"When I was in the reeducation-through-labor institute, I got a chance to review the doctrines of Falun Gong in an objective approach and I found they are self-contradictory."

Li Lina, a former Falun Gong practitioner, who had worked in a science-promotion institution, told Xinhua in an exclusive interview that "soon I decided to sack the sect and return to my normal life."

Li, who was part of the staff of the China Association for Science and Technology and was formerly a branch head of the Falun Gong cult, has attended many Beijing-based activities challenging the rule of the government by the cult, such as assaults of the Guangming Daily, the Beijing TV Station, besieging the Zhongnanhai central government compound and creating a disturbance in Tian'anmen Square.

After she was sent to the Masanjia Reeducation-Through-Labor Institute in northeast China's Liaoning Province, Li has not experienced the beatings and excruciating pain as propagated by Li Hongzhi, instead, she was treated kindly and even could discuss the doctrines of Falun Gong with her roommates.

"There was no heavy labor, the institute even provided the latest articles of Li Hongzhi and organized former practitioners to debate on the changes of Li Hongzhi's 'lection'," she noted.

After a detailed comparison, Li Lina was among the first to discover the inconsistency of Li Hongzhi's preaching.

"Previously Li Hongzhi asked his followers to abide by the laws and regulations and whoever violates the law will be held responsible for himself or herself. Later, however, he called on the practitioners to 'disregard death', and break the law," she said.

Through debates, former practitioners in the institute found numerous contradictions, inconsistencies and loopholes in the doctrines of Falun Gong, some of which are as follows:

"Doing wrongs means increasing immorality, which will lead practitioners to hell, according to Li Hongzhi's early preaching. However, he called on practitioners to assault governmental departments and even disrupt the public order in Tian'anmen Square, how can these wrongdoings lead Falun Gong followers to the Heaven?"

"While preaching 'Truthfulness, Benevolence and Tolerance,' Li Hongzhi himself deliberately changed his birthday, told lies and collected considerable illegal money."

"While announcing that Falun Gong practitioners are not allowed to participate in political activities, Li Hongzhi urged his followers to 'stand up' (to oppose the government)." The practice adopted by the institute has successfully made 98 percent of Falun Gong practitioners there get rid of the spiritual control of the Falun Gong cult and return to normal life.

"My transformation is a serious choice after a long time of deliberating," Li Lina said.

As for the question of how could a science promoter believe in a superstitious sect such as Falun Gong, Li Lina told the reporter it is because of "selfishness" instead of "Truthfulness, Benevolence and Tolerance" preached by Li Hongzhi.

"In order to go to 'heaven' that is made of gold, Falun Gong practitioners would resort to every means to hurt the interest of the country, the community and their family, and they became the cannon powder for the Falun Gong cult," Li said.

"Please love life, love your family and kick away the fantasy of becoming a deity," Li concluded the interview by extending her hope to Falun Gong practitioners including her former subordinates.

(Xinhuanet 2001/02/06)