Bashing One Cult, Backing Another

The Chinese saying "do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire" characterizes the US Government's two-faced attitude toward modern-day cults.

US Special Counsel John Danforth recently cleared the US Government of wrongdoing in the siege of the Branch Davidian compound in 1993, a conflict that killed more than 80 people.

He blamed the deaths of the Davidians and four federal agents on cult leader David Koresh and some of his followers.

The US Government had legal and moral backing to order its Federal Bureau of Investigation to end the standoff by raiding the cult's compound in Texas.

After learning last year that tear-gas grenades were used on the last day of the siege, public confidence in the government was shaken as sensational accusations were made.

To outsiders, the US Government acted beyond reproach. Its determination to wipe out the doomsday cult was certainly in the interest of the United States and its people. But the US Government's attitude towards its cults contrasts with its stance on those of other countries.

On its own soil, the United States used armed suppression without considering consequences. But it seems to tolerate cults in other countries.

The moment a foreign country takes measures against cult malice, the United States speaks out. Not concerned that fighting cults is a country's internal affair, the United States cites religious freedom or human rights as excuses to interfere.

Falun Gong is a classic case. When China banned this cult on July 22 last year, criticism against China fuelled by media and politicians surged in the United States.

Since then a new phase of anti-China sentiment has taken hold in the West.

To criticize China's anti-cult campaign, last year the United States issued a report and organized a congressional hearing.

It even granted refugee status to Falun Gong members.

This year, when the United Nations Human Rights Commission convened its annual meeting in Geneva in March, the Falun Gong issue became a handy excuse for the United States.

Playing its self-appointed role as world human rights protector, the United States accused China of interfering in people's religious freedom and breaching human rights.

Though it had failed to introduce anti-China resolutions in the past years to the UN Human Rights Commission, it understood that this year's anti-China resolution would also fail. But US representatives spoke openly in favour of Falun Gong.

Since mountainous evidence of the cult's crimes have been made public and clear facts indicate that Falun Gong is a cult, it seems unbelievable that the United States would back the evil organization.

Is Uncle Sam so concerned with human rights in China?

Absolutely not.

Had he been keen on the welfare of Chinese people, Uncle Sam would take sides with the countless victims of Falun Gong rather than open his doors to the cult.

As an evil organization disguises as a religion, Falun Gong is not "a peaceful meditation group." It has spread hearsay, sabotaged social stability and imperiled people's health and lives.

Had the Chinese Government not applied its law on the cult, human rights would be breached in a majority of China.

What China did helps human rights at home and internationally as well.

Support from anti-China forces in United States has encouraged cult leader Li Hongzhi and his followers to continue their activity. US media have fuelled Li's attempt to confuse right with wrong by vilifying China's ban on the group as a violation of human rights and religious freedom.

Meanwhile, US efforts to play up of the Falun Gong issue serves its need to interfere in China's internal affairs. While people in both nations want better bilateral relations, the cult question offers a platform to US government officials who cling to a Cold War mentality, viewing China as an enemy.

The officials unconsciously follow a formula: to oppose whatever the Chinese Government supports and support whatever the Chinese Government opposes.

When the Falun Gong issue caught their eyes, they accordingly sided with the cult because it was outlawed by the Chinese Government.

By helping Falun Gong, some US government people intend to aid anti-China forces inside China and impede the country's economic and social development. They have done the same by backing overseas anti-Chinese forces that advocate independence for Tibet or Taiwan.

As the majority of the cult followers have retreated, the illegal organization has become a rat running across the street. Any attempt to give the rat new life will fail in China.

Wallowing in the mire with Li and his cult has exposed US Government hypocrisy.

We are waiting to see what the United States does when one day Li turns Americans against their own government. (Chinadaily)





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