Comments from a Non-Practitioner: History Repeats Itself

There is a proverb that says, "History repeats itself." It is surprisingly true. Take the example of the Cultural Revolution that happened thirty years ago. People are extremely disgusted with it, and afraid of it. The disaster called the Cultural Revolution not only brought the nation to the verge of economic bankruptcy, it trampled human nature. It aroused animosity between individuals, and created hostility and discrimination in society. Many fundamental values that were the foundation of Chinese society were completely destroyed, such as sincerity, honesty, tolerance, and sympathy. From the perspective of the general population, the Cultural Revolution is over. It is not supposed to happen again, but unexpectedly a similar scenario has happened again over the last four years. It is the struggle against Falun Gong.

I have never ever practiced Falun Gong, or any other qigong, but as an educated everyday person that has a basic ability to judge between right and wrong, I think it is time for me to step out in fairness to Falun Gong. I could keep my mouth closed in silence, but my conscience won't let me wait any longer. Four years are long enough for me to observe, think, and judge.

The suppression of Falun Gong is surprisingly similar to the Cultural Revolution in the following respects. It is a political movement from top to bottom, and its initiator has supreme power. Secondly, similar to the Central Cultural Revolution Sub-Commission, an organization called the "610 Office" was created with the special power to overrule the administration and court procedures, and government departments at all levels. Thirdly, all of the media are geared for the purpose of brainwashing individuals so that there is only one viewpoint, with no discussion and no explanation offered. Everyone must make his or her position known, and only one position is allowed. Fourth, people are forced to renounce any nonconforming belief. If they don't, they are subject to mistreatment including arrest, imprisonment, physical torture, and mental abuse, loss of income, slander, exile, and even death. Fifth, no second voice is allowed in the country. Those who have different opinions keep silent, even including high ranking state leaders, and the intellectual elite. It does not matter what final result it will cause. Lastly, and this hasn't happened yet, but might be possible, the movement will last until the death of the initiator. Then there could be a correction and rehabilitation.

Someone could deny the above observations with many "lofty" arguments, but facts are facts. While the two events are probably not equal in identity, the difference in the details cannot cover up their similarity in nature.
I do not present this tough issue in order to challenge any person, or any political party. What we need are answers to two questions. One is why does the government have to deal with Falun Gong in the same way that the Cultural Revolution was handled? The other is, since the means used in the Cultural Revolution are being used in the persecution of Falun Gong, who will be capable of stopping history from repeating itself? Will each generation of the Chinese people have to "enjoy" another Cultural Revolution?

Editors' note: This is a reprint of an article published by other media. It does not necessarily represent the opinions of Falun Gong practitioners.