Beijing, May 12 /Xinhua/ — Recently the famous Russian [Orthodox] expert on questions of sects Alexandr Dvorkin while being interviewed by a correspondent of Xinhua News Agency assured, that “Falungong” had become one of the world cults. He exhorted all the healthy and fair forces to join together to fight against sects.
A. Dvorkin is the President of the Russian Association of centers for Religious and Sectarian Studies. He took part in last week Chinese-Russian forum on anti-sects efforts, organized by the Chinese Society on Sectology. He says, that the headquarters of the “Falungong” leader Li Hongzhi is situated in New York City. “Falungong” works in many countries, its activity affects different spheres. «His followers consider, that they don't belong to any of the countries. They act only in obedience to the directions by Li Hongzhi. Besides, “Falungong” obtains support from other world sects, governments and political bodies of some western countries».
Dvorkin says, that a sect endangers personality, family, society and state, being “cancerous” on the society’s body. A sect makes its followers an instrument, destroys families and can’t make any contribution to society’s development. At the same time society always feeds new human resources and money to a sect. “We can compare sects with cancer, where cells always receive nutrients from the human body till the time the host is completely destroyed”, – says the scientist.
He says, that sects are defined by four main peculiarities. First, the leader of a sect identifies himself as God or a saint and as the only possible way to establish communication with God. Second, all the cults have an acceptable system for everybody, using methods to disseminate their teachings and raise money for meeting their objectives. Third, a cult is invulnerable, the leadership being totalitarian with vertical control from top down. Fourth, a sect can disorient an individual and can forcibly change his character for the purpose of transforming a follower into its instrument.
The 52 years old A. Dvorkin is a famous Russian expert sectologist, historian and theologian. He is the author of more than 500 research articles and more than ten books. His works have been translated into 16 languages.
A. Dvorkin says, that every cult acts as “an independent kingdom”, where followers focused on activities for the good of the sect, and are not bound by any laws or moral standards. Sect practitioners consider all the people who have not entered their cult as enemies, and find it necessary to fight against the outside world. The inhuman character of sects is divisive, leading to suicides and injuries.
“Falungong” sect was organized in China at the beginning of the 1990’s. Its leader Li Hongzhi under the false pretence of exercising to improve health attracted people to the sect. After this he, using his false teachings about «Dharma-ending period», «Placement of the mysterious pass», «Supernormal abilities», exercises control over followers' minds, that has killed more than 1700 sect followers.
He also says, that “Falungong” actions do no accord with the principles of «Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance», as the sect promulgates it. “Falungong” often tell lies: they proclaim that “Falungong” developed from the real Buddhism, as a matter of fact the sect has no relation with it. Li Hongzhi entitles himself «a scientist», but actually he doesn't even have any elementary scientific knowledge.
Li Hongzhi promises, that his followers would have good health and happy life. But in reality many “Falungong” practitioners have lost their homes and family members. The adequate understanding of the concept «Compassion» includes unmercenary self-sacrifice for other people. But Li Hongzhi sacrifices other people's lives and takes advantage of it. “He lives in the USA, with his life out of danger, being prosperous and wealthy. But he brought his followers to kill themselves through self-immolation in Tian’anmen Square. It isn't compassion, it's maliciousness, - says A. Dvorkin. – Forbearance is long-term thinkings, and then right conclusions, but «forbearance» as required by “Falungong” from its followers doesn't expect them to think and choose: a person simply must refuse to think and has to accept other people's views”.
The Russian expert says, that the Chinese government forbade the activity of “Falungong” for the avoidance of harm, that it does for the Chinese people. Today «Falunong» also realizes its activity in Russia. There is a small following, but in spite of their limited influence, they are extremely aggressive. Unlike “Falungong” followers in some European countries who are Chinese, followers in Russia are Russian people. It tends to increase the number of Russian people joining the sect.
A. Dvorkin emphasizes, that “Falungong” has already become one of the international cults. Li Hongzhi uses propaganda against the Chinese government. “Falungong” opposes not only the Chinese government, but also the Chinese People. “Falungong” isn't the only anti-chinese force in the world, it acts together with other anti-chinese forces, they arranged to oppose the Chinese government.
A. Dvorkin thinks, cults always act under the slogan «protection of human rights», they act as «defenders of human rights». “Falungong” acts the same way. «It is necessary to reveal the facts of violation of human rights by “Falungong”, to help people realize the essense of the sect and who is the real defender of human rights», - he adds.