This article was first published on May 29, 2004

(Minghui.org) Many have raised questions regarding the lawsuit against Jiang Zemin, the primary perpetrator of the persecution against Falun Gong. In order to answer some of these questions for those who may not be familiar with Falun Gong or the lawsuit, Clearwisdom discussed four main questions with two Falun Dafa practitioners, Cheng Qing and Li Zhongming.

Question 1. Does the lawsuit against Jiang mean that Falun Gong is getting involved in politics?

Question 2. Is the lawsuit trying to bring shame upon the Chinese government?

Question 3. Some from the West have asked, "The persecution of Falun Gong is a mistake by the Chinese government. Why is Falun Gong suing Jiang Zemin? Isn't this targeting him unfairly?

Question 4. Will the lawsuit harm Sino-American relations?

Question 1. Does the lawsuit against Jiang mean that Falun Gong is getting involved in politics?

Cheng Qing: Cultivators do not care about politics. The Falun Gong teachings on this subject are very clear, and it's spelled out specifically in Teacher Li's works. Cultivators are not interested in politics, because they see these things as hindrances to one's cultivation. Cultivators are expected to give up all attachments, including to politics.

Then why do we have to keep clarifying the truth and opposing the persecution in spite of enormous sacrifices, sometimes at the cost of our lives? This is related to the fundamental nature of the persecution.

Jiang persecutes Falun Gong through the "610 Office" system and enforcing the policy of "defaming their reputations, bankrupting them financially, destroying them physically;" Jiang and his regime have forced the Chinese people to choose between "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance" and being able to live a normal life. People who refuse to denounce "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance" face unemployment, being dismissed from schools, harassment, brainwashing, extortion, arrest, prison or labor camp terms, being sent to mental hospitals, torture, and even death. During this persecution, Jiang is destroying people's conscience.

Li Zhongming: There have been many examples of physical and mental genocide in the course of history. The most current example is Jiang's campaign against Falun Gong practitioners. In terms of the number of people affected, the area covered and the cruelty that is being perpetrated, this persecution is both shocking and unprecedented. Jiang has spread this persecution all over the world through propaganda and diplomatic channels, affecting people all over the world in this persecution. In addition, in his persecution of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance" Jiang is launching an assault on the human conscience.

Cheng Qing: During the persecution of Falun Gong, aside from the many forms of torture that have handicapped, maimed, and even killed the victims, the Jiang regime has employed brainwashing to destroy the practitioners' faith, causing severe mental and spiritual anguish.

Many people were forced to join the persecution by beating and torturing practitioners or by other means. This includes the normal police, state security and military police, administrators at each level, government officials and Party committee members, as well as people in every walk of life. These people's consciences are being sacrificed during the persecution. By assisting in the persecution, they have become victims, as well.

To cover up the persecution, Jiang and his regime have resorted to different methods. They have created the façade of economic prosperity to lead people to ignore the cruel persecution happening around them. They have also organized massive movements such as the "million signature campaign" to force people to become "supporters" of the persecution.

What Jiang's regime has created is an unparalleled persecution against humanity's conscience and beliefs. It is well beyond the scope of politics.

Li Zhongming: Opposing this persecution isn't a matter of politics. Jiang's persecution targets 100 million people that lead their lives according to "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance." Using Jiang's own words, "Falun Gong follows 'Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance,' so we can attack them at will." After several years of persecution, Jiang had indeed reached his personal goal of strengthening the hold on his power. Falun Gong practitioners are telling people the facts about Falun Gong and opposing the persecution with peaceful means. These are not political pursuits--the goal is only to stop the persecution. This is not some sort of petty revenge.

The huge sacrifice and persistent effort from the practitioners' aims to safeguard the freedom of belief, to uphold morality, and to further the pursuit of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance." Any way you look at it, from the perspective of legality, international relations, or human rights, it's the right thing to do to bring Jiang to justice for his crimes.

Cheng Qing: Here is another point. Cultivation does not depend on a particular environment, because one can cultivate in any environment. Then why do Falun Gong practitioners want to give such a big effort to improve the environment? Because the Falun Gong practitioners want everyone in the world to have the freedom of belief, and the opportunity to choose to lead their lives according to "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance." Falun Gong teaches cultivators to think of others first and to be kind to all beings. Amidst the huge trials and tribulations, Falun Gong practitioners are undergoing huge sacrifices to help create opportunities for people to discover "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance." How could this be taken as participating in politics?

Question 2. Is the lawsuit trying to bring shame upon the Chinese government?

Li Zhongming: When news came out of U.S. soldiers abusing Iraqi prisoners, the Secretary of Defense for the U.S. submitted to a hearing and questions from Congress, and the U.S. president himself made an apology. The American people and the government don't feel like the apology meant a loss of face. On the contrary, the apology demonstrated that America operates by the rule of law and no one is above it.

Jiang's massacre of members of a spiritual practice and inciting of hatred against the principles of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance" is destroying the conscience of the Chinese people as a whole. Should we cover up and allow such heinous crimes to run rampant, or should we oppose it? What is truly going to benefit society and the people? What is really going to make China lose face and dignity to the rest of the world?

Jiang Zemin is prohibiting people from believing in "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance," destroying the whole nation's conscience, and killing innocent and kind people. Can this murderer represent the Chinese government and the Chinese people?

Cheng Qing: We should ask this question -- once the 1.3 billion Chinese people learn of what Jiang is really doing, what will they think? Will they believe that a lawsuit against Jiang for these crimes of torture and murder is targeting the Chinese government or the Chinese people? The accusation of causing the Chinese government to "lose face" is trying to protect Jiang, while sacrificing an entire nation's principles.

Any group has its own recognized principles and rationales to maintain the interest of the whole group. Punishing Jiang, the perpetrator of murder and torture, will help to restore China's dignity and her people's rights. This is not "losing face" for China, but doing something good for China.

Lin Zhongming: The lawsuit is targeting Jiang and the "610 Office" officials, who are responsible for the torture and murder of Falun Gong practitioners. The defendants are the perpetrators as individuals, not the Chinese government or the Chinese people. Anyone who has committed crimes will have to take legal responsibility for their actions. Jiang cannot escape justice by using the Chinese government as an excuse.

(To be continued)