The Chinese Communist Party (CCP), in power since 1950, is not known for its tolerance of those who disagree with its ideology and its opinions. People must adhere to Party legislation and face consequences (the severity of which is debated) if they resist or rebel. One of the ways the CCP controls members is through religion. Although the government encourages an almost cult-like devotion to the Party, it allows its voters to participate in some major international religions. One religion that is illegal to participate in under Chinese law is the spiritual practice of Falun Gong. A new movement, Falun Gong, grew rapidly in China and around the world and was officially banned in 1999. The CCP claims that Falun Gong is evil and should be humanely destroyed to save China. However, Falun Gong is peaceful, and the Chinese government is the institution that tortures, incarcerates, and abuses its citizens if they practice that religion. The international response calls for an end to these immoral actions, but China continues to argue that it is destroying an evil institution. The mere fact that China denies its members freedom of religion violates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which China has signed, but violence against its people if they adhere to Falun Gong beliefs is a grave abuse of power. Although China bans many religions, there is a particular emphasis on Falun Gong, and many wonder why. One of the most likely reasons is that the growth, international reach, and popularity of Falun Gong threaten the universal power that the CCP holds in China, weakening the government and thus leading to the destruction of the threat: Falun Gong. despite what the CCP says, it is not an evil institution... middle of paper... The Tiananmen Incident, Falun Gong, and the Beijing Olympics. Criminal Justice Studies, 23(2), 163- 176. doi: 10.1080/1478601X.2010.485482.Minghui correspondents from China. (July 22, 2013). Statistical Report: Persecution of FalunGong in the First Six Months of 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2013, from http://en.minghui.org/html/articles/2013/7/22/141176.html.Peerenboom, R. (2005) . Human rights, China and intercultural inquiry: philosophy, history and power politics. Philosophy East and West, 55(2), 283-321. doi:10.1353/pew.2005.0010. Shuning, Y. (2000). Falun Gong: an evil cult. Retrieved November 14, 2013, from http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/zt/ppflg/t36582.htm. Zhu, G. (2010). Prosecuting “evil sects”: A critical examination of the law relating to freedom of religious belief in mainland China. Human Rights Quarterly, 32(3), 471-501. doi:10.1353/hrq.2010.0004.