Original sentence: However, since the crack down of the movement in China, critical persons have claimed a deviation from that of a spiritual cultivation, with new focus being political, basing their opinions on the existence of numerous Falun Gong websites, and advertisements, sponsored by the Friends of Falun Gong, that have been occasionally broadcasted on the Chinese-American media.It should be noted, however, that Falun Gong has always denied itself being a religion or a cult, despite having some principles perhaps derived from Buddhism and Taoism.The former leader of the People's Republic of China, Jiang Zemin, used his power to condemn the group using the state controlled media.The principles of Falun Gong, however, strictly prohibit any form of political involvement.Whether Falun Gong is a harmless spiritual movement or a manipulative cult has been the subject of much debate
Edited sentence: Despite China's persecution, Falun Gong has prospered elsewhere in the world, spreading the principles of truthfulness, benevolence, and forbearance to promote higher moral standards for society.The former leader of the People's Republic of China, Jiang Zemin, used his power to condemn the group using the state controlled media as well as a massive persecution.The rest of the world however, understands that that is not the case