The mystic cult whose members staged Beijing's largest protest in a decade on Sunday promises to cure sickness and reverse a tide of evil sweeping mankind to the brink of catastrophe. It is one of numerous cults and folk religions, which along with more traditional beliefs such as Christianity are filling a spiritual void in Chinese society as it abandons socialism.
Some followers believe the end of the world is near.
Li's Fa Lun Gong cult claims membership of more than 100 million and sees human corruption in everything from homosexuality to rock and roll and drug addiction. His teachings hark back to ancient Chinese civilization before the advent of modern science, medicine and technology. Society is in such steep decline that humans are actually being reincarnated as demons, many disguised as monks, according to Li, who lives in Houston, Texas, devotees said. Although the Fa Lun Gong is venomously anti-science, members use the Internet to propagate Li's teachings. It appears to be tapping into deep public resentment, and fear of the unknown, as China undergoes wrenching social change and upheaval in its march to capitalism.