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Is Falun Gong a “Cult”?
Patsy Rahn
In his article “Cults, Violence, and the Millennium” (Cult Observer, Vol. 16,
No. 4, p.5), Michael Langone suggests that the following three characteristics
“are central to the definition of a cultic group.” These are: centralized
control by a charismatic leader; an “us-them” mentality which isolates; and a
lack of toleration of dissent. I will address each issue in relation to the
Falun Gong. My comments will be based on material found in the Zhuan Falun. This
book is considered by practitioners to be more important than the Bible, Koran,
and Torah combined. Li Hongzhi is the founder of the group and the author of the
book that is taken from his public lectures. I will give a brief overview of
these three characteristics as found in the Zhuan Falun and then go into more
detail.
Full text available through
ICSA E-Library.
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