This is the story of 350 years of terror. Established by papal bull in 1478; the first task of the Spanish Inquisition was to question Jewish converts to Christianity and to expose and execute those found guilty of reversion. Authorities then turned on Spanish Jews in general; sending 300;000 into exile. Next in line were humanists and Lutherans. No rank was exempt. Children informed on their parents; merchants on their rivals; and priests upon their bishops. Those denounced were guilty unless they could prove their innocence. Nearly 32;000 people were publicly burned at the stake; the “fortunate†ones were flogged; fined; or imprisoned.
#2596616 in Books 2004-04-10Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 .77 x 5.76 x 8.44l; .83 #File Name: 0300102275208 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. More than what meets the eye: A religion with bizarre teachingsBy E. JohnsonIt's an older book and much has changed in the decade+ since it was written. However; it's valuable and provides a good insight into this fascinating religion. I only wish there was something like it written in the past few years. The book makes it clear that this is not an innocent religion. Yes; it has been persecuted by the Chinese government in many ways; which I don't like. But the things revealed by Maria Hsia Chang will completely floor a rational person. What people are willing to do for a religious lie!2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. An in depth look into a cultBy spin_ninI read this book and was constantly wondering if what I was reading was factual.Between the way the government continually and immediately reacts to the Falun Gong; and the way Li Hongzhi proclaims to be a deity; this was all just too hard to swallow.Li is delusional and the people following him are paying with their lives while he safely lives in the USA. Pathetic. A deity shouldn't have to hide in another country.Similar to Christian Scientists; Li has the Falun Gong believe they don't need medical treatment for their ailments and that he will protect his followers.Conversely; the Chinese government clearly staged some of the prosecutions of Falun Gong members on youtube.This is just a fairy tale. Both sides aren't telling the truth.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Both sides of a complex issueBy JOHN A. BROUSSARDIn the twenty years since its founding; the Falun Gong has been sufficiently discussed to have provided the English reading public with at least an approximate idea of this particular group's beliefs. Maria Hsin Chang has gone far beyond providing that kind of sketch. The Falun Gong; she points out; is a syncretic religion which draws its beliefs from Daoism; Confucianism; Christianity; Chinese traditional religion; science; pseudo science; ufology; magic--all mingled in with a belief in demons; karma; levitation; pre-cognition; millenarianism and a complex cosmology that will make most minds boggle. In addition; the author presents a succinct explanation for why the Chinese Communist Party has become so adamant in its opposition to and persecution of this bizarre sect. In her words; the Party's leaders have reacted in this way because of the "underlying problems and instability in Chinese society;" and because the autocratic regimes in this nation's history have habitually taken similar stands against any "peoples' religion" that seems; however unlikely; to be a threat to the regime. For anyone seeking a fuller understanding of this sect; its beliefs and the reason for the Chinese Communist Party's drastic reaction to the Falun Gong; this is an excellent place to start looking.
