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  ICSA Positions and Policies

In order to dispel misconceptions that may have arisen in  ICSA's ongoing dialogue with independent scholars from various countries, Falun Gong practitioners, and Chinese scientists and government officials,  ICSA wishes to make three points regarding the controversies involving Falun Gong and the Chinese government.

First,  ICSA upholds every person's right of freedom of religion and worship, but is concerned about the use of manipulative techniques and undue influence to diminish the freedom of choice and freedom of mind of a group's members.

Second,  ICSA urges the Chinese government and Chinese scholars and professionals to respond constructively to reports by well-respected international human rights organizations that the human rights of members of Falun Gong and other religions in China have been systematically violated. The physical brutality and other human rights violations described in these reports should not be tolerated.

Third, reports in the Chinese press and elsewhere that  ICSA has branded Falun Gong a cult are false, as are reports that  ICSA has said Falun Gong is not a cult.  Although individuals associated with  ICSA may hold various opinions on this subject,  ICSA as an organization has not taken a position on the issue.  Our Web sites emphasize that lists of groups on which we have information are not lists of "cults."  For more information on  ICSA's concerns about labeling and definitional issues, see:

http://csj.org/aff/aff_linknotice.htm

http://csj.org/aff/aff_nonendorsement.htm

http://www.cultinfobooks.com/bks_idx/idx_affterms.htm

http://www.cultinfobooks.com/infoserv_aff/aff_termdefambiguity.htm

Approved by the  ICSA Board of Directors on 23 April 2004.

Updated on 6 February 2005 to reflect name change from AFF to ICSA.