U.S. National Religious Freedom Day and the Tai Ji Men Case | WPN World People News

The Action Alliance to Redress 1219, the Center for Studies on New Religions, and Human Rights Without Frontiers co-organized a webinar titled “U.S. National Religious Freedom Day and the Tai Ji Men Case” on Jan. 16, 2022.

In the United States, January 16 marks National Religious Freedom Day, observing the passing of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom on that date in 1786. The Statute laid the foundation for religious liberty for all Americans. To honor this occasion, the Action Alliance to Redress 1219, the Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR) and Human Rights Without Frontiers co-organized a webinar titled “U.S. National Religious Freedom Day and the Tai Ji Men Case” on January 16, 2022.

Prof. Massimo Introvigne, an Italian sociologist and the founder and managing director of CESNUR, stated that the Taiwanese government has a limited understanding of religious freedom and has failed to grasp how the UN and international courts interpret Article 18 of the ICCPR, as evidenced by its handling of the Tai Ji Men case.

The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom establishes three fundamental principles:

1. Freedom of thought and religion are intrinsic human rights to which no one may be denied.

2. Government officials shall not interfere with people’s freedom of thought and religion.

3. Freedom of expression is critical to the protection of freedom of thought and religion.

The forum was moderated by Prof. Massimo Introvigne, an Italian sociologist and the founder and managing director of CESNUR. He stated that the Taiwanese government has a limited understanding of religious freedom and has failed to grasp how the United Nations and international courts interpret Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), as evidenced by its handling of the Tai Ji Men case.

Dr. Pusin Tali, Taiwan’s Ambassador-at-large for Religious Freedom, stated that Taiwan's Supreme Court’s decision should be the only decision, recognized by all. As a country ruled by law, it is very just.

Dr. Pusin Tali, Taiwan's Ambassador-at-large for Religious Freedom, stated that the power of religion, freedom, democracy, and human rights has made the United States a powerful country. In the Tai Ji Men case, he stressed that Taiwan's Supreme Court's decision should be the only decision, recognized by all. As a country ruled by law, it is very just. When it is very just, he noted, Taiwan's Ministry of Finance has crossed the line of human rights and freedom. If the situation doesn't change, then Tai Ji Men should continue fighting, and its efforts will motivate the Taiwanese government to work harder, helping Taiwan stay on a good path with positive and just energy, added the ambassador.

Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, Zhang-men-ren (grandmaster) of Tai Ji Men, also stated that the United States has become one of the world’s most powerful nations by defending freedom of thought and religion and by embracing cultural diversity. He also discussed what constitutes the highest level of faith: "All things follow the law of nature. Heaven, Earth, and humans are one. If people can follow the example of Heaven and Earth, respect all living creatures, obey the law of nature, do good deeds with gratitude and atonement, and always communicate with their hearts, safeguard their conscience, and sincerely practice altruism, then this is the highest state of faith.“

He expressed his hope that “global citizens will follow their conscience in everything they do, bring kindness and positive influence to society, be mindful of the welfare of all people, pray for the world for one minute every day, spread positive thoughts, and pray for global sustainability, world peace, as well as peace and happiness for all."

Several international religious and human rights experts either joined the virtual meeting or sent in videos to share their thoughts on the Tai Ji Men case. “In Taiwan, for 25 years, the taxation administration has been turning a deaf ear to outside experts,” said Willy Fautré, director of Human Rights Without Frontiers, “It has illegally imposed taxes and auctioned Tai Ji Men’s property instead of abiding by the highest national court, instead of apologizing and reimbursing Tai Ji Men.”

Stephen Enada, who advocates for religious freedom in Nigeria, stated that Tai Ji Men's tenacity and perseverance in the face of injustice and persecution have inspired him and can inspire many others in similar situations. He believes it is critical to globalize the Tai Ji Men case in their forums so that more people are aware and can join the fight, because oppression of Tai Ji Men is oppression of people in other regions and countries.

Andy Swarna, the founder of Great Truth in the United States, praised the Action Alliance to Redress 1219's courage and efforts in reaching out to political leaders, various organizations, and human rights activists to make their voices heard and bring political resolution to their issue, with the goal of assisting Tai Ji Men in reclaiming its land intended for a spiritual center. “I wish Tai Ji Men the best of luck in this endeavor,” he said.

Ms. Ashley Lwin, a member of the Global Movement for Myanmar Democracy (GM4MD), stated that she understands Tai Ji Men's unshakeable faith and pursuit of religious liberty. "I stand in solidarity with the Tai Ji Men community in their decades-long struggle for freedom of religion in Taiwan."

Tai Ji Men members from all over the world also expressed their thoughts on the Tai Ji Men case. Hsiao Lung Ogle is a Christian who currently lives in Florida. When the Khmer Rouge conquered Cambodia in 1975, she was in Taiwan, and her entire family in Cambodia was executed because they were Christians. This horrific tragedy instilled in her a strong sense of religious liberty. She was deeply saddened by the gross violations of religious freedom and human rights by a few Taiwanese unscrupulous officials in the Tai Ji Men case.

She gave an overview of the case. The Tai Ji Men case originated in 1996 when prosecutor Hou Kuan-jen carried out a political purge in the name of a religious crackdown. He falsely accused Tai Ji Men of religious fraud, tax evasion, and raising goblins. After three criminal trials spanning 10 years and 3 months, Taiwan’s Supreme Court found Tai Ji Men not guilty of tax evasion or any other charges. The tax bills issued by the National Taxation Bureau (NTB) without investigation and based on the prosecutor's false indictment should have been revoked at that point, but the NTB ignored the court decision and continued to issue unlawful tax bills to Tai Ji Men. In August 2020, Tai Ji Men’s sacred land was illegally auctioned and forcibly nationalized!

Cici Han, a Harvard graduate and an architect in training in the United States, stated that Tai Ji Men Qigong has significantly relieved her chronic allergies. She noted that she learned from her Shifu (master), Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, that the most important way to deal with people is to follow one's conscience. She also followed Dr. Hong to visit various nations to promote love and peace. “We could have spent more time and energy cultivating our hearts and helping more people instead of wasting our time and resources fighting this case that should not have happened in the first place. We have exhausted all the means we can to rectify our case in Taiwan. We are seeking international support to help us resolve the case.”

Chris Tsai, a software engineer in Northern California, said, “This is not an issue for the people of Taiwan anymore. Even though I live in America, this is an issue that greatly concerns me as well. The government is very often hijacked by corrupt officials who only seek to further their agenda. Thus, the people must stand up and make their voices heard about injustices.” “We have to constantly make our voices be heard and tell the Taiwanese government that we see and understand the human rights violations and religious persecution that they have committed and that people around the world are watching. We see everything, and we will not be quiet, and I urge everyone to make your voices be heard,” he added.

In closing, Prof. Introvigne pointed out that in the Tai Ji Men case, five dimensions of freedom of religion or belief were violated. There was no freedom of religion or belief when Tai Ji Men academies were raided; when Tai Ji Men’s leader, his wife, and two Tai Ji Men members were unlawfully detained; when the activities of the Tai Ji Men academies were disrupted; when unjust tax bills were imposed and Tai Ji Men’s sacred land intended for a self-cultivation center was illegally auctioned and confiscated; and when travel bans were repeatedly imposed on Tai Ji Men’s leader.

Following Prof. Introvigne’s conclusion, two videos were presented. A short video featuring useful pandemic prevention tips–Five Do’s, Three Don’ts, and Six Tips–created by Tai Ji Men was shown to remind people to stay safe and healthy. A peaceful and hopeful song titled “Love of the World” was presented to convey Tai Ji Men’s wish to inspire everyone to work together for a more just and beautiful world where love, peace, and human rights prevail.