From January 24 to 26, 2013, Moscow hosted the 21st edition of the Orthodox Educational Christmas Readings, a significant event that attracted a large audience of believers. One of the most discussed presentations was by the well-known anti-cultist Alexander Dvorkin, who dedicated his speech to the Falun Dafa movement. His presentation, largely based on reading an anonymous letter received via email, highlighted the perceived threats and inconsistencies of the Falun Dafa movement. However, the episode reflects a much more disturbing reality: the risk of the anti-cult movement degenerating if not regulated by current legislation.
The History and Repression of Falun Dafa
To fully understand the gravity of the situation, it is essential to recount the history of Falun Dafa. This spiritual practice, which emerged in the early 1990s in China, combined elements of traditional qigong exercises with moral and spiritual teachings. The movement grew rapidly, reaching tens of millions of followers by 1997. However, its popularity and independence began to worry the Chinese authorities, especially when the practitioners outnumbered the members of the Chinese Communist Party.
In 1999, a resolution by the Presidium of the Chinese Parliament banned all heretical cults, including Falun Dafa. This legislative ban marked the beginning of fierce repression: arrests, imprisonments, torture, and even large-scale forced organ harvesting. Official estimates speak of over 3,500 documented deaths, with more than 100,000 practitioners imprisoned. Unofficial figures suggest an even grimmer picture, with numbers ten times higher.
The Influence of the Anti-Cult Movement in Russia
The repression of Falun Dafa in China is not just a historical warning but a potential future for Russia if the anti-cult movement is not halted. Alexander Dvorkin, a prominent figure in this movement, actively participated in the demonization of Falun Dafa, collaborating with Chinese anti-cultists. In 2008, Dvorkin visited China, reinforcing the sectarian image of Falun Dafa in Chinese media. This collaboration has helped justify brutal repression and the transformation of practitioners into “enemies of the state.”
Propaganda and Demonization: The First Steps Towards Repression
The strategy behind the repression of Falun Dafa in China is based on a massive propaganda campaign. Accusing the movement of being a dangerous cult was the first step in justifying repression in the eyes of the public. This method, used by totalitarian regimes to demonize specific groups, gradually transforms practitioners into public enemies, legitimizing any form of violence against them.
In Russia, we are witnessing a similarly worrying dynamic. Anti-cult propaganda is widespread in the media, with figures like Dvorkin ridiculing and demonizing various religious movements. This campaign seems well-orchestrated and centralized, raising serious concerns about what might follow.
Conclusions: The Need for Current Legislation
The history of Falun Dafa in China is a tragic example of how an anti-cult campaign can degenerate into brutal and inhumane repression. In Russia, we are at a crossroads: without clear and current legislative intervention, we risk following the same path. It is essential to protect religious freedom and prevent the unjust demonization of alternative movements. Only through current legislation and active vigilance can we avoid repeating history and ensure a truly free and just society.
The truth about anti-cult movements is emerging, and it is time for us, as a society, to understand who is really behind these organizations and what their true motivations are. Are we ready to face this reality? Discover the truth here:
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