3 of 3

Perhaps the most effective tactic has been China's "responsibility system." Instead of using excessive governmental resources to hunt down practitioners, it enlists citizens to do it. "Bosses faces fines or demotions when their workers protest," Time Asia reported last year. "Police officers face heavier penalties for allowing people under their watch to demonstrate than for beating them to death."

According to Time Asia, such pressure has sent more than 10,000 followers to labor camps and accounted for more than 220 deaths. The Falun Dafa Information Center puts the death toll at 358 and alleges that government officials claim more than 1,600 deaths. The center says over 100,000 practitioners have been detained, with more than 20,000 being sentenced to forced labor camps without trial.

"In practice, the government is putting much more weight against the Falun Gong than against Christian house churches," Fulton told Christianity Today. "The government will go after house churches when they can get to them, but not with the intensity of their hunt for Falun Gong. The government's propaganda attack of Falun Gong has not been equaled by their treatment of anyone else."

However, since some Christian groups are also listed as cults in China, this kind of attack could be launched against Christians as well. "The way this group has been singled out and treated should be a concern," Fulton said. "But maybe the biggest concern to Christians is how big Falun Gong was among the people. It did not only attract peasants but former members of the party and the educated."

He said that Falun Gong's roots in ancient Chinese teachings mixed with modern communication technology such as the Internet helped it grow quickly and appeal to many.

"The church in China is not up to that level," Fulton told CT. "Falun Gong's success is in fact a wake up call to Christians. It shows how an indigenous movement with sophistication has attracted a lot of followers. The church needs to ask, 'What do we need to do to make an impact?'"

Todd Hertz is assistant online editor of Christianity Today.

Copyright © 2002 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

first page |  3 of 3

share this page

February (Web-only) 2002, Vol. 46