Moral decline of humanity

What it is: Falun Gong teaches that contemporary society suffers strong moral decadence.

How the tradition understands it: Materialism, lying, violence, and spiritual corruption are seen as signs of distancing from the correct principles of the universe.

Textual basis and context: The theme appears in critical readings of modernity, science, politics, and everyday life.

Debates and variations: The language can sound strongly contrastive and is an important part of the movement's self-understanding as a path of restoration.

Supportive

Texts on moral decay

falun-gong,morality,society,modernity

Passages that describe contemporary society as morally degraded.

Reference: Writings and lectures of Li Hongzhi on social morality.
Content: The material criticizes lying, corruption, violence, and the spiritual disorientation of modernity.
Use in debate: It is important for the movement's view of the contemporary moral crisis.

Texts on science and the limits of modern knowledge

falun-gong,science,materialism,cosmology

Doctrinal materials criticize the insufficiency of strictly materialist views.

Reference: Lectures and doctrinal passages on science and the universe.
Content: The material states that modern science does not exhaust reality and does not reach the higher levels of the cosmos.
Use in debate: It is important for cosmology, moral decline, and criticism of materialism.

Neutral

David Ownby on Falun Gong

falun-gong,academia,ownby,history

An important academic study on origins, teachings, and repression.

Reference: David Ownby, studies on Falun Gong.
Content: The author analyzes the movement's history, doctrine, organization, and relationship with the Chinese state from an academic perspective.
Use in debate: It is a central neutral source for a historical and comparative view.