarding the Falun Gong; I suggest that research needs to be done on the group here in the United States, and if possible, independent research done in China. I also suggest that there are a number of elements in the Falun Gong as a teaching and an organization that we should be aware of because they are potentially problematic. Regarding the Chinese government’s response, I suggest that it is important to go beyond the simplistic terminology that “Falun Gong is an evil cult” or that “the Chinese Government is an evil empire.”

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