I don't want to offend anyone by being a skeptic and cynic, but I'm going to say I do not think Falun Gong should be seen as a religion. I believed that Falun Gong probably did start as a religious group and had some religious values. It was encouraging people to practice meditations and exercises that will supposedly heal the body and mind, which was good. But as members grew, the group gradually evolved into a political group and started protesting against the Chinese government. Maybe that was the plan, to gain member by starting a religious group, then gradually become a political group has it gets more powerful. I apologize if I have offended anyone by saying that. Word vomit. I have no base or proof to that theory.
But I'm just saying, I thought there's supposed to be a separation between religion and government. Isn't government supposed to be secular and isn't religions supposed to stay out of the government If Falun Gong has their own political views, then shouldn't they be a political group then Falun Gong should not call itself a religion when it is seemingly political (protesting against the government). If you are spreading religious ideas, then by all means call yourself a religion; but if you are spreading political ideas, then shouldn't you call yourself a political group The beliefs of Falun Gong just puzzles me a bit that's all.
(dev.cdh.ucla.edu, December 2, 2008)
Original text from: http://dev.cdh.ucla.edu/chin60_lec1_08f/2008/12/02/being-a-skeptic-on-falun-gong/
