It's not easy to separate fact from fiction in the strange case of the Falun Gong movement. The movement is officially banned by the Chinese government. But how truthful Falun Gong's supporters are in alleging abuse isn't clear. Certainly some of the claims seem designed to evoke sympathy.

What is clear is that Falun Gong is a spiritual practice that began around one man. Even though there are many similar practices (qi gong) in China, all approved by the government, it was only Falun Gong that was singled out. It's possible that the explosive growth of the practice, coupled with the fact that a single man started it, alarmed the Chinese authorities. Unfortunately Falun Gong did itself no favours by emphasizing its independence from the Chinese government, a position that became more and more strident as time went on. Now Falun Gong openly calls for the overthrow of the Chinese government. There's no middle ground.