In the runup to the 2020 election, a small right wing news organization called the Epoch Times saw an opportunity and seized it. They directed millions of dollars in advertising toward supporting the Trump campaign and published dozens of articles in it's newspaper parroting almost every Trump talking point. They published so many stories that proved untruthful that they were banned from advertising on Facebook, but that didn't deter the far right faithful who flocked to support the organization. Now, what started some 20 odd years ago as a small, insignificant organization primarily geared toward a campaign against the CCP, had become one of the country's most successful and influential right wing conservative news organizations. They were the #2 poster of pro-Trump ads (behind only the Trump campaign) on Facebook before being banned. The Epoch Media Group also operates the New Tang Dynasty (NTD) television network.
According to their tax documents, between 2019 and 2021 their revenue grew by 685%. Their unwavering support of the Trump campaign brought them a bonanza of contributions from big money right wing supporters and they now claim to be the country's 4th largest newspaper by subscriber count. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. calls it one of his most trusted news sources. Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) recited the history of the Epoch Times into the Congressional Record.
As a nonprofit, The Epoch Times is exempt from most federal taxes. Its mission, according to tax filings, is independent journalism, “outside of political interests and the pursuit of profit, for the public benefit and to be truly responsible to society.” Many on the left have decried that the organization has become a right wing PAC and should register as such but authorities have yet to look into the issue.
In recent years the Epoch Times has denied any affiliation with the Falun Gong despite the two groups ongoing financial and organizational ties and the fact that the entire Epoch Times board members and most staff are Falun Gong practitioners. The non-profits behind both organizations share executives and provide grants and services to each other, according to tax filings. And the newspaper, along with it's digital production company and the heavily advertised dance troupe Shen Yun, make up a nonprofit network that the leader of the religious movement calls “our media.”
So, who is the Epoch Times and who controls it? The Falun Gong (or Falun Dafa) are a religious organization that has been persecuted by the CCP for decades. The Epoch Times was formed by members of the Falun Gong in 2000 as a small, free propaganda newsletter, in opposition to the CCP. Falun Gong literally means "Practice of the Law Wheel" (Dharma Chakra) which refers to a series of five meditative exercises aimed at channeling and harmonizing the "qi" or vital energy. The Falun Gong is based on the teachings of Li Hongzhi. He first published what has become the groups "canon", in two books the "Teachings of Falun Gong" in China in 1992 and Zhuan Falun" in 1993. Followers consider his writings sacred. They cover a range of topics from spiritual, scientific and moral issues to the metaphysical. Translated their core principles are supposedly based on truthfulness, benevolence and forebearance. The term "Falun" or Buddha Fa, is a great high level of the "Buddha School" in which "assimilation to the supreme nature of the universe" is the foundation of their practice. In this concept, one must practice to upgrade one's mind and nature by abandoning "negative attachments" and "assimilating oneself to Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance". The term "Practice" refers to the five meditative exercises that are said to purify and transform one's body. Li asserts that this world is beset with evil, disease, and immorality and only under his guidance can one attain perfect health and personal salvation.
The teachings of Falun Gong makes a distinction between fojia, Buddha School, and fojiao, the religion of Buddhism as well as between the Dao School (daojia) and the religion of Daoism. Falun Gong incorporates their own version of each. Thay incorporate the practices of Qigong that involves movements and/or poses combined with controled breathing in the pursuit of spiritual "transcendence". Li also teaches the segreation of the races and rejects modern medicine.
From the beginning, Li has asserted his absolute authority over the transmission of the teachings and the use of healing powers of Falun Gong: he said in Changchun that only he is possessed of these right, and any who violate are to be expelled. Falun Gong practitioners see Li Hongzhi as the "enlightened teacher" or master whose writings and teachings carry unique spiritual authority. Some have said that Li claims top be the "sovereign god whose Fa powers are thousands of times stronger than that of Sakyamuni and Jesus Christ". I can't seem to find a specific quote where he said this, so make of iy what you will.
Even before stepping into the political limelight, Falun Gong attracted a good deal of public attention. Its popularity has steadily grown at a grassroots level, not only in China, but also in countries such as Australia, Canada, Switzerland, and the United States. It has undergone an unprecedented period of growth since becoming involved in US politics.
So, how did such an organiztion become so intertwined in American politics and why have so many right wingers, including many Evangelicals, been so swayed by them? Does anyone have any insights?
According to their tax documents, between 2019 and 2021 their revenue grew by 685%. Their unwavering support of the Trump campaign brought them a bonanza of contributions from big money right wing supporters and they now claim to be the country's 4th largest newspaper by subscriber count. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. calls it one of his most trusted news sources. Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) recited the history of the Epoch Times into the Congressional Record.
As a nonprofit, The Epoch Times is exempt from most federal taxes. Its mission, according to tax filings, is independent journalism, “outside of political interests and the pursuit of profit, for the public benefit and to be truly responsible to society.” Many on the left have decried that the organization has become a right wing PAC and should register as such but authorities have yet to look into the issue.
In recent years the Epoch Times has denied any affiliation with the Falun Gong despite the two groups ongoing financial and organizational ties and the fact that the entire Epoch Times board members and most staff are Falun Gong practitioners. The non-profits behind both organizations share executives and provide grants and services to each other, according to tax filings. And the newspaper, along with it's digital production company and the heavily advertised dance troupe Shen Yun, make up a nonprofit network that the leader of the religious movement calls “our media.”
So, who is the Epoch Times and who controls it? The Falun Gong (or Falun Dafa) are a religious organization that has been persecuted by the CCP for decades. The Epoch Times was formed by members of the Falun Gong in 2000 as a small, free propaganda newsletter, in opposition to the CCP. Falun Gong literally means "Practice of the Law Wheel" (Dharma Chakra) which refers to a series of five meditative exercises aimed at channeling and harmonizing the "qi" or vital energy. The Falun Gong is based on the teachings of Li Hongzhi. He first published what has become the groups "canon", in two books the "Teachings of Falun Gong" in China in 1992 and Zhuan Falun" in 1993. Followers consider his writings sacred. They cover a range of topics from spiritual, scientific and moral issues to the metaphysical. Translated their core principles are supposedly based on truthfulness, benevolence and forebearance. The term "Falun" or Buddha Fa, is a great high level of the "Buddha School" in which "assimilation to the supreme nature of the universe" is the foundation of their practice. In this concept, one must practice to upgrade one's mind and nature by abandoning "negative attachments" and "assimilating oneself to Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance". The term "Practice" refers to the five meditative exercises that are said to purify and transform one's body. Li asserts that this world is beset with evil, disease, and immorality and only under his guidance can one attain perfect health and personal salvation.
The teachings of Falun Gong makes a distinction between fojia, Buddha School, and fojiao, the religion of Buddhism as well as between the Dao School (daojia) and the religion of Daoism. Falun Gong incorporates their own version of each. Thay incorporate the practices of Qigong that involves movements and/or poses combined with controled breathing in the pursuit of spiritual "transcendence". Li also teaches the segreation of the races and rejects modern medicine.
From the beginning, Li has asserted his absolute authority over the transmission of the teachings and the use of healing powers of Falun Gong: he said in Changchun that only he is possessed of these right, and any who violate are to be expelled. Falun Gong practitioners see Li Hongzhi as the "enlightened teacher" or master whose writings and teachings carry unique spiritual authority. Some have said that Li claims top be the "sovereign god whose Fa powers are thousands of times stronger than that of Sakyamuni and Jesus Christ". I can't seem to find a specific quote where he said this, so make of iy what you will.
Even before stepping into the political limelight, Falun Gong attracted a good deal of public attention. Its popularity has steadily grown at a grassroots level, not only in China, but also in countries such as Australia, Canada, Switzerland, and the United States. It has undergone an unprecedented period of growth since becoming involved in US politics.
So, how did such an organiztion become so intertwined in American politics and why have so many right wingers, including many Evangelicals, been so swayed by them? Does anyone have any insights?
