In the Spirit of the Fourth of July

As we celebrate our Independence Day and honor our forefathers who were inspired to speak out, risking their lives to call for freedom from tyranny, I ask myself whether I would have been so courageous. Would I have stepped forward for what I knew was right? If I had been in Europe as the Nazis began their rampage, would I have spoken out to defend people who were being killed because of their religion? In the Roman times, would I have been one of those citizens sitting in the Coliseum watching the Christians being martyred? Today we also have many chances to raise our voices against inhumanity and hatred.

In China the leaders of the government have banned any practicing of Falun Gong, a spiritual teaching based on ancient Chinese wisdom. When it was first introduced it was welcomed and praised by the government as they recognized the improved health and civic responsibility of the followers. But two years ago Jiang Zemin, the Chinese leader, started a movement to stop all of the group's activities. Analysts think that the leaders were working out of fear of the influence the group could have on society. But why would any civic officials fear teachings that encouraged people to be truthful, caring, and that emphasized that we shouldn't try to gain by taking away from someone else? Directly contradicting the Chinese Constitution, the new laws prohibit the expression of one's beliefs, and ignore the right citizens have to appeal a decision they feel is unfair. In fact when Falun Dafa participants try to appeal this ban they are arrested, and if they do not denounce their spiritual teachings they are sent, without a fair trial, to a labor camp. In these camps many have been beaten to the point of permanent disability, and 236 people have been killed.

The same cruelty that has reared its head throughout history is again attacking innocent people for the worst of reasons, because they do not follow the same line of thought, because they have found something meaningful within their own heart that is different from what the rulers feel. So we have the opportunity to do as we hope we would have done against Nero in Rome, against Hitler in Europe, to call forth the spirit of our forefathers and stop the brutality.