Meanwhile, Teng Chunyan, Teng Chunyan, a Chinese
citizen holding American permanent residence certificate and
a former Falun Gong practitioner, recently talked to the
media about her breaking away from the evil cult.
"I hope my experience will help transform
those obsessed Falun Gong followers," said Teng,
surrounded by media at a Beijing-based re-education centre.
With her short hair neatly combed and eyebrows
noticeably trimmed, the confident 38-year-old woman looked
younger than her real age.
The beaming Teng,
who has received formal training in Chinese herbal medicine,
is far removed the Falun Gong devotee she once was.
Teng travelled to China from the United States
many times between February and May of last year to collect
information on the Chinese Government's handling of Falun
Gong issues for Beijing branches of foreign news agencies
and introduced Falun Gong followers to foreign reporters.
Her belief in the Falun Gong cult began to
waver after she was sent to a Beijing-based re-education
centre in June 2000.
Recalling her former
devotion to Falun Gong, Teng said that family members and
friends could not persuade her to give up her blind passion
for the cult.
"I completely refused
contact with the outside world and only believed in the cult
and the propaganda that flooded the cult website," Teng
said.
Teng started to doubt the credibility
and motives of the cult website when she found that her
re-education centre roommate Yao Jie, now no longer a Falun
Gong follower, was reported dead by the website because of
her conversion, but was actually living a normal life.
"What helped to change your belief in
Falun Gong?" asked a reporter.
"Truth can never be concealed for long. I
saw with my own eyes police patiently helping educate Falun
Gong followers and trying their best to save the lives of
believers who wanted to commit suicide," said Teng.
Teng has also talked with many former
followers and was deeply impressed with their experiences.
"My personal experience made me
reconsider the so-called facts published by the cult and I
completely changed my mind," said Teng.
When asked about her conversion process, Teng
said: "True belief can never be forced."
"I am pleased to have shaken off the
spiritual shackles of the Falun Gong cult and return to a
normal life."
Teng Chunyan is now an
active member of the re-education centre dancing troupe and
is busy preparing for an upcoming art performance organized
by the centre.
"I have not been abused
since my detention and have not seen any sign of beating or
admonishment here. Police in the centre are very polite and
kind," said Teng.
The 75-year-old father
of Teng Chunyan came from Heilongjiang Province last week to
visit her and was relieved to see his daughter regaining her
energy and vigour.
"I am happy now,"
Teng said, "Justice will finally defeat evil. "
Maltreatment in Jail Rumor
she
told the reporter that she did not get any persecution,
management in the jail is very civilized, she did not get
any persecution in spirit and language.
Altogether 13 roommates live in Teng's room,
they can read English novels, dance and sing every week. On
weekend evenings, they can also watch TV programs, sing
karaoke. Teng is also a member in the jail art team and
often participates in art performances.
She
met Yao Jie in the jail, she heard rumors from outside that
Yao Jie died as a result of not practicing Falun Gong. This
matter all of a sudden destroyed Teng's absolute belief in
Falun Gong.
Teng's father told reporters that
many people abroad are concerned about Teng, but when they
heard that she is quite ok, they did not ask any more, if
they really care for her, they should tell others about
Teng's condition.
Teng was born in
Harbin, capital of Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province
and went to the United States in 1990.
She was
detained by police when she tried to enter China via Luohu
Port in Shenzhen in May 2000 and was sentenced to three
years of imprisonment.
Beijing People's
Procuratorate filed a suit against Teng in November the same
year, then she was sentenced to a three-year imprisonment
with deprivation of political rights for one year by Beijing
No. 1 Intermediate People's Court December 12 in the year.
Former Falun Gong Follower Leads New Life (20/11/2001)
2003-11-20 17:48